KYB America LLC recently named Mike Fiorito to the position of director of business development, announced KYB Senior Vice President Mike Howarth.
“As KYB continues to expand in the North American aftermarket, and with the recent announcement by CARQUEST that KYB will become its full line shock and strut supplier, we had a need to recruit someone of Mike Fiorito’s extensive experience and high capability to spearhead our business development,” commented Howarth.
Fiorito previously served as vice president of sales for Affinia’s Under Vehicle Group, and also as the director of program distribution and retail sales.
Clevite Named Official Supplier For AERA Power Shootout
The Automotive Engine Rebuilder’s Association (AERA) has selected Clevite Engine Parts to be the official supplier of engine parts for its ethanol-fueled engine building competition.
Dubbed the E85 Power Shootout, this competition will be held in conjunction with AERA’s RPM (Racing, Performance engines, Machinery) Show to be held in Indianapolis Aug. 30 – Sept. 1. Clevite Engine Parts will supply Clevite engine bearings, Perfect Circle piston rings and Victor Reinz gaskets to all competitors.
Timken Announces New Training Program For Students
New in 2006, The Timken Company has joined with Tomorrow’s Technician magazine, to bring its training information to more than 52,000 students across the U.S. In May, Timken provided its technical training DVD “Removing and Installing a Hub Bearing Assembly” to the subscribers of Tomorrow’s Technician, which is provided to approximately 1,000 NATEF-certified schools. The magazine is distributed to students in secondary and post-secondary automotive, heavy-duty and PBE studies.
Timken’s website contains a host of information to help train distributors and professional technicians. The hub training DVD included in the mailing offered a glimpse of the company’s exclusive Tech Series CD, a multimedia tool that helps users get the most out of Timken bearings, seals, hubs and lubricants. A copy can be requested by visiting www.timken.com/techseries.
LeBoeuf, Tramontano Promoted to VP of Sales AT Beck/Arnley
Douglas LeBoeuf and Vince Tramontano have recently been promoted to vice president of sales for Beck/Arnley, according to Max Dull, president and CEO. LeBoeuf is responsible for the Eastern U.S. sales territory and Canada, while Tramontano is responsible for the Western U.S. sales territory.
AAIA Elects Morgan Board Chairman
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) elected Richard Morgan chairman of the AAIA Board of Directors for 2006-2007 at its Spring Volunteer Leadership Days in Hollywood, FL. Morgan is president and CEO of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, headquartered in San Antonio.
Other new officers and board of directors elected at the meeting include: Vice Chairman, J. David Bell, Erie Drive Train, Inc.; Vice President, Marc Graham, InstallerEDGE; Vice President, Jerry O’Pry, Georgia-Pacific Corporation; Vice President, Gary Perman, RPS Marketing; Vice President, John Washbish, Affinia Under Vehicle Group; Treasurer, Timothy Lee, LC Enterprises, LLC; Secretary, Kenneth Walker, Meineke Car Care Centers; and Past Chairman, David Caracci, Caracci Aftermarket Strategies.
Federal-Mogul Receives Two Honda Awards
Federal-Mogul Corporation announced that its McCord Leakless Sealing Company (MLS), a 50/50 joint venture with Nippon Leakless Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, received two achievement awards from Honda of America Manufacturing. The awards were for Productivity Improvement and Quality Performance.
2006 Bosch Technical Training Schedule Set
The technical training schedule for the 2006 Bosch Auto Parts Specialist (BAPS) program has been announced. The schedule covers training for Eastern and Western regions. Courses are provided free of charge to BAPS program participants and reimbursement for training-related costs is available through the Producer’s Choice Rebate Program. Courses include:
BAPS 1: Bosch European — K-Jetronic (CIS & CIS Lambda); KE-Jetronic (Versions 2, 3, 5); KE-Motronic; L-Jetronic; LU-Jetronic; and LH-Jetronic (Versions 2.2, 2.4, 4.1).
BAPS 2: Asian — Honda/Acura PGM-F1; Nissan/Infiniti ECCS; Toyota/Lexus TCCS; Hyundai Bosch M4.1; Asian ABS; and OBD II.
BAPS EL1: Electrical — Automotive Electrical Systems; Ohm’s Law and Electrical Diagnosis; DIN Wiring Diagrams: Wiring Circuits; Battery, Charging and Starting Systems.
Courses are scheduled to be held Monday through Thursday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. On Friday, only BAPS 1 will be held from 8:15 to noon. For questions regarding BAPS enrollment procedures, contact the Bosch Training Department at (708) 865-5665. For questions about the Producer’s Choice Rebate Program, call Coordinator Paula Lipari at (516) 997-3147, ext. 16.
Kathleen Schmatz Named to U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has named Kathleen Schmatz to its prestigious Association Committee of 100, comprised of the country’s leading association chief executives. Schmatz is president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).
“The Association Committee of 100 is one of the most prestigious appointments in the association community,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, executive director, Association and Chamber Relations, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “The selection of these executives is a testament to their leadership and standing among their peers. The U.S. Chamber is proud to be associated with such outstanding leaders.”
Founded in 1958, the Association Committee of 100 is comprised of experienced CEOs who represent association members before the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; enhance Chamber lobbying and coalition work; recommend programming; and strengthen outreach to the business and association community.
