The AMN Week in Review (Oct. 24-28, 2011)

The AMN Week in Review offers a snapshot of the most highly read stories of the week as seen on aftermarketNews. To access the complete stories, simply click on the highlighted links. If you missed reading one of our daily news emails, just click on the link that says "News Archives" at the bottom of the page to begin catching up on the latest industry news.

Tops in our recap of the week’s most popular news was our recent, exclusive interview with Bo Fisher, owner, chairman and CEO of Fisher Auto Parts. The interview features insightful commentary from Fisher on the future of distribution and what he considers to be the keys to success in this segment. Fisher also discusses the company’s growth through acquisition and expansion over the past several years.

Big news from Standard Motor Products (SMP) this week: the company has acquired Forecast Trading Corp. Forecast has distribution facilities in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and distributes a range of engine management products including ignition coils, ignition modules, switches and sensors and filters. SMP acquired all of the capital stock of Forecast Trading Corp. for approximately $44 million.

Next week, nearly all of the automotive aftermarket industry will converge upon the city of Las Vegas for Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week, at which time eight aftermarket professionals will be honored with Northwood University’s a nnual Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award s. The awards will be presented during a luncheon at AAPEX at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. Click here to view a slide show with photos and bios for this year’s recipients.

Last in our recap of the week’s top news are financial reports from two top aftermarket suppliers. Federal-Mogul has reported record sales and strong profitability for the third quarter. Federal-Mogul’s total sales were $1.7 billion, up 12 percent, on market share gains, higher volumes and favorable currency, versus the third quarter 2010.

Dorman Products also announced its financial results for the third quarter, which ended Sept. 24. Revenues for the third quarter increased 13 percent over the prior year to $134.2 million from $119.2 million. Excluding the impact of $3.5 million in costs associated with Dorman’s decision to exit its Swedish business, adjusted net income increased 17 percent to $15 million in the third quarter, from $12.8 million last year.