The Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN) announced its lineup of officers for 2010-2011 during the Aftermarket Distribution Summit.

The officers are:

Christopher Tate, refrigeration technician for Mohawk Truck, Seneca, N.Y., earned the distinction of being the nation’s top heavy-truck technician as he was named grand champion of TMCSuperTech2009, the Technology & Maintenance Council’s fifth annual National Technician Skills Competition.

Tate was also the winner of three of the 15 skills stations during the Hands-on Skills Challenge, including: Tire and Wheel; Wheel End; and Written Test. He finished tenth overall last year, and again this year represented the New York State Motor Truck Association as its champion truck technician.

In addition to his trophy, Tate was awarded a NEXIQ Technologies’ Snap-On two-piece Classic 78 model tool chest, a Midtronics Celltron MAX battery analysis system (CMA7000), a trip for two to the Daytona 500, Noregon Systems’ JPRO Fleet Diagnostic Kit, a custom-made championship leather jacket, $600 in gift cards and other items.

Ryder System technicians Rick Grivel, Alpharetta, Ga., and Christopher Barnett, Florence, Ky., earned the second- and third-place honors in the fifth annual competition conducted by TMC’s Professional Technician Development Committee (PTDC). Each received the Midtronics Celltron MAX battery analysis system.

Michael Bogard, Neenah, Wis., captured fourth place for Ryder System. Bogard was last year’s third-place winner, and earned the top score on the written portion of the competition the previous three years.

The top-ten scoring contestants include: Christopher Tate, Mohawk Truck, West Seneca, N.Y.; Rick Grivel, Ryder System, Alpharetta, Ga.; Christopher Barnett, Ryder System, Alpharetta, Ga.; Michael Bogard, Ryder System, Neenah, Wis.; Michael John Vallery, Oak Harbor Freight Lines, Portland, Ore.; Grant Allen Cherry, Wal-Mart Transportation, Pilot Rock, Ore.; Richard Zacholl, Swift Transportation, N. Syracuse, N.Y.; Jimmie Slusher, Ryder System, Elizabethton, Tenn.; Ray Wordekemp, Omaha Truck Center, Omaha, Neb.; and Thomas Pianalto, Diamond International Trucks, Lowell, Ark.

Skills station winners this year include the following:

SPX Service Solutions (SPX) and Bartec USA, LLC, announced a joint product development and distribution partnership for the purpose of innovating, developing and distributing Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) tools under the SPX patented TPMS tool technology.

“Under this new partnership, both firms will focus on providing new high-performance TPMS diagnostic tools to the tire and wheel service technician, as well as to the broader automotive service market,” according to Pat Pierce, director of Product Development for SPX. “As the prevalence of TPMS-equipped vehicles continues to grow, the need for effective service tools will also grow, driving the need for a wider range of tools to meet the demands of the more diverse technician base that will encounter TPMS in the course of vehicle service.”

The first new product to result from this partnership will be unveiled at the upcoming SEMA/ APPEX show in November.

Shell Lubricants has unveiled its revamped Shell Rotella Energized Protection product portfolio, which is part of an initiative in brand positioning and marketing strategy for the company. The Shell Rotella Energized Protection portfolio features a new synthetic blend engine oil, a new formula for its full synthetic engine oil and a new performance claim for Shell Rotella T Triple Protection.

All Shell Lubricants heavy-duty engine oils have been consolidated under the Shell Rotella Energized Protection portfolio in an easy to understand ladder of protection, according to the company. All Shell Rimula, Pennzoil Long Life and Quaker State HDX products have been renamed and will be folded into the portfolio of Shell Rotella Energized Protection oils in the first quarter of 2010.

The portfolio meets the requirements of on- and off-highway equipment, including the latest vehicles fitted with diesel particulate filters (DPF) and catalysts. All Shell Rotella multi-grade engine oils meet API CJ-4 standards. Shell Lubricants CI-4 PLUS engine oils will be phased out by the end of 2009.

