Independent Truck Drivers Go On Strike
Upset over wages, fuel costs and anti-union laws, hundreds of independent truckers went on strike at several U.S. ports Monday, slowing the movement of cargo containers that can hold everything from furniture to electronics to frozen food. Nationwide independent truckers, who get paid by the load, had called for a strike from Monday to Sunday. It was unclear how many truckers went on strike.
Street Glow to Sell a Portion of Its Ownership, President Steps Down
Street Glow, Inc., which produces performance lighting products for the aftermarket, has signed a letter of intent to sell a portion of ownership to a Chinese investment group called Street Glow (Hong Kong), Ltd. This group includes members from Street Glow’s long-time Chinese vendor which manufactures virtually all of the Street Glow brand of Auto-Neon and performance lighting products. With the sale comes some internal restructuring, the company said. Lou Merz, who joined the company in June 2003, has stepped down as president. John Bailey, Street Glow’s CFO since 1998, will assume COO duties and responsibilities. The company will not be naming a new president.
White-Collar Jobs Also Exiting U.S.
Rows of engraved faces stare from plaques on the Inventors Wall. These are the faces of engineers who have made design breakthroughs used on some of the world’s most popular cars and trucks. All of the engineers work for Delphi, a Michigan company, at its Mexico Technical Center.
TRW Automotive Launches Safety Electronics Production in China
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. has launched production of airbag electronic control units (ECUs) from its wholly-owned subsidiary in Anting, China. The company has invested $11 million in the 12,000-square-foot facility to date. The plant currently employs 120 people and expects to double that number as production increases in 2005.
Lund International’s Ventshade Accessories Division Awarded ISO/TS Quality Certification
Lund International’s Ventshade Accessories Division has been awarded Technical Specification (ISO/TS) 16949 Quality Certification by the International Automotive Oversight Bureau (IAOB). Headquartered in Duluth, Ga., Lund International designs, manufactures and markets appearance products for the automotive aftermarket, sold under the brand names Auto Ventshade, Belmor, Deflecta-Shield, Lund and Nifty.
IAPA Holds Annual Meeting, Honors Outstanding Vendors
San Francisco and the Sonoma Wine Country provided the backdrop for the Independent Auto Parts of America (IAPA) recent annual membership meeting. IAPA’s 192 members, along with family, manufacturers, suppliers and guests attended the event, which took place at the world-renowned Fairmont Hotel on May 22-25.
Dana Brake and Chassis Named a Federated Vendor of the Year
Dana Brake and Chassis has been named a recipient of a 2003 Federated Auto Parts’ Vendor of the Year award. The awards were presented during the recent Federated National Meeting, held in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Yokohama Announces Changes in Corporate Governance, Fiscal Results
On May 13 at its board of directors meeting, The Yokohama Rubber Co. announced changes in directorships and the introduction of the position of “corporate officer.” The changes will become effective upon approval at a shareholders meeting scheduled for June 29. Hisao Suzuki, vice president, representative director, will retire from the board of directors, and Yasuo Tominaga will assume the responsibilities of chairman and representative director. Tadanobu Nagumo will become president and representative director.
Beck/Arnley Opens Customer Care Centers
Beck/Arnley announced the opening of its sixth Customer Care Center, located in Dallas, Texas. Additional Customer Care Centers are located in Stockton, Calif., Los Angeles, Calif., Chicago, Ill., Harrisburg, Pa., and Miami, Fla. According to Max Dull, vice president and general manager of Beck/Arnley, the company has achieved its goal of launching six centers by early 2004.
Hankook Raises Prices By 3 Percent
Hankook Tire America Corp. has announced plans to raise prices on its full line of passenger, high performance, light truck and medium truck tires by 3 percent, effective July 1.