Motormite/Dorman Names New Vice President of Traditional Market Sales
Motormite/Dorman has named Glenn Barco vice president of traditional market sales. In this role, Barco will be responsible for the management of the Motormite/Dorman regional sales force, which calls on traditional warehouse distributors and their subsequent customers. He will also be responsible for the management of the company’s independent sales agencies in the traditional market, and will report directly to Steve Kirchner, senior vice president of sales and trade marketing.
Lord Corp. Opens New Michigan Facility
Lord Corp. — which makes specialty adhesives, polyurethane coatings as well as electronic, vibration and noise control solutions for the automotive market — has expanded its Detroit area facility in an effort to better serve the automotive market. Located on 4.8 acres in Wixom, Mich., the newly constructed 19,020-square-foot facility houses the company’s automotive sales office and includes a 7,736-square-foot high-technology formulation and testing laboratory, automotive aftermarket training classroom, and a garage for hands-on automotive application training.
DST Asks: What Value Do You See in Sharing Detailed Sales Data?
An ongoing dilemma exists between all tiers of the supply chain due to the gulf caused by lack of collaboration and sharing of sales information that would ultimately benefit all — manufacturers, distributors, parts retailers and service providers. Where do you stand on these issues? Our objective is to generate the thought and dialogue that might provide energy to new initiatives. See our special offer at the end of this week’s column!
NHTSA Ties Recalled Steeltex Tires to Five Deaths
In what it called a “voluntary safety campaign,” Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) recalled about 297,000 tires in LT265/75R16 LR D on 2000-2002 and some early-2003-model-year Ford Excursions late last week. Now, NHTSA is reporting that it has linked six accidents, which resulted in five fatalities and 20 injuries, to the Steeltex tires being recalled.
Executive Interview with Howard Kesten, President and Founder of Workboards
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Howard Kesten, president and founder of Workboards, which launched the automotive job site, aftermarketJobs.com, in December 2003. A two-time guest speaker at AAPEX, Kesten is also founder and CEO of APA Search, Inc., an executive search and human resources consulting firm serving the automotive industry. In 18 years, he has placed more than 1,600 automotive professionals. Join us as Kesten provides an introduction to aftermarketJobs.com and shares with us his predictions for the future of the aftermarket and the job market.
Senator Lindsey Graham Introduces Right to Repair Legislation
Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R-S.C.), introduced Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair legislation (S. 2138) in the Senate on Feb. 26, according to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). Similar to legislation introduced in the House (H.R. 2735), the bill would ensure that motorists retain the right to choose how and by whom their vehicles are maintained and repaired.
Dana Corp. Prepares for 100th Anniversary Celebrations
Dana Corp. will kick off its centennial-year celebrations at an automotive technology event in downtown Detroit, this while banners announcing the anniversary will begin peppering downtown Toledo. The Toledo firm, which turns 100 on April 1, will start its centennial celebration at the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress. Dana will return to the March 8 to 11 event at Cobo Center for the first time since 2001 after bowing out, along with other large suppliers, for business and financial reasons.
Crump to Chair NACE 2004 in Las Vegas
The International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) has re-appointed Vernon Crump, body shop director for John Eagle Collision Center in Dallas, Texas, as chairman for NACE 2004, which will be held Nov. 3-6, in Las Vegas, to coincide with Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW). Crump was NACE 2003 chairman and received accolades for his leadership and experience, and for the innovative programs he introduced at NACE to spotlight new technologies and to strengthen industry and global relationships.
TI Automotive Combines Regional Operations
TI Automotive, a leading supplier automotive fluid storage and delivery systems, has combined its regional operations for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), in a move to help streamline its product development process.
Class-action Decision Delayed in BAH Hearing; Firestone Recalls Another 297,000 Steeltex Radial A/T tires
An Indio, Calif., hearing to determine if a lawsuit over Bridgestone/Firestone’s Steeltex tire brand should gain class-action status has been postponed until Mar. 17. The hearing was originally scheduled for Feb. 25. California Superior Court Judge Christopher Sheldon delayed the decision, saying he wanted a shorter version of the motion filed by Bridgestone Americas Holding (BAH) opposing class-action certification. In related news, late yesterday afternoon Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire announced a voluntary safety campaign in the U.S. to replace approximately 297,000 Steeltex Radial A/T tires in size LT265/75R16 LR D (Load Range D) on 2000-2002 and some early 2003 model year Ford Excursions. The company said preliminary data suggests that there could be an issue concerning the performance of these tires. The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that the new recall was initiated following three fatal crashes that claimed five lives.