“The strengthening of Shell Rotella synthetic product offerings, along with moving to strictly API CJ-4 products, further reinforces the technological leadership position of Shell Lubricants and will enable Shell Rotella to continue to build on its position as the No. 1 heavy-duty engine oil in terms of market share, brand preference and brand awareness in the United States,” said Lisa Davis, vice president, lubricants Americas. “The portfolio is built around Shell Rotella T Triple Protection, which is backed by over 40 million miles of punishing on- and off-highway testing.”

Shell Rotella Energized Protection is led by the new formulation of Rotella T6 Full Synthetic SAE 5W-40 oil, which offers protection for the latest low emissions technology for after-treatment systems and helps promote energy savings and maintenance savings. The new Rotella T5 Synthetic Blend Technology oil is formulated to provide fuel economy performance and improved low-temperature flow compared with conventional Rotella T Triple Protection 15W-40 engine oil.

Rotella T Triple Protection has shown up to a 22 percent reduction in engine wear. Reduction in iron wear is based on comparative field testing against Rotella T3 SAE 15W-40 (CJ-4). Rotella T3 features low-ash additive technology, outstanding shear stability and an all-group-II basestock formulation. Rotella T1 is a straight grade engine oil in SAE 10W, 30, 40 and 50.

All Rotella heavy-duty oils provide protection in three critical areas by helping to control acids, deposits and wear. The adaptive technology in Rotella allows the oil to protect across all driving conditions, physically or chemically reacting to the ever-changing needs of an engine, the company said.

“The Shell Rotella Energized Protection product portfolio is designed to help Shell Lubricants lead the industry in customer value, market share, owner-driver loyalty and programs that assist customer growth and success,” said Davis.

Applications now are being accepted for the incoming class of Northwood University’s Aftermarket Executive MBA program, the world’s only MBA degree opportunity tailored specifically to the interests of professionals within the global automotive and commercial-vehicle aftermarket industries.

Led by faculty of the University’s DeVos Graduate School of Management, the program enrolled its first class earlier this year.

“By any measure, our Aftermarket MBA program has been a significant success – both for the industry and the University,” said Dr. Timothy Nash, vice president of strategic and corporate alliances for Northwood University. “But the best measure is feedback from current participants, who tell us they are energized and challenged by their studies and the opportunity to work with their peers.”

The incoming class will begin study Jan. 31, 2010, during the first of five weeklong classroom sessions on the Northwood University campus in Midland, Mich. The 30-month program blends these on-campus sessions with directed, Web-based instruction to accommodate the career and personal demands of participants.

“My first year in the program has been extremely rewarding,” said Rick Guirlinger, vice president for General Parts International, Inc./CARQUEST Auto Parts. “The faculty is outstanding and the online and face-to-face interaction with other class members has expanded my view to entirely new ways of approaching competitive challenges. The flexible format has allowed me to stay on top of my studies while fulfilling my responsibilities at work and home.”

A key element of the Aftermarket Executive MBA program is a “capstone” project that must demonstrate a minimum business EBIT benefit of $75,000. Similar student projects have resulted in an average of more than $450,000 in cost savings or revenue increases to participants’ organizations, representing a more than tenfold payback of the program cost.

For more information regarding admissions, program content and requirements, visit the DeVos website at www.northwood.edu/graduate or call 800-MBA-9000.

The American Trucking Associations recently announced its advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 2.1 percent in August, matching July’s increase. The latest gain raised the SA index to 104.1, which was the best reading since February 2009.

The non-seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 105.8 in August, down 0.5 percent from July. Compared with August 2008, SA tonnage fell 7.5 percent, which was the best year-over-year showing since November 2008.

ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said the latest increase was another positive sign for the industry. “The gains in tonnage during July and August reflect a growing economy and less of an overhang in inventories,” says Costello, who is hopeful the overall trend in truck tonnage during the months ahead will be upward.

