David Dobson Joins Alcoa as President of Its Engineered Products Business
David Dobson has been named president of Alcoa Engineered Products, the Alcoa business which supplies extruded aluminum products to customers worldwide in a variety of industries, including automotive and commercial transportation.
MANN+HUMMEL USA Names Thomas to Communications Post
MANN+HUMMEL USA has named Julie Thomas to the position of executive assistant to the president, with responsibility for the automotive supplier’s public relations programs.
Siemens VDO Automotive Expands Detroit-Area Testing Facility
Siemens VDO Automotive is investing $2 million to transform its former machining and tooling shop in Auburn Hills, Mich., into a 5,000-square-foot fuel validation test center for its Powertrain Fuel Supply Systems (FS) division. The project is expected to be complete in May 2004. The new fuel validation laboratory will bring product testing and validation closer to local development engineers and Detroit-based customers, said the company.
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.
BorgWarner Names Vice President, Engine Research and Development
BorgWarner has appointed Olaf Weber to the newly created position of vice president, engine research and development. In this new role, Weber will be responsible for identifying technological and market trends in engines, and developing new systems that will enable BorgWarner to leverage the company’s capabilities and expand into new areas of the engine business.
Bendix Brakes Awards “Drive it Home” Promotion Grand Prize
Bendix Brakes has awarded Vinemont, Al-based technician Rick Holland a new 2004 Ford F150 truck. Holland, a customer of warehouse distributor Walter White and a technician for National Tire & Battery, was the grand prize winner of the brand’s “Drive It Home” scratch and win promotion.
Bandag Reports Fourth Quarter Results
Bandag Inc. has reported consolidated net income of $29.1 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, for fourth quarter 2003, compared to consolidated net income of $17.5 million, or $0.91 per diluted share in the fourth quarter 2002. Net income for both the fourth quarter 2002 and 2003 included favorable tax adjustments of approximately $3 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, resulting primarily from the resolution of certain tax matters.
Noble International Raises Annual Dividend
The board of directors for automotive parts supplier Noble International has approved an increase in its annual dividend to $0.40 per share of common stock. The higher payout represents an increase of 25 percent from the current annual dividend of $0.32 per common share. The new quarterly payout of $0.10 per common share will be paid on the next quarterly dividend.
Goodyear to Seek Millions in Loans
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., on the verge of posting its third straight annual loss, said Tuesday it plans to take on an additional $300 million in loans to fund its turnaround. The Akron, Ohio, company said it is also taking steps to follow through on a promise made last year to the United Steelworkers of America to complete a large bond sale. The sale is designed to improve the company’s strength and protect union jobs.
NASTF Updates OE Service Information Matrix
The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) has updated its OE Service Information Matrix. NASTF established the OE Service Information Matrix in 2001 with the assistance of the International Automotive Technicians’ Network (iATN). The matrix provides OE company contacts for obtaining service information, training materials and tools. The update incorporates revisions since the October 2003 update. The matrix is updated quarterly, with the next update scheduled for April 2004.