Timken Automotive Aftermarket Team Announces 2011 Manufacturers' Rep Awards

CANTON, Ohio, Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of Automotive Aftermarket Week, The Timken Company's (NYSE: TKR) Automotive Aftermarket business announced recipients of its 2011 Manufacturers' Representative Awards. Timken distributed the awards last week at a reception during the AAPEX Show in Las Vegas.

Timken selected Sherman Pearson Company as the 2011 Manufacturers' Representative Agency of the Year. Winning agencies are recognized based on growth, professionalism, brand communication and visibility.  

"This recognition brings a great deal of pride to all of us at Sherman Pearson. Our team represents Timken enthusiastically in the marketplace," said John Stojak, managing partner, Sherman Pearson Company.  "Being recognized as agency of the year reflects the dedication our associates have for what they do, and how we bring value to our customers."

Joining the Million Dollar Sales Club for the first time are: Glenn Bragg – National Sales; Wally Lyssy – Hirsig Frazier Co.; andLarry Barston – Siskel Sales.

The following representatives achieved that level of sales for a third consecutive year: Alan Tiegs – RepWorks Marketing, LLC;Ben Rawls – Hirsig Frazier Co.; Ed Palnau and Glenn Cattanach – Kitchin & Sons; Jerry Spexarth and Jim Connolly – Connolly Sales & Marketing; Ken Brandt – Sherman Pearson Co.; Mike Glazier and Jim Broderick– Glazier Sales Associates; Mike Lenzuolo – Grinold-O'Brien Sales; Keith Squires – G & S Sales; and Jim Atchley – N.A. Williams.

Mike Peace, Timken's national sales manager for the automotive aftermarket, said, "Timken started working with Sherman Pearson because of the firm's strong core values and excellent reputation in the market."

About The Timken Company

The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR; www.timken.com) keeps the world turning with innovative friction management and power transmission products and services that are critical to help hard-working machinery perform efficiently and reliably. With sales of$4.1 billion in 2010 and 20,000 people operating from locations in 30 countries, Timken is Where You Turn® for better performance.

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Airtex Wins New Packaging Showcase Award at AAPEX

FAIRFIELD, Ill. – Airtex Fuel Pumps has announced that its new Air Cell Packaging received the AAPEX New Packaging Showcase Award in the “Protection” category of this year’s show.  
 
The inner pack design cushions and protects fuel pumps during shipment. Made from a see-through co-extrusion of low-density polyethylene film and nylon, the protective packaging offers superior air retention to ensure the fuel pump is protected through the supply chain.
 
Offering a 25 percent savings in shelf space, which enables a broader inventory mix and better space utilization, the new boxes are manufactured with certified fiber sourcing through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative program.
 
“Airtex is dedicated to delivering our customers quality fuel pumps in quality packaging. The air cell design offers protection from point-of-manufacture to point-of-installation,” said John Boyer, Airtex vice president of sales and marketing. “The shelf space savings are huge, and a real differentiator for our product line. We’re quite pleased with the feedback we’ve received from customers, and now here from the industry.”


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Federal-Mogul's ANCO Wipers Brand Wins Product, Marketing Awards at AAPEX

Federal-Mogul’s ANCO wipers product and marketing teams received the highest honors in competitions for new products and point-of-sale materials during AAPEX held earlier this month in Las Vegas. AAPEX is one of the world’s largest shows for businesses in the automotive replacement parts and service industry.

The ANCO Profile wiper blade was selected as the Best New Product in the “Smooth Sailing” category of the AAPEX Packaging and New Product Awards. Judging was based on the product’s overall enhancement of the driving experience through improved vehicle performance. These profile-style wipers are available as easy-to-install upgrades for vehicles currently equipped with conventional wipers as well as direct-fit replacements for vehicles originally equipped with profile wipers.

In the Car Care Council Women’s Board/Automotive Communication Council Awards competition, the ANCO team was recognized for development of the Best Posters and Signage. The brand’s winning point-of-sale materials, which remind consumers to be prepared for any weather by replacing worn wipers with new ANCO products, reflect Federal-Mogul’s aggressive ongoing support of its aftermarket trade partners, the company says.