Costello acknowledged, however, the pace of increase likely will moderate from the cumulative 4.3 percent gain over the last two months. “While I am optimistic that the worst is behind us, most economic indicators, including industrial output and household spending, suggest freight tonnage will exhibit moderate, and probably inconsistent, growth in the months ahead,” he said.

ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons and key financial indicators. The baseline year is 2000.

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Bendix CVS) and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC is warning its employees, customers and other consumers about a business financing scam that has appropriated the companies’ identities.

The companies said they first learned about the fraudulent activity on September 23 when consumers began calling their headquarters to inquire about letters and, more specifically, checks they had received that were marked with the names and logos of both Bendix CVS and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake. The parties responsible for this scam have distributed letters and fake checks to consumers through the U.S. mail, claiming recipients have received a significant sum in accordance with their recent business financing request. While the Bendix name is not used in the letter, a fraudulent Bendix check is enclosed with the mailing.

“We want our employees, customers and consumers to know that this mailing is fraudulent,” said D. Russell Hood, Bendix vice president and general counsel. “Bendix is in no way responsible for, or associated with, this unsavory activity. Although these documents may appear to be authentic, it is important for the public to know that both the letter and the check are fake.”

Bendix said it already reported the fraud to the appropriate federal, state and local legal authorities. The company continues to respond to calls to its facilities throughout North America from recipients of the letters. The number of consumers who received the letters is unknown; however recipients are not limited to those in the commercial vehicle industry in which the companies do business.

The fraudulent checks include both the Bendix CVS and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake logos and display the “Mellon Bank” name. Letters printed on fake letterhead for “Mike Zack Finance, Inc.” – a company that does not exist – accompany the checks.

Bendix advises recipients of the fraudulent mailing to follow these guidelines:
· Do not call the numbers provided in the letter.
· Do not attempt to cash the fraudulent checks.
· Alert your local authorities that you have received the fraudulent mailing.
· If available, send copies of the fraudulent documents to Bendix for use in the investigation. Documents can be sent to the Bendix Legal Department, c/o Bendix Commercial Vehicles Systems LLC, 901 Cleveland St., Elyria, OH 44035.

The Mail Fraud Statute of 1872 made it a federal crime to use the U.S. Mail to further a scheme to defraud. According to U.S. Postal Inspectors, most victims of prize or sweepstakes fraud never report it to the authorities. Even so, inspectors report that nearly 2,000 suspects are arrested each year for mail fraud.

“The old adage rings true: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Now, more than ever, consumers need to be vigilant to ensure they do not become duped by this type of unscrupulous activity,” Hood said. “We’re grateful that a savvy consumer brought this matter to our attention, giving us the opportunity to issue a warning about this scam. It is unfortunate that our company identities are being used in this manner, and we hope consumers will question and research this scam before falling victim to it.”

Average U.S. diesel prices dropped for the fourth straight week, declining 2.1 cents to $2.601 a gallon, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

All of the regions tracked by DOE fell in price, including the West Coast by 4.1 cents. The least expensive region, the Gulf Coast, dropped 1.7 cents to $2.525. The most costly area remains California at $2.807, falling 2 cents. New England dipped less than a penny to $2.703.

Snider Tire Inc. announced that it will purchase Consolidated Tires, Inc. (CTI), a leading truck service dealership in South Carolina. The transaction is scheduled to take place near the end of 2009.

Consolidated has six commercial/retail tire locations including Greenville, S.C.; Spartanburg, S.C.; Columbia, S.C.; Harleyville, S.C.; and Toccoa, Ga.; and one retread plant in Pelzer, S.C.

“Consolidated Tires is the leading commercial dealer along the I-85 corridor in South Carolina and this combination brings additional strength to our organization, increased service capabilities for our customers and adds one of the most efficient MRT retread plants in the country,” stated John Snider, president and CEO of Snider Tire.

Will Dennis, president of Consolidated Tires, Inc., explained, “This is an opportunity for our company to join one of the strongest commercial dealers in the country and offer additional opportunities for our employees and new products and services for our customers.”

