Focusing attention on maximum possible productivity becomes vital in difficult economic times in order to boost competitiveness. Besides high-quality retreading materials, Kraiburg Austria also provides its customers with expertise and business services, aimed at boosting their productivity.
Shanghai International Exhibition for Auto Parts & Accessories (Auto Parts Shanghai 2005) and Shanghai International Exhibition for Auto Manufacturing (Auto Manufacturing Shanghai 2005) are being held on December 6 – 9, 2005 at the Shanghai International Exhibition Center in China.
In Auto Parts Shanghai 2005 / Auto Manufacturing 2005, 250 local and overseas auto parts manufacturers and suppliers will present their latest auto parts, accessories and technology. There are six international pavilions and over 20 seminars will be given by major auto manufacturers and professionals, running alongside the show. The latest show information can be found on www.2456.com/atop
Unipart Automotive has teamed up with Omitec to offer garages a 5 year “all inclusive” modular integrated diagnostics solution. According to the company, the deal has no hidden costs and allows garages to invest cost-effectively in a lucrative area of vehicle repair work.
(Akron/Tire Review) Siemens VDO’s Service & Special Solutions group has developed a new aftermarket program for TPMS replacement and service parts. The program helps technicians service vehicles equipped with TPMSs made by Siemens VDO, the company said.
Continental AG is considering whether it should buy some assets from Delphi. CEO, Manfred Wennemer told the Financial Times Deutschland that the company and others were looking to see if Delphi would see off some of its assets. “This is a chance for everyone — also for Continental. We have to see what they want to or must sell off,” the newspaper quoted Wennemer as sayding. Wennemer did not say what parts of Delphi Continental would be interested in, but he ruled out any purchases that would take the automotive supplier into any new areas.
(Akron/Tire Review) Tire Pros/Am-Pac Tire Distributors Inc has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Latham Tire Co and its Autotire Car Care Centers business for an undisclosed amount. The agreement, expected to close shortly, brings the number of Tire Pros’ national retail stores to 300.
(Akron/Tire Review) Gary N Benninger, PhD has been appointed chief operating officer at Amerityre Corp, effective 16 October. Previously, Benninger was director of technology development at auto parts supplier Magna International Inc. and its affiliate MEC. He was responsible for identifying new technologies and managing product launches.
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 supplier Delphi has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. General Motors, Delphi’s former parent company will bear the brunt of the collapse because it could be liable for up to $11 billion (£6 billion) worth of pension and retirement benefits for about 25,000 Delphi employees.
(Akron/Tire Review) Federal-Mogul Corp can see light at the end of the bankruptcy tunnel, thanks to a key agreement that was reached late last week between the company and administrators in the UK that will settling outstanding asbestos claims. The agreement is seen as key to allowing Federal-Mogul to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy after some four years.
Just look at how Ryanair and Easyjet caught the traditional airlines off-guard – that’s just what could happen to your business if you fail to spot an opportunity before one of your competitors does.
Of course, in my line of business, I’m interested in how companies can create opportunities for themselves through their logistics management. It’s easy to look at how supermarkets control their supply chain right back to the farmer in the field, and assume that the same will happen in the automotive sector as well. Certainly, the dominant trend in logistics has been the transfer of control from manufacturer to customer.
Delphi CEO Steve Miller has predicted Delphi, the world’s largest car parts manufacturer, could enter bankruptcy by 17 October unless the United Auto Workers union and GM agree on a relief plan. Robert “Steve” Miller Jr came out of retirement in Oregon to lead Michigan-based Delphi.
Amcast Corp, the former owner of Italian wheel manufacturer Speedline, is looking forward to achieving economic recovery soon. At the same time Speedlines new owners proved they too are looking forward to a bright future by investing 25 million euros in the modernisation and automisation of Speedline’s production facilities, with a similar amount scheduled for this year.
Amcast sold the European wheel business to Aluminium parts manufacturer Mazzucconi-Gruppe pm 17 March 2003, after it entered Chapter 11 status and had to sell-off some of its assets. Amcast continues to run two wheel factories in the US.
Snap-on Diagnostics has announced a five year “Peace of Mind” plan for its Sun DGA 2500 Combi MoT-approved gas and smoke diagnostic emissions analyser.
Terry Smith, European Marketing Manager of Snap-on Diagnostics, said that the plan was introduced as a result of the company’s 40 years’ experience in the UK automotive aftermarket and its constant communication with its customers.
He says: “Customers will be able to enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that their Sun DGA 2500 Combi is protected with a five year parts and labour warranty, five years’ VOSA vehicle limits software updates plus five years’ calibrations, supported by our own UKAS accredited Field Technicians.”
The plan is available at a typical weekly cost of just over £40.
Health and safety regulations apply to all businesses. But there are some matters that need to be given special consideration by employers. The government has earmarked ‘Lifting and Handling’ in the workplace as one of these key areas. In As far as tyres are concerned this has particular significance with regards to tyre bays, where fitters manually handle heavy tyres and wheels during the tyre changing process.
According to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) more than a third of all ‘over-three-day’ injuries reported each year are caused by manual handling – ‘the transporting or supporting of loads by hand or by bodily force’.
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