INDIANA
The American Axle strike and the resulting General Motors Corp. parts shortage has forced at least 250 temporary layoffs at Shelbyville's Pilkington North America Co. Plant, company officials announced recently. Layoffs at the glass-manufacturing plant at 300 Northridge Drive occurred in March.
ILLINOIS
Matt Well, executive vice president of Automotive Parts & Service Association of Illinois (APSA of Illinois), has asked members of APSA of Illinois to contact their state representative to ask them to oppose HB 3424. state Rep. Karen May, D-Highland Park is pushing passage of HB 3424. As amended, it requires the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to implement California's Low Emissions Vehicle Program. May is likely to ask for a vote on her bill before the May 9 deadline to call legislation in the House. For contact information go to: www.ilga.gov.
KENTUCKY
There's been a changing of the guard at Smith Auto Supply, the CARQUEST Auto Parts store in Payneville. Bill Smith has retired, leaving his former partner, Jon Pirtle Jr., as the sole owner.
The Japanese corporation Riken Elastomers has chose Hopkinsville for its first factory in the United States. The company, which employs 12 and may hire another five workers, was assured of up to $900,000 in incentives from the state economic development office.
Martinrea International Inc. has plans to lay off more than 10 percent of the full-time work force at its Shelbyville plant, said Dwayne Gilbert, president of the plant's union, United Auto Workers Local 2383.
Jeff Remole has been named business manager for Don Moore Hyundai in Owensboro. Remole has been with Don Moore for six years and has sold more then 1,000 vehicles.
MISSOURI
Thermadyne Industries Inc. in St. Louis, has appointed Charlie Fisher, Mark Powers and Berry McCarter as automation 
business managers. Fisher's business experience includes founding and owning his own welding distributorship. Powers has received GMAW and SMAW certification from Canadian Welding Board and CWL. McCarter has extensive background in the industry and will work from Houston.
Lou Fusz Jr. Saturn of St. Charles County was one of three area dealers named General Motors 
Dealers of the Year.
Heritage Jeep/Chrysler auto dealership of Ozark was forced to move its entire inventory off-site and sandbag around the main showroom building on the south side of Jackson Street and along the west bank of the flooding Finley River. Most of the inventory was returned to the lot by week's end, March 21.
Bob and Juanita Purcell bought back Purcell Tire & Rubber Co., a business they sold to employees in 2001. The deal for the commercial tire operation, based 80 miles southwest of St. Louis in Potosi, is estimated to have been worth between $125 million and $150 million.
Jay Sicht has joined JC Auto Parts as outside sales representative for central Missouri, a new position for the company. Along with representing the salvage yard, Sicht's focus is on collision repair supplies and automotive refinish products throughout JC's expanded Akzo Nobel sales territory. Sicht has more than 13 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket, including nearly eight years with Parts & People.
Bommarito Automotive Group in Ellisville has added Audi to its dealership on Manchester Road. "With the addition of Audi, we now have a franchise to appeal to every niche, and our portfolio is complete," said John Bommarito, president of the group.
Holland Construction Service has begun earthwork on what figures to be the first Leed automotive dealership in the St. Louis area. Dave Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis is set to become the first Lexus dealer in the nation to go green. The dealership is targeting Leed silver certification on the $16 million project and hopes to open the doors by the end of 2008.
O'Reilly Automotive recently reported that 2007 net income grew 8.9 percent, as sales surpassed $2.5 billion and new stores for the year neared 200. The Springfield-based retailer also announced its fourth-quarter results.
Elliott Sadler, NASCAR driver, and Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper have teamed up to provide a great experience for a lucky race fan. On Aug. 22, a lucky Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper contestant will win a barbecue bash for up to 30 people and a new Home Entertainment System to watch and cheer No. 9 Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Dodge in the Nationwide Series night race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 22. The Elliott Neighborhood BBQ Sweepstakes ends on July 15. Entries will be accepted at www.elliottsbbq.com or by going to any Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper parts store in the United States and Canada.
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