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Industry Focus

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Updated Oct 22, 2009

By Truck Parts & Service Staff

People In The News
Following are personnel changes that recently occurred in the trucking industry:

  • Ignacio Aguerrevere joined Eaton Corporation’s Truck Group as senior manager, Global Marketing.
  • Firefly Energy added Charles H. Williams as chief financial officer; appointed Richard E. Carver to the company’s advisory board; and C. David Moll was elected to the board of directors.
  • Bayne Premium Lift Systems added Jim Loeffler as its Northeast regional sales manager.
  • Thomas M. Kelly III was named to the newly created position of senior vice president, product portfolio management for Mack Trucks. Kevin Flaherty was named senior vice president, Mack-U.S. and Canada. Michael McNally was named to the new position of vice president, sales. Michael Reardon is the new vice president, marketing, and Brian Buckley was named northeast regional vice president.
  • Brad Munchrath and Larry Smith have joined Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America as district managers.
  • Han-Peter Schmalzl is the new chief technology officer at BorgWarner.
  • Richard H. Sawall, senior vice president of Midwest Operations for Innovative Fuels, was appointed vice president of the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association.
  • David Kelly was appointed acting administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by President Bush.


Phillips Industries Launches New Displays
Phillips Industries released new product display tools to its distributor network to promote and organize the company’s products.

The new merchandizing tools include an updated bucket rack with new side racks to hang electrical cables and air assemblies. Also new are three new Plan-0-Grams to show air and electrical product either in an 8 ft. combination or in separate 4 ft. displays. Distributors can purchase an entire assortment with one part number and in addition to product, each display includes flyers, header cards and re-order labels.


SAF-HOLLAND Launches Technology Road Show
A road tour showcasing SAF-HOLLAND products and training is underway. The tour, which will be stopping at industry events and scheduled engagements, features a customized trailer serving as a show room and training center.

Among the displays: the DH model liftgate, FWAL aluminum fifth wheel, the CB4000 trailer suspension system with SAF disc brake/axle technology, and Holland couplings, landing gear, fifth wheels and suspensions.


Bendix Releases White Paper on Stability Control
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems released a white paper titled “Road Map for the Future: Making the Case for Full-Stability” that presents information and data about both types of stability systems – roll-only systems, known as roll stability control/program (RSC/RSP) and full-stability technology, also called electronic stability program/control (ESP/ESC).

The paper presents extensive research into the performance, capabilities and limitations of roll-only and full-stability systems. It also clarifies differences in the technological approaches of the two systems.

“Bendix has had vast involvement in stability development, marketing and education,” says Fred Andersky, Bendix director of marketing for controls and co-author of the paper. “While awareness of stability systems continues to increase, so does the confusion surrounding roll-only systems and full-stability systems. Understanding the differences – and the implications for today and tomorrow – is important, as both fleets and regulators consider decisions regarding stability for commercial vehicles. As an advocate for safer highways, we’ve made it our responsibility to deliver this critical information to the industry.”

Bendix concludes in the paper that “only full-stability technology will both deliver maximum performance today and provide the commercial vehicle industry with a road map to the future of active safety.” The conclusion, the company says, is supported by performance information and data from testing on various vehicles and surfaces and in a variety of weather conditions.

To request a copy of “Road Map for the Future: Making the Case for Full-Stability,” visit www.bendix.comand click on the stability technology white paper icon.


Peterbilt, Kenworth Make Synthetic Axle Lube Standard
Peterbilt and Kenworth announced a new, full synthetic axle lube that provides customers with an estimated 1 percent improvement in fuel economy will be standard on all Class 5-8 models.

In addition to the improved fuel economy, calculated to provide about $900 annual savings, the Cognis Emgard FE 75W-90 also reduces gear wear and extends maintenance intervals.


New Power Heavy Duty Member
The Power Heavy Duty division of Elite Automotive Marketing announced the addition of the following new member: Southwest Filter & Supply in Lubbock, Texas.


Hendrickson Truck Suspension Systems Updates Parts Catalog
Hendrickson announced it updated its Truck Suspension Systems Parts Catalog – Solutions at Work. The 248-page volume (literature number, SP-100) includes chapters on Popular Kits, Popular Parts, Suspension Conversions, Product Profiles, Selection Guides and Parts Lists.

According to Hendrickson, the printed catalog simplifies identification and selection of truck suspension parts and parallels digital contents available separately on-line at the Hendrickson Web site: www.hendrickson-intl.com. Literature identification numbers at the bottom of the catalog pages reference appropriate individual publications, which can be viewed or downloaded under the “Literature” menu on the Web site.

