Johnson Controls to Expand Vehicle Component Plant in China
Since entering China’s emerging automotive market in 1997, vehicle-interior supplier Johnson Controls has invested millions of dollars, opened 12 facilities and won sourcing contracts for dozens of cars and trucks. Now, it’s gearing up for more growth with an $8 million expansion of a seat-component production plant near Shanghai.
Auto Trim Market Seen Growing
CSM Worldwide of Michigan Wednesday predicted the North American automotive interior trim market will grow to more than $10 billion by 2009.
Ninth Annual GAAS Kicked Off in Chicago
While the theme of this year’s Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) — Leaner, Faster, Better — may connote the automated efficiency of a well-run machine, the true focus of the day’s numerous presentations was on the talented pool of people who make up that machine and how to make better use of them. “The core of any great business is the people,” said GAAS founder and chairman Mort Schwartz, who welcomed approximately 400 aftermarket executives to the event.
Transpro Names Paul Verdile Senior Product Manager
Transpro has appointed Paul Verdile senior product manager for its Automotive Light Truck Heat Exchanger Business Unit. In this position Verdile will be responsible for all product development and strategic planning functions for product lines that include Ready-Rad radiators and Ready-Aire heater cores and air conditioning condensers. He will report to Layne Gobrogge, Transpro’s vice president of marketing and will be based in New Haven, Conn.
MEMA Holds First Automotive Suppliers’ Legislative and Public Policy Summit
Automotive suppliers, members of Congress and federal agency heads met to discuss automotive safety, energy and the environment, international trade and soaring health care and pension costs during the “MEMA Legislative and Public Policy Summit: Advancing American Manufacturing,” held May 5-6 in Washington, D.C.
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.
Key Safety Systems Forms Shanghai Joint Venture
Key Safety Systems has formed a new joint venture with Yanfeng Visteon Automotive Trim Systems, based in Shanghai, China. With 2004 revenues expected to exceed $1 billion, Yanfeng Visteon is the largest interior trim manufacturer in China, and one of the largest producers of steering wheels.
Radiator.com’s Marketing Drives Sales
A California company has found gold under the hood of America’s older vehicles – with a little help from Visteon Corp. In a little more than a decade, Radiator.com/1-800-Radiator has grown from a $2.5 million local business into a $60 million company with 34 locations nationwide.
2004 Automotive News PACE Awards Winners Announced
Automotive News has announced the 11 winners of its 2004 PACE Awards. This is the 10th year that the publication has honored innovative auto suppliers through the PACE Awards, which are co-sponsored by Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and Transportation Research Center Inc. The winners were announced at a ceremony on Monday, March 8, at the Detroit Opera House. A panel of independent judges selected the winners from a group of 23 finalists.
American Axle Pact Ratified; Supplier Gets the Right to Negotiate 2-Tier Wages
UAW members ratified a four-year contract with American Axle & Manufacturing Inc., after a one-day strike late last month that disrupted General Motors Corp. truck production. About 68 percent of the employees voted for the contract, the union said Monday. About 68 percent of the employees voted for the contract, the union said Monday.