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During the next decade, Yokohama Rubber Co. (YRC) will plant 500,000 trees, creating nearly 25 acres of new forest. The sites for tree planting will include the Hiratsuka factory community, as well as six other Japanese facilities and 11 overseas affiliates. In the United States, Yokohama's Salem, Va., facility will expand the existing forested area by almost a full acre by 2014. The tree planting is part of Yokohama's "Forever Forest," a long-term project being carried out as part of YRC's environmental preservation activities.
Northwood University has recognized Pete and Lorraine Kornafel as two of seven nationally known businessmen and women at its 28th Annual Outstanding Business Leader Awards Ceremony at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla. The Kornafels share a passion for the automotive parts business and for helping young minds achieve their potential. Now retired, the couple's "hobby" is funding college scholarships. They currently have almost 20 students in college with seven endowed scholarships offered at several universities, including Northwood University.
On February 13, 2008, Representative Duncan L. Hunter was presented the Hand Tools Institute American Manufacturing Champion award by representatives of the Hand Tools Institute (HTI), a trade association of American hand tool 
manufacturers. Scott Meyer, president emeritus of HTI presented the award to Congressman Hunter in his offices in Washington, DC. During the presentation, Myer said, "The Board of Directors of the Hand Tools Institute voted unanimously to present this award to you, Congressman Hunter, in recognition of your tireless efforts to combat predatory trade policies, ranging from currency manipulation to illegal subsidies designed to achieve industrial supremacy at America's expense. Thank you for fighting for American manufacturing and American workers." Congressman Hunter represents California's 52nd Congressional District consisting of eastern and northern San Diego County. Earlier this year, he sought the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), appeared on the FOX Business Network show "Money for Breakfast" on Jan. 25 to discuss the need for Congress to pass the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act (HR 2694). To new-car dealers' allegations that all information is available, Schmatz responded 
that independent repair shops often have to dig for information when diagnosing a vehicle, getting only so far before hitting a dead end. She also noted that many car companies have different Web sites for new car dealers and independent repair shops, and questioned the need for both sites if all information is equally available.
LKQ Corp. has announced the promotion of three senior team members. Eileen Sottile has been promoted to LKQ's staff vice president of government affairs; Mike Smith has 
been promoted to associate vice president of the Keystone Midwest Region; and Arnie Kohorst has been promoted to vice president of LKQ/Keystone Paint, Body, and Equipment (PBE) Division. Sottile will be responsible for the oversight of LKQ's governmental relations at the federal and state levels for the United States and Canada, and for all of LKQ's lines of business, including used parts and aftermarket lines.
Keith Hicks has been appointed president and chief operating officer of Global Accessories Inc. Hicks will direct the company's core functions, including operations, manufacturing, customer service, R&D, finance, distribution, and product quality. Global Accessories' product offerings include Downey soft tonneau covers; LeBra front-end covers, hood protectors, and soft tonneau covers; Wolf car, marine, ATV, and snowmobile covers; Premier custom-cut floor mats; and DashMat dashboard covers. 
BedRug has promoted Harry McCandless to national sales manager for original equipment manufacturers (OEM). McCandless will oversee sales and training activities as they pertain to BedRug's OEM customers-Dodge, Ford, General Motors, and Toyota-while exploring new opportunities with other OEMs.
Melling Tool Co. has completed the purchase of WOP Industria E Comercio De Bombas LTDA, a subsidiary of Dana Industrias LTDA, the Brazilian arm of Dana Corp. of Toledo, Ohio. WOP is a world-class facility that engineers and manufactures oil and water pumps for the Brazilian automotive original equipment market. The facility is located in the city of Diadema, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Melling plans to rename the facility Melling Do Brasil.
Centrum Equities XV LLC has completed an agreement to purchase the assets of the aftermarket hard parts business of Visteon Corp. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The sale, which went into effect Feb. 1, covers Visteon's complete line of replacement hard parts, including original equipment-quality radiators, condensers, compressors, and ignition coils, as well as remanufactured rotating electrical and steering products. Centrum will continue to operate under the Visteon aftermarket brand, supplying OE-quality products to the traditional aftermarket and original equipment channels. The new company maintains proprietary distribution rights in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, and throughout the Caribbean.
Factory Automanuals, a Flint, Mich., company, has been purchased and moved to the Akron, Ohio, area, said Michael Stadvec, new owner and chief executive officer. Factory Automanuals has been in business since 1970, serving the auto industry with used, reprinted, and new technical manuals. "The addition of automotive technical manuals is a perfect fit into the Stadvec family of companies, Essco Aircraft, M&M Custom Tabs, and two Ebay stores," Stadvec said.
Federated Auto Parts Car Care Center membership grew by 40 percent in 2007, said Phil Moore, Federated's vice president of marketing. "More and more professional service technicians are seeing what a great value it is to be a member of the Federated team and how being a Federated Car Care Center member can enhance not only their image but their profitability," Moore said.
Penray's Sarkis Aroyan, international sales manager and senior application engineer-coolant inhibitor, is celebrating his 15th anniversary with the company. "Sarkis is responsible for our foreign sales unit, and under his leadership, we have witnessed dramatic growth in our global sales business, and the Penray brand is now known on an international level," said Rod McKenzie, president of Penray.
Grote Industries President and Chief Operating Officer Eric Morris celebrated his 30 year anniversary with Grote. A native of Stratford, Ontario, Morris left Stratford at age 15 to play hockey in the Detroit Red Wings organization, before joining Grote. His performance in Canada was instrumental in his promotion to the position of executive vice president of Grote Industries in 2000. In December 2003, Grote announced the appointment of Morris to president and chief operating officer, responsible for all Grote operations.
Corsa Performance Exhausts has been named "Supplier of the Year" by Mid America Motorworks for 2007. Corsa was one of 15 companies to receive a supplier award for providing exceptional products and service to Mid America Motorworks. The recipients were judged by an internal Mid America Motorworks team on more than 25 attributes, 
including order turnaround time, payment terms, shipping documentation, return policies, and ease of interaction. Mid America will donate a $4,000 scholarship to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) in Corsa's name in recognition of its achievement.
The Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) Board of Trustees has elected the following officers for 2008: Chairman, Ed Weidmann, State Farm Insurance; Vice Chairman, Michael Lloyd, California Casualty Management Co.; Treasurer, Michael Marlowe, Keystone Automotive; Secretary, David McClune, California Autobody Association. Each of the officers will serve on the Executive Committee, which oversees CIECA business matters between board meetings and maintains the Board's agenda. Robert Turchan of Pride Auto Body, representing Everest Partners, will assume the title of past chairman on the CIECA Executive Committee after serving his term of office.
Brian Tarnacki of Federal-Mogul Corp. and Brian Altenberger of Delphi were appointed to second terms as chairman and co-chairman of the Marketing Executive Council (MEC) of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), at its recent meeting in Detroit. Tarnacki and Altenberger will assist in setting the council's direction, planning agendas, and conducting quarterly meetings. Barry Harris of the Timken Corp. was appointed chairman of the newly formed AASA Show Committee, a subset of the MEC, at the recent meeting. The AASA Show Committee will assist in the organization, planning, and marketing of AAPEX 2008.
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