IBM: China’s Auto Suppliers Could Face Bumpy Road
China is the world’s fastest growing automotive market, but a new study suggests the auto suppliers fueling that expansion may be growing too fast. In fact, says the report, there could be over capacity and a resulting shakeout in the supplier market within five years.
Suppliers Feel Pinch from Auto Industry
Workers at the Timken Co. can spin magic with bearings, crafting superb tapered bits of metal tinier than grains of sand and 9-ton sculptured steel behemoths. The friction-reducing bearings let cars, sport utility vehicles, railroad engines, space satellites, computer disk drives and even missile guidance systems function. But for all that specialized engineering, the $3.8 billion Canton manufacturer is caught in the same pythonlike economic squeeze as businesses large and small across the world: how to cut costs and do more with less, because if they don’t, someone else eventually will.
Parts Depot Hosts Sell-Out ELR Seminar for Application Parts
Parts Depot, Inc. (PDI) hosted the first Enhanced Line Review seminar geared to the parts business, last week in Roanoke, Va. Guided by The Partnering Group, authors of the category management process, more than 60 PDI staff and suppliers worked in teams on a case study to develop breakthrough business strategies based on ELR principles for the parts business.
Aftermarket Companies Make USA Today’s List of Most Overpaid/Underpaid Executive Teams
USA Today recently published an independent study identifying the most underpaid and overpaid executive teams leading public companies in 2003. Among these companies were a number of names you may recognize as major players in the automotive aftermarket.
Executive Interview with Rex Falkenrath, Founder and CEO of Hi-Tech Engine Components
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Rex Falkenrath, founder and CEO of Hi-Tech Engine Components. Falkenrath founded Hi-Tech in August of 1973. With more than 31 years in business, Hi-Tech Engine Components has developed a full line of engine parts and kits sold nationally through parts store chains and program distribution groups. Join us as we learn more about Hi-Tech Engine Components and the engine parts market.
Herman Trend Alert: Transnational Job Movement
Many Americans are upset about the migration of jobs to countries like India and China. While the perception is that a huge proportion of jobs is permanently leaving the U.S., the reality seems to be considerably different.
AAIA to Host Information Webinar on New PIES Data Audit and Certification Service
Earlier this week, AAIA announced the availability of a new service to audit and certify product information compliance with the Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES). To explain how the DAC service works and describe the importance of accurate product information to the aftermarket industry, AAIA and Comergent will conduct an informational Webinar at 11 a.m. (EST) on Thursday, May 13.
AAIA Launches New Data Audit and Certification Service
AAIA has launched a new service that enables aftermarket manufacturers and suppliers to audit and certify product information compliance with the Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES). The Data Audit and Certification service (DAC) is provided in partnership with Comergent Technologies, Inc., a leading demand chain management software applications company based in Redwood City, Calif.
Bank One Sues Venture, Affiliates
Bank One Corp. has filed a foreclosure lawsuit against bankrupt auto supplier Venture Corp. and related companies owned by its former owner, Larry Winget. The bank says it’s not trying to close down Venture or disrupt its operations, but it wants to ensure that the businesses owned by Winget are merged back into Venture. The suit was filed Tuesday.
High Price of Steel Leaves Consumer Feeling the Squeeze
The price of steel has risen substantially over the past few months, and many suppliers to the auto industry are feeling squeezed because they are big buyers of steel, according to a new study conducted by Frost & Sullivan consulting firm.