Tenneco to Add 300 SKUs to Walker Range in 2009

Emission control systems manufacturer Tenneco says it will continue its ‘aggressive investment’ in new emissions control application coverage in 2009. The company plans to add more than 300 SKUs to its Walker line of replacement exhaust parts in the coming year. This planned expansion continues a strategy begun more than five years ago, when Tenneco began to significantly increase the Walker brand’s coverage in support of aftermarket businesses. More than 600 new exhaust part numbers were introduced to the Walker line in 2008 alone, and more than 1,600 parts have been added since 2004.

“We are investing in new products and coverage to help our aftermarket customers strengthen their competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving category,” said Frank Murkowski, Tenneco’s North American emissions control marketing manager. “Some industry suppliers are reducing their investment in the exhaust marketplace; we’re becoming more aggressive each year by leveraging our OE manufacturing portfolio to help ensure that repair shops have all of the factory-quality parts they need to survive and grow.” Tenneco also will continue its continuous launch strategy for new exhaust products, Murkowski added.

In November Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services placed Tenneco’s credit rating on its CreditWatch list due to its significant exposure to automakers General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.