Aisin Seiki to Establish American Technical Center
Aisin World Corp. of America (AWA), announced that a new company called Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc. (ATC-A) – has been created to lead the company’s product development for the North, Central and South American marketplace. The announcement was made by AWA President Don Whitsitt. ATC-A will enable the transfer of R&D processes from the parent company, Japan-based Aisin Seiki, for adaptation locally, said Whitsitt. Tsuneo Uchimoto, currently a member of the Aisin Seiki board of directors, will be the new company’s first president.
Aisin Named a GM 2007 Supplier of the Year
PLYMOUTH, Mich. — Aisin World Corp. of America (AWA) has received the General Motors 2007 Supplier of the Year award for its significant contributions to GM’s global product and performance achievements. The 16th annual award — themed the "Best of the Best" — was presented during ceremonies recently at the Sawgrass Marriott Hotel in Jacksonville,
Timken Receives AISIN AW Technical Award for Work on Toyota Tundra Transmission
The Timken Co. has received the 2006 Technical Award from AISIN AW Co. Ltd. for support in developing the six-speed B-800 transmission. The rear-wheel drive B-800 is installed in the 2007 Toyota Tundra pickup made in the United States and Land Cruisers produced in Japan. As part of the joint development process, Timken engineers developed a special double-row drawn-cup bearing to help increase the durability of the transmission while retaining its performance characteristics.
Aisin Plans $67 Million Expansion at Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley Facility
Aisin Automotive Casting Tennessee Inc. has announced a $67 million expansion to its Clinton, TN, facility, a move expected to add 160 jobs to its current workforce of 400 employees. The announcement marks the third recent expansion by a top-10 auto parts maker in the Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley. Both Denso, the largest manufacturing employer in the 16-county region, and Eagle Bend, a division of Magna International, are expanding their operations in the region.
Don Whitsitt Named President of Aisin World Corp. of America
Aisin World Corp. of America (AWA), a leading supplier of automotive components, has named Don Whitsitt president. The announcement was made at the company’s board meeting last month. Whitsitt was also appointed to AWA’s board of directors. Whitsitt, a 19-year veteran of the company who was previously executive vice president, becomes the first American to head AWA, a subsidiary of Japan-based Aisin Group. AWA is responsible for OE and aftermarket sales and marketing in North America and Latin America.
Aisin Contracts New Rep Agencies, Expands U.S. Aftermarket Sales Effort Across the U.S.
TORRANCE, CA – Aisin World Corp. of America (AWA), a manufacturer and distributor of water pumps, hydraulics, clutch and ADVICS brake pads for Asian import vehicles, announced this week that it has significantly strengthened its aftermarket sales effort in the United States. Bob Clark, AWA director of aftermarket sales, said the company plans to grow
Raising the Bar: Turning Good Shops into Great Ones
All shops have challenges, but it’s how well those challenges are addressed that really separates the great shops from the rest. National program group Independent Warehouse Distributors (IWD), which goes to market under the Auto Pride and Truck Pride names, calls these great repair businesses “Tier One” shops, and much of the group’s recent annual convention held in Palm Desert, CA, focused on how to evolve the good (and not-so-good) shops into great ones.
John Koenig to Lead Aisin Marketing Effort
Aisin World Corp. of America (AWA) has hired John Koenig, a former Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (TMS) executive, to serve as vice president of sales and marketing for the Plymouth, MI-based company. Koenig, who has been a marketing and planning consultant for AWA since 2002, is now responsible for the marketing effort of the company’s sales offices in Chicago and Plymouth, as well as its automotive aftermarket sales headquarters in Torrance, CA, where he is based. Koenig is also responsible for AWA’s external affairs and public relations.
AISIN World Corp. Names New Manager of North American Aftermarket Sales
Charles Pariano recently joined AISIN World Corp of America as its new manager North American Aftermarket sales. In this role, he will be responsible for sales and marketing strategies in North America. As an automotive parts distributor, AISIN sells a wide range of products worldwide, including brake and chassis, drivetrain and engine products. Based in Plymouth, MI, the company established its U.S. headquarters in 1970.
Motion Industries Receives Award from Aisin Manufacturing
Motion Industries, a subsidiary of Genuine Parts Co., was recognized by Aisin Manufacturing with an Outstanding Service Award presented at Aisin’s recent annual meeting in Knoxville, TN. Motion Industries is a distributor of bearings; mechanical, industrial automation, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic power replacement parts; hose and rubber products; and industrial supply products.