Metaldyne Names Tom Chambers President of Engine Group
Metaldyne Corp. has announced that Tom Chambers has joined the company as president of its Engine Group. He replaces George Thanopoulos who resigned to pursue other opportunities. Prior to this appointment, Chambers has held a variety of positions in the automotive industry. Most recently, he served as president of Piston Automotive.
Goodyear Receives Military Aircraft Tire Development Grant
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company will receive $2.25 million under the defense appropriations bill, passed last week by the U.S. Congress. The grant will fund research and development on the next generation of aircraft tires to be used on the nation’s new Navy and Air Force joint strike fighter jets.
Report Shows 80 Percent of Scrap Tires Put to Good Use
Expanding markets now consume four out of five scrap tires, according to a report by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA). In addition, stockpiled scrap tires have been reduced by nearly 75 percent since 1990.
Littelfuse Reports Second Quarter Results
Sales for the second quarter of 2004 were $128.8 million, a 77 percent increase from sales of $72.8 million in the second quarter of 2003.
Beck/Arnley Partners with APW Pronto Auto Parts
Southern California warehouse distributor APW Pronto Auto Parts has added the Beck/Arnley import program to its offerings. The company will distribue the Beck/Arnley line to its Carson, Los Angeles, North Hollywood, San Diego and South El Monte, Calif., locations.
Hella North America Names New President and CEO – NAFTA Aftermarket
Wolfgang Benz has been named president and CEO – NAFTA Aftermarket for Hella North America. In this new role, Benz will direct Hella’s North American aftermarket business. Benz joined Hella KG in 1995 as managing director of Hella Aftermarket Operations for the U.K. and Ireland. His automotive career began in 1967 at Robert Bosch GmbH in Stuttgart- Schillerhoehe, Germany, where he served as a sales manager and later export product manager.
Grote Releases Second Volume of “Know How” Training Guides
Grote Industries, a leading manufacturer of vehicle safety systems, has introduced the second volume in its “Know How” series of programmed instruction training guides. Grote Know How II is a 104-page illustrated guide to installation and troubleshooting of lighting and wiring on heavy-duty tractors, trucks and trailers.
Stride Tool Names New CEO
Stride Tool, Inc., a manufacturer of specialty hand tools has named a new CEO. Ron Ortiz will replace company founder Lori Northrup, who will continue as chairman of the board of Stride Tool. Northrup, who has served as CEO since 1980, is leaving the company to focus on other business ventures with her husband.
Lear Acquires Grote & Hartmann
Lear Corp. has acquired GHW Grote & Hartmann GmbH, a manufacturer of electrical components based in Wuppertal, Germany. The acquisition is part of Lear’s strategy to grow its electronics and electrical distribution systems business and further diversify its sales.
Champion Parts Completes Sale of Pennsylvania Plant
Champion Parts, a remanufacturer of automotive parts, has completed the sale of its 200,000 square foot Beech Creek, Pa., plant and property. Champion Parts remanufactures fuel system components, air conditioning compressors, front wheel drive assemblies and other underhood electrical and mechanical products for the passenger car and light truck, agricultural, heavy-duty truck and marine parts aftermarket.