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Automotive Industry

It's a Great Day

Automotive Industries, May, 2001 by Andrew Cummins

"It's a great day at the Randall Publishing Company..."

Those are the first words you'll hear when you call Automotive Industries' new owners in Tuscaloosa, Ala. And it's a great day for all of us here as well.

It's been a long time coming, but Automotive Industries has a new home in the South. Cahners Business Information announced the divestiture of more than 40 publications last August, and our future has been on hold ever since. But the wait is over and we're delighted to be under the Randall Publishing Company banner.

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Personally, I have enjoyed a relationship with Randall that spans more than a decade. I sold them a construction publication in 1989 and went to work for them as a contributing editor until I left to start my own communications company in 1995. It's good to be back.

Founded in 1934, Randall publishes magazines in the construction and trucking market places (among other fields); Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities; and manufactures and markets a complete line of recognition and motivational programs, promotional items and award materials, 'With gross revenue in excess of $60 million in 2000, Randall Publishing continues to grow in profitability and product offerings.

So what's in all this for you, our readers and advertisers?

The publishing business is like any other business, when you invest in product development everybody benefits -- the reader, the customer and of course the publisher. Randall has a rich heritage of putting their money in the right places, and reaping the rewards of their strategic investments.

Randall views Automotive Industries as a "flagship" publication, and they are very proud to be the new owners of a 106-year-old brand name with such a rich heritage. It is their intention to elevate the publication to its former status as the leading magazine serving the information needs of the automotive OEMs and their critical suppliers. Randall is dedicated to fortifying the circulation list, editorial content, graphic appearance and sales effort of the magazine.

It's been a long time since our small but mighty staff in Detroit has had this type of support. There were times when we felt like the special forces being thrown into battle without artillery or air support. But that has changed. Our new owners are coming in like the Cavalry with sabers drawn, ready to vanquish the enemy. And we're ready for the support.

There's a passion for this magazine in the staff of Automotive Industries. And there's a passion for this magazine at Randall Publishing Company as well.

Pettus Randall, CEO/chairman, and Mike Reilly, COO/president have built this company on several very solid beliefs. They believe that customers are their first priority and that people make the difference. They believe that every person who works in the company has a stake in the success or failure of the company. They believe that innovation is critical to achieving quality results, that leadership is the key responsibility of those who manage others and that managers are accountable. And they believe in integrity and fair dealing.

Having just returned from our company orientation in Tuscaloosa, we're all very excited and encouraged by the support we will be getting from our new owners. What this means for you, our readers, is that every issue of Automotive Industries will reflect the investment Randall is making in the publication. You'll notice better paper quality and increased editorial content. We will more strategically target our circulation and readership so that advertisers are guaranteed of reaching the true decision-makers who buy and specify automotive components and materials. And we will be in your hands earlier in the month.

Is this the kind of company want to be associated with? Y'all can bet on it.

So, what do you think?

Andrew Cummins is Publisher of Automotive Industries.

Automotive Industry

It's a Great Day

Automotive Industries, May, 2001 by Andrew Cummins

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