cations for the automotive aftermarket to now include the truck fleet equipment management and information technology (IT) arenas. These respected magazines, and their editorial staffs, broaden our reach and offer outstanding publications for the marketplace.”

Each month, Fleet Equipment targets an audience of qualified fleet equipment managers who are directly responsible for specifying and buying trucks, trailers, components and parts, fuel and oil, tires and wheels, support services and other components necessary for a fleet’s efficient and profitable operation.

Founded in 1974, Fleet Equipment is a 63,000 circulation BPA-audited publication that is 100 percent dedicated to equipment management and maintenance. It is the only business magazine focused solely on the management and purchase of truck equipment. Editorial content encompasses five key areas:

Equipment management techniques;

New equipment and component technologies;

Profiles of successful equipment management procedures;

Latest maintenance techniques, products and services; and

Effective tools and equipment.

T3, founded in 1995, targets the largest market for information technology in the world. The transportation and logistics industry includes 85,000 companies and 14 million workers. T3, is the only publication in this industry that features 100 percent information technology.

T3, provides detailed information to CIOs, CFOs, CEOs and other C-level executives in the commercial vehicle and mobile workforce industry. It informs them how to streamline their business processes and optimize the functionality of enterprise systems so they can effectively use existing and emerging technology.

“As truck fleets continue to face equipment management and IT business challenges, we are ready to support their efforts through these magazines,” said Publisher Bob Dorn. “Babcox’s publishing history is based upon a niche approach to the automotive aftermarket. Fleet Equipment and T3, representing the truck fleet market, fit perfectly into the Babcox family of publications.

For additional information or to inquire about advertising or editorial opportunities, contact David Moniz, Group Publisher, at 330-670-1234 ext. 215, or Bob Dorn, Publisher, at 847-462-5771 (direct) or 330-670-1234 ext. 294.

CORTECO ANNOUNCES 2ND ENGINE WINNER
Vic Edelbrock, president and CEO of Edelbrock Corp., joined Corteco at the PRI Show in Indianapolis on Dec. 10, 2004, to draw the name of the winner of a 410 hp Chevy small-block performance engine sealed by Corteco and valued at $6,900.

Winning the engine was Sherry Roberts of Roberts Racing LLC. Roberts Racing, based in Sparks, GA, has been involved in the racing industry for 23 years and currently owns three cars in the Late Model Dirt division.

Roberts stated that their engine builder uses Corteco gaskets exclusively and they have always been satisfied with the results.

This was the second drawing of this nature that Edelbrock and Corteco teamed up for in 2004. Shane Leist of Rockwell City, IA, was selected as the winner of an identical engine by Edelbrock at the AAPEX trade show in Las Vegas last November.

AUTOZONE LAUNCHES NEW AUTOMOTIVE WEB PORTAL FUNCTIONALITY
Last December, AutoZone, Inc. (www.autozone.com) launched new website functionality, creating the automotive aftermarket’s first Internet portal that meets the needs of both consumers and repair professionals, according to the company.

Designed with the primary purpose of helping consumers connect with quality repair shops, the portal includes a “Find-A-Shop” tab that allows users to search for professional automotive repair shops nationwide by entering their zip code. All shops listed are “ProCarCareZone” members that use ALLDATA repair information and solutions in their businesses or purchase parts from AutoZone Commercial. Many shops listed are “Platinum ProCarCareZone” members, offering online appointment scheduling as well as e-newsletter and maintenance reminder services to their customers.
The “For the Professional” tab of the portal is the gateway to professional automotive services, including AutoZone Commercial, ALLDATA and ProCarCareZone. AutoZone Commercial provides The Complete Solution to meet the parts ordering needs of professional shops, offering the industry’s only 72-hour no-core-charge and 48-hour labor warranty claims processing programs and ALLDATA repair information, as well as online parts ordering through AZ PartsConnect. The new ALLDATA is “shop management re-invented,” offering integrated information technology that boosts shop performance at every stage of the repair process. ProCarCareZone, web-based tools to effortlessly build and maintain customer relationships, is the newest addition to the ALLDATA suite.

NEW JERSEY AUTOCARE SPECIALIST NAMED
NAPA/ASE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR
NAPA AUTO PARTS and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) have named Jeff Walker the 2005 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year. Presented annually by NAPA AUTO PARTS and ASE, the award is given to a technician who exemplifies excellence and achievement in the industry. Walker, owner of Walker’s Automotive Services in Pleasantville, NJ, has 32 years of experience. He began pumping gas in 1972 at age 16 and then realized a lifelong dream of owning a repair business in 1994.

“This award is something I’ve aspired to during my career and winning it means I’ve begun reaching some of the goals I set for myself,” said Walker, who is a recertified Master ASE technician with L1 and L2 Certification. He is also a Master Medium/Heavy Truck technician, Master Collision Repair/Refinish technician, Master Engine Machinist and a Certified Collision Repair Estimator. In fact, Walker is certified in 28 ASE categories, ranking him among the elite of all technicians with ASE credentials.