Lotus Cars USA, the importer and distributor of Lotus cars in North America, has introduced the exclusive Lotus Sport brand to North American enthusiasts with the world debut of the ultra high-performance Lotus Sport Exige Cup and Lotus Sport Elise. Unveiled at the New York International Auto Show, the first U.S. products to feature the distinctive Lotus Sport badge are the supercharged 243-hp Lotus Sport Exige Cup, a pure track-only competition car, and the street-legal 2006 Lotus Sport Elise, equipped with track-ready performance and safety upgrades that fully prepare it for serious competition.
Mitchell 1 and CARQUEST Record 1,000th Partnership Sale
In early 2005, Mitchell 1 and CARQUEST joined forces to create a marketing partnership as part of Mitchell 1’s ongoing effort to expand its network of connectivity to automotive parts suppliers. In less than 12 months, Mitchell 1, in partnership with CARQUEST, has recorded the 1,000th sale of the Mitchell 1 OnDemand5 Manager/Manager Plus to the international network of CARQUEST customers.
Mitchell 1 and CARQUEST customers benefit from a streamlined internet- based parts ordering system, FastLink and WebLink, which significantly reduces the estimating and invoicing time requirement. In other Mitchell 1 news, the company has enhanced its OnDemand5.com system to provide subscribers access to thousands of repair articles on a monthly basis, rather than on a quarterly basis, according to Dan Ramirez, general manager, Automotive Repair Solutions.
SKF Expands Pole Position Program
SKF has expanded its Pole Position training program from providing technicians with the latest technical and product information, to also offering an insight into the future technologies, products and trends associated with the automotive repair industry.
“At SKF, we find it important to offer technicians the latest training and product information available in today’s industry,” said Per Jacobsson, director of marketing communications, SKF. “But we find it even more important for technicians to position themselves for the future. If a technician can operate within the industry’s current trends while keeping abreast of future industry trends, we feel that technician will run a profitable and viable business.”
SKF’s Pole Position Program offers the latest product information obtained through many resources, including a close technical relationship with NASCAR’s Richard Childress Racing. Also, as a Pole Position Program member, technicians automatically receive an entry into a drawing to become an honorary pit crew member for Richard Childress Racing’s No. 31, No. 29 or No. 07 Team for the final race of the 2006 season in Homestead-Miami.
For more information on the SKF Pole Position Program, visit www.vsm.skf.com.
Standard Plus Club Hotline Answers Diagnostic Questions
Standard Motor Products helped more than 10,000 technicians diagnose vehicle issues in 2005 through its Standard Plus Club (SPC) program. By combining a live technician hotline, professional technician seminars and a new online technical information website, technicians received answers to tough diagnostic issues.
The tech hotline answers questions on all automotive issues by experienced and highly trained ASE technicians who have access to more than $1 million of factory manuals, multiple electronic libraries, a database of previous phone calls with their solutions and many years of hands-on experience.
CARQUEST and MACS Partner To Find Tech of the Year
CARQUEST and MACS Worldwide have teamed up to find the best mobile A/C and heat transfer service technician in the U.S. and Canada. The winner will receive a prize package that includes the opportunity to wave the green flag as a co-grand marshal at the CARQUEST 300 in Charlotte, NC, on May 26, 2007.
Technicians who are certified in refrigerant recycling and recovery may sign up now at www.carquest.com/macs to participate in a series of written and hands-on skill assessments to test their mobile A/C and heat transfer service knowledge.
Unperformed Maintenance Drops to $52 Billion in 2005
Unperformed maintenance dropped to $52 billion last year, according to a new report from the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). While the $52 billion represents a drop of $4 billion from 2004 figures, many vehicle owners are still neglecting many of the vital maintenance and service procedures that their cars and trucks require to operate safely, reliably and fuel-efficiently, according to AASA.
A full report and analysis on unperformed maintenance will be included in the 2006-2007 AASA Automotive Aftermarket Status Report, which will be published in June. Since 1978, MEMA has been the only organization to report the estimate of unperformed maintenance. AASA took over reporting the figure when it was established in 2002.
Service Dealers Can “Take A Brake” Courtesy of NAPA BRAKES
The “Take A Brake” promotion from NAPA BRAKES gives service dealers a great deal on an assortment of brake parts, a delicious Domino’s Pizza Party, and a chance to win a Dodge Charger HEMI at the GFS Marketplace 400 race at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 20. Domino’s Pizza will be the primary sponsor of Michael Waltrip’s NAPA Dodge No. 55 at the race.
Four winners will be chosen to attend the GFS Marketplace 400 (one from each sales region). Jobbers from the NAPA Auto Parts Stores who served the winning dealers will also be invited to the race. The NAPA Auto Parts Store that services the dealer who drives away with the HEMI will win a Domino’s Pizza Party, with the pizza personally delivered by Michael Waltrip himself.
House Subcommittee Approves H.R. 2048
The U.S. Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee recently voted in favor of the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2048) legislation in an open mark-up session on Capitol Hill, according to AAIA.
Although the bill was amended during the meeting, the goal of the legislation remained intact: Requiring the Federal Trade Commission to enforce requirements that independent repair shops have access to the same information and tools that are available to new car dealers.
