ACDelco Announces Plans for National Car Care Month
ACDelco is stepping up its efforts to promote April’s National Car Care Month (NCCM) and the industry-wide “Be Car Care Aware” campaign, which educates consumers on the benefits of proper vehicle maintenance. In honor of National Car Care Month, ACDelco is teaming up with warehouse distributors in select markets to participate in its first-ever car care initiative, which will educate consumers about the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair.
Delphi Says Law Will Affect Payouts
Delphi has said the Medicare prescription-drug law passed last month may reduce the company’s future payouts for retiree health-care coverage by $454 million. The company’s obligation at the end of 2003 would have been $8.02 billion with the legislation, or five percent less than $8.47 billion reported, Delphi said in an annual regulatory filing.
NASTF to Meet March 8 in Detroit
The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) will meet March 8 in conjunction with the SAE Congress in Detroit, Mich. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit. NASTF meets semi-annually with committees meeting throughout the year.
Delphi Integrated Service Solutions Appoints Three New Directors
Delphi has announced the appointment of three new directors in sales and marketing, operations and engineering for Delphi Integrated Service Solutions, part of Delphi Product & Service Solutions. Delphi Integrated Service Solutions provides computer-implemented workflow management and vehicle diagnostic systems that enable service writers, shop owners and technicians to increase productivity and drive consumer satisfaction.
Lear Appoints Anne Bingaman to Board
Former Assistant Attorney General Anne Bingaman has been appointed to Lear Corp.’s board of directors. Bingaman served as assistant attorney general of the antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice from 1993 to 1996, following a career in private law practice. Currently, she is chairman of Valor Telecommunications LLC, a provider of local and long distance telephone services to residential and business customers in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas.
Taking Action on AHPs
The Association Health Plan (AHP) Coalition, made up of more than 150 associations including AAIA, is getting geared up for its second session. In order to raise the visibility of Association Health Plans in the Senate, a letter was sent to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), copying members of the Senate Uninsured Taskforce, asking him to include AHPs in any uninsured legislation he introduces.
American Axle & Manufacturing Elects New Board Members
American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings (AAM) has appointed two new members to its board of directors: Dr. Henry Yang, chancellor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Thomas Martin, a retired DaimlerChrysler financial executive.
Survey Says Suppliers Should Pay More Attention to Their Brands
Suppliers must do a better job of building and utilizing their brand names, according to new research by SupplierBusiness.com. Companies make a mistake when they submerge their identities or consolidate brand portfolios out of existence, say executives who were surveyed. By having a clear brand strategy they say suppliers can capitalize on their good name and good will. The cost of developing a brand strategy is low and the risk is small. A strong brand means a company is taken more seriously in the bidding process and can open doors when trying to win new business with an OEM it has no relationship with.
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.
Modine Partners with Tennessee Department of Labor
Modine Manufacturing Co. has been selected as the first company to receive state funding for a new worker training program. The program, funded through the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, has $1 million in funds available this year. Modine has been awarded a grant of $45,000. The company said it will invest an additional $34,000 in curriculum and training equipment for the project, which will include training on new technology for staff members and cross-training for the hourly workforce.