ArvinMeritor to Expand Technical Center’s Engineering Capabilities
ArvinMeritor Inc. announced it plans to invest $23 million over the next five years to expand its advanced technologies capabilities at its technical center in Troy, Mich. The project is expected to create 125 jobs at the company by 2014.
The Troy technical center is part of the company’s global engineering network that also includes technical centers in Cameri, Italy; Cwmbran, U.K.; Bangalore, India; Shanghai, China; Monterrey, Mexico; and Osasco, Brazil.
ArvinMeritor applied for and received a MEGA grant (Michigan Economic Growth Authority) through the Michigan Economic Development Corp. valued at $2.2 million. The City of Troy has proposed support for the project through consideration of PA 198 personal property and facility rehabilitation exemptions. In addition, Oakland County has offered support valued at up to $1.6 million with training grants available through its work force development program.
People In The News
Following are personnel changes and announcements in the trucking industry:
Garwood* Cummins Distribution Business President Pamela L. Carter was elected to the board of directors of CSX Corp.
* Firestone Industrial Products Company announced it appointed Bradley Garwood as its new heavy- duty aftermarket distribution sales representative for the Northeast region.
Hynes* Kinedyne Corp. appointed Michael Hauer as its U.S. sales director to oversee all the Branchburg, N.J.-based company’s day-to-day sales and marketing activities within the United States for the retail, OEM and aftermarket parts sectors. The company also appointed Robert Mitchell Hynes its news sales representative for the company’s Eastern Canada region.
* Penray named Regional Sales Manager Ryan Fowler its Automotive Salesman of the Year.
D'Acquisto* Valspar Corp. names Tony D’Acquisto its sales manager for the automotive aftermarket channel.
* Webb Transit announced that Tom Schroeder has joined its sales force in the newly created position of severe-duty sales manager.
* Wildeck, a manufacturer of mezzanines, material lifts and safety guarding products, appointed Michael R. Galezio to the position of quality assurance/safety manager for its North American operations.
WABCO Launches Reman Solutions
WABCO Holdings Inc. announced it launched a new business unit, WABCO Reman Solutions, to specialize in remanufacturing its own electronic and mechanical components, as well as those of other OEMs.
According to the announcement, WABCO Reman Solutions will initially serve original equipment manufacturers and tier-one suppliers of commercial, passenger and agricultural vehicles in North America and Europe while eventually expanding into Asia.
“WABCO Reman Solutions represents an opportunity for significant growth as we will now participate in a $20 billion market which is expected to increase substantially in the coming years,” said Jacques Esculier, WABCO chairman and CEO. “Legislation around the world continues to drive higher standards for cleaner, greener vehicles, and at the same time, new commercial vehicles continue to increase their electronic and mechatronic applications as technologies for safety and control systems further advance.”
Operating as part of WABCO’s aftermarket organization, WABCO Reman Solutions has established remanufacturing facilities in Stanowice, Poland, and Rochester Hills, Mich. Both factory sites are expected to be operational in September 2010.
For the latest aftermarket news, announcements and trends, visit www.truckpartsandservice.com
Business Session Topics Announced for Aftermarket Distribution Summit
The lineup of business sessions at the Aftermarket Distribution Summit span topics focused on building business strategies and developing new areas of opportunities. The sessions, which include roundtable discussions, will be conducted by industry experts that include distributors and suppliers, as well as professionals and consultants for other industries.
Truck Parts & Service hosts the business sessions at the Aftermarket Distribution Summit which serves as the annual fall meeting of the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network. The Summit, which is expected to draw hundreds of aftermarket professionals, is scheduled for Sept. 12-15 at The Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis. Additional details for distributors and suppliers, including registration information, is available at either www.AftermarketDistributionSummit.org or www.cvsn.org.
The business sessions include:
Maximizing Margins & Profits: This in-depth review of pricing strategies will look at best practices for calculating margins, determining optimum timing for price changes and balancing the need to generate revenue versus profit. Four speakers will each discuss a unique aspect of this critical topic and provide proven, implementable actions to make the most of margins and bolster the bottom line. This session will be followed by a roundtable-style discussion.
Build Your Business Online: The myriad options to market and promote a business online can be confusing. Putting the right amount of resources into the most effective online tools is the key to success. Expert panelists will help attendees make sense of creating a sales-ready Web storefront, marketing and promoting with eTools and using social networking to strengthen and build a customer base. This session will be followed by a roundtable-style discussion.
Grow With A Purpose: When a business plateaus, determining how to grow it is both essential and risky. Is the potential being maximized in its current markets? How does it identify potential in new markets? Should a company expand the depth and breadth of its product and service offerings? Is it time to add a new location? These are a few of the issues that will be addressed, followed by a general session discussion.
Westpac Heavy Duty Acquires Hall Brake Supply
Westpac Heavy Duty Inc. announced it acquired Hall Brake Supply. Both companies are based in Phoenix.
Hall Brake Supply was founded in 1966 and specializes in brake, clutch and suspension parts, as well as brake and clutch remanufacturing.
“I am excited about the opportunity for product growth within our current customer base as well as the added opportunities the Westpac-Hall merger brings,” said Rick Sikkema, president of Hall Brake Supply.
Westpac Heavy Duty is a full-line, bumper-to-bumper distributor of heavy-duty truck, trailer and bus parts with warehouse locations in Arizona, California and Nevada.
“In the coming months we look forward to integrating all of the excellent people and processes that come with such an acquisition into our already strong company,” said Mark Carroll, director of sales and marketing for Westpac. n
