BorgWarner Breaks Ground for New World Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich.
BorgWarner has broken ground for its new world headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. In September 2003, the powertrain supplier announced that it would relocate its corporate headquarters from Chicago to metro Detroit in order to maintain closer connections with the company’s global customers and suppliers, as well as maximize opportunities for collaboration with the BorgWarner Powertrain Technical Center, which is also located in Auburn Hills.
KC HiLites Owner Sells Business to Relative
Peter Brown, owner and founder of auxiliary lighting company KC HiLiTES, Inc. has announced he is passing on the company to a new generation. Brown is selling the business to his stepson Michael DeHaas, a longtime employee of the company. Brown will continue as a consultant for the business.
New Video Details Importance of Motor Vehicle Product Suppliers
The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) has produced a new video that demonstrates the importance of the motor vehicle product manufacturing industry to the overall automotive industry and to the American economy. The 11-minute video, titled “The Importance of The Automotive Supplier: The Engine Behind the Largest U.S. Manufacturing Industry” was produced as a service to the industry by MEMA in conjunction with its 100-year anniversary celebration.
AAPEX Attendees: Las Vegas Monorail System Officially Opens
Seasoned aftermarket veterans know: Amidst the glitz and gloss, the annual AAPEX show in Las Vegas can be summed up in two images — tired aching feet and long taxi lines. However, we have great news to report for those of you attending this year’s show. Yesterday, the new Las Vegas Monorail officially opened. The new system, built by Bombardier Transportation and Granite Construction Co., extends for four miles along the Las Vegas Strip. The driverless system, which includes 36 monorail vehicles on a dual-lane guideway, has seven stations, including one at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Clevite Engine Builder Showdown to Air on Speed Channel
Don’t miss your chance to catch an in-depth look at one of the most unique competitions in professional racing today. Watch as the top engine builders of NASCAR compete in a head-to-head competition to assemble an engine from the block up. On Sunday, July 18, Speed Channel will broadcast a special one-hour program completely dedicated to the 2004 Clevite Engine Builder Showdown. The show is schedule to air at 8 p.m. (EST).
2004 Vic Edelbrock Sr. Scholarship Award Recipient Named
This week Vic Edelbrock, Jr. carried on a proud tradition for his family-owned business — the presentation of its annual scholarship award. Edelbrock gave automotive student Casey Cox a check for $5,594 as the recipient of the 2004 Vic Edelbrock Sr. Scholarship Award. Cox, 19, of Hays, Kan., is a student at the Northwest Kansas Technical College in Goodland, Kan.
ASC Expands its Sales Force, Hires National Account Manager
ASC Industries in North Canton, Ohio, has named Steve Massarelli to the position of national account manager. According to Jeff Sandt, vice president of sales and marketing, the company has successfully expanded its customer network, becoming the top aftermarket new water pump manufacturer and necessitating the need for more sales support.
MISG Announces Management Appointments
Management Information Systems Group, Inc. (MISG), a leading provider of e-commerce, electronic data interchange (EDI) and Internet solutions, has announced two new management appointments.
Timken’s Automotive Bearing Business Receives Upgrade to ISO/TS 16949:2002 Certification
The Timken Co.’s automotive group has been recommended for certification to ISO/TS 16949:2002. The company’s third party registrars made the recommendation after concluding its audits in June. This current recommendation to ISO/TS 16949:2002 applies to 21 of the 23 manufacturing locations for tapered, needle and steering products worldwide, as well as the bearing business’ support locations in Canton, Ohio, and Torrington, Conn.
Be Car Care Aware Campaign Distributes New Brochure to Shop Owners
Every month, the Be Car Care Aware campaign distributes marketing materials to help shop owners run their businesses more smoothly. To make the service advisor’s job easier, the Car Care Council has developed a new brochure. Simply titled, “Be Car Care Aware,” this full-color, glossy brochure features an illustration of a transparent vehicle which provides views of the various systems and components.
Tech Camp Sparks Career Ideas
Gustave Sexauer won’t be old enough to take his driver’s license test for a few more years, but he already owns a truck and has been working on it with his father. Sexauer got to work with college automotive instructors during the 2004 Tech Camp held recently at Western Wisconsin Technology College (WWTC) in La Crosse, Wis. Students took turns helping to change oil, inflate tires and solder. Sexauer, who will be a seventh-grader this fall, had one reason for attending the event. “I want to be a mechanic when I grow up,” he said.
AutoPartSource and New World Friction Complete Financing Plan
AutoPartSource and New World Friction, wholly owned subsidiaries of MomentumUSA, have secured a $3.6 million line of operating financing in conjunction with the April acquisition of certain operating assets of Qualitee International and Novatek Manufacturing. Together with the $1.6 million of initial financing, the companies now have a combined capitalization of more than $5.2 million.