For a copy of Solutions at Work or additional technical information on Hendrickson truck suspensions, call 1-866-755-5968 or go to www.hendrickson-intl.com.


HDA Selects Karmak as Computer Systems Provider
Marketing group HD America (HDA) and Karmak, Inc., reached an agreement to offer Karmak’s Legend business system to HDA members to manage their parts and service business.

“Karmak has a proven track record of delivering high-quality products that meet the specific needs of heavy-duty aftermarket businesses, while providing excellent customer service and support,” says Pat Biermann, HDA president. “Adding Karmak to our network of providers will be a benefit to our members, who are among the best distributors in North America, and advance our goal of helping them remain competitive.”

“We’re excited to work with HDA to provide state-of-the-art management systems to their members,” says Karmak President and CEO Bill Healy. “With decades of experience supporting independent warehouse distributors, we are confident that Karmak’s expertly engineered technology, in-depth understanding of the industry and dedicated customer focus offer powerful solutions for HDA member companies.”

HDA members operate more than 500 warehouses throughout the U.S. and Canada.


Zurich Awards Aftermarket Scholarships
Zurich, a property-casualty insurance company, announced that the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) will award 20 aspiring aftermarket industry professionals $1,000 scholarships from money donated by Zurich’s Direct Markets group, a provider of customized insurance products for aftermarket businesses in North America.

The GAAS scholarships are funded partially by a grant from Zurich’s High-Octane Scholarship Program designed to address the educational needs of students looking to enter automotive aftermarket fields. Zurich worked with the GAAS scholarship committee to identify 20 strong candidates with a desire to work in the following aftermarket industries:

  • Automotive service and repair;
  • Automotive parts (warehouse distributor, jobber or retailer);
  • Tire including retail, retread, commercial and off-the-road; and
  • Automotive and heavy-duty parts remanufacturing.

“This donation is Zurich’s way of saying we understand the importance of training future generations of aftermarket industry professionals,” said Bob Tschippert, senior vice president of Zurich’s Direct Markets group. “Working with GAAS creates the synergy we need to keep this industry moving forward.”


CVSN Introduces “President’s Recognition Award”
The Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN) introduced its new “President’s Recognition Award” at its 2008 Annual Business Forum. The award will recognize distributors and suppliers who make significant contributions to industry associations.

The inaugural award goes to O.G. Phillips and Larry Smith of Gooch Brake and Equipment Company and Gene, Gary and Larry DiSano of Century Wheel & Rim. The two families are being recognized, according to CVSN President Ken Duval of Canadian Wheel Industries, for their “significant impact on CFS and NWRA.” The Council of Fleet Specialists (CFS) and the National Wheel and Rim Association (NWRA) merged in 2006 to create CVSN.

Duval says the award recipients “dedicated a tremendous amount of their time and energy for the betterment of independent distributor associations. Their involvement clearly demonstrates the commitment to community and fellowship that are the values at the heart of a strong distributor association like CVSN.”


TARA Joins HDAW 09 Sponsors
The Truck Frame and Axle Repair Association (TARA) joined Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week 09 (HDAW 09) as a sponsor, bringing the total number of organizations involved to 13.

HDAW 09 will be held at the Rosen Centre Hotel and the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., February 16 through 19, 2009.

“TARA is pleased to be involved with HDAW and is excited at the opportunity to work along with other organizations to present a fantastic program,” says Bob Razenberg, TARA president. “TARA members feel HDAW is the place to be to gain the awareness, knowledge, skills and networking opportunities to lead our businesses in the future.”


STEMCO Kaiser Announces Canada Launch
STEMCO Kaiser, an EnPro Industries company, is launching its king pin and suspension kit product lines in Canada.

“Serving markets in Canada is our first step in offering our products to a broader customer base,” said Todd Anderson, STEMCO Kaiser vice president and general manager. “With the superior performance of STEMCO Kaiser products, it makes sense to increase the availability of these products, and we plan to expand sales into other countries in the near future.”


BorgWarner Turbo and Emissions Systems Updates Troubleshooting Guide
BorgWarner Turbo and Emissions Systems updated its Turbocharger Troubleshooting Matrix for turbo diesel engines. The tool displays problem descriptions and the possible causes when turbo failure symptoms occur and now displays a simple graphic showing where to look if a technician thinks a turbo is damaged.

According to the company, because a defective turbocharger is often the consequence of some other primary engine defect, simply replacing the turbocharger alone can’t cure the problem. The Turbocharger Troubleshooting Matrix can help identify the root cause of the problem, allowing the proper repairs to be made and the vehicle returned to service quickly, says the company.

The matrix can be downloaded at http://www.turbodriven.com/en/service/default.aspx.

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