We kick off our recap of the week’s top news with a look at the companies recently honored by Hahn Automotive Warehouse. Standard Motor Products (SMP) was recently named the Vendor of the Year 2011 by Hahn Automotive, and also was presented with the Outstanding Manpower 2011 and Outstanding Training Support 2011 awards. Dorman, Exide and Tenneco also were recognized by Hahn.

Also in top news this week, Beck/Arnley announced a number of changes to its sales organization, in a move to strategically align its resources with changing trends in customer preferences. The new structure includes a Group & Independent Distributor unit led by Matt Lundh; a National Accounts unit led by Bob Timoney and an OES/International unit led by Vonda Lee.

Also in the supplier segment this week, Timken announced it has enhanced and rebranded its automotive aftermarket category management service. The award-winning service, which has been rebranded "Demand Insight," now features even greater accuracy in predicting demand for parts, the company says. Additional replacement factors are now analyzed, including product and product sub-categories, the position of parts on vehicles and even geographical factors. 

In other top news this week, Uni-Select reported that it generated sales of $450.7 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared to $396.8 million in the same period of 2011. Net earnings increased to $11.2 million in the first quarter of 2012 or 52 cents per share compared to $9.7 million dollars or 45 cents per share for the same quarter last year. Uni-Select said the increase in total sales stems primarily from the addition of FinishMaster’s operations and the acquisition of store operations in Florida in the fourth quarter 2011 combined with organic growth of 4.2 percent.

Back to the distribution segment for our fifth and final top story this week. Longtime Federated member Woodbury Automotive has announced the opening of its new “Super Pick-Up” parts facility located in Hillside, N.J. Since 1971, Woodbury Automotive Warehouse has served the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut from its 14 locations and its main distribution center in the Bronx, N.Y. According to Michael Jacabacci, president of Woodbury Automotive, the new "Super Pick-Up" warehouse, will give Woodbury a wider area of coverage in New Jersey.