Coretalk: NAPA Awards Crank Biz To Hi-Tech's New Venture - Engine Builder Magazine

Coretalk: NAPA Awards Crank Biz To Hi-Tech’s New Venture

The Hi-Tech Blueprint series crankshaft is restored to the original factory blueprint specifications. Blueprint Series crankshafts are delivered directly to NAPA stores in the U.S. on an overnight basis, including a program for Alaska and Hawaii. The company offers application coverage for more than 1,000 part numbers for auto, truck and marine.

“NAPA chose this premium quality level because of the needs expressed by their professional installers. Micro-finished bearing surfaces and true-indexing were just a couple of the attributes that NAPA sought to ensure years of trouble-free service,” said Lonnie Maybe, group president for Hi-Tech Engine Components and former sales manager for Federal-Mogul.

Affinia Group Sells Beck/Arnley Worldparts

Affinia Group Inc. has sold its subsidiary, Beck/Arnley Worldparts Corp., to Heritage Equity Group, Inc. Heritage is a privately held company funded entirely by private investors, and in part by Beck/Arnley management.

“We are extremely proud to see the great potential that Beck/Arnley will have under Heritage,” said Terry McCormack, president and CEO of Affinia Group. “After considerable deliberation, we determined that both Affinia and Beck/Arnley would benefit from this move. Affinia’s customers, investors and associates will be better served through focus on our primary lines, brakes, chassis and filtration, which we manufacture and market.”

McCormack stressed that the nature of Beck/Arnley’s business made it different from the rest of Affinia. “With the Wix, Raybestos and Spicer brands, we are manufacturers and marketers of vertical product lines. Beck/Arnley buys and sells a horizontal package of import parts that cuts across many product categories. It’s a fundamental difference, and it creates different needs that are better served separately.”

“We are simply delighted to be in control of our own destiny,” said Max Dull, formerly VP/GM of the subsidiary who will now be president and CEO of Beck/Arnley. “This truly will allow Beck/Arnley to be Beck/Arnley.”

Dull echoed McCormack’s comments, saying that being affiliated with any primarily vertically oriented company created issues for both. “Trying to juggle the needs and requirements of two very large manufacturing divisions with the needs of Beck/Arnley and its market segment approach was a challenge,” said Dull. “Operating separately will allow each company to focus on its strengths. The customers of both businesses will benefit.”

Manny Angues, who served as controller of Beck/Arnley, now will be vice president and CFO of the company.

Both Dull and Angues stressed that they intend to keep the current strategic and operational plans in place. They indicated the company would maintain its master distribution center and headquarters in Smyrna, TN, as well as its network of six branch locations around the country.

Clevite Launches New Online Ordering System

Clevite Engine Parts has launched cleviteorder.com – a new web-based electronic order function available to all Clevite customers.

“We live in an electronic world today,” said Jesse Jones, Clevite’s data management team leader. “People routinely shop on the Internet for everything from cars to cows, pay their bills, plan their vacations and track their packages. They like the convenience, the speed, the confidentiality and the time saved with electronic commerce. Cleviteorder.com offers the best of all of these resources to customers in a truly dynamic package.”

The new online ordering system includes a number of customer-oriented features and benefits, according to the company, including electronic interchange capability; the capability to automatically supersede to the current part number; applicable pricing data; automatic rounding to standard quantities; and drop ship capability. The system also features shopping carts for multiple customers; online order tracking ability; real time visibility of inventory and the ability to select the shipping location most beneficial to each customer.

Customers need only a few things to get started – an active Clevite account including a valid email address, a computer with an Internet connection and a Java enabled Web browser. According to Clevite, the system works best with a high-speed Internet connection, but it is not mandatory.

For more information about the system, visit www.engineparts.com.

Vehicle Testing Technology Companies Merge

SuperFlow Corporation and Hicklin Engineering, L.C. – two major forces in the development and marketing of vehicle testing equipment – have announced plans to combine operations into the SuperFlow Technologies Group, “to broaden their service and engineering capabilities and accelerate new product launches and technologies” in this rapidly expanding industry.

Corporate headquarters for the recently merged and newly re-branded organization will be in Des Moines IA. Manufacturing, sales and testing operations will continue at both the Colorado Springs and Des Moines facilities.

“We see a lot of potential and synergies in this newly combined entity,” said SuperFlow President Scott Giles. “We now offer the most complete selection of dynamometers and test equipment for the drive train – from the engine, torque converter and transmission to the axles, drive shaft, brakes or the entire vehicle.

