Rep. Knollenberg Introduces Bill To Fight Counterfeit Goods
U.S. Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-Mich. 9th District) yesterday introduced legislation to strengthen the federal law used to prosecute counterfeiters whose products threaten public health, harm American manufacturers and cost jobs in the U.S. The Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act would require the mandatory destruction of equipment used to manufacture and package counterfeit goods. In addition, the proposed legislation addresses methods that counterfeiters have used to evade prosecution, such as the selling of patch sets or medallions that can later be attached to generic merchandise and given the appearance of a genuine product, as well as placing a counterfeit mark on goods not specifically listed in the trademark registration.
Dan Daniel Talks about the Future of ArvinMeritor’s LVA Business
Dan Daniel, president of ArvinMeritor’s Light Vehicle Aftermarket (LVA) division, shared his predictions and plans for the future of ArvinMeritor’s LVA unit during an exclusive presentation on May 11 to Babcox editors and media representatives. ArvinMeritor is an $8 billion dollar company, with $850 million in annual sales at its Light Vehicle Aftermarket division, which Daniel leads. Two-thirds of the company’s business is in North America.
Mario Andretti to Visit Aiken County, S.C., Firestone Tire Plant
Racing legend Mario Andretti is set to visit Aiken County’s Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire plant on Tuesday. The factory announced May 5 that Andretti will spend about 1 1/2 hours at the facility during an employee recognition event.
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.
Modine Receives Award of Excellence
Modine Manufacturing has won the 2004 Award of Excellence for outstanding safety from the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development. Modine was presented the award for its Lawrenceburg, Tenn., facility. In July, Tennessee Labor Commissioner James Neeley will present the award at the Tennessee Safety Congress in Nashville.
Former RMA VP Joins MEMA
On June 1, Ann Wilson, formerly of the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) in Washington, D.C., will join the staff at the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). Previously, Wilson served as the vice president of government affairs at RMA. She will serve in the same role with MEMA.
DuPont Expands Fayetteville Manufacturing Line
DuPont has announced plans to add a $15 million glass interlayer manufacturing line at its site in Fayetteville, N.C. The new line will manufacture DuPont SentryGlas Plus interlayers, high-strength polymer sheets used by glass laminators and window companies to make advanced safety glass for automobiles and buildings.
AAIA Names New Director of Government Affairs
AAIA has appointed Stephanie Salmon as its new director of government affairs. Salmon previously served as the senior associate of a Washington-based government affairs firm for more than ten years, representing several manufacturing trade associations. She covered federal legislative and regulatory matters concerning health, safety, labor, tax, trade and energy issues.
NHTSA to Release Defect Data to Public
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said this week data collected from its defect warning system will be made public sometime this year. The agency agreed to keep warranty claims and consumer complaints confidential after automakers claimed access to the data would allow competitors to learn proprietary information about their vehicles. However, NHTSA dismissed manufacturers’ attempts to limit some information, such as the states in which defect-related deaths are occurring.
Autolite Expands Reach Into Accessories Category
Honeywell’s Autolite brand, known for spark plugs and ignition wires, has set its sights on a new market — automotive accessories. The brand is launching two new consumer-oriented lighting products. Autolite SpotGlo, a new seatbelt light designed for reading, working or playing a game while traveling, and Autolite TriGlo, a dual-purpose light source for both home and car usage. Both products will be available for order by mass merchant and automotive specialty retailers, as well as convenience stores and various other retail outlets.