Aftermarket Web Challenge Deadline Approaches
Applications for the 2004 Aftermarket Web Challenge are due Monday, Aug. 16. The Aftermarket Web Challenge is the automotive aftermarket’s oldest and most recognized award for Web application excellence. It is sponsored by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Information Services Council (MIS Council) and is held in conjunction with the organization’s annual Fall Conference. This year’s competition will focus on business-to-business extranets that connect manufacturers with their customers.
Nominations Requested for 2004 Automotive Leader of the Year
The Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) is seeking nominations for its 46th annual Automotive Leader of the Year Award. This prestigious award was established in 1959 to honor and recognize individual contributions to the motor vehicle aftermarket. The 2003 award was presented to Richard Morgan, president and CEO of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc. The 2004 award will be presented on Sunday, Oct. 31, at the Opening General Session during the 2004 Annual AWDA-AAIA Business/Education Conference at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.
Today is the Deadline for AWDA One-on-One WD Registrations
Today is the official deadline for warehouse distributors (WD) participating in the AWDA-AAIA Business/Education Conference to submit one-on-one meeting requests to the AAIA/AWDA headquarters. WD meeting requests will be compiled in the coming days and preliminary schedules sent to member manufacturers along with complete conference registration materials. Manufacturers will then have until Aug. 27 to request meetings with WDs. The final, consolidated one-on-one meeting schedules will be mailed in mid-September.
Goodyear Provides Preliminary Second Quarter Results
Goodyear Tire & Rubber said today it expects to report second quarter 2004 sales of about $4.5 billion, compared to $3.8 billion in the prior-year period. All seven Goodyear businesses, including North American Tire, expect to report positive segment operating income in the second quarter.
Executive Interview: John Washbish Talks About the Dana AAG Acquisition
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features John Washbish, president of customer relationship management for the Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group (AAG). On Friday it was officially announced that New York-based investment firm Cypress Group agreed to buy Dana AAG for $1.1 billion. We had the opportunity to talk to Washbish just hours after the announcement was made. Join us as he shares some of the preliminary details on the acquisition and talks about the future of the Automotive Aftermarket Group.
GenCorp in Negotiations to Sell Its GDX Automotive Segment
Technology-based manufacturer GenCorp is currently in negotiations to sell its GDX Automotive business. GenCorp did not provide any details about the negotiations and noted that the discussions may not be successful. GenCorp has decided to classify the GDX Automotive segment as a discontinued operation as of the second quarter of 2004. The company will record in that quarter a one-time pre-tax charge of between $250 and $300 million, to adjust the carrying value of the segment to reflect the estimated disposition value.
Oshkosh Truck Completes Purchase of Jerr-Dan Corporation
Oshkosh Truck Corp., a leading manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies, has acquired all of the stock of Jerr-Dan Corp. from an affiliate of Littlejohn & Co. Oshkosh financed the $80 million deal from available credit facilities. Jerr-Dan Corp., headquartered in Greencastle, Pa., is a leading manufacturer of towing and recovery bodies. The company’s product line, which covers the full range of vehicle towing and recovery applications, is distributed through independent distributors throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe.
Al Unser, Jr. to Retire from Racing
One of open wheel racing’s most popular competitors announced his retirement this week. Al Unser Jr., made the announcement during a press conference at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the site of the two greatest triumphs of his 22-year driving career, victories in the 1992 and 1994 Indianapolis 500.
HDMA’s Kraus Featured Speaker at CFS Institute for Truck Parts Professionals III
Tim Kraus, executive director of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and vice president of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), is scheduled to speak at the Council of Fleet Specialists (CFS) Institute for Truck Parts Professionals III, which takes place Sunday, Sept. 12, through Wednesday, Sept. 15, in Kansas City. Established in 1983, HDMA is the heavy duty market segment association of the MEMA.
Early Bird Registration for Aftermarket eForum Ends Today
This is the final day to register for the 2004 Aftermarket eForum at the early bird discounted rate. The Aftermarket eForum, which takes place Aug. 2-4 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, is the only e-conference exclusively focused on the automotive aftermarket. The eForum is the industry’s largest supply-chain technology event for aftermarket e-business decision makers.