New Web Site Launched
Customer Safety Services, a division of Caterpillar Technology & Solutions Division, has launched safety.cat.com, a new web site dedicated to promoting safety and health of everyone in, on or around Caterpillar products.
Visitors to the site will find information that reinforces safety messages found in the company’s official Operations and Maintenance Manuals. The site also covers the world of safety in motion. Caterpillar videos of walkaround inspections and operating tips now are available from one online source.
People In The News
Following are personnel changes that recently occurred in the trucking industry:
- Joe Panella has been promoted to senior vice president, global sales of Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems Division.
- Pressure Systems International promoted Steve Otteman to vice president of operations and Mike McIver to vice president of manufacturing.
- Curt Wagner assumed duties as director of marketing for Hendrickson Auxiliary Axle System.
- Jay Sloan was promoted to customer service manager for TODCO.
- Great Dane Trailers has promoted Brandie Fuller to vice president of marketing.
- Yokohama Tire Corp. promoted Dan King to vice president of sales and added Gregg Vandermark as performance marketing manager and Rusty Taylor as the new manager of finance and administration.
- John Jabas was named vice president of legalization of Comdata Corp.’s Regulatory Compliance Division.
- Mark Kerr joined Safety Vision as comptroller.
- Thermo King Corp. named John Arkesteyn shuttle and vehicle powered truck product manager; Jerry Duppler trailer product manager; Tom Kampf APU product manager; and Kevin Stamets manager of aftermarket marketing.
Reman Offering Expanded
Eaton Corp. has made remanufactured medium-duty manual transmissions with Fuller components available for the first time to OEM dealerships throughout North America. All of the Fuller Reman transmissions are certified to Eaton specifications and come with a minimum one year, unlimited mileage warranty for parts and labor that is fully transferable and accepted throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The launch of the program initially will cover five model numbers, all six-speed designs, including FS-5306A, FS-6306A, FS-6406A, FSO-8406A and FS-5406A. All units are assembled and performance tested at the Eaton Reman Center in Greenfield, Ind.
Karmak Joins Star
Karmak has joined STAR (Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail), a global information technology standards body for the retail automotive industry.
STAR is an industry wide initiative to implement voluntary IT standards supporting the business information needs and the Internet links required by dealers, manufacturers and retail system providers to communicate effectively with each other.
STAR’s initiatives are said to provide the opportunity to improve the daily business activities of dealers, retail systems providers and manufacturers, which should lead to higher customer satisfaction, timely access to business information and reduced operating costs.
Membership in STAR will help Karmak drive standards for its heavy-duty truck customers and reduce development and deployment time.
Webb Wheel Improves Web Site
Webb Wheel Products has updated and improved its web site, www.webbwheel.com. From the home page, visitors to the site can access Webb’s comprehensive part interchange database, view a company capabilities video or navigate to each of Webb’s business units.
Using the interchange database, OEM and competitor wheel-end part numbers are converted to the correct Webb number so the user can correctly replace worn or damaged components with Webb parts.
For each of the company’s business units, content on the site gives users detailed information about location, facility capabilities, product offerings, contact names and numbers and services available.
New Power Heavy Duty Members
The Power Heavy Duty division of Elite Automotive Marketing has added the following new members: Fort Dodge Machine and Supply in Fort Dodge, Iowa and Basic Truck Parts in Warren, Mich.
Sterling Launches Updated Web Site
Sterling Truck Corp. has launched its revamped web site, www.sterlingtrucks.com.
The site includes updated information on all models including the recently launched Set-Forward Sterling, Sterling 360 and Sterling Bullet.
The enhanced Choose Your Work Application tool makes it easier for users to find details about specific trucks and applications.
Updated information on engine models also is available. Several new and revised brochures and sales sheets have been added to the Product Literature section and are available for downloading.
Environmental Program
The Volvo Group will be participating as a cooperation partner in a joint environmental program between the U.S. and Swedish governments. The program is aimed at reducing the consumption of fossil fuels by focusing on projects within the areas of energy and vehicle development.
For Volvo, it would involve producing powertrains based on alternative fuels suitable for heavy vehicles.
The cooperation is the result of a research and development agreement between the U.S. and Swedish governments. The Volvo Group will be a cooperation partner in a number of projects including the development of hybrid technology for heavy vehicles and analysis of how various biofuels impact diesel engines, with the aim of further improving fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from heavy trucks.
VIPAR Promotion
VIPAR Heavy Duty announces its VIPro TruckForce Service Center Network Free Fuel Give-Away sweepstakes. The driver/owner-operator promotion has been developed to promote service at any of more than 175 VIPro TruckForce Service Centers across North America.
The Go Farther With VIPro TruckForce Free Fuel Give-Away runs through September and includes two Grand Prizes of $1000 in fuel cards and 50 secondary prizes of $50 in fuel cards.
To enter, customers fill out a ballot at the time of service at participating VIPro TruckForce Service Center locations.
Bendix Announces Distributor Rewards Program
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems launched its new distributor reward program – the Premier Distributor Program. The channel partner program recognizes distributors who meet performance criteria in six business areas. The program differs from others, according to the company, because it is not based solely on volume.
The Premier Distributor Program scores distributors with a bronze, silver, gold or platinum ranking. Bendix says the highest-scoring distributors are rewarded with “increased and diverse support” from the company. Twenty-two distributors achieved platinum designation in the program’s inaugural year.
NATEF Wins Scholarship
The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) was honored as the 2007 recipient of the Mort Schwartz Award at the Global Aftermarket Symposium. The award is given annually by AAIA’s Education Committee to the person, aftermarket company or educational institution that best advances the concepts and programs for education or continuing education in the North American automotive aftermarket.
Bill Kersten, NATEF president, accepted the award on behalf of the NATEF board of trustees, the NATEF staff and automotive trainers and school administrators within more than 2300 certified programs across the United States.
New HD America Member
East Coast Rebuilders, Norfolk, Va., recently joined the HD America distribution network.
Haldex Plant Receives ISO/TS 16949:2002 Certification
Haldex Brake Products Monterrey, Mexico received ISO/TS 16949:2002 certification as a manufacturer of air brake actuators that includes product design, purchasing, sales and customer service, Haldex Group announced. The new certification, combined with the ISO 9001:2000 standard, specifies the quality system requirements for the design, development, production, installation and servicing of automotive related products.
One Millionth Transmission Automation System
WABCO recently celebrated production of its one millionth transmission automation system at its production site in Hannover, Germany.
The system transforms a manual transmission into an automated transmission that automatically shifts gears.
The system consists of the transmission mounted components in a range of configurations as well as the shift lever unit in the cab.
Joint Venture Completed
Dana Corp.’s wholly-owned subsidiary Dana Mauritius Ltd. has closed on the purchase of four percent of the registered capital of Dongfeng Dana Axle Co. Ltd. from Dongfeng Motors Co., Ltd. and certain of its affiliates under a Sale and Purchase Agreement.
Dana Mauritius paid approximately $5 million for this equity interest.
Under the terms of the agreement as amended, Dana Mauritius has agreed to purchase an additional 46 percent equity interest in Dongfeng Dana Axle within the next three years for approximately $55 million.
HDAW Update
The theme of the 2008 Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) is Face to Face: Building Relationships into the Future.
Scheduled from January 21 through January 24 at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, the conference will feature two full afternoons in the 100,000 sq.-ft. product expo, pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings between distributor and supplier executives, The Heavy Duty Aftermarket Forum and six business and technical theater and best practices workshops, as well as an awards ceremony.
