It was three of the aftermarket’s top distribution groups that rose to the top of the most-popular list for this first news week of the New Year.
On Wednesday, John Washbish, new president and CEO of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, announced the line-up for the group’s 2010 Board of Directors. Eli Futerman, Hahn Automotive, will continue his role as chairman. Fletcher Lord Jr., Parts Warehouse, retains his role of secretary, and Rollie Olson, Parts Depot, maintains his position as treasurer. Joining the board in 2010 is Dennis Spooner, The Merrill Co., replacing Walter Spence who rotated off the board at the end of 2009 according to the bylaws of the Alliance. Fred Bunting, Auto-Wares, was re-elected to serve another five-year period as his term ended Dec. 31, 2009. Other current board members include John Bartlett, Automotive Parts Headquarters; Bill Bond, Bond Auto Parts; Lyle Moore, Performance Warehouse; John Del Vasto, Vast-Auto Distribution; and Doug Washbish, Moog Louisville Warehouse.
In other significant distribution news this week, the Automotive Distribution Network (ADN) announced it has formed a strategic alliance with The Auto Pride Network. Formerly a division of IWD, Auto Pride will now be its own marketing entity within the Network. Through the alliance, Auto Pride will add its distribution network of more than 180 members with more than 800 distribution points throughout the United States and Canada to ADN’s already-robust market coverage. ADN President Mike Lambert explained, “Auto Pride will maintain its own board of directors and control over the marketing direction of the group. Network Headquarters will perform the group functions of product research and accounting, in addition to providing assistance in marketing and IT.”
National Pronto Association recently expanded its network as well, specifically in the Pacific Northwest and southern U.S., with the addition of three new shareholders, effective Jan. 1. The new members are B & B Auto Supply, Cost Less Auto Parts and Glades Parts Co. B & B Auto Supply Co. Inc. is headquartered in Portland, Ore., and has a branch location in Salem. Cost Less Auto Parts Inc. has two locations; the main location being in Vancouver, Wash., and a branch location in the Hazel Dell area of Vancouver. Glades Parts Co. Inc., d.b.a. Original Equipment Co., has headquarters located on South Main Street in Belle Glade, Fla. National Pronto Association currently has 90 shareholders with 165 distribution center locations.
Another highly read item on AMN this week was our exclusive Executive Interview with Max Dull, vice president and general manager of Beck/Arnley Worldparts Corp. Since our last interview in July 2008, Beck/Arnley has transitioned to new corporate ownership under Uni-Select Inc. In this most recent interview, Dull updates us on the latest in Beck/Arnley’s transition and plans for the business in 2010.
The last item in our round-up of the week’s top news lends a little international intrigue to the week. Our sister publication Tire Review has reported that some 8,500 tons of scrap tires shipped from the U.S. to China for disposal and resale have been seized by Chinese customs officials. The illegally shipped tires were confiscated at Dongjiangku Port in Guangzhou, China, officials said, and three men were arrested.
