People In The News
Following are personnel changes that recently occurred in the trucking industry.
- Julie Miller, global account manager, automotive OEM and aftermarket for Lord Corp., was named one of the most influential women in collision repair by Akzo Nobel.
- Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC announced that Joe McAleese, president and CEO, was elected to the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association’s (MEMA) board of directors as well as to the vice chairman position of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA). In addition, Jim Szudy, engineering manager, vehicle systems, was elected vice chairman of MEMA’s Heavy Duty Brake Manufacturers Council, a committee within HDMA.
- Wabash National Corp. selected Richard J. Giromini to serve as president and chief executive officer.
- Josef Besting was appointed senior vice president, aftermarket business division, at TMD Friction.
- Robert Eldridge assumed the duties of director of marketing for Hendrickson Auxiliary Axle Systems.
- Bruce Seay recently returned to The Holland Group, Inc. as national fleets account manager.
- Modine Manufacturing Co. recently appointed Yomi A. Famurewa chief information officer.
- George Taylor recently was made director of Caterpillar Power Systems North America, replacing Jim McReynolds, who now leads the Caterpillar Global Paving Division.
- SKF appointed Mike McGrath president of the company’s vehicle service market, North America.
Company Adopts Global Product Focus
Modine Manufacturing has created a new strategic product focus with a supporting internal structure for its vehicular business units and related administrative groups.
According to the company, this focus will engender a better response to long-term customer needs and enhance its ability to address global markets.
The recent change in focus pertains to the company’s powertrain cooling products, engine products and passenger thermal management products.
It will strengthen the company’s regional focus on the manufacturing operations, sales and select administrative activities relating to vehicular market-based units along its current regional lines-the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.
Correction
In the January 2007 issue, the HDAW Product Spotlight contained some incorrect information regarding a Honeywell/FRAM HD new product release.
In the product description, we indicated that the FRAM Wearguard TRT line of filters had been released. This filter line is scheduled to be released sometime in 2007, but it is not yet available.
We regret the error and apologize for any inconvenience this incorrect information may have caused.
Remanufacturing Reduces Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Haldex announced that it saved more than 3900 tons in carbon dioxide emissions last year through its remanufacturing process. By recycling metal castings, Haldex eliminates the need to create and machine new castings, doing away with emissions associated with that process, said the company.
Haldex operates a remanufacturing facility in Marion, NC, where the majority of raw materials for production are derived from cores. The company said that many major internal parts are salvageable from heavy-duty truck components while items such as gaskets, O-rings and seals always are replaced.
Brake Company Awarded Standard Position
Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems entered into an agreement with International Truck And Engine Corp. to supply its new hydraulic power brake (HPB) system as standard equipment on select models of the truck maker’s medium-duty trucks.
The new HPB system is the next generation of the company’s hydraulic actuation and antilock braking system. It provides full-power braking performance functions and electronic brake force distribution, said the company. Optional automatic traction control also is available with the package.
HPB currently is available on International’s RXT, 3200, 4200 4X4 and 4000 series 4X2 models.
Newcomer To Heavy-Duty Replacement Parts
Genuine Parts has made plans to enter the heavy-duty truck and trailer replacement parts business nationwide. The first U.S. distribution center catering to users of heavy vehicle replacement parts is scheduled to open early this year in northwest metro Atlanta.
The company estimates that this segment of its business could achieve annual sales of more than $1 billion over the next six to seven years.
It will be part of the existing automotive group, which includes the company’s NAPA Auto Parts stores.
The company already operates a heavy-duty truck parts business in Canada under the Traction banner and it plans to use the same name here as well.
