Lear Purchases Majority Interest in Automotive Fabric Business
Lear Corp. has entered into agreements to acquire a 75 percent share of the automotive fabric business of New Trend Group Co., Ltd., a privately held company founded in 1986 that produces automotive interior fabric and commercial plastic goods.New Trend’s seat trim fabric operations will provide Lear an opportunity for low-cost fabric supply to its existing cut and sew capabilities as well as offering the potential for incremental sales growth as a fabric supplier to a broad range of automotive manufacturers. The company is currently evaluating other possible seat trim partnerships as well.
Executive Interview with Camilla Denison, President of Champion Laboratories, Inc.
Camilla Denison is president of Champion Laboratories, Inc., a business unit of United Components. She joined the company in 2005, after an extensive career with such companies as General Motors, ITT Automotive, Visteon Corp. and Textron Fastening Systems, from which she retired before reaching the age of 40. Denison came out of retirement to join Alemite Corp., where she served as CEO before joining Champion. Today, Denison shares with us a little background on how values, ethics and business strategies have grown Champ Labs from a small, entrepreneurial business into a global success story.
Malcolm Sissmore to Lead Delphi’s Canadian Aftermarket Division
Last month, Delphi appointed Malcolm Sissmore as general manager, Canadian Aftermarket and Delphi Product & Service Solutions (DPSS) Country Director. Sissmore’s appointment is in line with the DPSS global strategy of geographical expansion and customer growth, according to the company. In this role, Sissmore will be responsible for supporting the DPSS expansion strategy in the country, growing Delphi’s business with Canadian aftermarket customers and coordinating DPSS Canadian activities.
MEMA Members Tell Legislators: “Now is the Time”
The theme “Now is the Time,” has never seemed more appropriate as members of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) gathered on Capitol Hill this week to talk to legislators about the critical issues currently challenging the motor vehicle supplier industry. Rather than simply bringing a laundry list of complaints to legislators this week, motor vehicle suppliers that attended MEMA’s annual Legislative Summit focused on ways that the industry can be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
Remy Announces Price Increase Due to Increased Fuel and Raw Material Costs
WINCHESTER, Va. — Due to the continued global escalation of prices in the petroleum and metal commodities markets, Remy International has announced a 4 percent price increase for its light- and medium-duty aftermarket starter and alternator product lines effective July 1. Near-record demand for commodities and other materials have resulted in dramatic increases in the
Keystone to Host PBE Seminar in Vancouver
VANCOUVER — Keystone Automotive Industries will host a PBE shop seminar at its facility in Vancouver, Wash., to demonstrate the use of Keystone brand refinish materials. The event takes place from 6:30-9 pm on June 17. Registration is $50 and includes $100 in Keystone brand PBE paint products. Food will be provided, along with the
Richard Marabito Elected Director of Hawk Corp.
CLEVELAND — Hawk Corp. has elected Richard Marabito to its the board of directors. Marabito was installed on the board at the company’s annual meeting of shareholders on June 4. Additionally, Marabito was elected to the position of chairman of the Audit Committee by the company’s board of directors. Hawk is a supplier of friction
AOCA Launches Media Campaigns for Members
DALLAS — In an effort to get the word out about the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and how the fast lube industry is doing its part to help the environment, the Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA) is putting together three campaigns for their members. The first campaign, launching during the summer, focuses on the
China to be India’s Largest Tire Supplier
China became India’s third largest supplier of tires in 2007-08, leaping from 39th in fiscal year 2002-03, according to sources. Tires made in India are facing a big challenge from cheaper Chinese tires, mainly because of higher raw materials prices. Currently, India imports about 100,000 tires from China each month, the value of annual imports being about $220 million.
The Week in Review (June 2-6, 2008)
By Amy Antenora The Week in Review offers a snapshot of the most highly read stories of the week as seen on aftermarketNews. To access the complete stories, simply click on the highlighted links. If you missed reading one of our daily news emails, just click on the link that says "News Archives" at the