Effective August 12, 2010 the Board of Directors of Celette and Elektron have decided to make a management change at Celette Inc and Elektron Inc. Timothy W. Morgan has been appointed General Manager of both companies to lead the US and Canadian operations moving forward. Tim’s vast thirty-four years in the industry and fifteen plus years experience in collision equipment distribution, marketing, education, and customer service have already made improvements over the past 18 months to both companies and will continue.  With that Matthias Larisch has left the companies.

Celette and Elektron sales are continuing to grow in both brands and a need to strengthen the top management position was necessary. As the global leaders in structural segment in the collision industry with top products in benches, measuring, and welding the United States and Canada are key growth areas and important to our OEM business partners.

While our distribution network continues to be strengthened,  company employee regional sales managers have also been put in place to assist distribution, key accounts, OEM’s and end user customers with Celette and Elektron needs.

Best Regards,

Mr. Bernard Cribier

Chairman of the Board

The Massachusetts Senate approved the bill in an informal session yesterday morning. No one spoke in opposition to the measure, which will now be considered by a House subcommittee to determine whether it will go to a vote before the end of July.  Click Here for full article.

FRANKFURT – Automechanika Frankfurt will once again feature the Automechanika Aftermarket Forum during the show, which takes place Sept. 14-19.  However, the forum will have a new format that begins with an official opening ceremony on the first day of the fair and lasts a day longer than in 2008. The spotlight of this additional day will be on "e-mobility."

The venue is also new – the "Portalhaus" building of the new Hall 11. In addition to a new Automechanika study on a ‘New Era in Automobile Service’ by Prof. Willi Diez, show organizers Messe Frankfurt say visitors can look forward to an extensive program of lectures and panel discussions with approximately 50 top international speakers.

“The trend toward ‘using instead of owning’ will characterize the automobile market over the coming decades. This development will be boosted by the increasing significance of electric vehicles. It is even possible that we will see completely new players moving into tomorrow’s automobile business, e.g., energy suppliers and mobility providers that will relieve customers of all the worries associated with running a car,” said Prof. Willi Diez of the Institute for the Automobile Sector, summarizing the Automechanika study on a ‘New Era in Automobile Service.’

The study will be released at the Business Press Conference in Frankfurt am Main on Sept. 9. Then, on the first day of the Aftermarket Forum – Sept. 14 – Diez will explain the study in detail after the official opening ceremony by Member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt Detlef Braun. In the subsequent panel discussion, representatives of ZF Services, ATU, EFA, Federation of the German Motor Vehicle Trade (Zentralverband Deutsches Kraftfahrzeuggewerbe – ZDK) and TÜV Nord will discuss the current situation in the sector.

On Sept. 15, speakers will examine options for increasing workshop productivity. In addition to the Garage Equipment Study 2010, the subjects they will consider include tire service, the modern air conditioning workshop, emission testing, mechatronic vehicle testing and information systems for the trade and workshops. These lectures will be given concurrently with the Damage Repair Management Forum, where leading insurance companies, the Federation of the German Motor Vehicle Trade (Zentralverband Deutsches Kraftfahrzeuggewerbe – ZDK) and the German Federation of Body and Automotive Engineering (Zentralverband Karosserie- und Fahrzeugtechnik e.V. – ZKF) will provide an overview of the current damage management situation and present innovations in the field of bodywork repair.

“The trade and workshops – competition and chances in connection with quality and training” is the theme of the third day of the fair. Robert Rademacher, president of the ZDK, will discuss the new reality in the aftermarket with representatives of the BMW Group and the German Association of the Automotive Parts Trade (Gesamtverband Autoteile - Handel – GVA). Research and training are the focal points of the following lectures. To be held at the same time, the conference on the "Right to Repair" campaign of the GVA, European Garage Equipment Association (EGEA) and International Federation of Automotive Aftermarket Distributors (FIGIEFA) will discuss ‘Business World meets the Law Makers – The Legal Framework for a competitive Automotive Aftermarket in 2010 and beyond.’

Note:  Highlight added by Charlie Gorman.  I thought this might be of particular interest to ETI members.

