GM to Tap Accessories Market, Plans to Build 85 Parts Distribution Centers
It appears that General Motors (GM) wants to grab yet another piece of the rapidly-growing vehicle accessory market. GM has asked its dealers and investors to help boost the company’s sales of vehicle accessories by building new autoparts distribution centers, according to a recent Bloomberg report. GM said it would like to see 85 parts centers built by 2005.
North American Automotive Suppliers, Japanese Carmakers Meet for 10th Annual Business Conference
North American automotive suppliers and Japanese car manufacturers will meet to promote expanded business relationships at the 10th annual MEMA/JAMA One on One Business Conference, scheduled to take place Monday, Sept. 27, through Wednesday, Sept. 29, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dearborn, Mich. The conference is sponsored by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA)
BWD Automotive Offers New BorgWarner Brand Emission Control Systems Parts Catalog
BWD Automotive has announced the availability of its BorgWarner brand Emission Control Systems Parts catalog, No. EC-04. The catalog lists applications for emission control systems parts for North American and imported passenger cars and trucks in an easy-to-use format. All model years are covered, including both light duty and medium duty trucks.
Cooper Tire Signs Supply Agreement with Hangzhou Rubber Co.
Cooper Tire and Rubber has signed an outsourcing agreement with Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co., located in Hangzhou, China. Hangzhou will supply approximately one million passenger radial tires to Cooper for sale in the U.S. Last October, Cooper announced an agreement with Hangzhou to supply Cooper with radial medium truck (RMT) tires which had previously been made at Cooper’s Albany, Ga., plant. The Albany facility will add passenger capacity to replace the RMT production.
Goudy Named Vice President PPG Automotive Aftermarket
Garry Goudy has been appointed vice president of PPG Industries’ automotive aftermarket, comprising automotive refinish coatings, automotive replacement glass and insurance and services. While continuing to lead PPG’s refinish coatings business, in this new role Goudy will assume broader responsibility for all of PPG’s automotive aftermarket business initiatives.
AMN Perspectives by Thomas Group: Experience at Work
In our last article we raised the issue of conflicting department strategies without really addressing it. Let’s do that now. As an example, what happens when finance drives for lower inventory levels to minimize working capital costs, sales and marketing promises customers more inventory to improve service, and production plans long manufacturing runs with low flexibility to maximize favorable variances? The results will not be pretty.
DST Asks: Do You Get Everything You Need from Your Current Computer System?
The database engine is the foundation of a computerized business system, used to abstract very specific sorts of information about your business and organize it in a way that will prove useful. The database should ultimately be viewed as a representation or model of the business.
Bridgestone Profit Jumps
Tiremaker Bridgestone Corp. said its profit nearly doubled in 2003 as sales rose in Europe and payments related to a massive U.S. tire recall three years ago declined. But the tire company forecast lower profits for this year, citing higher rubber prices and increasing marketing expenses in Japan in the face of weak demand.
LKQ Enters Aftermarket Through GTA Acquisition
LKQ Corp., a nationwide provider of recycled OEM automotive replacement parts, has acquired Global Trade Alliance (GTA), one of the largest suppliers of aftermarket collision automotive replacement parts in the Midwest. GTA operates primarily as Action Crash Parts and Midwest Fender. LKQ paid $30 million for the acquisition, $1.5 million of which was in LKQ common stock and the balance of which was in cash and assumed debt.
Goodyear Completes $650 Million Loan
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has completed a new $650 million secured term loan that was arranged by JPMorgan and Citigroup. The company said it intends to use approximately $335 million of the proceeds of the loan to partially repay its existing $583 million U.S. term loan. Proceeds will also be used to repay other indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.