“These awards are representative of our significant investment in market-leading wiper products and highly creative and effective communication tools,” said Michael Proud, director of marketing, North America, Federal-Mogul. “Our product development and marketing programs ultimately benefit our many trade partners, through increased brand awareness and customer demand, and consumers who choose ANCO products to help protect their safety in all driving conditions.


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Car Care Council Women's Board Presents Inaugural Aftermarket Women's Business Summit at AAPEX

BETHESDA, Md. – The Car Care Council Women’s Board (WB) presented the first-ever Aftermarket Women’s Business Summit Nov. 1-3. during AAPEX in Las Vegas. Female shop owners and managers from all over the country attended the day-and-a-half event, which featured education sessions and networking opportunities focused on empowering them to achieve business and professional success.
 
The summit was kicked off during the 14th annual Women’s Board Reception on Nov. 1, at which time attendees met and networked with WB members and other industry professionals.
 
The morning of Nov. 2 began with attendance at the AAIA Town Hall Breakfast, followed by summit keynote speaker Noah Rickun of BuyGitomer, sharing specific ways to differentiate from the competition in his session titled, “How to Make Customers Love You and Keep Them Coming Back.” Wednesday afternoon featured a Women’s Summit exclusive Shop of Tomorrow demonstration, a one-on-one session with AAIA president and CEO and WB founder Kathleen Schmatz and a roundtable discussion focused on innovative ways to run a successful business. Steve Miller of The Adventure LLC closed out the summit on Thursday, Nov. 3 with his session on the importance of brand integrity, “Your Brand, Your Promise.” Summit participants also took advantage of opportunities to visit the AAPEX show floor and AAPEX Learning Forum sessions scheduled throughout the week.
 
“By all accounts the inaugural Women’s Summit was a great success. Feedback throughout the event was extremely positive with many participants indicating the summit delivered value beyond their expectations,” said WB president Ruth Ehlinger, AAA.
 
The inaugural Aftermarket Women’s Business Summit was sponsored by four Diamond level sponsors, five Emerald level sponsors and two Ruby level sponsors. For a full list of event sponsors, visit http://carcare.org/wb_summit.
 
Retailers, program groups, independent warehouses and manufacturers’ reps are encouraged to invite and host female shop owners and managers from their companies to participate in the 2012 Aftermarket Women’s Business Summit. For more information, e-mail gina.lemon@aftermarket.org.


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Sylvania Automotive Introduces New Solid State Lighting Line at AAPEX

LAS VEGAS – At AAPEX earlier this month, SYLVANIA Automotive introduced its all-new LEDriving Solid State Lighting line for today’s enthusiast vehicle owners.  
 
Featuring a retrofit LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source for dome, map and license plate applications, as well as two daytime running light (DRL) retrofit kits, auto enthusiasts and tuners will soon be able to enhance the interior and exterior look of their vehicles with these high-performance lighting products, Sylvania says.
 
The SYLVANIA Cool White LEDriving light for dome, map and license plate applications will enable motorists to replace those dingy, yellow incandescent bulbs with a brighter, whiter, sharper light source, the company says. A true plug-and-play replacement that features a color temperature of 6,000K, the product adds a level of sophistication and style to any vehicle’s interior or license plate lighting, according to Sylvania. Available to ship to retail in December 2011, the light source allows tuners and enthusiasts to give their vehicle a unique and modern look in a simple and cost-effective way.  
 
In addition, Sylvania is bringing to market two daytime running light kit options under the all-new LEDriving product line – in both a light pipe and pixel design. Both models will cover a range of vehicle platforms and will have a dual purpose: adding a unique splash of LED onto the exterior of any vehicle, while also functioning as a position light. These kits offer water intrusion protection so motorists won’t have to worry about water damage caused by rain or car washes, the company adds. Available to ship in late January 2012, these street legal DRLs will create a statement that emphasizes both style and safety. 
 
“LED is the latest automotive lighting technology trend and it is not only transforming the overall lighting industry but has given us new flexibility in how we can incorporate it into our vehicles,” said Joe Verbanic, marketing manager for SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting. “You are certainly seeing it at the OE level, and now, with street-legal product lines like LEDriving, it will continue to grow and present new opportunities in the automotive aftermarket.”
 
For more information on the Solid State Lighting line from SYLVANIA Automotive, customers and consumers can visit www.sylvania.com/auto.