“We now have the ability to provide customers common software solutions across all dynamometer platforms, covering everything from high performance cycles and dragsters to giant off-road vehicles,” said Giles.

Giles will serve as President, with John Smidt as Chairman of the Board and Chief Financial Officer. Neal Williams (founder of SuperFlow Corporation) will continue to lead new product engineering and current product enhancements. Steve Matthiesen will direct SuperFlow product sales from the Colorado Springs facility. Des Moines sales and marketing will be directed by Marc Pavelick.

SuperFlow, founded in the 1970s, is an industry leader in high performance flow bench technology, producing and marketing a wide range of engine and chassis dynamometers worldwide.

Hicklin, a 35-year old company, is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of dynamometers for the automotive, truck and military repair markets. Hicklin also markets dynamometers and drive shaft service equipment under the AXILINE brand, as well as torque converter rebuilding systems under the TCRS brand. Axiline, TCRS and Hicklin product names will continue to be maintained and marketed through SuperFlow in Des Moines.

Giles estimates total employment for the two facilities to be approximately 110. For more information on SuperFlow or Hicklin products, visit www.superflow.com.

F-M Names Jueckstock Senior VP Powertrain

Rainer Jueckstock has been appointed as senior vice president, Powertrain Systems and a member of the Strategy Board for Federal-Mogul Corporation. He will have responsibility for Federal-Mogul’s $2.1 billion Global Powertrain business.
Jueckstock has been with the company for more than 15 years. Since 2004 he served as senior vice president, Powertrain Operations, responsible for worldwide Powertrain manufacturing.

Since joining Federal-Mogul in 1990, Jueckstock has held various positions in the company, including senior vice president, Pistons, Rings and Liners; vice president, Rings and Liners; operations director Pistons Rings – Europe; managing director of the company’s Friedberg, Germany operation and responsibility for Valve Train operations in Elstead, United Kingdom; sales director for Rings and Liners in Europe; finance controller in Burscheid, Germany; and finance manager in Dresden, Germany.

PLUSS Corp.’s Martin Earns Homeland Security Honor

Jeremy Martin, PLUSS Corporation’s Director of Communications, has recently received several honors relating to his expertise in understanding the security business sector. PLUSS Corporations is a service company that focuses on finding long-term growth opportunities in the heavy-duty trucking and automotive industries.

Martin’s honors include being awarded member status in the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute (ACFEI), Level III Certification in Homeland Security (CHS-III), and a membership position on the CHS Preparation and Response Team in the ACFEI’s Security Engineering and Technology division.

Martin’s designation as a CHS-III is limited to a select group of professionals who have demonstrated, by virtue of their experience, training, knowledge, skill and education, their commitment to Homeland Security.

Martin also writes for several trade magazines and online publications, including Engine Builder, while volunteering his spare time to non-profit high-tech organizations, helping develop industry standards.

For more information, visit www.pluss.net or contact PLUSS Corporation at 1-800-835-9609.

K-Line To Provide Kubota With Service Tool Program

K-Line Industries Inc. has announced that it has been awarded the contract to provide Kubota Tractor Corporation with a full line of service tools. K-Line will be supplying Kubota with a large variety of Kubota specific tools designed and developed solely by K-line for Kubota’s dealer network.

K-Line will also make available to Kubota an extensive library of general shop tools that are designed to enhance the work of the service technician. For more information, visit www.klineind.com.

Enginetech Goes Green With New Industrial/Ag Catalog

Carrollton, Texas-based Enginetech has launched its new “Green Book” Industrial & Agricultural Engine Parts Catalog.

“Our customers are professional engine builders and machine shops – they will appreciate knowing that they can find parts for virtually any engine that comes into their shops,” said Joe Munoz, Team Leader for Vision and Environment. “Now it’s super easy for our customers to make more money, and more profit, using the tools and equipment they already have in place.”

Munoz says “the Green Book features an easy-to-use application index by engine manufacturer, and an equally easy-to-use application index by equipment manufacturer or type – enabling the engine builder to accurately determine the right part, for the right engine, in the right piece of equipment.”

The industrial and agricultural catalog is designed to complement Enginetech’s “Black Book” Competition Products catalog.

For more information, visit www.enginetech.com.

Auto Innovator John Delorean Passes Away

John Z. DeLorean, one of the world’s best-known – and most controversial – automotive innovators, died March 19 at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ. He was 80.

DeLorean designed the Pontiac GTO muscle car in the 1960s, then launched his own car company. But DeLorean saw his car venture crash spectacularly when he was accused (and later acquitted) of cocaine trafficking and money laundering and of defrauding investors.

