UAW Members at American Axle Plants on Strike
About 7,000 UAW members at 12 American Axle plants in Michigan, Ohio and New York went on strike early this morning. “We’re on strike, and we’ll resume negotiations today,” a UAW spokesman said. Negotiations began in December, and a tentative agreement was expected. But shortly after the 4-year contract expired at midnight, talks broke off and the union went on strike.
ABC, ESPN to Provide Live Coverage of IRL Indycar Series
ESPN and ABC Sports have signed on to be the exclusive carriers of Indy Racing League (IRL) events, providing live television coverage of all 16 IRL IndyCar Series events for the 2004 season.
Alcoa Named ‘Most Admired Company’ by Fortune Magazine
Alcoa has been named one of Fortune magazine’s “Most Admired Companies” in the magazine’s upcoming annual report on reputation. Alcoa is one of the world’s leading producers of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina, and is active in all major aspects of the industry, including the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets.
Key Automotive Group Names President for Key Safety Systems, Promotes Tim Nelson to President of Key Plastics
Key Automotive Group (KAG) has named Daniel Ajamian president and COO of its affiliate, Key Safety Systems, Inc. KAG also announced that Tim Nelson has been promoted to president and COO for the North American operations of the company’s other principal subsidiary — Key Plastics L.L.C.
Collins & Aikman Exec Michael Mitchell to Retire
Michael Mitchell, president of global commercial operations for Collins & Aikman Corp., has announced he will retire at the end of the month. Mitchell has served in his current position with Collins & Aikman since January 2002. He joined the company through the 2001 acquisition of Textron Automotive’s trim division, where he served as executive vice president of business and product development.
Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum Raises $35,000 at Auction
Race fans and collectors recently raised more than $35,000 for the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, at the museum’s Feb. 19 memorabilia auction. The auction featured 113 items including several pieces from the personal collection of NHRA Founder Wally Parks and his wife Barbara, who attended the auction and even autographed their items.
Hayes Lemmerz Brake and Powertrain Components Group Receives ISO Certification
The International Automotive Task Force (IATF), a worldwide consortium of automotive manufacturers and trade associations, has granted all of Hayes Lemmerz International’s brake and powertrain components group facilities the ISO/TS 16949:2002 (with design) certification.
ETI Names New Marketing Manager
The Equipment & Tool Institute (ETI) has named Brian Irish to the newly created position of marketing manager. In this new role, Irish will be responsible for all of ETI’s marketing activities.
Bosch Awarded Patent for Oxygen Sensor Connection System
Robert Bosch Corp. has been awarded a U.S. patent for its sealed, submersible “quick-connection” system for Bosch universal heated oxygen sensors. The quick connection system, which features a unique sealing system and specially formulated, heat resistant Posi-Lock connectors, was developed by Bosch engineers at the company’s manufacturing facility in Anderson, SC, and Germany.
Taking Action Against Automotive Parts Counterfeiting
On Monday, April 5, MEMA will hold a one-day seminar as a follow-up to its first counterfeiting seminar held last October. “Taking Action Against Automotive Parts Counterfeiting, Diversion and IPR Violations” will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn, Mich. The seminar – presented by MEMA and its market segment associations: AASA, HDMA and OESA – will examine best practices against counterfeiting, diversion and IPR violations and increase dialogue among suppliers to address the issue.
GM to Tap Accessories Market, Plans to Build 85 Parts Distribution Centers
It appears that General Motors (GM) wants to grab yet another piece of the rapidly-growing vehicle accessory market. GM has asked its dealers and investors to help boost the company’s sales of vehicle accessories by building new autoparts distribution centers, according to a recent Bloomberg report. GM said it would like to see 85 parts centers built by 2005.
Delphi Set to Trim 150 Tech Jobs
Auto-parts giant Delphi Corp. is shedding at least 150 well-paying technology jobs and will shift some of the work overseas to an Indian firm. The move is one step in the company’s effort to pare down its 500-person information technology staff. Troy, Mich.-based Delphi becomes just the latest multibillion-dollar corporation to move white-collar jobs to India or other lower-wage countries. The increasingly common development called offshoring has become a hot-button issue in the presidential campaign as jobs have been slow to return to the U.S. economy.