BFS Retail & Commercial Division Joins Missing Children Initiative
BFS Retail & Commercial Operations (BFRC) announced it is partnering with the U.S. Postal Service, direct-mail media company ADVO and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) on a campaign to help find missing children.
Midas Reports First Quarter Earnings; Company to Exit Exhaust Business, Enters Supply Agreement with AutoZone
Midas today reported a net income of $2.6 million, or 16 cents per diluted share, for the first quarter, which ended on April 2, compared to a net loss of $2.6 million, or 16 cents per diluted share, last year. The first quarter of 2005 includes a 3 cents per share gain on the sale of assets, while the prior year includes a 18 cents per share loss on the early extinguishment of debt. Excluding these items in both years results in net income of 13 cents per diluted share in 2005 versus 2 cents per diluted share in 2004.
Cicero Appointed New Denman Tire CEO
Emanuele (Manny) Cicero has been named president and CEO of Denman Tire Corp., effective May 1, the company announced. Cicero replaces Charles Wright, who is retiring. Cicero, a seasoned professional with more than 27 years of experience in the tire industry, began his career with Michelin in 1978. In 1984, he joined Bridgestone as territory manager for Metro New York. Then, in 1999, Cicero was named president, OTR tire sales, for Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire.
Bridgestone Extends Agreement with Ryder
Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) and truck leasing giant Ryder System Inc. have extended their agreement in which BFNAT supplies new medium truck radials to Ryder, and Bandag Inc. provides retreading services to Ryder.
Car Nuts at Consumer Reports Produce Influential Reviews
Likely you’re familiar with Consumer Reports magazine and its reputation for scrupulous testing of vacuum cleaners, contraceptives, cordless drills, tuna, spray paint and, of course, automobiles. Its April “annual auto issue,” released in March, is must reading not only for car buyers but for car executives. It would be overestimating the reach of Consumer Reports to say it can make or break a vehicle, but not by much. With a circulation of more than 4 million — roughly triple the world’s largest automotive publication — the magazine’s effect is enormous.
An Era to End at Ford: William Clay Ford Plans to Retire from Company Board
William Clay Ford, the last surviving grandson of Henry Ford, plans to retire from the Ford Motor Co. Board of Directors after nearly 57 years, the company announced Wednesday. Ford, who turns 80 Monday, is the father of chairman and CEO Bill Ford and has been on the board for more than half of the company’s history, elected before he even graduated from Yale University.
2005 Cruisin’ Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
Organizers of the Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous Presented by Firestone have announced the 2005 inductees into the Cruisin’ Hall of Fame. Four automotive icons will be inducted into the 2005 Cruisin’ Hall of Fame and Meguiar’s Wax will receive the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award during the classic car show, the Route 66 Rendezvous. The Eleventh Annual Cruisin’ Hall of Fame Brunch & Induction Ceremony will be held Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Radisson Hotel & Convention Center in San Bernardino.
Beginning in 2006, Indy 500, IndyCar Series Will Use Ethanol
When the Indy Racing League kicks of the 2006 season of the IndyCar Series, the cars racing in the series will be partly fueled by ethanol. Ethanol is an alcohol derived primarily from grain. As a clean-burning and renewable fuel that is non-toxic and 100 percent biodegradable, it reduces harmful air pollution and improves racing’s environmental footprint. Its high octane rating delivers strong engine performance by helping engines resist detonation so they can run higher compression ratios.
BFNT Tire Care Videos Now Available in Spanish
Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) is releasing a Spanish-language edition of its popular “Longer Mileage Program Videos” on DVD. The video segments were created to help Spanish-speaking fleet managers, drivers, technicians and maintenance personnel learn more about preventing the most common tire-related problems. The DVD is available free to fleets, dealers and tire-repair facilities.
Investcorp to Acquire American Tire Distributors
Investcorp, a global investment group, reached a definitive agreement today to acquire American Tire Distributors Inc. (ATD) from its majority shareholder, Charlesbank Capital Partners. Terms of the deal, which is expected to close in late March, were not announced. ATD is the largest independent tire distributor in the U.S., with 70 distribution centers in 35 states, servicing some 40,000 tire dealer locations across the country. Founded in 1935 as Heafner Tire Co., the company changed its name to ATD in 2002.