Herman Trend Alert: Working 24/7
We expect to see a significant increase in the number of people working non-traditional hours — evenings and weekends — in the next few years. As employers respond to global relationships, where people in other parts of the world are working at times that require night work by local employees, this trend will grow. More night work will be seen as companies, particularly manufacturing facilities, seek to utilize their equipment more hours each day. Extended hours generate a greater return on investment, but require people to work during those extended hours.
Johnson Controls to Acquire Delphi’s Global Automotive Battery Business
Johnson Controls has signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire Delphi’s global automotive battery business for approximately $212.5 million, subject to adjustments. In conjunction with the acquisition, Johnson Controls anticipates receiving a global long-term contract to supply General Motors with original equipment batteries.
Caterpillar to Offer On-Highway Automatic Transmissions
Caterpillar Inc. has developed a complete line of fully automatic, planetary transmissions designed specifically for vocational applications. Production of these transmissions is expected to begin later this year, with availability in 2006. The new vocational on-highway transmissions are based on existing transmissions that have proven themselves in Caterpillar articulated trucks, according to the company.
Detroit Diesel Corporation, Freightliner LLC Invest $275 Million in Michigan Facility; Location to Produce a New Heavy-Duty Truck Engine Line
Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) and Freightliner LLC today announced plans to invest $275 million to upgrade to a manufacturing and office facility in Redford, Mich. Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) and Freightliner LLC today announced plans to invest $275 million to upgrade to a manufacturing and office facility in Redford, Mich.
Toyo, CTNA Issue Recall Notices
Following Yokohama Tire Corp.’s recall of 69 medium truck radials produced by GTY Tire Co., a joint venture between Yokohama, Continental Tire North America (CTNA) and Toyo Tire USA Corp., both Toyo and CTNA have issued their own recall notices. All told, 142 tires are being recalled. Toyo is recalling 24 medium truck tires produced at the plant. CTNA issued a non-specific statement relating to the entire group of tires being recalled. However, the remaining 49 tires being sought are believed to be Continental and/or General brand medium truck tires.
ArvinMeritor Awarded Contract to Supply Drum Brakes to Mack Trucks, Volvo Trucks North America
ArvinMeritor’s Commercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) business group has been awarded three-year contracts to supply its Meritor Q Plus cam brakes to Mack Trucks, Inc. and Volvo Trucks North America, Inc. Mack Trucks is a member of the Volvo Group. Meritor Q Plus brakes will continue to be standard equipment on all Mack vehicles as well as all Volvo trucks in North America. Introduced in 1991, the Q Plus air brake is standard equipment on more North American heavy- and medium-duty trucks than any other brand, according to ArvinMeritor.
Herman Trend Alert: Training vs. Off-Shoring
Employees in developed countries are increasingly concerned about the number of jobs being moved overseas. Alarmists sound the cry that a huge number of jobs are vanishing from traditional workplaces, spelling the elimination of employment opportunities. Though this perspective stretches the truth, thousands of jobs that had been performed in the U.S., England, Australia, Germany and other places have been moved to countries with considerably lower wage rates. On balance, this shift is good for the economies of developed countries, since employers are able to get more accomplished for less, freeing resources for other uses-like creating more jobs, though different, that can be performed by their own workers.
Babcox Publications Acquires Fleet Equipment and Transport Technology Today
Babcox Publications today announced its acquisition of Fleet Equipment and Transport Technology Today (T3) magazines. Effective January 1, 2005, these two publications will extend the company’s reach into the truck fleet market. According to Bill Babcox, president of Babcox Publications, “The purchase of these two magazines expands our comprehensive lineup of publications for the automotive aftermarket to now include the truck fleet equipment management and information technology (IT) arenas. These respected magazines, and their editorial staffs, broaden our reach and offer outstanding publications for the marketplace.”
Rick Hendrick Receives NASCAR Buddy Shuman Award from Federal-Mogul Champion Spark Plug
Hendrick Motorsports Owner Rick Hendrick was presented the 2004 NASCAR/Champion Spark Plug Buddy Shuman Award in a ceremony in New York City last week. Presented by Champion annually since 1957, the Shuman Award recognizes an individual or group that has made a significant contribution to the growth of NASCAR Nextel Cup Series racing. Champion spark plugs are manufactured and marketed by Federal-Mogul Corp.
Executive Interview: Jacques Landreville and Jim Buzzard Talk About the Recent Merger of Uni-Select and MAWDI
Our latest Executive Interview features Jacques Landrevillenand Jim Buzzard. On November 1, Landreville and the Buzzard family completed the merger of Uni-Select and MAWDI. The merger significantly expands Uni-Select’s reach into the U.S., where it will generate revenues of approximately $470 million. As part of the agreement, all current MAWDI and Uni-Select locations will remain under their original names, but at the corporate level MAWDI will operate as a subsidiary of Uni-Select USA. All of the various companies within Uni-Select USA, including MAWDI, will be referred to as Automotive Group USA. Landreville and Buzzard recently spoke with aftermarketNews.com and shared some of the finer details about the future for Uni-Select USA.