January 25, 2008
Schmatz Discusses Right to Repair on Fox Business Show
AAIA Outstanding Service Award Presented to David Scheer
2008 Polk Inventory Efficiency Award: An Open Invitation to All Aftermarket Companies in the U.S.
Consumer Media Coverage of Be Car Care Aware Surges in 2007
More Best Buy Execs Join Advance Auto Parts
Pep Boys CFO Harry Yanowitz Resigns
Green Progress to Speed Up
WELCOME NEW AAIA MEMBERS
Schmatz Discusses Right to Repair on Fox Business Show
Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, AAIA, appeared on the Fox Business Channel show “Money for Breakfast” on Friday, Jan. 25 to discuss the need for Congress to pass the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act. Schmatz pointed to the problems facing technicians in the “front lines” performing repairs on late model vehicles. Questioned by the interviewer about new car dealer allegations that all of the information is available, Schmatz countered that often technicians digging for information to diagnose a vehicle-related problem will go so far and hit a “dead end,” unable to complete the repair. She further noted that many car companies have different Web sites for their new car dealers and for independent repair shops.
“If car companies are making all of the information available, why do dealers have access to different Web sites than the independent shops?” Schmatz asked.
Schmatz said that Right to Repair legislation would ensure that the independent aftermarket has access to the same information and tools as new car dealers. It would not require the provision of car company trade secrets as new car dealers charge, nor would it mandate that the information be provided for free. Shops are willing to pay a fair price for the information, but it must be readily available for them to be competitive, Schmatz said.
For more information on Right to Repair, visit www.righttorepair.org.
AAIA Outstanding Service Award Presented to David Scheer
David Scheer, president, Inland Truck Parts Co., received the prestigious 2007 AAIA Outstanding Service Award on Monday, Jan. 21. The award was presented during the AAIA Executive Committee Meeting at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) in Las Vegas, Nev.
The AAIA Outstanding Service Award is given to those who have shown their dedication to the causes and ideals of the industry, through countless hours of volunteer time spent to accomplish a goal. Recipients of the award have truly gone above and beyond the call of duty to benefit the aftermarket.
Scheer played an integral role in the all-industry breakthrough agreement that brought the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN) in as an HDAW sponsor and has been instrumental in the success of HDAW. He formed the Commercial Vehicle Task Force, comprised of eight leading industry groups, to resolve the problem of restricted product and repair information access in the heavy duty marketplace. Scheer has been heavily involved with the Heavy Duty Distribution Association (HDDA) for more than 10 years, serving both on the board and as past chairman. He also served as vice president on the AAIA Executive Committee.
“Scheer’s contributions and service to our association and industry have been extraordinary, and I am pleased to present him with this award,” said AAIA chairman Richard Morgan, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc.
Scheer has been with Inland Truck Parts Co. for 34 years and has held positions including delivery driver, warehouse person, inside salesman, outside salesman, store manager, regional manager, marketing manager, vice president and now president. Inland has 25 locations covering 10 states with 500 employees. The company has 140 rebuild mechanics doing component remanufacturing and 85 drive in service technicians.
2008 Polk Inventory Efficiency Award: An Open Invitation to All Aftermarket Companies in the U.S.
R. L. Polk & Co. is inviting all aftermarket organizations to apply for the 2008 Polk Inventory Efficiency Award. The Polk Inventory Efficiency Award recognizes and rewards outstanding process improvements relative to inventory efficiency in the automotive aftermarket. The purpose of this award is to educate, inspire and motivate the industry to address one of the largest problems we face.
To win, the initiative must pertain to a project within the company’s North American operations. Eligible projects must also have been implemented within the past 30 months; have a measurable business impact; be innovative; and improve processes and/or collaboration.
Over the past three years, there have been some very impressive winners. In the Retailer/Distributor category, NAPA Auto Parts was the 2007 winner for creating a best-in-class inventory classification system aimed at making stock adjustments in their company stores daily. Parts Depot was the award recipient in 2006 and O’Reilly Auto Parts was recognized in 2005.
In the Manufacturer category, Dayco took the honors in 2007 for implementing data and technology standards across its entire enterprise, resulting in inventory reductions and increased fill rates. The Affinia Group received the award in 2006 and Federal-Mogul Corporation was honored in 2005.
The Polk Inventory Efficiency Award provides an opportunity to be recognized within the automotive aftermarket as an industry leader in managing inventory at all levels. Winners of the award receive:
- An engraved Polk Inventory Efficiency Award
- A video detailing the winning initiative
- The use of the Polk Inventory Efficiency Award in advertising for one year at no charge
- A $1,000 donation in their name by Polk to the Global Aftermarket Scholarship Fund
- Prominent exposure in advertising, articles and news releases throughout the year
The submission deadline is March 5, 2008. Winners will be presented at the 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS), May 20-21, 2008, in Chicago, Ill. Apply today, or nominate another aftermarket manufacturer, distributor and/or retailer that you believe has made improvements in inventory efficiency at http://usa.polk.com/Industries/AfterMkt.
For questions or additional information, contact Bryan Funke at 1-800-Go-4-Polk.
Consumer Media Coverage of Be Car Care Aware Surges in 2007
The consumer media is communicating the “Be Car Care Aware” message more than ever before as evidenced by the dramatic increase in the number of stories during the past year as a result of Car Care Council public and media relations outreach.
