Executive Interview with Guy Bargnes, Director of Marketing, North American Operations for BASF Corp. Refinish Group
Guy Bargnes has spent his entire life in the collision repair industry. He was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, where his father ran a family business, V. H. Bargnes Co., Inc., which distributed automotive paints, supplies and equipment to area collision shops. In 1992 Bargnes joined BASF full-time, and he is now director of marketing, North American Operations, for the Refinish Group. Bargnes recently sat down to a phone interview with aftermarketNews and shared with us some of the insights from his lifelong career in the industry. Join us as Bargnes talks about BASF’s four leading principles, trends in the refinish business and the return of paint companies to industry trade shows.
Knut Bendixen, President of Bosch’s North American Automotive Aftermarket Division, to Retire in July
Robert Bosch Corp. (Bosch) announced today that Knut (Ben) Bendixen, president of its North American Automotive Aftermarket Division, will retire effective July 1. Upon his retirement, Bendixen will complete a 40-year career with Bosch in the U.S. Replacing Bendixen is David Coolidge, who has been with Bosch for 16 years.
MACS Issues Reminder on Refrigerant Usage in Mobile A/C Service
The reduced availability and increased cost of HFC-134a refrigerant is causing increasing concern to the service and repair industry. To address this concern, the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide has issued a reminder to all service technicians who perform mobile A/C system service and repair regarding acceptable refrigerant use.
AAIA Legislative Summit Drives Home the Message
With record numbers and spirited optimism, representatives from the aftermarket industry assembled in Washington, D.C., for the Aftermarket Legislative Summit this past Tuesday and Wednesday. More than 250 attendees representing 37 states made the journey to the lobbying rally to discuss with members of Congress the issues that affect the aftermarket.
SPX Sells GSE Tech-Motive Tool to Atlas Copco
SPX Corp. announced today it has completed the sale of its GSE tech-motive tool business to Atlas Copco-owned Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company. GSE tech-motive tool manufactures and distributes specialized tightening solutions for customers with critical assembly applications. Based in Novi, Mich., the business has annual revenues of approximately $25 million.
Integrated Supply Network to Open Fort Wayne Distribution Center
Integrated Supply Network, a national wholesale distributor of automotive and light industrial tools, equipment and supplies, has announced the opening of a new distribution center in Fort Wayne, Ind.
ASA Missouri/Kansas to Host 13th Annual VISION Hi-Tech Training Conference
The Automotive Service Association of Missouri/Kansas will host the 13th Annual VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo March 4-6 at the Overland Park Convention Center in Kansas City, Mo. The association is setting attendance records this year, with attendee registrations from 26 states this year, up from 20 states last year. More than 920 automotive service professionals attended training during the 2004 event. Show managers are expecting 4,000 automotive service professionals to attend the 2005 event.
Bosch Group Acquires U.S. Distributor of High-Efficiency Water Heaters
The Bosch Group, part of the Robert Bosch Corp., yesterday announced its acquisition of Controlled Energy Corporation (CEC), a distributor of high-efficiency water heaters. The company will be integrated into Bosch’s subsidiary BBT Thermotechnik, a leading European manufacturer of heating products.
Babcox Produces First Publication in the U.S. for Hispanic Aftermarket Professionals
Servicio Automotriz, a new automotive repair magazine from Babcox Publications, is the first publication for Hispanic automotive aftermarket professionals in the United States. The mission of Servicio Automotriz, is to provide Hispanic readers with high-quality technical information in Spanish in order to help them advance in their automotive careers and stay current with the latest automotive technology.
Bosch Receives Automechanika Innovation Award for Universal Oxygen Sensor
Robert Bosch Corp. has received the 2004 Automechanika Innovation Award in the Parts and Components category for its Universal Heated Oxygen Sensor. The award was presented at Automechanika Frankfurt 2004, held in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Automechanika is the leading international trade fair combining both the automobile aftermarket and the original equipment market.