The last day of the Aftermarket Forum is a special highlight and will be held under the much discussed motto of “e-mobility.” Markus Frank, councilor and head of the Economics, Personnel and Sport Department of the City of Frankfurt am Main, will discuss "Urban e-mobility: strategies and chances." With its above-average density of
companies from the mobility and logistics sectors, Frankfurt could play a leading role in this connection. Other subjects to be covered by representatives of trade and industry include “New infrastructure and new mobility structures” and “Setting-up a network of electric filling stations.” One of the highlights will be the lecture by Frank Rinderknecht, CEO of Rinspeed AG, entitled, “Through 100 emotions to zero emissions.” The visionary automobile tuning specialist will present his new mobility concept that avoids the range barrier of electric vehicles through the interaction of individual and public transport.

Participation in the Automechanika Aftermarket Forum is free of charge and all contributions will be translated simultaneously into English and German. Visitors who register now at www.automechanika.com/frankfurt/aftermarketforum will receive a free admission-ticket voucher for Automechanika Frankfurt and a certificate of participation in the Aftermarket Forum. The program of lectures can also be seen in detail on the website.

Further information about Automechanika is available at www.automechanika.com.

WELLINGBOROUGH, England -- The market for factory-fitted telematics systems has been growing steadily over the past decade, but a recent report from IMS Research finds that this market is about to enter a new and more dynamic growth phase.  <Whole Article>

CLEVELAND, OH, March 18, 2010 -  Hickok Incorporated (OTC Bulletin Board: HICKA.OB), a Cleveland based supplier of products and services for automotive, emissions testing, locomotive, and aircraft industries announces the promotion of three key employees to senior level positions within the organization.

Mike Cable has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, OEM. Mike will be responsible for all automotive sales and marketing activities as well as National Accounts and OEMs.

George Hart has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Engineering. George has been a Vice President for several years. Although George’s duties will not change this new title represents an acknowledgement of his position within the Hickok organization.

Patrick Bauman has been promoted to Vice President, Distribution Sales and Marketing. Pat will be responsible for sales and marketing efforts to automotive customers through distribution sales channels and certain national accounts.

“Mike and Pat’s new assignments will ensure that we maintain continuity and move forward with our customers. I know all our people will continue to put forth their best efforts to keep Hickok successful”, said Robert L. Bauman, President and CEO.

Hickok provides products and services primarily for automotive, emissions testing, locomotive, and aircraft industries. Offerings include the development, manufacture and marketing of electronic and non-electronic automotive diagnostic products used for repair, emission testing, and nut-running electronic controls used in manufacturing processes. The Company also develops and manufactures indicating instruments for aircraft, locomotive and general industrial applications.

Tom Ward, president of Snap-on Tools Group, has been elected as 2010 chairman of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Board of Governors. (More)

Service Parts Operations, long the name that described ACDelco, Goodwrench and GM Performance Parts, is being renamed Customer Care and Aftersales.

"Our new name better reflects GM's critical role in customer retention and service after the sale," said Steve Hill who was named this week to succeed Kevin Williams, who was named President and General Manager of GM Canada.

"It's going to be less about selling parts and more about taking care of customers, hence the name customer care," Hill said of the former SPO. "All successful organizations are centered on the customer. If you're not customer focused, you're just not going to win."

Hill noted the importance of past Saturn, Hummer and Saab owners. "If we're not taking care of these customers and their service needs, they've told us flat-out to forget about selling them a new car. If you're not meeting their needs, there's a zero chance of selling them a new car. Our name change is a signal that we've changed the way we're doing business."

THOMAS F. BAUMAN, 66, beloved husband of Renee; loving father of Gloria Jones (the late Steven), Thomas J., Jennifer, Clifford and Robert; dear grandfather of eight especially Madison and Jordan; brother of six; uncle to many. Tom was a 38-month survivor of lung cancer who lost his battle on March 1, 2010. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 6, St. Augustine Catholic Church, 2486 West 14th Street, Cleveland. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Thomas F. Bauman/St. Augustine Hunger Center Memorial Fund, c/o Mrs. Mary Misiunas, 26782 Chapel Hill Drive, N. Olmsted 44070.

The Automotive Service Association's "How's Your Business?" (HYB?) survey is in its 17th year of exploring the overall success and business practices of ASA member businesses. The annual survey provides an analysis of the independent mechanical and collision repair industries. The purpose of the survey is to provide an accurate benchmark for business owners and those interested in the industry, based on feedback from ASA's membership base.
Over all Article
Specific to Mechanical
Specific to Collision