GAAS Scholarships Awarded to 145 Students
The Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) continues its work to ensure a strong future talent pool for automotive aftermarket companies and service outlets through its highly successful scholarship program. A total of 145 students will receive $1,000 GAAS scholarships in 2004, with the majority of recipients entering automotive vocational-technical programs, which will help address the critical shortage of automotive technicians.
icarz and MAWDI Announce Systems Partnership
Middle Atlantic Warehouse Distributor Inc. (MAWDI) and icarz today announced that they will partner to deliver advanced systems capabilities to all customers of MAWDI warehouse locations. MAWDI, headquartered in Tonawanda, NY, has more than 30 warehouses serving more than 1,500 stores in fifteen states with full lines of automotive replacement parts and accessories.
EPA Issues Notice In Support of Using Remanufactured Parts
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a new Recovered Material Advisory Notice recognizing the environmental benefits of using rebuilt automotive parts. The notice, which was issued on April 30, also ensures that the Federal government must use rebuilt parts for use on government vehicles when available.
Shortage of Technology-Oriented Mechanics May Lead to Higher Repair Costs
Motorists, already facing soaring gas prices, can expect higher repair costs in the future because of a lack of qualified mechanics. Even as today’s cars and trucks become more technologically advanced, there are fewer students who can read well enough to understand manuals that explain how to repair them, mechanics and automotive instructors say.
Pro-King Debuts on Two Guys Garage
Several transmission products from Pro-King Automotive Products will be featured on an upcoming episode of SPEED Channel’s popular show Two Guys Garage. The episode will air on June 19 and again in September. Pro-King has been in the business of providing transmission parts for both automatic and manual units for 40 years.
MACS President to Speak at Australian Mobile A/C Conference
MACS president and COO Elvis Hoffpauir will deliver a presentation on mobile A/C service trends in the U.S. at the 2004 Wire & Gas Training Convention and Trade Show in Brisbane, Australia. Hoffpauir will be among a number of leading experts to speak about vehicle air conditioning design and future trends at the event, which takes place June 11-14.
AAPEX Organizers Working to Keep Counterfeiters Out
AAPEX show organizers will again this year pursue an active campaign to keep the trade show free of counterfeiting. Building on last year’s program, exhibitors will receive several notices provided in multiple languages advising of sanctions they will face if found to violate trademarks and patents with products and promotional materials displayed at AAPEX.
Covisint Price Tag: $7 Million
Compuware Corp. paid $7 million to acquire Covisint LLC, the failed online automotive entity in which its owners invested more than $500 million, according to federal documents Compuware filed Wednesday. Compuware also disclosed that it has cut its workforce to fewer than 8,700 employees.
Barolin & Spencer Launches Marketing Communications Web Site
Barolin & Spencer, a New Jersey-based marketing communications firm that serves the automotive industry, recently launched a new company Web site. The new site — www.barolin-spencer.com — features case histories and a portfolio of the company’s integrated marketing services, which include advertising, merchandising, direct marketing, web and interactive, public relations, packaging/POP design, sales promotion and trade show support.
Online Registration Open for FAIA Golden Anniversary Celebration and Conference
Online registration is now available for the Florida Automotive Industry Association’s (FAIA) 50th Anniversary celebration and conference. FAIA’S Golden Anniversary Celebration & Conference will be held July 23-24 at the J.W. Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla.