Lund International Announces Two Executive Appointments
Lund International has promoted Bob Schuetz to vice president of aftermarket sales. Schuetz joined Lund in October 2003 in the newly created position of vice president of new business development. Lund has also announced the appointment of John Whitten as director of sales engineering. Whitten brings with him 11 years of quality and product engineering, most recently working in automotive accessories on a contract basis for General Motors and DaimlerChrysler.
ASA Chief Staff Executive Addresses Consumer, Insurer Issues on Two CBS Programs
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) and its Chief Staff Executive Ron Pyle played a significant role in two CBS programs that addressed the issue of insurer-owned body shops. Pyle was recently interviewed at ASA’s headquarters in Bedford, Texas, and appeared Wednesday, Feb. 11, on the “CBS Evening News” during its “Eye on America” segment. On Thursday, Feb. 12, Pyle provided follow-up coverage on this issue when he was interviewed again by CBS during an appearance on “The Early Show.”
How’s Business?
There are some very strong signs that business will be good in 2004. Optimism among repair shop owners is as high as it’s ever been during the three years we have been tracking this data.
MEMA Joins Aftermarket eForum as Sponsor
MEMA has joined as a sponsor of the 2004 Aftermarket eForum scheduled for Monday, Aug. 2, through Wednesday, Aug. 4, in Chicago, Ill. Other sponsors of this industry-wide event include the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association and the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA), R.L. Polk & Co., Comergent, Evant, Gcommerce, Prescient Technology, DST and WorldPac.
Timken Board Nominates NAM President Jerry Jasinowski; Announces Two Retirements
Jerry Jasinowski, president of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), has been nominated for membership on the Timken board of directors. He will stand for election at the annual shareholders’ meeting on April 20. Additionally, two current board members have announced their retirements.
New Ideas Should Help Old Favorite
After getting whacked by big upheavals in the automotive supply world, the wobbly SAE World Congress, Detroit’s biggest and most important trade show, seems to be finding its legs again.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Reports Increased Earnings, All-Time Record Sales
Cooper Tire & Rubber has reported all-time record high sales of $967 million, as well as a 20 percent increase in net income for the quarter which ended Dec. 31, 2003. The record sales represent a 15 percent increase compared to the same period a year earlier, said the company. Net income increased by 20 percent to $28 million, compared to $23 million in the fourth quarter of 2002.
TRW Raises $676 Million in Public Offering
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., which was bought by private equity firm Blackstone Group LP for about $4.7 billion last year, has raised $676 million in an initial public offering. The Livonia, Mich.-based company sold 24.14 million shares of stock at $28 a share. The company had predicted it would sell the stock at between $28 and $30 a share.
Dana’s Terry Shively to be Featured on the C.A.R. Show
Terry Shively, vice president marketing and public relations for the Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group, will be featured on the C.A.R. Show radio program on Saturday, Feb. 7. The broadcast will air between 9 – 11 a.m. EST. During the broadcast, Shively will discuss the importance of preventative vehicle maintenance and the role that the Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group has played in supporting the Car Care Council’s “Be Car Care Aware” campaign. He will also discuss the need for the industry to continue to come together to capture a share of the $62 billion in unperformed vehicle maintenance.
Delphi’s Rodney O’Neal Elected to Goodyear Board
Rodney O’Neal, president of Delphi Corp.’s dynamics, propulsion, thermal and interior sector, has been elected to Goodyear’s board of directors. O’Neal, a 33-year veteran of the auto industry, was elected a Delphi vice president and president of its interior systems business when the auto parts maker was incorporated in 1998. Delphi was spun off from General Motors Corp. in 1999. He was named executive vice president and president of Delphi’s Safety, Thermal and Architecture Sector in 2000.