Hella Reports Modest Sales Gains for the Year
Global automotive supplier Hella has reported a nearly two percent increase in sales for the year ending May 31. The company said the increase was spurred by above-average sales growth in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region and increasing orders for original equipment by North American automakers. Worldwide annual sales for lighting and electronics supplier Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. grew to $3.77 billion for 2003/2004, compared with the previous year’s $3.69 billion, the company reported.
Stoneridge Opens Shanghai Office
Stoneridge, Inc. has opened an international purchasing office in Shanghai, China, to help the company manage its existing base of suppliers in China, as well as secure new low-cost supply sources of components for use in its manufacturing operations.
Delphi Makes Personnel Moves in its Aftermarket Unit
Delphi Corp. has announced several organizational changes for Delphi Product & Service Solutions, the company’s aftermarket and consumer products division. John Short, managing director of Delphi Diesel Aftermarket has announced he will retire on Dec. 31 after more than 32 years with Lucas and Delphi in the automotive aftermarket. John Short, managing director of Delphi Diesel Aftermarket has announced he will retire on Dec. 31 after more than 32 years with Lucas and Delphi in the automotive aftermarket.
Executive Interview with Shozo Kibata, Senior Corporate Officer of Toyo Tire
This week, Jim Smith, editor of Tire Review (a sister publication to aftermarketNews.com) talks with Shozo “Carlos” Kibata of Toyo Tire Corp. Shozo “Carlos” Kibata is a very busy man right now, far busier than he was a scant four months ago when he was president of Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. in Cypress, Calif. Since June 1, Kibata was tapped to head Toyo Tire North America, a subsidiary of parent Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. that was created to build and manage the tiremaker’s first North American tire plant. And, as a reward for his hard work in the U.S., Kibata was named senior corporate officer of the parent company.
Hayes Lemmerz Reports Second Quarter 2004 Results
Hayes Lemmerz International reported that sales for the fiscal second quarter, which ended on July 31, rose 4 percent to $523.7 million compared with $502.8 million a year earlier. Sales for the six months, which ended on July 31 were $1,117.8 million compared to $1,018.1 million a year earlier, an increase of 10 percent.
GDX Automotive Selects New Management Team Following Sale to Cerberus
GDX Automotive this week introduced a new global management team to lead the company following the sale of the business to Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., a New York-based investment firm. GDX Automotive, which was previously owned by GenCorp, Inc., is a global supplier of vehicle sealing and engineered components with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe and China. Morris Rowlett, has been named incoming GDX Automotive chairman and CEO. Rowlett comes to GDX with more than 20 years of experience in automotive and manufacturing turnaround management, having served as chairman and/or CEO of four automotive industry suppliers during the past nine years.
TRW Appoints Neil Marchuk as Vice President, Human Resources
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. has appointed Neil Marchuk as vice president, human resources for TRW Automotive. In this role, Marchuk will be responsible for strategic leadership of the company’s international human resources and will serve as a member of the management committee. He will be based at the company’s headquarters in Livonia, Mich., and report directly to John Plant, president and CEO of TRW Automotive.
American Axle & Manufacturing Announces Executive Appointments
American Axle & Manufacturing this week announced a number of new executive appointments.
AIAG Show Hosted Bold, Honest Stars
At a time when Detroit’s Cobo Center is catching a lot of grief for being a tired, rundown, expensive and cramped venue, it’s nice to see one trade show there on the upswing. Auto-Tech 2004, a conference and show staged by the Automotive Industry Action Group, concluded a stimulating three-day run Wednesday that was a huge improvement on previous year’s events.
Atlas Copco Buys Chinese Air Tools Maker
Atlas Copco AB, parent company of Chicago Pneumatic, on Monday acquired the assets of Chinese air tool manufacturer Qingdao Qianshao Precision Machinery. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. As part of the acquisition, a new equity joint venture, CP Qianshao (Qingdao) Power Tools Ltd., has been formed. It will become part of Atlas Copco’s Chicago Pneumatic division, within the Industrial Technique business area.