Striking UAW Workers at Michelin’s Ontario Plant Accept Labor Terms
The strike at Michelin North America’s (MNA) Kitchener, Ontario, plant that began on June 1 is effectively over, now that workers have voted to ratify a deal with the tiremaker. On Aug. 23, members of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA), Local 677, voted 94 percent in favor of the deal. The proposal contains wage and benefit improvements and ensures the Ontario plant, as well as three U.S. plants — in Tuscaloosa and Opelika, Ala., and Woodburn, Ind. — will be protected from closure for the life of the agreement.
Bosch Announces Changes in Chassis Engineering Division
Robert Bosch Corp. has announced three new appointments within the engineering organization of the company’s Chassis Division. Uwe Kirberg has been named senior vice president, engineering services. In this role, Kirberg has overall management responsibility for the Chassis Division’s engineering services and application organization in the U.S.
Buyer Registrations Up 8 Percent Year-to-Date for AAPEX 2004
The 2003 Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week was a record-breaker, with more than 50,000 buyers attending the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) and SEMA Show. Now, according to registration figures for July, more buyers will be on hand this year to visit the 1,900-some exhibitors at AAPEX. AAPEX 2004 is scheduled to take place Nov. 2-5 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas.
Coni-Seal Promotes Two Veteran Executives
Frank Pagano, CEO of Lakewood, NJ-based Coni-Seal, Inc., recently announced the promotion of two longtime employees. Sylvia Ferrie has been named vice president of aftermarket sales and new business development; and Ronald Pierce has been promoted to vice president of aftermarket sales and special markets.
Lund International Names New Channel Manager
Automotive accessories designer Lund International has added a new executive to its sales and marketing team. Robert Cobb will serve as the company’s new channel manager for the Hardware, Home Center, Mass Merchant Farm and Fleet chains.
Tire Makers Required to Prevent Resale of Defective Tires Under NHTSA Rule
In August, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a final rule requiring a tire manufacturer’s remedy program for the replacement of defective or noncompliant tires to include a plan to prevent the replaced tires that had been recalled from being resold and improperly disposed of by the tire dealer.
Sumitomo Rubber to Expand Capacity at Six Asian Tire Plants
Sumitomo Rubber Industries plans to spend an extra $45.8 million to increase capacity at six of its tire plants in Japan and Asia to meet growing demands, according to a company spokesperson. The company, based in western Japan, had already planned to invest $302 million over the next two years. The Japanese tiremaker will invest about 27.5 million at its plants in Japan and approximately $18.3 million at factories in China and Indonesia to increase annual production capacity by 12 percent, from 2003 levels.
Amcast Completes the Sale of its Aluminum Components Business
Amcast Industrial Corp. has sold the assets of its Aluminum Components business to Park-Ohio Holdings Corp., a Cleveland, Ohio-based provider of supply chain logistics services and manufacturer of aluminum products. The acquisition includes operations located in Wapakoneta, Ohio; Richmond, Ind., and Cedarburg, Wis., with annualized revenues in excess of $65 million.
J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Gas Mileage Concerns Influence SUV Shoppers
Concerns about gas mileage continue to influence new-vehicle shopping, particularly among consumers who consider purchasing SUVs, according to the 2004 J.D. Power and Associates Escaped Shopper Study. The study, which examines the reasons new-vehicle shoppers consider but reject a vehicle finds that approximately 15 percent of new-vehicle buyers reject a model due to its gas mileage.
Volkswagen Allowed to Offer Auto Finance Service in China
Volkswagen Auto-Financing (China) Co., Ltd. announced that the China Banking Regulation Commission (CBRC), China’s top banking regulator, has approved the company to launch the RMB business in China’s automotive finance area.
Denso’s New CEO Focuses on Big 3 Business
Mitsuo Matsushita, the new CEO of Denso International America Inc., wants to increase revenue and profit margins as the company diversifies its customer base. Matsushita wants to add Big 3 business to complement its business with Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co.
The Marx Group Launches New Web Site
In an effort to emphasize its leadership in business development and marketing communications for the automotive aftermarket, The Marx Group has launched a new web site, www.themarxgrp.com. The Marx Group provides business development strategies and marketing communications to growth-oriented companies.