Johnson Controls Renews Sponsorship of Rocketsports Racing in Champ Car World Series
Johnson Controls is continuing its sponsorship of Lansing, Mich.-based Rocketsports Racing in the 2004 Champ Car World Series. Brian Kesseler, group vice president and general manager of customer business units for the automotive group of Johnson Controls, and Rocketsports team owner, Paul Gentilozzi announced their return to the premier open-wheel racing series with plans for the upcoming season.
Timken to Sponsor ‘Engineer of the Year’ Award
Timken has announced it will sponsor the Design News “Engineer of the Year” award at the National Design Engineering Show. The award, voted on by readers of Design News, will be presented at a banquet in February at McCormick Place in Chicago. Established in 1987, the Engineer of the Year award recognizes the individuals behind significant developments in the field of engineering. It is the top honor presented at the show, which is part of National Manufacturing Week from Feb. 23-26, 2004. Design News is a trade magazine covering mechanical and electromechanical design engineering.
Tesma International Completes Acquisition of Davis Industries
Tesma International has completed its acquisition of Davis Industries. Tesma announced its intention to acquire all outstanding shares of the privately-held automotive supplier in mid-December. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. According to Tesma, Davis’ main product focus, in the area of stamped powertrain components and assemblies, will complement and broaden Tesma’s current product offerings and customer base.
MEMA Names New Director of Finance and Administration
Wendy Earp has been promoted to director of finance and administration for MEMA. She formerly served as the association’s controller, a position she has held since May 2001. Earp succeeds Joseph “Joe” Griscti, who is retiring after 22 years of service to the association and industry.
Buyout Firm Acquires Harmon AutoGlass
Cleveland, Ohio-based leveraged buyout firm Riverside Co. has acquired Harmon AutoGlass, a Minneapolis automobile replacement glass company. Riverside bought the company from Apogee Enterprises, a glass products developer. Riverside said it plans to sell most of Harmon’s retail operations as franchised units, under the name Glass Doctor.
Kathleen Schmatz Takes Over as President and CEO of AAIA
Jan. 1 marked the first day of Kathleen Schmatz’ new role as president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), a trade association representing more than 2,700 companies that manufacture, distribute and sell motor vehicle parts, accessories, tools, equipment, materials, supplies and services. Schmatz, who has served as AAIA’s executive vice president since January 2002, takes over the role from Al Gaspar, who retired at the end of 2003 after 30 years in the aftermarket industry. Gaspar is president emeritus and will serve as a consultant to the association.
SEMA Creates Specialty Equipment Insurance Alliance
SEMA has expanded its member benefits with the creation of the Specialty Equipment Insurance Alliance (SEIA). The Alliance provides business insurance coverage to SEMA member companies through the services of Driver Alliant Insurances Services, one of SEMA’s benefit partners. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Driver Alliant has been a SEMA member company since 1993, and has provided services to SEMA members for a decade. An insurance provider with extensive experience working with trade groups such as SEMA, Driver Alliant works with each SEMA member on an individual case basis.
Most Influential Women in Collision Repair for 2003 Honored
Akzo Nobel took time last month to honor five exceptional women from the collision repair industry. The five women were recognized as the 2003 Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry, an award Akzo Nobel has been presenting for five years. The 2003 Most Influential Women are as follows: Bertha Bertrand, co-manager, Brian Cullen Body Shop, St. Catharines, Ontario; Teresa Bolton, collision repair/refinishing specialist, ASE, Leesburg, Va.; Georgina Carson, editor, BodyShop Business magazine, Akron, Ohio; Karen Fierst, president, KerenOr Consultants, Silver Spring, Md.; and Eileen Haberman, vice president and co-owner, Glen’s Auto Body, Waukesha, Wis.