“The Technician of the Year award is the benchmark of excellence to which all technicians aspire,” said Bob Susor, NAPA president. “Jeff is committed to the auto repair industry, to maintaining its professionalism and to superior customer service. We are proud to count Jeff among NAPA’s automotive repair professionals.”

AUTO SUPPLIERS SUPPORT ANTI-COUNTERFEITING LEGISLATION
Legislation to strengthen the U.S. criminal statute against production and trafficking in counterfeited goods ‹ introduced in Congress on Jan. 4 by Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-Mich.) ‹ would provide the automotive supplier industry with an important tool in fighting product counterfeiting, according to the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).

The “Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act,” H.R. 32, would strengthen the existing law by closing loopholes that can allow counterfeiters to avoid prosecution, maintain control of assets for criminal enterprises and unjustly profit from their illegal activities. “Product counterfeiting is a crime that steals jobs in our industry. Penetration of counterfeit automotive products is also a risk to public safety, at home and abroad,” said Paul Foley, vice president of MEMA and lead executive of the association’s anti-counterfeiting efforts. “We strongly support Congressman Knollenberg’s efforts to attack this problem by closing loopholes in our laws. The automotive parts and components industry, as well as many other American manufacturers will work vigorously to pass this bill,” Foley said. The American automotive parts and components industry looses an estimated $12 billion in sales on a global basis to counterfeiting.

“MEMA has been lobbying for stronger criminal laws against counterfeiting,” Foley continued. “In the aftermarket, OE or heavy duty markets, product counterfeiting means lost sales, lost jobs, safety risks and loss of brand integrity.”

FEDERAL-MOGUL TAKES LEAD IN AUTOMOTIVE
PARTS COUNTERFEITING FIGHT
Federal-Mogul Corporation will continue to work with other OEM and aftermarket suppliers to lead the automotive industry’s fight against counterfeit parts in the coming year, according to company executives. The organization has committed significant resources to combating the problem, which costs the global automotive industry $12 billion each year, with 25 percent of that loss in the U.S. alone, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Federal-Mogul supports legislation introduced recently in Washington to strengthen the U.S. criminal statute against production and trafficking of counterfeit goods and is a participating member of MEMA’s Brand Protection Council, an industry group created in 2004 to address global product counterfeiting.

“We’re committed to ensuring consumers are getting the highest quality repair parts that meet industry standards for repair and replacement,” said Scott Emmer, brand protection manager for Federal-Mogul. “Federal-Mogul is dedicated to working toward the elimination of counterfeit parts in the supply chain while saving consumers money and alleviating safety concerns.”

INDUSTRY ROUNDUP…
Federal-Mogul Corporation on January 12 received the 2004 DaimlerChrysler Global Supplier Award for the Powertrain category. The prestigious and highly selective Global Supplier Award is designed to recognize global supplier contributions and excellence in supplier performance.

Two of the top groups in the automotive aftermarket, Parts Plus and Independent Auto Parts of America (IAPA), merged on Jan. 1 to form the Automotive Distribution Network (ADN). The decision was approved unanimously by Parts Plus’ 36 members and IAPA’s 16 members. The Network consists of 51 members, 242 warehouse distributor locations and more than $2 billion in annual sales.

Sam Arnelas joined American Remanufactured Inc. (ARI) as the new director of warehouse management, effective Dec. 1, 2004.

Airtex, provider of aftermarket fuel pumps, cooling systems and engine management components, has appointed sales veteran John Beale as national sales manager.

R. W. (Bob) O’ Gorman joined the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) as executive vice president in the company’s Indialantic, FL, headquarters.

Margaret Beck was promoted to director of communications for the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). She formerly served as the association’s manager of communications.

Robbie Addison, longtime administrator for the Automotive Service Association (ASA) Mechanical Division, has been named division manager. The division manager works directly with the elected division director and is responsible for the communication and activities of the operations committee.

The Car Care Council Women’s Board announces that the Independent Auto Parts of America (IAPA) has agreed to sponsor its 2005 scholarship program, which will be awarding five scholarships to female students who are pursuing an education in automotive technology, with plans to enter the automotive field upon graduation.

BOSCH RECEIVES INNOVATION AWARD FOR UNIVERSAL O2 SENSOR
Robert Bosch Corporation received the prestigious “Automechanika Innovation Award 2004” in the Parts and Components category for the Bosch Universal Heated Oxygen Sensor. The award was presented at Automechanika Frankfurt 2004. Held in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, Automechanika is the leading international trade fair combining both the automobile aftermarket and the OE market.

Bosch’s Universal Heated Oxygen Sensors feature a unique sealing system and specially formulated heat-resistant connectors that are designed for easy installation and require no special tools. “Universal Oxygen Sensors can be used to replace OEM oxygen sensors that are attached by different connectors and cable lengths,” says Dave Pankonin, product manager, Engine Management Products for Bosch.

“To install a replacement three- or four-wire universal oxygen sensor, you simply cut the cable, remove the old sensor, and attach the new Universal Oxygen Sensor with a quick adjustment of the connector.”