The auto parts distribution segment dominated this week, taking all but one of the five spots in our round-up of the week’s top news.
Leading things off this week, the Automotive Distribution Network has reorganized the upper management of both its product and IT departments, according to David Prater, newly appointed senior vice president of the Network. The new structure is effective immediately. Kenny Lewis, a 30-year aftermarket veteran, has been named director of special markets. Victor Jones has been named director of product, assuming responsibility for all hard part vendor programs. Tom Frey, who has been with the Network since 2006, will transfer to a newly created position as director of information and technology. According to Prater, the new organizational structure supports the Network’s future expansion plans.
Minnesota-based Automotive Parts Headquarters (APH) recently recognized outstanding supplier achievements from 2009 at its annual Winter Conference held Jan. 18 at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd, Minn. APH President Corey Bartlett presented four awards at the event: Superior Fill Rate, BBB Industries; Best Fieldwork Support, Dayco Products; 2009 Supplier of the Year, Standard Motor Products; and 2009 Representative of the Year, Dave Berge of Dayco Products. Automotive Parts Headquarters is a third-generation, family- and employee-owned automotive aftermarket parts supplier serving Auto Value parts stores in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Michigan.
Also in the distribution segment this week, Fisher Auto Parts, the founding member of the Federated Auto Parts programmed distribution group, announced it will acquire Crystal Lake Pit Stop on Feb. 1. Crystal Lake Pit Stop Inc., headquartered in Crystal Lake, Ill., was founded in 1977 and joined Federated in 1999. Fisher’s acquisition of Crystal Lake Pit Stop follows the company’s March 2009 acquisition of the Robbin’s 12-store chain in New Hampshire. It continues the group’s expansion efforts, which also recently included new store openings in Pennsylvania and two additional stores in Richmond, Va. In addition, a 200,000-square-foot distribution center is expected to open in Mechanicsburg, Pa., by April 1.
There was yet another management change in the distribution world this week as well. Yesterday, General Parts Inc. (GPI) President and Chief Executive Officer Temple Sloan III announced that Richard McCook has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Monday, Feb. 1. He will report directly Sloan and will serve on the GPI Executive Committee. Prior to joining GPI, McCook worked as executive vice president and chief financial officer for U.S. Oncology in Houston, Texas, where he was responsible for leading the company’s effort to focus more on operational improvements than solely on sales, technology advancements and transactions. He also spent time with Raytech Corp., Winn Dixie Stores, KPMG Peat Marwick and as a partner in Tatum LLC in Florida.
Finally, wrapping up our listing of the week’s five most-viewed news items, United Components Inc. (UCI), an Evansville, Ind.-based auto parts manufacturer, announced late last week that it was notified that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially closed its investigation into possible collusion in the replacement auto filters industry. UCI was one of several filter manufacturers named in the investigation, which began in 2008. The investigation looked into allegations by numerous direct and indirect filter purchasers that collusion existed within the filters market. A separate civil case looking into the matter continues.
