Compact Performance Sales Top $3 Billion in 2003
Sales of appearance accessories, handling and suspension parts and performance and racing products for compact performance vehicles topped $3 billion in 2003, according to SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association.
Executive Interview with Joe Puishys, President of Honeywell Friction Materials
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Joe Puishys, president of Honeywell Friction Materials. A 25-year veteran of the company’s automotive businesses, Joe Puishys has served as president of Honeywell Friction Materials since early 2002. His responsibilities include overseeing the most recent corporate effort to align closely with Honeywell’s business initiatives and operating plan. He has already played a major role in the cost cutting and six sigma programs occurring throughout the organization. Join us as Puishys gives us an update on Honeywell Friction Materials, including plans to expand manufacturing operations and launch new products.
American Tire Distributors Hosts National TireStarz Dealer Conference
American Tire Distributors (ATD) hosted its first national TireStarz Dealer Conference March 4 – 7. Ninety-nine dealers and their guests attended the four-day session at the Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tenn. The meeting featured a series of seminars and workshops designed to give ATD dealers timely information on important market trends and strategies for building their business. Mark Emkes, outgoing chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, addressed the group, as did William “Bill” Berry, American Tire Distributors’ president and COO.
New AAIA Report Provides Insight Into Auto Repair Professional’s Tool Buying Habits
A new market research report published by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) reveals that technicians, shop owners and service managers prefer to purchase their tools from mobile tool distributors. The report — “Tool Purchasing Trends” — offers insight into current and future purchasing decisions of professional users of tools and equipment for automotive repair based on surveys of more than 1,340 respondents.
RMA: Shipments of Rubber to Grow 2.3 Percent
Shipments of tread rubber in 2004 will grow 2.3 percent over 2003, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s (RMA) Tread Rubber Market Analysis Committee. Shipments in 2004 will produce approximately 16.5 million retreaded tires in the U.S., the association reported.
Experts Warn Industry’s Growth in South Carolina Will Be Flat at Best
South Carolina is chasing automotive manufacturing jobs even as the industry’s work force is slipping away from the U.S. Some experts warn South Carolina will lose its auto jobs too, as automakers and parts companies move jobs abroad or squeeze out jobs at home through efficiency gains. Some experts warn South Carolina will lose its auto jobs too, as automakers and parts companies move jobs abroad or squeeze out jobs at home through efficiency gains.
Cooper Unveils New TV, Print Ad Campaign
Cooper Tire & Rubber has unveiled a multi-million dollar advertising campaign aimed at reinforcing the tire brand’s performance and value. The campaign adds to Cooper’s tag line, “Don’t Give Up a Thing,” with an additional message, “Get Everything You Want.” The ads focus on emotional considerations of buying tires, rather than product features. The campaign involves three, 30-second television spots and seven print ads.
Executive Interview with Tony Perticari, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Crown Remanufacturing
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Tony Perticari, a 35-year veteran of the automotive parts industry. Perticari joined Philadelphia-based Crown Remanufacturing in 1986. He currently serves as vice president of sales and marketing for the company and is responsible for all NAFTA and overseas sales and marketing activities. Join us as Tony Perticari tells us what makes Crown tick, and what it takes to stay ahead of the pack. He also shares with us his predictions for the future of the reman industry, and the company.
NHTSA’s Runge, Continental Teves’ Kozyra to Speak at Automotive Suppliers’ Legislative and Public Policy Summit
Dr. Jeffrey Runge, administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), will be joined by William Kozyra, president and CEO of Continental Teves North America, on Thursday, May 6, for a discussion on automotive safety, at the MEMA Legislative and Public Policy Summit: Advancing American Manufacturing, in Washington, D.C. Runge and Kozyra will discuss such topics as NHTSA’s and Congress’ views toward encouraging voluntary industry guidelines vs. mandates and how industry and government should address innovation and technology out-pacing regulation.
DST Asks: Can Your Business Measure Return on Customer Investment?
Although most businesses have the means for measuring their Return On Investment, DST has coined the term Return on Customer Investment as a more accurate method of determining profitability of the customer base. Many firms believe that their largest customers, or the ones they have been supplying for the longest time, are the most profitable ones, but access to pertinent data can contradict those assumptions.