The aftermarket’s leading distributor association, publication and e-commerce solutions company have joined forces to create the Aftermarket Distribution Summit – a new annual distributor event featuring issue-driven forums and business-building workshops.

The Aftermarket Distribution Summit is expected to draw hundreds of truck industry aftermarket professionals to its debut Sept. 12-16 on Amelia Island, Fla. The new event combines the annual Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network meeting, Truck Parts & Service magazine’s Truck Parts Seminar and the HDX Technology Conference.

“The goal was to create the best distributor-specific event in the industry. The Aftermarket Distribution Summit will bring the elite membership of CVSN together to chart the future of the aftermarket,” said Ken Duval, CVSN president and president of Canadian Wheel Industries. “This event will elevate the business performance of CVSN members and further strengthen the role of the independent aftermarket channel.”

The Aftermarket Distribution Summit will retain the winning elements that have made previous meetings successful and will incorporate new content to sharpen the focus on industry issues, new technology solutions and enhanced channel interaction between distributors and suppliers.

“The strength of Randall-Reilly’s collective media resources will establish the Aftermarket Distribution Summit as an issue-driven, content-rich meeting from which all attendees will benefit with numerous, executable takeaways,” said Mike Reilly, CEO and president of Randall Reilly, which publishes Truck Parts & Service magazine. “Our award-winning editors, industry-leading editorial content and unparalleled industry relationships with distributors, manufacturers, fleets and owner-operators will lay an invaluable foundation for the ongoing success of CVSN and HDX members.”

The inclusion of HDX into the Aftermarket Distribution Summit provides cutting-edge content on new business technologies. This will continue to serve the needs of IT professionals and other HDX members, as well as introduce industry executives to technology information they might not normally experience through other industry events.

“HDX will provide the usual amount of hard-hitting office technology issues over the course of two half-day tracks, including sessions on how to improve inventory management, product pricing and channel communication,” said Edward Kuo, executive director of HDX.

The preliminary agenda for the Aftermarket Distribution Summit will include:
· A market outlook from a leading industry economist;
· Candid roundtable discussions with distributor, supplier and end user participants;
· Technology workshops, including a “Bridging the Gap” IT panel;
· Private strategic planning sessions scheduled between distributors and suppliers;
· Presentation of the CVSN President’s Award to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry; and
· Networking opportunities, including the Tenneco Challenge Golf Tournament and deep sea fishing.

For additional information about the Aftermarket Distribution Summit, please contact Angelo Volpe at (904) 737-2900 or avolpe@cvsn.org; Edward Kuo at 616-682-9900 or hdx@att.net; or Derek Smith at (847) 636-5073 or dsmith@rrpub.com.

About CVSN: CVSN (www.cvsn.org), with close to 80 members and over 500 warehouse locations across North America, is the voice of the independent aftermarket distributor. The mission of CVSN is to strengthen its members’ businesses and the relationships between members and their supply partners across North America.

About Randall Reilly: Founded in 1934, Randall Reilly (www.rrpub.com) is the premier U.S. media and information company focused on the trucking, construction and industrial markets. The company’s trucking division serves the fleet, owner-operator, recruitment, truck stop, pre-owned truck and trailer, dealer and heavy-duty aftermarket segments. Randall-Reilly’s construction division covers the highway and heavy construction, landscaping and used equipment markets. The company also publishes a magazine focused on the woodworking industry. Additionally, Randall Reilly publishes Truck Parts & Service magazine, known as the “Aftermarket Authority.”

About HDeXchange, Inc.: HDX is an industry organization educating the heavy-duty truck parts distribution chain on the efficiencies gained from office-technology solutions, and developing standards in support of those solutions. HDX also offers a commercial suite of high-value, customized e-commerce products. Products include file transmission and networking, document mapping and translation, data warehousing and vendor managed inventory. For more information about HDX, visit www.hdexchange.com.