Tire Wholesalers Inc. Adds New Location
Tire Wholesalers Inc. (TWI), a Troy, Mich.-based wholesaler, has added a new warehouse in Kalamazoo, Mich., as part of the company’s long-term strategy. The new location will begin serving TWI customers on Monday April 19. Tire Wholesalers Inc. (TWI), a Troy, Mich.-based wholesaler, has added a new warehouse in Kalamazoo, Mich., as part of the company’s long-term strategy. The new location will begin serving TWI customers on Monday April 19.
Experts Warn Industry’s Growth in South Carolina Will Be Flat at Best
South Carolina is chasing automotive manufacturing jobs even as the industry’s work force is slipping away from the U.S. Some experts warn South Carolina will lose its auto jobs too, as automakers and parts companies move jobs abroad or squeeze out jobs at home through efficiency gains. Some experts warn South Carolina will lose its auto jobs too, as automakers and parts companies move jobs abroad or squeeze out jobs at home through efficiency gains.
TRW Gets Rolling: After a massive IPO, Supplier Faces Hurdles
John Plant, chief executive of newly independent TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., remembers when his company was a corporate stepchild. As the auto-parts unit of former industrial conglomerate TRW Inc., it didn’t get favorable treatment, even when it generated cash for the business.
Linamar Corp. Launches New Automotive North American Sales Organization
Leading Canadian automotive and industrial manufacturer Linamar Corp. has created a new North American sales force in an effort to enhance customer service and strengthen its product focus. The past year was one of major growth and expansion for the company. In addition to building a new plant in Ontario that added 400 jobs, the company bought out its joint venture partner Westcast in a European joint venture the two companies had established in 1999. In September 2003, the company acquired McLaren Performance Technologies, which it planned to merge with Linamar. McLaren Performance Technologies specializes in advanced powertrain and vehicle development and testing for the automotive industry.
Judge Dismisses Class Action Move Against Steeltex Tires
A California judge today dismissed a motion seeking national class action status for an on-going lawsuit alleging defects in Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s entire Firestone Steeltex line. The ruling, which came after months of delays, is expected to be appealed by attorney Joseph Lisoni, who has made it a personal crusade to force the court-ordered recall of all Steeltex tires.
Circuit City to Sell StreetGlow Products
StreetGlow, Inc., which produces performance lighting products for the aftermarket, has announced that its Auto-Neon brand of performance lighting products will now be distributed through the national Circuit City retail electronics chain. Circuit City will offer more than one-third of StreetGlow branded products with the remainder of the line available through special order. StreetGlow products can also now be professionally installed at Circuit City.
Collins & Aikman Reveals Insider Deals
Collins & Aikman Corp. revealed Wednesday that it paid a board member $300,000 to serve as vice chairman for six months in 2002 and did millions of dollars of business with another board member. The company had failed to fully disclose details on those transactions to shareholders.
DST Asks: Where Do Your Profits Come From — Products or Customers?
Last week we asked: Internally does your current computerized business system provide comprehensive data for managing stocking decisions? This question begs another related question: Where do you make your profits, from your products or from your customers?
Goodyear Teams Up with Wal-Mart on RFID Supply Chain Technology
As part of its effort to stake out a leadership position in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) applications, Goodyear Tire & Rubber has teamed up with Wal-Mart in a massive retail implementation of this new technology. In June 2003, Wal-Mart Stores announced that its 100 largest suppliers would be required to begin using RFID tags on every case and pallet of product shipped to the retailer’s Dallas region stores by 2005. Approximately 25 other suppliers, including Goodyear, volunteered to also participate in this effort.
Hi-Tech Engine Components to Supply AAM/Parts Pro Group
Hi-Tech Engine Components has been selected as a program vendor to AAM/Parts Pro by a unanimous vote of its members. According to Tim Odom, president of AAM/Parts Pro, having access to Hi-Tech’s arsenal of engine kits for more than 15,000 applications was just one of many reasons for the decision.