The Year in Review – A Look at the Top 10 News Stories of 2004
Whether you believe 2004 was a good or bad year for the aftermarket, no one can argue this was a big news year for our industry. The year included noteworthy shifts in leadership, mergers, acquisitions and more, most of which will significantly impact the industry for many years to come. Here’s a month-by-month look at what aftermarketNews.com considers to be biggest news events that happened in our industry in 2004.
Diggory Elected Chairman of Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association
William “Bill” Diggory, vice president and general manager of Chicago Rawhide, Elgin, Ill., has been elected 2005 chairman of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA). Diggory served as HDMA vice chairman in 2004.
Executive Interview with Greg Gyllstrom, Vice President and General Manager for Visteon’s North American and Asian Aftermarket Operations
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Greg Gyllstrom, Vice President and General Manager for Visteon’s North American and Asian aftermarket operations. In this role, Gyllstrom is responsible for expanding the organization’s North American and Asian aftermarket business by coordinating and directing the company’s sales, product development and marketing activities. Gyllstrom recently talked with aftermarketNews.com about his first two years at Visteon, the company’s motor sports initiatives and its presence in Asia.
ArvinMeritor Announces Plans to Divest Light Vehicle Aftermarket and Coil Coating Businesses
ArvinMeritor today announced that it plans to divest its Light Vehicle Aftermarket (LVA) business group and to take a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $190 million, or $2.77 per diluted share, in its LVA business in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2004.
FTC Letter Rekindles Right to Repair Flame
In the continuing legislative process regarding HR 2735 — The Motor Vehicle Owner’s Right to Repair Act, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently sent a letter to U.S. Rep John Dingell (D-Mich.), a member of the Energy and Trade Committee, in response to the Dingell’s request for feedback from the FTC on the proposed legislation.
Charting Your Supply Chain DNA — The Transformation Roadmap
What is the roadmap that successful companies follow in redefining their supply chain? Technology companies like Apple, Cisco, Dell and others are setting the trend toward faster innovation cycle times and shorter time to market. Supply chain velocity and agility are the bedrock of their competitive differentiation. As this transformation gradually cascades across industries, including automotive, implementation of the supply chain lifecycle based on the DNA building blocks we have been talking about can help companies manage these transformations effectively. The DNA building blocks represent strategies and distinguishing capabilities that have been implemented by the business-innovation leaders.
ThyssenKrupp Budd Promotes Robert Soulliere as Sector Chief
ThyssenKrupp Budd has announced several new executive management appointments and retirements at the company’s corporate headquarters. Robert Soulliere has been named president of the company’s Body Stamping & Plastic Sector. He replaces Richard Urso, who is retiring after 39 years of service. Also retiring from ThyssenKrupp Budd is Charles Davis, corporate vice president, marketing and sales.
David Vivian Joins Pro-Spray European Automotive Paints
Pro-Spray European Automotive Finishes announced today that David Vivian has joined the company as a territory sales manager. He will be responsible for the implementation of sales efforts to develop, service and grow markets in his region, and will report to Tom Gardner, business unit director, paints and coatings.
Charting Your Supply Chain DNA — The DNA Building Blocks
What is the genetic structure of a successful supply chain? This week we want to dig a little deeper into the major elements that make a supply chain competitive.
Retailers Hope Customers Will Tune in to Ads As They Shop
Customers rushed in and out of a Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts store on a rainy afternoon this week. Most walked without pausing past two televisions flashing above the cash registers and three sets hanging in the middle of the store. Televisions advertising the latest car gadgets, Advance promotions and daily sports and weather updates aren’t new for the Roanoke, Va.-based automotive parts chain. They first were installed in some Advance stores five years ago. Now they’re in all its stores.