Sylvania Automotive Introduces New Solid State Lighting Line


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AAPEX 2011 a Success for MERA, Members

MERA and its members enjoyed a highly successful and productive week at the 2011 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), which was held Nov. 1-3 in Las Vegas.

The association began the week on Oct. 31 with a press conference to announce the official launch of Manufactured Again™ – an education and awareness campaign highlighting the environmental, economic and product performance benefits of remanufactured parts.

Distinguished members of the MERA board of directors – including Chairman Michael Cardone Jr., chairman and CEO of Cardone Industries; Vice Chairman Jack Vollbrecht, senior vice president of business development for Remy Power Products; and Directors Selwyn Joffe, president and CEO of Motorcar Parts of America and Paul Schuck, managing director of Undercar Express – joined MERA President and COO John Chalifoux to unveil the new initiative. Visit www.ManufacturedAgain.com to learn more.

Many MERA members continued the successful week with exhibits at AAPEX.  MERA remanufacturer members including: Affinia Group, BBB Industries, CARDONE Industries, Delphi Automotive, Motorcar Parts of America, Remy Power Products, Robert Bosch, Standard Motor Products, Undercar Express and Wabco Reman Solutions had exhibits on the show floor. Federal Mogul, Knopf Automotive and Rebuilders Automotive Supply – all supplier members of MERA – also exhibited during the show.  

MERA and the Manufactured Again™ campaign also joined the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Know Your Parts® campaign on the show floor, hosting a booth to educate attendees on the importance of quality parts – remanufactured or new – in the motor vehicle aftermarket. 

“AAPEX 2011 was incredibly successful for both the association and our members,” said MERA President and COO John Chalifoux.  “We look forward to bringing our Manufactured Again™ campaign message to Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) in January and to having an even more significant presence and impact at AAPEX in 2012.”

For more information on about the AAPEX show, contact Tom Rippinger at trippinger@mera.org or 248-213-4664.

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Award Winning Scrubblade Corp wins AAPEX "New Product Award"

Award Winning Scrubblade Corp wins AAPEX "New Product Award"

Scrubblade also received the "Making It Better" AAPEX New Product Award for its Scrubblade Wiper Fluid Tablets.  The AAPEX award recipients were selected by automotive parts buyers that attended the expo. Scrubblade's Wiper Fluid tablets are economical, eco-friendly and dissolve in water within minutes. They can be dropped directly into washer fluid reservoirs which eliminates the need for bulky plastic containers which end up in landfills. Their compact size greatly reduces the impact of shipping on the environment.

"It is a huge honor to be recognized as an item of top focus by both the editors of Popular Mechanics and the buyers that attended AAPEX," said Billy Westbrook, founder of Scrubblade.  "We have some tough competitors so I'm thrilled that we were selected from thousands of other products" Billy also said "The market's need for a windshield wiper that provides a function beyond water removal has been needed for sometime and we are very happy to have designed an effective, affordable solution for the consumers safety and convenience."

Scrubblade was selected by the Popular Mechanics editor's choice edgingout industry behemoths like Bosch, Rain-X, Trico and PEAK, to win the award for its outstanding achievement in new product design, functionality, simplicity and innovation.  Scrubblade was selected from thousands of new products on exhibition at both the AAPEX and SEMA 2011 trade shows.  With its double-blade technology, theScrubblade windshield wiper provides excellent all-weather performance, scrubbing, and wiping simultaneously like no other wiper blade on the market.(Link to Popular Mechanics articlehttp://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/products/2011-sema-editors-choice-awards#fbIndex8)

About Scrubblade

Scrubblade's patented, advanced dual-blade "Scrubber" technology utilizes hundreds of tiny triangular "scrubbers" on the leading edge of the two outer blades. The scrubber blade pierces debris as it passes through and widens to the base, literally "scrubbing" your windshield clean.  The second "smooth blade" squeegees away any remaining debris or water left behind.Scrubblade Corporation designs, produces, and sells innovative and affordable products with a common goal - providing clean windshield solutions – No More SCRUBBING!  For more information, visit www.scrubblade.com.

Media Contact: Donald Westbrook Scrubblade Corp, 855-727-8221, info@scrubblade.com

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