People In The News
Following are personnel changes that recently occurred in the trucking industry.
- Jerry Weis, president, Ott’s Friction Supply Inc., has been elected to serve as the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) 2008 chairman. HDAW’s joint operating committee also re-elected Joe Mejaly, vice president and general manager, ArvinMeritor’s Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket Business, as HDAW 2008 vice chairman. The 2008 Education Committee will be co-chaired by Gene Damron, vice president and general manager, Page Group, and Don Reimondo, senior vice president, customer relationship management, Affinia Group Inc.
- Penray announced the retirement of Darrell Hicks after 26 years of employment with the company.
- Jim Wojciehowski joined Dana’s Heavy Vehicle Technologies and Systems Group leadership team as vice president and general manager of service.
- Ken-Tool appointed Rockford Tyson as director of marketing and sales.
- Lars Wilsby was made vice president for SKF’s global automotive and heavy-duty aftermarket operations.
- Sean Coleman returned from Hendrickson corporate sales to Hendrickson Truck Suspension Systems in the role of director of program management. The company also announced Rick Johnson as director, information technology.
- Tim Musgrave, president, Pressure Systems International, was re-elected for another term on the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association’s board of governors.
Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake To Consolidate Brake Production
Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC plans a new foundation brake production facility slated for fourth quarter 2007. The location of the new facility will be announced at a later date.
Foundation drum brake production will move from its current location at a Dana facility in Glasgow, KY. Air disc brake production will be transitioned from a Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems facility in Frankfort, KY. The Frankfort facility, which also manufactures air compressors, will be shut down later this year.
Safety Recognition Awarded
Frost & Sullivan presented Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems its 2006 Customer Value Leadership Of The Year award in the North American Class 6 to 8 truck OE market.
The award recognizes the company’s development and introduction of its active chassis control systems, which enhance the safety of heavy-duty trucks.
Joint Venture To Produce Axles
Dana Corporation announced that its subsidiary, Dana Mauritius Ltd. and Dongfeng Motor Co. Ltd. have amended the agreement to develop their 50/50 joint venture, Dongfeng Dana Axle Co. Ltd. Terms of the original agreement signed in 2005 were renegotiated after Dana filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. bankruptcy code last year.
Once solidified, the joint-venture company will employ approximately 8,000 people in three production facilities, as well as a research and development center to be established.
Scholarship Announced
At its 2007 national meeting, Brett Upton, president, Power Heavy Duty, announced the Power Heavy Duty Group scholarship for Northwood University. The scholarship will go to a student pursuing a career in the heavy-duty aftermarket based on financial need and academic merit.
Technical Achievement Award
The Truck Writers of North America recognized Cummins Filtration’s Fleetguard User Friendly line of fuel and oil filters as the top technical achievement for 2006.
The filters’ shape was reconfigured to allow them to sit upright without tipping. Instead of metal, the body is reinforced nylon so it won’t dent or rust. The filters install easily by hand and are removable with any standard 1⁄2″ drive ratchet.
The review process for the award began with more than 25 candidates nominated by members of the press. From that group of candidates, six finalists were selected. Other finalists were Dana’s Directed Oil Differential technology, Eaton Fuller’s UltraShift LEP Transmission, Freightliner Group’s Rack & Pinion Steering, Lexidine’s Digital Event Recorder and Michelin’s Anti-Splash Tire technology.
On The Web
- Luber-finer introduced an upgrade
to its online ordering process, at www.luber-finer.com. Under the catalog link, the online ordering page now includes a contact link that takes visitors to a page where they can enter general account registration information, and ask product questions. When the form is submitted, a customer service representative will facilitate an account set-up for the visitor or answer questions. - VIPAR Heavy Duty announced web-based access for its distributors to FleetCross TurboWeb, a cross-reference resource for OEM and aftermarket parts. Once logged onto the group’s system at www.vipar.com, counter people for authorized distributors can choose from menus to search for parts by part number, name or by manufacturer catalog title.
