Gentex Earnings Dip Slightly
The cost to implement manufacturing upgrades, soft automotive production in North America and Europe and persistent pricing pressures from automakers combined to push Gentex Corp.’s quarterly earnings down slightly. The Zeeland, Mich.-based automotive supplier recently reported a 2 percent earnings decline on a 7 percent sales gain for the third quarter that ended Sept. 30.
Corteco Announces Winner of First Edelbrock Engine Sweepstakes
The automotive aftermarket converged in Las Vegas during the first week of November for the industry’s annual AAPEX trade show. This year at the show, Edelbrock, one of the most famous names in automotive performance, teamed up with Corteco, the aftermarket business of Freudenberg-NOK, to give away the first of two performance engines, sealed exclusively by Corteco.
WIX Filters Launches New Marketing Campaign
At the recent AAPEX Show in Las Vegas, WIX Filters gave automotive products distributors and trade press a sneak preview of the company’s new marketing campaign, which will launch in 2005. The new brand campaign was introduced as part of a company update that included information from WIX leadership about several recent developments, including Cypress Group’s recent acquisition of the Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group, of which WIX is part.
AWDA Announces New Officers, Incoming and Outgoing Board Members
Fletcher Lord, Jr., AAP, president and CEO, Parts Warehouse, Inc. has been elected 2005 chairman of the board for the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA). Lord follows Richard Beirne (2004) and Ron Levene (2003) as AWDA chairmen. Joining Lord in the segment’s top leadership positions are vice chairman Doug Washbish, president, Moog Louisville Warehouse; secretary Tim Sturdevant, AAP, vice president and COO, S.A.E. Warehouse; and Timothy Lee, AAP, chairman, L-C Enterprises.
Three Take Top Honors in 2004 AAPEX New Packaging Awards
With most everyone in the industry getting back to work after the successful and productive Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week, there is still some important news from the show shuffling in. Three aftermarket manufacturers took top honors in the 2004 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) New Packaging Awards, held Nov. 2 during the annual trade event sponsored by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).
Executive Interview with Greg Gyllstrom, Vice President and General Manager for Visteon’s North American and Asian Aftermarket Operations
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Greg Gyllstrom, Vice President and General Manager for Visteon’s North American and Asian aftermarket operations. In this role, Gyllstrom is responsible for expanding the organization’s North American and Asian aftermarket business by coordinating and directing the company’s sales, product development and marketing activities. Gyllstrom recently talked with aftermarketNews.com about his first two years at Visteon, the company’s motor sports initiatives and its presence in Asia.
CARS 2004 Sets Attendance Record
The Automotive Service Association has reported that a new attendance record was set with this year’s Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS). More than 700 people were in attendance at this year’s show, held at the Flamingo Las Vegas during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW). CARS is the premier event of the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) Mechanical Division.
Transtar Launches New UV Paint Refinish System at NACE
Last week at the NACE Show in Las Vegas, Transtar Autobody Technologies introduced a new UV paint system for the collision repair industry. The new Ultra V product line is a breakthrough in fast cure time for spot repairs, improving productivity, according to the company.
MACS 25th Anniversary Convention Gets Support from Record Number of Sponsors
“NOW IS THE TIME!” — the 25th Anniversary Convention and Trade Show of the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide is getting support from a record number of corporate sponsors. Forty sponsors have signed up for the show, which will take place February 1-3, 2005 at the Las Vegas Hilton.
AFFINIA Exec Discusses State of Acquisition
One of the biggest news stories of the year was the sale of the Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group (AAG) to New York-based buyout firm Cypress Group, which agreed to purchase the AAG unit for approximately $1 billion. That deal was announced in early July of this year, and two months later, on Sept. 8, it was announced that Dana AAG would have a new name under its new owners – AFFINIA. aftermarketNews.com sat down with AFFINIA’s John Washbish in Las Vegas just prior to the start of the AAPEX show to update show attendees on the state of the transition. Washbish is AFFINIA president of Customer Relationship Management (CRM), a position he has held since 2003. Recently, his duties were expanded to include serving as vice president and general manager of the AFFINIA Undercar Group, which includes the Raybestos, Spicer, Aimco and McQuay-Norris brands.