NATIONAL
OEConnection LLC recently announced that General Motors has selected it to develop a Web-based application to manage its new National Fleet Maintenance Program. This newly created technology enables it to provide national consolidated billing. Using GM's National Fleet Maintenance Program, dealership service lane personnel can use account-specific information to report repair order details online, including the parts and labor services performed, and initiate a claim for payment from General Motors. Billing administrative functions are streamlined by automatically verifying the dealer's RO information against account-specific requirements, and easy-to-use tracking of submitted claim history and reconciling past payments available online.
General Motor's Hummer division and the nonprofit organization Tread Lightly! have announced the launch of a partnership called Hummer's Recreation Rescue, which will provide grants to outdoor recreation sites. The grants will be dedicated towards land-use education, management, and trail maintenance. Project sites selected for 2008 include off-highway vehicle areas in the Sierra National Forest in central California and the Ocala National Forest in Florida. Other sites are under consideration. Volunteers will be needed to re-seed, install signage and kiosks, build trail enhancements, and do other important tasks.
For the third time, Volkswagen's dual-charged TSI engines have won the "International Engine of the Year Award" in the 1-litre-to-1.4-litre category. The 103 kW (140 PS) and 125 kW (170 PS) TSIs, which are charged by both a turbocharger and a supercharger, are among the most efficient petrol engines in the world, the company said. The motto for the engines is "maximum dynamics with minimum fuel consumption." And that's also how the jury, comprising 65 journalists from 32 countries, saw it. The 'International Engine of the Year Awards 2008' were presented in Stuttgart.
Automotix has announced that it is offering LKQ engines and transmissions on an exclusive basis. LKQ is a supplier of used engines and transmissions, using their network of more than 200 salvage yards across the country to provide quality parts. The new Automotix Used Engine N' Transmission Store offers used gas or diesel engines, Japanese engines, used transmissions, both manual and automatic, as well as used truck transmissions. Buyers from all over the world can find the engine or transmission they need with a one-year warranty and a 90-day price guarantee. More than 100,000 engines and transmissions are currently available.
Spartan Chassis, Inc., a manufacturer of custom chassis and vehicles for the national emergency-rescue, recreational and specialty vehicle markets recently honored PPG with its 2008 SPARC Award for outstanding supplier performance. PPG was heavily involved in the construction of a new paint facility in Charlotte to cover Spartan Chassis' growing fire truck business. PPG provided technical support along with product and equipment recommendations.
The Automotive Lift Institute has announced the revision of ANSI/ALI ALOIM-2000 to ANSI/ALI ALOIM-2008, which was recently approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The new standard, now available through ALI, becomes effective Sept. 24. The current standard remains effective and will continue to be available until that date.
WORLDPAC has released an educational Customer Marketing Solutions (CMS) brochure designed to supplement the independent service center's marketing knowledge and assist them with effectively marketing their business. The brochure addresses topics such as Acquisition Marketing – to acquire new customers; Retention Marketing – to retain existing customers; Measurement – to assess varying levels of success; and Allocating Marketing Budgets.
Management Success has launched a free service to help shop owners see how others are doing with their car count. "As long as I have been in this business, it has been a practice of every operator I have ever known to call around town to see how other shops are doing when business is slow," said Bob Spitz, director of Business Development for Management Success. "We decided to create an interactive feature on the Management Success Shop Management Solutions Web site for shop owners to visit and participate in this nationwide poll," Spitz said. Visit www.shopmanagementsolutions.com, and once you cast your vote you will be able to see the responses in your state immediately.
NGK Spark Plugs Inc. has been named a preferred vendor by the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance for its NTK oxygen sensor product line. NGK was named at the recent Alliance shareholder meetings in Nashville, Tenn.
Lord Corp. recently accepted a Recognition of Excellence award from Sherwin-Williams. Lord Corp. provides its full product line of Fusor Automotive Repair Adhesives to Sherwin-Williams, specifically adhesives for metal bonding, plastic repair, and bumper repair, as well as seam sealers and foams.
Mitchell International Inc. has announced that Jack Farnan, its senior vice president of human resources, has been named "HR Professional of the Year" by the San Diego Business Journal. Farnan competed against many other professionals in the San Diego business community and was selected as one of 10 honorees out of 40 finalists to win the award.
Nelson Garcia has joined the Washington office of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) as director of federal and state policy. Garcia's responsibilities include representing the industry on Capitol Hill and in various state legislatures.
Schiefer Public Relations, a media company for the automotive and motorcycle aftermarket, has announced the appointment of Camee Edelbrock to public relations account manager. Edelbrock was born into the automotive and motorcycle aftermarket industry. Not only does she race cars and know how they work, but she understands the business side of things. During her tenure at the Edelbrock Corp., she sat on the board of directors, earned the SEMA Young Executive of the Year Award in 1993 and acted as VP of advertising for more than 25 years. Edelbrock planned and produced several events as well as all company catalogs, print ads, and product launches.
At its biannual board of directors meeting, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) announced that Tom Formanek has been elected the new board treasurer, and Michael Berra Jr. has been elected as the new secretary. Formanek and Berra will assume their new roles effective Nov. 3. Formanek is the manager of tire service products with Stellar Industries, based in Garner, Iowa. Berra is vice president of Community Tire Retreading, based in Maryland Heights, Mo.
Delphi has announced the appointment of Tim Wheeler as Delphi Product & Service Solutions' Independent Aftermarket North American sales director. Wheeler will be responsible for bringing Delphi's products to the service dealer network. He will use Delphi's original-equipment heritage and electronics to launch new products and technologies in North America.
Pam Smith has joined the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide as its events manager and will be responsible for convention, trade show, and clinic planning. Smith has more than 18 years of experience in convention and meeting planning, including 10 years as an executive with the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., and several years in association management meeting coordination.
Scott A. Swaldo has been appointed senior vice president of operations for ASC Industries Inc. Swaldo will be responsible for oversight of all ASC's global operations, including North Canton, Mexico, Spain, and China. He has been with ASC since 2001 and its executive vice president and general manager of the North Canton facility since 2005. 
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SC Industries Inc. recently announced two other promotions within the company. Dave Tate Jr. has been promoted to the position of vice president of operations of North America. Tate will be responsible for operations at ASC's North Canton facility and oversight of the Mexican operations including production, distribution, warehouse, quality, machine shop, and operations support. Rick Zimmerman has been promoted to the position of director of business development. Zimmerman will be responsible for all new business quoting and evaluation, product development activities, global costing activities, non-aftermarket international customer account management, and new project management.
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