News of a new VP of Sales for Beck/Arnley leads off our top stories this week.
Paul Farwick has joined Beck/Arnley to lead sales growth across all channels of distribution in the U.S., Canada and export markets in support of Beck/Arnley’s retail and traditional WD customers, and their independent jobber, service dealer and DIY customers. In addition to responsibilities for Beck/Arnley’s traditional aftermarket customer base, Farwick also is responsible for sales to Beck/Arnley’s OE customers and other manufacturers. Prior to joining Beck/Arnley, Farwick served as the vice president of sales for CARQUEST Auto Parts Stores. Earlier in his career, Farwick held various senior sales and management positions at Standard Motor Products.
In other personnel news, Charlie Kirkland has joined Ventura, Calif.-based Fast Undercar as regional manager. Kirkland comes to the distribution business from Affinia Group, where he previously served as southwest regional manager for the Raybestos Brake and Chassis division. Kirkland also spent 32 years at Brake Parts Inc. In his new role at Fast Undercar, Kirkland will focus on industry relations including value propositions, group alignment, vendor and customer insights, sales development and market research.
In the racing and performance segment, Crane Cams is reportedly back in business, under the new ownership of Wisconsin-based S&S Cycle. At a new location just a few miles from its former facility, Crane Cams has resumed production of its motorcycle valve train and ignition products, as well as its automotive ignition line. A number of long-term Crane employees have joined the revitalized company and more personnel will be added as more operations get back online, said the company.
In other news this week, Cooper-Standard Automotive announced that it has filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in order to facilitate a balance sheet restructuring. The company’s Canadian subsidiary, Cooper-Standard Automotive Canada Limited, will seek relief under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The company said it intends to continue operating "business as usual" during the reorganization process and anticipates no interruption in its supply to customers.
Finally, Cash for Clunkers continued to make headlines this week. The week started off with fears that the program, also known as the Consumer Allowance Rebate System, would end mid-week if Senate did not approve a measure to add more funding to the program.
The wildly popular program nearly ran out of money after just one week. Yesterday, Senate passed a bill to add $2 billion to the program, by a vote of 60-37. The additional funding is expected to keep the program running through Labor Day weekend.
