TI Automotive Breaks Ground for New Plant in Georgia
TI Automotive is investing $30 million to build a new 145,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Hart County, Ga. The facility will produce automotive fuel-tank systems, including blow-molded plastic fuel tanks and filler pipes for vehicles built in nearby southern states by BMW and an Asia-based automaker. The new plant, which will initially employ 100 people, is expected to produce 350,000 automotive fuel-tank systems annually.
AutoZone to Provide Rebates to ASA Members
AutoZone has entered into an agreement with the Automotive Service Association (ASA) to offer its members savings program on parts. ASA members are now eligible for rebates on their commercial parts purchases through AutoZone.
Register Now for University of the Aftermarket’s University Forum at AAPEX
The University of the Aftermarket’s University Forum is your chance to tap into critical industry insights that add value to your company and increase your opportunities for career growth. University Forum, held on Sunday, Oct. 31, prior to the start of the annual AAPEX Show, will feature a number of valuable presentations. Presenters will include industry experts, such as Dave Caracci, John Passante, Bob Moore, Rick Benjamin and Chuck Udell.
Goodyear Invests $17.7 Million in Fayetteville’s Kelly-Springfield Tire Plant
Goodyear plans to invest $17.7 million in its Kelly-Springfield tire plant in Fayetteville, NC. The company said the investment will help improve the plant’s competitive position and meet consumer demand for premium and high performance tires. The modernization project is tentatively scheduled for completion by the end of 2004.
Pronto Names New Member
The National Pronto Association has announced that Eugene Service Parts has become the newest shareholder in its programmed distribution group. Located in Eugene, Ore., Eugene Service Parts is a full-line automotive parts distribution center servicing central and southern Oregon. Headquartered in Justin, Texas, National Pronto Association is a shareholder owned organization. Formed in 1979, the group currently has 49 shareholder owners operating 87 distribution center locations.
Equipment and Tool Institute Appoints Three to Leadership Positions
The Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) board of directors has appointed three members to leadership positions. Mike Cable, vice president, OEM sales, at Hickok, Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio, has accepted the position of Underhood Technology Group (UTG) chairman. The UTG deals with the diagnostics related to the vehicle’s drive-train and power driven subsystems.
Herman Trend Alert: The Shift has Begun
We have been forecasting the shift from a buyer’s market to a seller’s market in labor. Our message has been very clear that the past few years were only a pause in the demand for top talent and that the employment market would tighten up again. The shift to a seller’s market has begun.
Early Bird Registration for Aftermarket eForum Ends Today
This is the final day to register for the 2004 Aftermarket eForum at the early bird discounted rate. The Aftermarket eForum, which takes place Aug. 2-4 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, is the only e-conference exclusively focused on the automotive aftermarket. The eForum is the industry’s largest supply-chain technology event for aftermarket e-business decision makers.
Heavy Duty Dialogue 2006 to Examine EPA, NHTSA Regulations
Heavy Duty Dialogue 2006 is timed to give heavy duty suppliers the opportunity to discuss important industry topics, such as regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) scheduled to go into effect in 2007. The biennial conference, organized by the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), is set for Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 6-7, 2006, at the Atlanta Airport Hilton & Towers at Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport.
Street Glow to Sell a Portion of Its Ownership, President Steps Down
Street Glow, Inc., which produces performance lighting products for the aftermarket, has signed a letter of intent to sell a portion of ownership to a Chinese investment group called Street Glow (Hong Kong), Ltd. This group includes members from Street Glow’s long-time Chinese vendor which manufactures virtually all of the Street Glow brand of Auto-Neon and performance lighting products. With the sale comes some internal restructuring, the company said. Lou Merz, who joined the company in June 2003, has stepped down as president. John Bailey, Street Glow’s CFO since 1998, will assume COO duties and responsibilities. The company will not be naming a new president.