Car Roof Rack Maker SportRack Names New CEO

Automotive parts supplier Advanced Accessory Systems, best known for its car luggage rack division Sportrack, has recently named a new CEO. Succeeding Terence C. Seikel will be Alan Johnson. Mr. Seikel will be resigning to pursue other interests. AAS has grown from about $60 million in sales 10 years ago to $360 million in 2003. The privately-held company has yet to comment on 2004 sales.

"I enthusiastically welcome the opportunity and the challenge that AAS offers," stated Mr. Johnson. "This is an industry that I know well, and I am confident that the company will continue to expand its operations and markets here and overseas." Mr. Johnson was formerly president and chief operating officer of Dearborn Michigan based Plastech Engineered Products. Plastech is a major supplier of injection-molded plastic components, assemblies and systems to the automotive original equipment manufacturer market.

AAS manufactures a variety of parts for the auto industry. The well known division, SportsRack, supplies factory roof racks and luggage racks to several automakers including General Motors, DaimlerChrysler (including Mercedes), Ford, BMW, KIA, Volkswagen, Honda and Toyota. In addition to the Sterling Heights AAS headquarters, SportsRack has two manufacturing facilities in Macomb County Michigan. The New York private-equity investment firm, Castle Harlan, has owned the controlling interest in AAS & Sportrack since April 2003.