Paccar Parts announced extended warranties up to 24 months on several of its Paccar branded all-makes aftermarket parts including clutches, air springs, fuel tanks, mufflers, mirrors and fenders.

“We’re pleased to offer these enhanced warranties to provide extra security to truck fleets and owner-operators looking to get aftermarket parts with the best quality and value,” said Jeff Sass, general marketing manager for Paccar Parts.

On selected parts, the company has doubled the length of the warranties to 24 months from the standard 12-month period. In other cases, the standard warranty period has been extended to 18 months.

Effective with purchases after January 1, 2009, and subject to limitations, the warranty on the following programs has been extended:
· ACRAFIT fuel tanks, from one year to 24 months;
· MIRREX fenders, from one year to 24 months;
· RoadLeveler air springs, from one year to 24 months;
· RoadLeveler OE springs, from one year to 24 months;
· ACRAFIT exhaust clamps, from one year to 18 months;
· ACRAFIT mufflers, from 1 year to 18 months;
· MIRREX mirrors, from one year to 18 months;
· Paceline clutches, from one year to 18 months (when installed by a Kenworth or Peterbilt dealer).

David Johanneson, a 36-year veteran in the truck industry, has been named president and chief executive officer of Navistar Financial Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Navistar International Corporation.

Johanneson has held several sales, marketing and management roles at Navistar, most recently leading truck sales, marketing and distribution activities worldwide as group vice president of Global Sales, Marketing and Distribution.

In his new role, he reports to Terry Endsley, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Navistar International Corporation.

“David Johanneson is a proven leader with a deep understanding of our industry, dealer network and customer base,” said Endsley. “Our ability to help finance our dealers and customers is especially important in today’s challenging economic conditions, and I am confident that Navistar Financial will continue to support the sale of our great products under his leadership.”

Johanneson previously served as group vice president and general manager for the Medium Truck Vehicle Center for seven years. Under his guidance, the company launched the new high performance series trucks and maintained market leadership for Class 5-7 trucks. Previously he held numerous roles in sales, marketing and general management with the company.

David Johanneson, a 36-year veteran in the truck industry, has been named president and chief executive officer of Navistar Financial Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Navistar International Corporation.

Johanneson has held several sales, marketing and management roles at Navistar, most recently leading truck sales, marketing and distribution activities worldwide as group vice president of Global Sales, Marketing and Distribution.

In his new role, he reports to Terry Endsley, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Navistar International Corporation.

“David Johanneson is a proven leader with a deep understanding of our industry, dealer network and customer base,” said Endsley. “Our ability to help finance our dealers and customers is especially important in today’s challenging economic conditions, and I am confident that Navistar Financial will continue to support the sale of our great products under his leadership.”

Johanneson previously served as group vice president and general manager for the Medium Truck Vehicle Center for seven years. Under his guidance, the company launched the new high performance series trucks and maintained market leadership for Class 5-7 trucks. Previously he held numerous roles in sales, marketing and general management with the company.

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems is continuing its national leadership in the fight against counterfeiting through its inclusion in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement Manual, the company announced.

The manual, developed by the U.S. Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center, provides business owners with strategies to fight counterfeiting and piracy. The manual identifies assets, as well as outlines procedures to help business owners from falling victim to counterfeiting and piracy.

The brand protection manual is divided into two sections: the first provides basic background information on intellectual property and laws and regulations that protect and enforce intellectual property assets; the second section, in which Bendix is included, provides case studies that can be used as part of the overall anti-counterfeiting business strategy.

The Bendix case study talks about the numerous efforts the company has undertaken to protect its intellectual property and the safety of its customers. Those efforts include instituting patent- and trademark-infringement actions against companies selling or distributing knockoff or counterfeit parts; circulating trademark usage guidelines to distributors and dealers; delivering ongoing training to sales and customer service personnel; implementing customer and industry awareness campaigns; meeting with senior management across its distribution channel; working closely with industry and trade associations as well as groups concerned with legal and governance issues; and maintaining an active trade show presence to educate attendees about genuine Bendix products.

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Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems announced Tuesday, Feb. 24, that effective immediately, the Haldex friction center business will report to Joe Panella, senior vice president of global sales.

“Friction is a key component in our business portfolio,” Panella says. “Over the past two years, we have added the latest technology and progressive manufacturing upgrades to our network of new-generation friction centers. These renovations have resulted in increased relined capacity, streamlined processes and quality process standardization.”

