Auto Suppliers Under Pressure to Shift Production Abroad
A new study soon to be released by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) is showing that the pressure to move automotive manufacturing jobs abroad will continue, despite federal and local government efforts to maintain or increase industry employment levels in the U.S. The SAE will release the report at the 2004 SAE World Congress in Detroit next month. The study, which is still under development, will outline “best practices” for global automotive suppliers. The Odyssey study seeks to help suppliers understand how their global manufacturing operations will need to change and how best to make those changes to survive and thrive.
ATP-Inc. to Produce Illustrated Parts Catalog Internally Using e-Publisher
The e-Publisher catalog management system from Vertical Development Inc. (VDI) has given replacement parts supplier ATP-Inc. the capability to generate illustrated parts lists and catalogs internally, bypassing traditional typesetting and desktop publishing services. According to VDI, the system will also allow ATP to produce literature faster and export data mapped in industry-standard formats.
MACS 2004 Convention Breaks Records
The MACS 24th annual convention and trade show, which took place in January, is reported to have broken all of MACS’ previous convention records for attendance. Registration for the event reached 2,026 this year. In addition, 41 companies participated in the society’s most generous sponsorship ever and 148 organizations exhibited in 243 booths. The MACS technical program unfolded over three days and featured 67 speakers. Five social events provided time for industry networking.
Fewer U.S. Vehicles are Being Scrapped, According to R. L. Polk & Co.
The fact that vehicles are staying on the road longer is a boon for the aftermarket, and according to recent research from R. L. Polk & Co., the numbers are moving even more in the aftermarket’s favor. Vehicle scrappage rates declined 9.1 percent in 2003, according to recent Polk research. The number of passenger cars scrapped in 2003 was down 6.1 percent while light trucks experienced a 12.7 percent decrease. Both numbers were factors in driving the scrappage rate down for all vehicles, a trend since 1970, according to Polk.
Walker Exhaust Announces Special Spring Trade Promotion
Walker Exhaust is offering a special spring trade promotion that enables undercar professionals to earn $25 gift cards, be entered into weekly $500 cash giveaways and participate in a sweepstakes drawing for a premium home theater system.
New Ideas Should Help Old Favorite
After getting whacked by big upheavals in the automotive supply world, the wobbly SAE World Congress, Detroit’s biggest and most important trade show, seems to be finding its legs again.
UAW Organizes at Dana to Shore Up Membership
The UAW has organized about 2,000 workers at five Dana Corp. plants from Michigan to Tennessee as the union seeks to rebuild its active ranks and regain power in the auto industry. Along the way, the union faces opposition not only from workers who don’t want a union but also from those who want a tougher union that would fight and win better wages, benefits and working conditions. To them, the UAW has become too conciliatory as it strives to gain members.
Timken Announces Results for 2003
The Timken Co. has reported record sales of $3.8 billion for 2003, a 49 percent increase from the prior year. Excluding the impact of the February 2003 acquisition of The Torrington Co., sales grew approximately 8 percent, including 3 percent related to foreign currency translation, the company said.
TIA Off-The-Road Tire Conference Set for Feb.
The Tire Industry Association’s (TIA) Off-The-Road (OTR) Tire Conference is set to take place next month in central Florida. This annual event attracts the largest gathering of executives and business owners that manufacture, service, repair, retread or supply products for the OTR market. Off-road racer Walker “The Legend” Evans will be the keynote speaker for the event. The OTR Tire Conference takes place Thursday through Saturday, February 26-28, at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Fla.
Executive Interview with Rich White, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, AAIA, and Executive Director of the Car Care Council
Rich White is vice president of marketing and communications for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). He oversees marketing, public relations, media relations, publications, Web sites and most recently, the Car Care Council and the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign. With National Car Care Month just around the corner, White provided aftermarketNews.com with an update on the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign and the Car Care Council’s plans for this year. He also shared how aftermarket companies can become more involved in the campaign.