Eaton Creates New Vehicle Solutions Business Unit
Eaton Corp. has created has realigned its VORAD and MD Tools Mobile Diagnostics product lines under the new Vehicle Solutions Business Unit (VSBU). With this move, the company said it hopes to transform its business model from a component-based supplier to a systems-based solutions provider. Future VSBU offerings will include integrated diagnostics, safety and other operational management solutions for fleets. A key element of Eaton’s Vehicle Solutions vision is a new product development and sales agreement with @Road, Inc., a Fremont, CA-based provider of on-demand Mobile Resource Management solutions.
Green Named National Truck Equipment Association’s 42nd President
Robert Green has been installed as 42nd president of the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA). Green is president (and co-founder) of his own firm — Robert Green Truck Div., Inc. in Rock Hill, NY. The company — which joined the NTEA in 1990 — is a full-line truck upfitter that includes snow and ice control equipment, cranes, hydraulic systems, service bodies, dump bodies and more. Green was installed earlier this month during the NTEA’s President’s Breakfast and Annual Meeting at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA.
Major Investment in Tripmaster Acquired by Control Instruments Group Limited
Control Instruments Group Limited of South Africa has purchased a majority share of Tripmaster Corp. Tripmaster, founded by Rockwell International in the 1970s, is a pioneer in electronic onboard recording technology for North American truck fleets. Control Instruments (CI) develops, manufacturers and distributes products and services for the automotive and transportation industries, including to the aftermarket and original equipment market. Control Instruments designs, manufactures and owns the intellectual property for the Fleet Manager range of onboard computers that have been sold worldwide under the Siemens VDO FM brand for nearly a decade.
Prestigious National Award for Health Programs Awarded to International Truck and Engine
The Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA) has bestowed its highest award for outstanding wellness programs upon International Truck and Engine Corp., citing the company’s results-oriented approach and commitment to employee health.
CFS and NWRA Merge to Form CVSN; First Annual Conference to Be Held in April
The Council of Fleet Specialist (CFS) and The National Wheel and Rim Association (NWRA) have merged to form the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN). CVSN will represent independent distributors in the heavy-duty aftermarket business. The new association will promote the use and distribution of heavy-duty aftermarket commercial vehicle parts and equipment and educate its members regarding the production, use, service, distribution and safety of those parts and equipment.
Frost & Sullivan Recognizes International Truck and Engine for Industry Innovation and Advancement
Frost & Sullivan recently recognized International Truck and Engine Corp. with the 2006 Medium-Heavy Truck Original Equipment Industry Innovation & Advancement of the Year Award for developing commercial vehicle telematics infrastructures aimed at maximizing the operating profits of trucks and buses. The award recognizes the company’s excellent entrepreneurship in introducing the International Aware Vehicle Intelligence solution.
Caracci Named Chairman of University of the Aftermarket Foundation; Group Celebrates 20th Anniversary
In conjunction with its 20th anniversary, the University of the Aftermarket Foundation is reaffirming its commitment to the educational needs of the aftermarket, electing Dave Caracci to serve as chairman of the board of trustees. Caracci replaces former chair Robert Raff, who has retired from the post after eight years of volunteer service. Caracci currently serves as chairman of the board of directors of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and recently retired from Robert Bosch Corp.
PACCAR Annual Profits Surge 25 Percent
PACCAR Inc. has reported record revenues and net income for 2005. The company also earned its highest quarterly profit in its 100-year history, according Mark Pigott, chairman and CEO. PACCAR earned a record $312.9 million ($1.83 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter 2005, which was an increase of 30 percent compared to the $241.4 million ($1.38 per diluted share) earned in the fourth quarter of 2004.
Heavy Duty Vehicle Technician Receives First-Ever Technician of the Year Award
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, Dayton Parts, LLC (DP, LLC), Haldex and SKF recently announced Darrell Gravley as the 2005 Technician of the Year award recipient. Gravley is a technician for Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc. in Greensboro, NC.
Distributors Have Plenty of Choices at First-Ever Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week
Numerous educational programs, one-on-one business meetings and an aftermarket-focused trade show are among the many options available to distributors who attend the first-ever Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week, (HDAW), Jan. 23-27, 2006, at The Mirage in Las Vegas.
Herman Trend Alert: Attrition is an International Problem
Employers who have difficulty retaining their valued employees often dismiss the problem as being unavoidable or an anomaly in their industry. In a futile attempt to find excuses, many companies cite whatever comparative numbers they can discover to justify their losses. They point fingers at other employers instead of addressing their own shortcomings. Time is running out. Employee turnover is creating problems across industries and across international boundaries.
Distributor and Supplier Relationship is Focus of Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week General Session
Four industry leaders will give their views on the important, inter-dependent relationship between distributors and suppliers during the general session at the first-ever Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW), Jan. 23-27, 2006, at The Mirage in Las Vegas.