Wheel and automotive parts manufacturer Hayes Lemmerz International Inc. has reported a third quarter loss of US$59.6 million, up from US$13.3 million a year earlier. The company has been quick to point out, however, that this figure includes the sum of US$39 million paid as an asset impairment charge for their suspension facilities in Indiana and Michigan. Third quarter sales for the company were also down 2.4 per cent to US$589.5 million.
NRI Industries, one of Ontario’s biggest tyre recyclers, is closing two plants, with the loss of 425 jobs. Alan Power, NRI’s chief executive officer, confirmed yesterday that the company will end automotive parts manufacturing in the next three months, but hopes to survive by producing rubber mats, flooring and sound dampeners.
A Volvo FH12 4×2 tractor unit operated by Kent-based Laser Transport International reports to have clocked-up 630,000 kilometres on the same Michelin Energy drive-axle tyres, before they needed replacing. The tyres were fitted as original equipment when the Volvo was delivered new in February 2003, and have been replaced with a set of Michelin Energy RemiX tyres.
Commenting on the impressive performance, Jon Palmer, Fleet Engineer at Laser Transport International, explains: “We have only just fitted the RemiX tyres, and these should see the vehicle through its fourth and final year’s service on our fleet.
Automotive parts manufacturer Remy Automotive UK has announced a significant productivity improvement in its brake caliper operation, following a recent investment programme in its Leicester remanufacturing factory. In the past 12 months, Remy has invested more than £20,000 in a complete overhaul of operations at Leicester – this is on top of the £40,000 originally invested when Remy bought the plant in 2001 – and this has been rewarded by a 15 per cent increase in productivity.
Automechanika Shanghai 2006, which is being held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from 30 November to 2 December “will be twice the size of its predecessor in 2004”, say the organisers. 23,000 square metres of space in two halls has been earmarked for the show.
The 2004 event was the show’s debut and the fact that National pavilions from Germany, Singapore and Turkey have already confirmed their participation in this year’s show demonstrates the growing importance of China in the world automotive sector.
Unipart Automotive has won a multi million pound deal to supply exhausts to Kwik-Fit. Unipart Automotive has consolidated its position as Kwik-Fit’s preferred supplier of automotive parts following its success in winning the exhaust distribution business from competitor UKPA.
Under the new expanded agreement the Unipart Automotive network of branches will supply and distribute Arvin exhausts on a same day basis, Aftermarket News has reported. The announcement sees the extension of Unipart Automotive’s current distribution contract, which already includes a full range of parts from brakes to workshop consumables.
Only day’s after automotive magazines criticised the quality of British garages and their lack of support for the Kitemark scheme, Unipart Automotive has unveiled the first Unipart Car Care Centre received the accreditation.
Village Motor Company of Wallasey, Merseyside, part of Unipart Automotive’s national network of 1,400 independent garages, has become Britain’s first Unipart Car Care Centre to achieve the BSI Kitemark. As a leading supplier of automotive parts and accessories, Unipart Automotive says it always wanted a clear badge of distinction between the so-called “rip-off” garages and those who provide service motorists can have confidence in.
In Australia, Kmart Tyre and Auto Service is to acquire 90 Shell Autoserv and Auto Care branches for an undisclosed fee. Under the agreement, effective from 20 February, Shell Autoserv and Auto Care sites will be progressively rebranded as Kmart Tyre and Auto Service.
Kmart’s owner, Coles Myer, said all current Shell Auto Care and Shell Autoserv employees will be offered a role with KMart Tyre and Auto Service. Kmart Tyre and Auto Service managing director John Sink said the deal makes his company the largest car servicing business in Australia with over 280 stores, many located next to Coles Express Service Stations.
Toyo Tyre & Rubber Australia Limited (TAL) a subsidiary of Toyo Tire & Rubber Co, Ltd, opened its new rubber mixing plant in Australia on the 20 October. Located in Minto, New South Wales, TAL’s new rubber mixing plant employs 61 people and is situated on a 76,900 m2 site.
XL, the automotive parts brand distributed through FPS, has introduced a new 2006 brake calliper catalogue which it claims offers the best range coverage in the UK market.
It contains 204 new part references, increasing the range to over 2,500 part numbers. All XL brake callipers undergo stringent testing and are supplied with a 24 month “no quibble” warranty. Since 2001, XL has been part of Remy Automotive UK Ltd.
Automotive parts manufacturer Remy Automotive UK Ltd. has appointed Michael Flensborg (43) as Country Manager for the UK and Ireland. He succeeds Managing Director Tim Rahill, who left the company at the end of August.
Danish-born Mr. Flensborg joins the UK operation from the Remy Automotive European sales team, where he has been responsible for the development of the Scandinavian and Baltic markets for the past six years, plus the recent successful launch of Remy into the Russian market.
CVC Capital Partners has sold Kwik-Fit to French private equity firm PAI for £800 million. The news follows months of speculation including suggestions that a Bridgestone/Mitsubishi joint venture was pulling out in front when it came to bidding for the UK’s largest fast-fit chain. Bloomberg reports that PAI plans to open more fast fit retail outlets as a result of the acquisition.
Bridgestone is taking the lead in the race to acquire Kwik-Fit. According to the Financial Times, the Japanese manufacturer has teamed up with Mitsubishi Corporation to bid for Kwik-Fit and has already seen off early interest from Michelin and Wal-Mart. Bridgestone executives have been in London since last month working on their bid. “They are taking it very seriously,” said one person close to the auction. The Japanese group has a strong presence in the US through its Firestone unit, but has long been trying to crack the European market and looked at Kwik-Fit the last time it was on sale.
The Unipart Group of Companies, one of Europe’s leading privately–owned distribution and logistics businesses, has reported sales for 2004 of £1.064bn (2003: £525.8m) and a net operating profit of £25.4m (- £1.3m). After tax, interest and other charges, the Group reported a profit of £26.3m (£0.9m).
Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd., has announced that Toyo Tire Corp, a US tyre marketing subsidiary of Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd has been honoured with Manufacturer of the Year Award at the International Auto Salon in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Toyo Tire Corp is the first company in the tyre industry to receive the award. The Sport Compact Council of host organisation, SEMA, presented the award.
The Manufacturer of the Year Award is presented to one automotive parts maker each year and is awarded to the manufacturer that has made the most significant impact in the sport compact field.
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