“With record high gas prices, the trend toward ‘going green’ and the new Car Care Guide, we have seen a surge in the number of news stories featuring the Car Care Council and its ‘Be Car Care Aware’ messages,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “The increased use of Car Care Council consumer tips and information by broadcast, print and electronic media demonstrates that their viewers and readers are genuinely interested in credible information about preventative vehicle maintenance.”
Among the media successes of the campaign in 2007:
- Television coverage doubled in 2007. Stories appeared nationally on CBS Sunday Morning, CNN, Fox News, Today Show and in major markets throughout the country including New York, Chicago, Detroit, Tampa, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Denver, San Diego, Minneapolis, Baltimore, Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, Cleveland and Washington, D.C.
- Readership of Car Care Council newspaper stories increased by 50 percent in 2007, topping 600 million readers nationwide.
- Web stories appeared on more major Web sites, including ABCNews.com, CNN Money, Forbes, Investors Business Daily, Business Week, Wall Street Journal, MSNBC.com, YahooNews, Car & Driver and Popular Mechanics, plus numerous television station sites.
For a copy of the Car Care Council’s guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.
More Best Buy Execs Join Advance Auto Parts
Michael Moore has resigned his position as Advance Auto Parts executive vice president and CFO. He is leaving to pursue other business opportunities, effective Feb. 1. Moore joined Advance in December 2005.
Michael Norona has been named to succeed him as executive vice president and CFO. As CFO, Norona will be responsible for all financial aspects of the company, including accounting, internal audit, investor relations, treasury and tax, budgeting and financial management and risk finance and claims. Norona will be a member of Advance’s Executive Committee, and will report directly to Darren Jackson, president and CEO, who recently joined the company from Best Buy.
Prior to joining Advance, Norona spent his entire 19-year career in various finance capacities with Best Buy, the first 14 of which were with Future Shop, a Best Buy subsidiary in Canada. He has held finance leadership roles, including officer positions in shared services, retail decision support and head of finance of Future Shop. In 2006, he expanded the financial services area as a new growth opportunity for Best Buy and he most recently served as Best Buy's president of financial services.
Norona has a bachelor’s of commerce degree in accounting from the University of British Columbia, Canada, as well as a professional accounting designation. He is a member of the Certified General Accountants of Canada.
Judd Nystrom has been named vice president, finance and investor relations, effective Feb. 11. Nystrom will be responsible for investor relations, budgeting and finance decision support. Nystrom also joins Advance Auto Parts from Best Buy where he served as senior director, retail finance, supporting U.S. stores and retail store support.
Kevin Freeland has been named executive vice president, supply chain and information technology, effective Feb. 13. He will be responsible for overseeing the supply chain and logistics area, as well as the information technology area. Freeland most recently was the president and founder of Optimal Advantage. Prior to that position, he spent eight years with Best Buy serving as vice president of Inventory, senior vice president of Inventory and, ultimately, president of the Musicland Division.
Source: aftermarketNews staff and Wire Reports
Pep Boys CFO Harry Yanowitz Resigns
Pep Boys has announced the planned departure of CFO Harry Yanowitz, who has resigned in order to pursue other business interests. Yanowitz was appointed CFO in 2004. Prior to that he served as senior vice president, strategy and business development, and previously served as CFO of a public company.
Yanowitz will continue in his duties until the company’s financial statements for fiscal year 2007 are completed and will assist the company in its search for his replacement.
Green Progress to Speed Up
The green movement will gain even more steam in the next few years as the U.S. tries to reduce its dependence on foreign oil and cut carbon dioxide emissions, a panel of auto executives and environmental experts agreed this week at the Automotive News World Congress in Detroit, Mich.
“The push for change took place more quickly in the past year than most industry experts anticipated,” said Roland Hwang, vehicle policy director, Natural Resources Defense Council, a group headquartered in New York.
“Both the Democratic-controlled Congress and Republican White House lined up behind efforts to raise fuel-efficiency standards as gas prices rose and global warming became a high-profile issue,” Hwang said.
Hwang said the auto industry, betting against dramatic change, missed a chance to influence legislation and possibly get financial incentives to make the transition. With a new round of environmental and energy legislation coming, Hwang urged the auto industry to take a more active step.
“General Motors Corp. sees the quickening pace of change,” said Byron McCormick, GM Powertrain executive director of fuel cell vehicles. “Addressing the challenge, though, will take partnerships among automakers, energy firms and governments around the world.” “To make an impact, these groups must coordinate approaches and come up with an overarching plan.”
“The green movement also presents conflicting issues,” said Bill Reinert, national manager for the advanced technology group at Toyota Motor Corp.'s U.S. sales arm. “Making the U.S. less dependent on foreign oil and reducing carbon dioxide emissions may be difficult to do at the same time. North America, for example, could import less oil by more aggressively drilling for oil in Canada, but that could upset environmentalists. Planting a special grass to make more ethanol also could help, but that could drain water resources.”
“Automakers are devising technologies to raise fuel economy, but a system-wide approach must be used to make the best decisions,” Reinert said.
Source: Detroit Free Press
WELCOME NEW AAIA MEMBERS
Jan. 18-24, 2008
A+ Products, Marlboro, N.J. (Trim)
Joy Time Industrial Co., Ltd., Tainan, Taiwan (AIA)
New Wesco, Inc., Walnut, Calif. (AIA)
Valens Company Limited, Taipei County, Taiwan (AIA)