PERA Membership Directories

A copy of the 2005 PERA Membership Directory has been mailed to all current PERA members. If you would like any extras, please complete and fax in the order form found at pera.org/products/directory_order_form.pdf to PERA at (703) 968-2878.

Ontario Reman Takes on New Ownership

Bruce Chapman has retired as President of Ontario Reman in Etobicoke, Ontario. Rhonda Stallan and Bill Martin are the new owners and can be reached at (416) 675-1363 or ontarioreman@ican.net. We wish them the best of luck.

EngineDataSource.com

Sign up today for EngineDataSource.com and begin to experience a whole new level of engine data at the click of a mouse. Go to pera.org/products/engineid_eds_combo.pdf for a faxable order form. And while you are at it, order your copy of the 2005 Engine Application & Identification Catalog.

Roadway Freight Discount

Roadway is offering a 65 percent freight discount to registered PERA members. For details on how you can take advantage of this NOW, email Phil Bolbach at bolbach@buyreman.com. He will put you in touch with the right person to get you on the road to freight savings today.

U.S. Auto Parts Industry Presses Senate to Pass Association Health Plan Bill

On July 12, PERA joined nine other trade associations representing the automotive and heavy duty parts industry to urge the Senate to pass the “Small Business Health Fairness Act” (S 406). The bill would amend title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and allow small businesses to band together across state lines to purchase health insurance. The measure would also exempt such plans from state insurance laws.

Corporations and trade unions are permitted to offer company health plans that are regulated by the federal government. The federal government offers its own employees a variety of health care plans that are only subject to federal oversight. For everyone else, however, health care plans are regulated at the state level. S 406 would allow trade associations to offer association health plans (AHPs) in the same manner as corporations and trade unions. It is estimated that AHPs would save the typical small business owner 15 to 30 percent on health insurance and extend coverage to more than 8 million uninsured Americans

Automotive International Trade Opportunities Delivered Directly to You

In an effort to assist U.S. firms in the automotive industry to increase their export sales, the U.S. Department of Commerce/Commercial Service Automotive team has created the on-line "Automotive e-Market Express." Distributed once a month, this bulletin lists their most recent automotive market research, trade leads, and trade events. The Automotive e-Market Express bulletin has just been updated with all new reports received in the previous month from our overseas automotive industry specialists. Go to buyusa.gov/eme/auto.html to view and select the reports of interest to you. The requested information will be sent to you via email.

Weekly Financial Performance Index

PERA and the OEM Product-Services Institute (OPI) have jointly crafted a Weekly Financial Performance Index of Commercial Ground Vehicle (CGV) OEMs. This index includes only US-based, publicly-held enterprises, who derive more than 50 percent of their revenues from vehicles classified as capital goods; light trucks and autos are not included. Click here to access this week's index: oemservices.org/stock_reports.htm.

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