Radiator Repair Chain Takes Pollution Prevention Seriously
Radiator repair work — with antifreeze, lead-based solder and other hazardous materials — seems anything but environmentally friendly. But Mac’s Radiator, a Portland, Ore.-based chain of repair shops with a Eugene outlet, is part of an industry effort to change that perception. The Mac’s shop in west Eugene is the first business in the city to be certified under the Eco-Logical Business Program, a government-run pollution prevention project for small businesses.
GKN Updates Corporate Identity
Automotive driveline component supplier GKN Driveline has changed its name and logo as part of a recently adopted corporate identity program. Ted Rodewig, GKN Driveline’s marketing director, said the identity program is designed to bring new focus to the company by creating a common banner under which it will operate on a global basis.
CBS Segment Featuring ASA’s Ron Pyle Sparks Criticism from Insurers, Repairers
The Automotive Service Association’s (ASA’s) Chief Staff Executive Ron Pyle was recently featured in two CBS programs that addressed the issue of insurer-owned body shops. A number of insurers and repairers responded negatively to the segment, including the National Auto Body Council (NABC), which sent a stern letter to CBS News stating that the segment didn’t live up to its sensationalized billing, when Dan Rather told the viewing audience to stay tuned to see how consumers are possibly being ripped off by collision repair shops.
Automotive Supplier ZF Lemforder Plans to Close Duncan, S.C., Plant
Automotive supplier ZF Lemforder will close one of its two Duncan, SC, plants within two years and will lay off an unspecified number of employees, officials confirmed last week. Frank Buscemi, public affairs director with ZF Group North America, said the company’s components plant would be closed by the end of 2005 because it cannot fill demand and cannot be expanded.
Drivers Identify Almost 1,800 Unmet Needs, According to New Study
According to a new study conducted by global market research and consulting firm the RDA Group, automotive manufacturers are not keeping pace with their customers’ needs when it comes to such items as interior customization, vehicle control assistance, traffic awareness, vehicle monitoring, visibility enhancements, better in- vehicle food and beverage management, cabin temperature maintenance and child protection.
ArvinMeritor Honors Outstanding Achievements in Engineering
ArvinMeritor has announced the winners of its 2003 Engineer of the Year and Manufacturing Engineer of the Year awards. The awards, presented at ceremonies on Feb. 5, in Detroit, Mich., recognize those engineers or scientists who have made significant and innovative technological contributions to ArvinMeritor, its customers and the automobile industry.
Auto Suppliers Under Pressure to Shift Production Abroad
A new study soon to be released by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) is showing that the pressure to move automotive manufacturing jobs abroad will continue, despite federal and local government efforts to maintain or increase industry employment levels in the U.S. The SAE will release the report at the 2004 SAE World Congress in Detroit next month. The study, which is still under development, will outline “best practices” for global automotive suppliers. The Odyssey study seeks to help suppliers understand how their global manufacturing operations will need to change and how best to make those changes to survive and thrive.
SEMA Expands Installer/Specialist Test Programs with Custom Wheel and Tire Accreditation Test
SEMA has added a custom wheel and tire specialist exam to its battery of certification tests. The new test, known as Z5, will measure real-world knowledge and skills of the wheel and tire professionals who install custom applications on passenger cars and light-duty trucks. SEMA has added a custom wheel and tire specialist exam to its battery of certification tests. The new test, known as Z5, will measure real-world knowledge and skills of the wheel and tire professionals who install custom applications on passenger cars and light-duty trucks.
Dura Loss Shrinks
Dura Automotive Systems Inc., which makes automotive parking brakes and seating controls, said its fourth-quarter loss narrowed to $2.86 million, helped by currency exchange rates and acquisitions. Dura’s net loss narrowed to 15 cents a share from a loss of $90.7 million, or $4.97, a year earlier. Sales rose 8.8 percent to $627.2 million from $576.5 million, the Rochester Hills-based company said.
Two Off-Road Organizations Promise to Add Excitement to the 2004 SEMA Spring Expo
The Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) and the United Rockcrawling & Off-Road Challenge (UROC) will participate in the annual SEMA Spring Expo, which is slated to take place March 5-6 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. According to Peter MacGillivray, vice president of marketing and communications for SEMA, ORBA and UROC will bring the excitement of the rapidly growing off-road sports scene to the annual SEMA Spring Expo.