Art Fisher, CEO of Fisher Auto Parts and Founder of Federated Auto Parts Distributors, Dies at 65
Arthur Jay (Art) Fisher Jr., CEO of Fisher Auto Parts and founder of Federated Auto Parts Distributors, died Jan. 15 in Staunton, Va. He was 65. A graduate of Hope College in Holland, Mich., Fisher taught school before entering the automotive aftermarket in 1964. Under his leadership, Fisher Auto Parts grew from a single location to become one of the largest independently owned auto parts chains in the U.S. Today there are more than 300 Fisher Auto Parts stores, with 18 warehouses and more than 2,000 employees. Fisher founded Federated Auto Parts Distributors in 1985. Federated quickly became one of the industry’s premier programmed marketing groups, with more than 3,800 Federated Auto Parts Stores and 2,400 Federated Car Care Centers today nationwide. In addition to his work and dedication to Fisher and Federated Auto Parts, Fisher served on the board of governors of AWDA and served as chairman in 2001.
Aftermarket Veteran George Halford Dies
George Halford, co-owner and vice president of H.B. International Marketing Services, died this week. A Royal Air Force veteran who served in World War II, Halford emigrated to Canada in 1957 and entered the automotive business. In 1966, he purchased BMC dealership for Triumph, MG and Jaguar, and in 1976, opened three jobber stores. Halford formed Tandem Marketing Co., an automotive parts sales agency, in 1980, and in 1987 merged with Bearden Marketing Services to form H.B. International Marketing Services, Inc.
Siemens VDO Automotive Names N.A. Williams “Sales Agency of the Year”
Automotive supplier Siemens VDO Automotive has named Atlanta, Ga.-based N.A. Williams Agency “Sales Agency of the Year” for 2003. N.A. Williams is responsible for Siemens VDO Automotive’s sales activities in the Southeast Region, including Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. The N.A. Williams Agency, which was founded in 1934, specializes in the automotive aftermarket, serving a variety of major manufacturers. They have been a representative of Siemens VDO for the past six years.
ArvinMeritor Taps Don Polk to Lead Its LVS Wheels Business
ArvinMeritor has promoted Donald Polk to the position of vice president and general manager of its Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) business group’s Wheels product line, effective immediately. Before being named to this new position, Polk was vice president and general manager of the LVS Ride Control product line. Polk began his career with the company as a Wheels sales engineer in 1989.
Tenneco Offers New Limited Lifetime Warranties
Tenneco Automotive is promoting an expanded product guarantee program for 2004. Tenneco is now featuring limited lifetime warranties and a 90-day risk-free trial offer on premium Walker exhaust, Monroe shock and strut, DynoMax performance exhaust and Rancho off-road technologies. The new strategy will also enable aftermarket businesses to enhance bottom-line results while significantly increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty, according to Tenneco Automotive Vice President of Marketing Richard Alameddine.
MRC Names Iannottes Chairman Elect
The select committee of the Manufacturers’ Representatives Council (MRC) selected John Iannotte of Bob Barker Marketing & Sales as its Chairman-Elect. Iannotte has worked as a manufacturers’ rep since 1974 and is currently working on completing the second year of the Certified Professional Manufacturers’ Representative (CPMR) program, an educational subsidiary of the Manufacturers’ Representative Educational Research Foundation (MRERF). Iannotte officially begins his Chairman-Elect role in July.
AutoZone Enhances Top Management Team, NAPA’s Steve Handschuh Named Senior VP
AutoZone (AZ) has announced new responsibilities and additions to the company’s senior management team. Steve Handschuh, current president of NAPA Auto Parts, has been named senior vice president of AZ commercial. Handschuh spent the last seventeen years at NAPA building its wholesale business. Mike Longo, currently senior vice president of store operations for AZ commercial and ALLDATA, has been named senior vice president for growth initiatives. Additionally, Brad Bacon, vice president and general manager of store operations, will become senior vice president of store operations.
Delphi Appoints Three New Sales Managers in North America
Delphi Corp. has named three new sales managers for North America. Jim Eady, Darrel Reuss and Steve Tucker will serve as regional sales managers for vehicle electronics in North America for Delphi Product & Service Solutions. Eady will cover the Southeast, Reuss the Midwest and Tucker the Northeast and all will report to Scott Donnelly, North American vehicle electronics sales manager.
Wix Filters Named to NASCAR Performance Product Line-Up
WIX Filters has received endorsement as an exclusive NASCAR Performance Partner. The launch of NASCAR’s Performance brand — targeting installers and consumers — provides automotive aftermarket products a point of difference in the highly competitive retail marketplace. NASCAR will promote the new NASCAR Performance Network through a marketing program that promotes vehicle maintenance and directs consumers to nearby service facilities. The network, which is housed on NASCAR.com, features a shop locator service for driving directions, store hours, services and certifications.
George Dettloff Appointed President of SKF’s North American Automotive Division
Chicago Rawhide Americas President George Dettloff has been appointed president of SKF’s North American Automotive Division, which manufactures seals and bearings for the automotive industry. In his new position, Detloff will oversee all of the division’s North American original equipment and aftermarket operations, including financial, sales, marketing, engineering and manufacturing. He assumes these new responsibilities in addition to his current position as president.