Haldex, based in Kansas City, Mo., said it has invested more than one million dollars in updating four friction center locations – including Grand Rapids, Mich.; Ontario, Calif.; Vancouver, Wash.; and Nashville, Tenn. – and that the remaining four locations are slated for upgrades within the next two years. “We will continue to invest in our friction centers and focus on providing a quality product and exceptional customer service,” Panella said.

As a result of the divestiture of the Prattville operations and the restructuring of the friction products business unit, Pete Joy, senior vice president of the friction products business unit, has left Haldex to pursue other business interests. During his career with the company, Joy had many contributions to the development and success of its sales and marketing, remanufacturing and distribution; most recently, he led the restructuring of the friction products business unit.

Phillips Industries announced Tuesday, Feb. 24, that it has won the NAPA Heavy Duty Manufacturer of the Year Award for 2008. This is the second year in a row NAPA has chosen Phillips Industries to receive this recognition. Bob Shively, Southeast regional sales and marketing manager, accepted the award on behalf of Phillips Industries.

To determine the recipient of this award, NAPA Heavy Duty regional managers evaluate their top suppliers on criteria that assist NAPA in meeting their customers’ expectations. Phillips Industries again this year received the highest overall rating from this group of NAPA managers for their professionalism, knowledge and the support given to the NAPA stores.

“Phillips Industries really covets this award because it comes from such a successful organization as NAPA and because we are judged against some of the largest and best suppliers in the industry,” says Bob Phillips, chief executive officer and president of the Santa Fe Springs, Calif.-based company. “We continuously strive to meet NAPA’s demands. Everyone at Phillips should be extremely proud that we’ve succeeded in that effort again this year.”

A wall chart designed to identify the proper torque specifications for truck and trailer wheel ends is available from Webb Wheel Products. Recommended specifications are shown for 6-stud and 10-stud ball seat-mounted and 8-stud and 10-stud pilot-mounted disc wheel hubs; 3-spoke, 5-spoke and 6-spoke wheels; and brake drum and rotor assemblies.

Having this information clearly visible in a maintenance shop can reduce wheel-end service times and help train new technicians, according to Cullman, Ala.-based Webb, which describes the wall chart as a useful, important addition to any heavy truck and trailer maintenance facility.

The wall chart can be requested by going to www.webbwheel.com/aftermarket/orderliterature.html or by calling 800-633-3256.

According to the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA), companies in the work truck industry are facing consolidation pressures and increased competition, and the current economic climate only makes the future more challenging.

Over the last two years, The National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) has commissioned two marketplace studies to analyze the changing work truck industry in order to provide members with a comprehensive overview and plan of attack for surviving and thriving in the years ahead.

The Industry Overview and Strategic Bundle consists of two detailed reports designed to assist NTEA members and industry professionals in understanding the factors shaping and changing the industry and their implications on truck equipment firms. This bundle highlights the challenges in today’s marketplace, along with clear opportunities for growth.

Key findings indicate compressed distribution and sales channels are imminent, with more sales occurring through fewer outlets and with a reduced number of suppliers and upfitters. Strategic use of technology, market positioning, finding and promoting core competencies and identifying global opportunities are examples of ways to prepare for a consolidated industry.

The Bundle consists of the “North American Truck Equipment Industry Outlook” and the “Profitability, Cost and Technology Playbook: Strategic Insights and Best Practices for Truck Equipment Manufacturers and Distributors,” as well as an Executive Summary overviewing the two reports. It is available to members for $249 and to non-members for $399. Order online at www.ntea.com or by phone at 1-800-441-NTEA (6832).

The Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) announced Michael Crull as recipient of the prestigious Silver Spark Plug award at the TMC 2009 Annual Meeting held recently in Orlando, Fla. This award is presented to individuals for outstanding contributions to the improvement of heavy-duty vehicle maintenance.

“During his nearly 20 years of membership with ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council, Mike Crull has provided outstanding leadership within the Council’s S.1 Electrical and Instruments Study group, states Robert Braswell, technical director of TMC. “Mike is one of those behind the scenes types who doesn’t seek the limelight, and he’s one of the folks who literally help TMC write the book when it comes to best practices for electrical systems.”

Crull has been an active and dedicated member of TMC since 1990. He spent five years as secretary of the S.1 Electrical & Instruments Study Group. He was also chairman of the Recommended Practice Updates Task Force for 13 years.