Executive Interview with Rich White, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, AAIA, and Executive Director of the Car Care Council
Rich White is vice president of marketing and communications for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). He oversees marketing, public relations, media relations, publications, Web sites and most recently, the Car Care Council and the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign. With National Car Care Month just around the corner, White provided aftermarketNews.com with an update on the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign and the Car Care Council’s plans for this year. He also shared how aftermarket companies can become more involved in the campaign.
Learn How to Work Leaner, Faster, Better at GAAS 2004
Early registrants for the ninth annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) program will learn how the aftermarket will work leaner, faster and better at a substantial savings. GAAS 2004 is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-19, at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago, Ill. Dr. Jeffrey Rosensweig, economist and professor at Emory University, heads the lineup of speakers at GAAS 2004. NASCAR Driver Bill Lester is the featured lunch speaker on Tuesday, May 18. GAAS 2004 will also include two pre-conference events: the 2004 Manufacturers’ Reps Conference on Sunday and Monday, May 16-17, and the University of the Aftermarket Pre-Symposium Seminar on Monday, May 17, “How to Accelerate Your Sales Growth through Increased Customer Loyalty.”
Deadline to Participate in AASA 2004 Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers List is Feb. 6; Form Available Online
Time is running out to participate in the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) 2004 Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers List. Produced by Babcox Publications in Akron, OH, this multi-page, full-color publication will feature useful information on the largest suppliers to the automotive aftermarket, and will rank suppliers by annual North American aftermarket sales. Deadline for submissions in the publication, which will be distributed this spring, is Feb. 6.
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.
ArvinMeritor’s Yost to Discuss Heavy Duty Supplier Industry Trends at Heavy Duty Dialogue
Larry Yost, chairman and CEO of ArvinMeritor will discuss the challenges facing the heavy duty supplier industry at Heavy Duty Dialogue 2004, slated for Feb. 9 and 10. The event will take place at the Atlanta Airport Hilton and Towers, Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport, Atlanta, Ga. This is 13th in the biennial series presented by the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA).
Forbes Automotive Reporters Forecast Industry Trends for 2004
Automotive industry reporters from Forbes magazine will discuss the industry outlook and trends for 2004 with automotive public relations professionals on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at Dana Corp. headquarters in Farmington Hills, Mich. Presented by the Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC), the panel discussion will be moderated by Gary Corrigan, vice president of Dana corporate communications and chairman of APRC, and will feature Jonathan Fahey and Joann Muller of Forbes. Forbes is one of the country’s leading business magazines, reaching 4.4 million readers.
Dana and GETRAG Sign Joint-Venture Agreement with Volvo
A recently formed joint venture company between Dana and GETRAG has signed an agreement with Volvo Car Corp. (VCC) to purchase a 60-percent interest in VCC’s operations in Koping, Sweden. The resulting joint venture with VCC will be known as GETRAG All Wheel Drive AB, a Dana/GETRAG Co. The company will produce all-wheel-drive (AWD) and chassis systems and components for passenger cars and sport-utility vehicles.
AASA to Host University of the Aftermarket’s Inventory Management Seminar
Gain a better understanding of the fundamentals of inventory control management and the purchasing process by attending the University of the Aftermarket’s Inventory Management Seminar. The event is set for Monday and Tuesday, March 8-9, at MEMA’s Research Triangle Park, N.C., headquarters and will be hosted by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA).
Herman Trend Alert: What Some Recruiters Look For
As futurists, we are often asked by concerned parents what advice they should give to their children. What courses to take? Where will the jobs be in the future? Because of the speed of evolution of occupations and technology, we recommend that young people study liberal arts to gain a good grounding in a wide range of areas. Students learn how to research and explore, solve problems and make decisions, challenge and collaborate—vital skills in today’s workplace. We’ve seen another trend emerging recently.