ArvinMeritor to Sell its Light Vehicle Aftermarket Motion Control Business
ArvinMeritor has announced plans to sell its Light Vehicle Aftermarket (LVA) Motion Control business in Marion, SC, to AVM Industries LLC, an Ohio Limited Liability Company. According to ArvinMeritor top executive Chip McClure, the sale brings the company closer to its goal of divesting the entire LVA business group and focus on its core competencies in the global automotive and commercial truck markets.
New Heritage Equity Group Executive Council Named; Group Will Explore Acquisition Opportunities
Art Lottes, Leon Viars and Joe Bagwell have been named members of the Heritage Equity Group Executive Council. Heritage Equity Group owns Beck/Arnley, which it acquired in 2005. The group was formed by former Beck/Arnley senior management following the company’s sale from Affinia Group. Together with Heritage Equity Group owners Max Dull, Patrick Greene and Richard Crawford, the newly formed Executive Council will seek out complementary acquisition opportunities.
Car Nuts at Consumer Reports Produce Influential Reviews
Likely you’re familiar with Consumer Reports magazine and its reputation for scrupulous testing of vacuum cleaners, contraceptives, cordless drills, tuna, spray paint and, of course, automobiles. Its April “annual auto issue,” released in March, is must reading not only for car buyers but for car executives. It would be overestimating the reach of Consumer Reports to say it can make or break a vehicle, but not by much. With a circulation of more than 4 million — roughly triple the world’s largest automotive publication — the magazine’s effect is enormous.
IBM Broadens Suite of RFID Services for Mid-Size Industrial Businesses
IBM announced this week an expansion of its services for companies seeking help with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Over the past several months, IBM has developed RFID services for industrial companies, such as those in the automotive, aerospace and defense, manufacturing, chemicals and petroleum, forest and paper and electronics industries, and for mid-market companies, which IBM defines as those with less than 1,000 employees. The services, which are available now and officially unveiled Tuesday, include consulting, development of a business case, technical proof of concept, pilots for the client and trading partners and full system implementation.
ArvinMeritor Launches Technical Training Web Site
ArvinMeritor’s Commercial Vehicle Systems unit has launched a new Technical Training and Product Service Web site. An enhancement to the company’s previous online training site, http://training.arvinmeritor.com is designed to provide technical training and service information on a wide range of ArvinMeritor’s commercial vehicle components.
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.
ArvinMeritor Receives Vendor of the Year Award from NAPA Canada
ArvinMeritor’s Light Vehicle Aftermarket (LVA) group has received the 2003 Vendor of the Year 2003 from NAPA Canada. NAPA Canada is part of Genuine Parts Company, a distributor of automotive replacement parts in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.