Taking the top spot in our recap of the week’s most popular news is our Executive Interview with Mike Fitzgerald, VP of marketing for Standard Motor Products. In the interview, the aftermarket sales veteran talks about the role of the Intermotor brand in the SMP family and the opportunities in the import nameplate market today. He also discusses other areas of recent growth for the company, including the launch of the new TechSmart brand and the company’s acquisition of the BLD Engine Controls business.
Top news from the distribution segment this week included the announcement that NAPA will offer the Demandforce D3 software solution to the more than 13,000 NAPA AutoCare facilities throughout North America. Demandforce Inc. is a provider of online marketing and customer communications software. The partnership between Demandforce and NAPA also will offer NAPA AutoCare facilities the opportunity to participate in the Demandforce Network and gain exposure to the more than 72 million consumers throughout the U.S. and Canada who are currently in the Demandforce Network and are customers of non-competing businesses.
Our recap of the week’s top news also includes the presentation of supplier excellence honors from two major distribution groups. At the recent 2011 NAPA Supplier Summit in Atlanta, BBB Industries LLC was recognized for its outstanding service as a supplier of rotating electrical products. SKF was presented with the NAPA Excellence in Quality Award for quality in all areas of its business.
VIP Parts, Tires & Service, New England’s largest privately held automotive parts and accessories chain, has announced the recipients of its Vendor Partnership Awards. Each year, VIP recognizes its best manufacturers, distributors and rep agencies for outstanding performance. The awards were presented at the company’s Managers’ Leadership Conference, held recently at the Samoset Resort in Rockland, Maine. To see the complete list of honorees, click here.
Last in our round-up of the most-read articles of the week, we learn of the passing of LKQ Corp.’s Founder and Chairman Donald Flynn. Flynn died Oct. 10. "We are saddened by the loss of a great leader and friend to so many,” said LKQ vice chairman and co-CEO Joe Holsten. “Don’s vision and leadership were key to the amazing growth LKQ has witnessed since 1998, the year the company was founded.” Holsten has assumed the role of acting chairman of the board, pending the board’s election of a permanent replacement.
