GPI Announces Merger with Straus-Frank Co.
David J. Straus, chairman and CEO of Strafco, Inc. and O. Temple Sloan, Jr., chairman and CEO of General Parts, Inc. (GPI), have jointly announced an agreement to merge the two companies. Both GPI and Strafco, also known as Straus-Frank Co., have been members of the CARQUEST Distribution Group for more than 30 years.
Republic Names George Strickler CFO
Former BorgWarner Executive Vice President and CFO George Strickler has been named executive vice president and CFO for Republic Engineered Products, one of North America’s largest producers of special bar quality steel. Prior to joining BorgWarner in 2001, Strickler served as vice president of finance for Akron, Ohio-based Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. He held finance and treasury positions at the tiremaker for 30 years. He was also executive vice president and CFO at Lake West Group, a retail consulting company based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Metaldyne Expands Technical Capabilities in Plymouth, Mich.
Metaldyne has opened a new 27,000-square-foot technical center in Plymouth, Mich., which will be dedicated to the company’s chassis group. The facility will house chassis group personnel including finance, human resources, product engineering, program management, quality and testing. A 13,000-square-foot test lab will serve as the design and development center for products such as chassis suspension components, wheel-end assemblies, ball joints and control arms.
Automotive Communicators Discuss Preparing For and Dealing With Crisis
The Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC), the professional peer group of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, will examine the issue of “Dealing with Crisis” during its annual Spring Conference. Slated to take place Wednesday, April 21, at the Dearborn Hyatt Regency in Dearborn, Mich, this event will provide insight on how automotive public relations professionals should plan and execute successful crisis communications strategies.
Genuine Parts Co. Reports 2003 Results
Completing its 76th year in operation, Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) has reported sales and earnings for the year, which ended December 31, 2003. Sales in 2003 were $8.4 billion, up 2.3 percent compared to the previous year. Net income for the year, before the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles related to cash consideration from vendors and goodwill, was $354 million, compared to $368 million, for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of 4 percent.
Radiator Repair Chain Takes Pollution Prevention Seriously
Radiator repair work — with antifreeze, lead-based solder and other hazardous materials — seems anything but environmentally friendly. But Mac’s Radiator, a Portland, Ore.-based chain of repair shops with a Eugene outlet, is part of an industry effort to change that perception. The Mac’s shop in west Eugene is the first business in the city to be certified under the Eco-Logical Business Program, a government-run pollution prevention project for small businesses.
GKN Updates Corporate Identity
Automotive driveline component supplier GKN Driveline has changed its name and logo as part of a recently adopted corporate identity program. Ted Rodewig, GKN Driveline’s marketing director, said the identity program is designed to bring new focus to the company by creating a common banner under which it will operate on a global basis.
CBS Segment Featuring ASA’s Ron Pyle Sparks Criticism from Insurers, Repairers
The Automotive Service Association’s (ASA’s) Chief Staff Executive Ron Pyle was recently featured in two CBS programs that addressed the issue of insurer-owned body shops. A number of insurers and repairers responded negatively to the segment, including the National Auto Body Council (NABC), which sent a stern letter to CBS News stating that the segment didn’t live up to its sensationalized billing, when Dan Rather told the viewing audience to stay tuned to see how consumers are possibly being ripped off by collision repair shops.
Automotive Supplier ZF Lemforder Plans to Close Duncan, S.C., Plant
Automotive supplier ZF Lemforder will close one of its two Duncan, SC, plants within two years and will lay off an unspecified number of employees, officials confirmed last week. Frank Buscemi, public affairs director with ZF Group North America, said the company’s components plant would be closed by the end of 2005 because it cannot fill demand and cannot be expanded.
Drivers Identify Almost 1,800 Unmet Needs, According to New Study
According to a new study conducted by global market research and consulting firm the RDA Group, automotive manufacturers are not keeping pace with their customers’ needs when it comes to such items as interior customization, vehicle control assistance, traffic awareness, vehicle monitoring, visibility enhancements, better in- vehicle food and beverage management, cabin temperature maintenance and child protection.