Congressman Barton Predicts Right to Repair Act Passage This Year

Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, was strongly optimistic in predicting passage this year of the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act legislation that he will re-introduce to the 109th Congress during remarks to more than 250 attendees at the Aftermarket Legislative Summit held recently.

Wearing a “Support the Right to Repair Act” button, Congressman Barton urged summit attendees to follow-up on their experience in Washington, D.C. by meeting with their elected officials in their home district, reinforcing the value of grass roots advocacy efforts. Barton’s encouraging remarks preceded 200 appointments with legislators and key staff from 37 states.

“Everyone at the summit was energized by the encouraging words from Rep. Barton, the bill’s sponsor and chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee,” said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). “There is truly a sense that momentum and support for our legislation is growing.”

To learn more about the the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act, and other legislative issues of importance to the independent aftermarket, visit: www.aftermarket.org.

Clevite Engine Parts Salutes Women’s Contributions to Engine Building

Clevite Engine Parts is giving women in the engine building industry the opportunity to take center stage during the first ever Women’s Engine Builder Challenge at the AERA Show in Las Vegas.

The Clevite Engine Parts Women’s Engine Builder Challenge will be held on Saturday, April 30 in North Hall (N1) of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“Clevite Engine Parts is proud to host the first ever Women’s Engine Builder Challenge as part of the AERA Show. It’s an effort to recognize the many contributions that women make to the engine building and rebuilding industry and to also recognize that the skills they possess go beyond business administration,” said Ted Hughes, marketing brand manager for Clevite Engine Parts. “The show will no doubt be exciting, as we’ve tapped into some of the best female talent and dedication in the industry.”

“I am honored to be participating in the first ever Women’s Engine Builder Challenge and feel it is deserved recognition for women in the engine rebuilding industry,” said participant Susan Degan. Degan is president of Engine Lab of Tampa, Inc. and has 11 years of experience in the industry.

Degan’s engine build partner, Gail Ault said, “I want to give a big thanks to Clevite for giving us this wonderful opportunity to show how women can complement the automotive industry, and how men and women can work together to make this industry strong.” Ault is vice-president and general manager of Ault and James, an engine rebuilder in Dayton, OH. Ault helped to start Ault and James in 1984.

For the past several years, Clevite Engine Parts has presented the Clevite Engine Builder Challenge Series, in which NASCAR’s top engine builders compete to see who can assemble and run an engine the fastest. The series has since been developed into a structured and tiered competition – the Clevite Engine Builder Showdown – with a total prize package worth over $50,000 and has become a huge hit with both engine builders and racing fans across the country. To learn more about Clevite Engine Parts, go to: www.engineparts.com

Pangborn Corp. Appoints New President and CEO

Pangborn Corp., a global manufacturer of surface preparation equipment and service provider for the metals industry, has appointed Randy Hudson as its new president and CEO. Hudson replaces Ron Stewart who will assume the role of vice chairman. Stewart will also act as a liaison for the board of directors.

Hudson joined Pangborn five years ago as executive vice president and CFO. He has been active across all segments of the business for the last several years. Prior to joining Pangborn, Hudson served as a CFO in several other industries including consumer products, computer services, food and metal-working. He also owned a metal-working and finishing company.

JASPER Names its Preferred Partners: Federal-Mogul, Clevite and Elgin Make List

The JASPER Preferred Partner Awards were given recently during the company’s 18th annual Preferred Partners banquet. Recipients were nominated by JASPER associates and judged on quality, service, fill rate, response time, and billing and credit procedures, among other criteria. JASPER associates who use the nominee’s products and services select the award winners.

This year’s award winners included Federal-Mogul, Clevite Engine Parts and Elgin Industries. Jasper only names seven vendors for an award each year.

For the 18th consecutive year, Federal-Mogul Corporation was honored with the award and is the only company that has received the JASPER Preferred Partner Award every year since its inception. “We are pleased to receive JASPER’s Preferred Partner Award again this year, and the fact that it is our 18th consecutive year makes it more gratifying,” said Bob Egan, vice president, Aftermarket sales – the Americas. “I would like to thank our employees who strive to meet and exceed our customer’s expectations by providing quality components, technological innovations and unsurpassed service.

Clevite Engine Parts was given an award for the seventh straight year. “Clevite Engine Parts is honored to receive this award for the seventh straight year,” said Ted Hughes, marketing brand manager for Clevite Engine Parts. “A special thanks goes out to everyone at Clevite who is part of the Jasper team for their hard work and commitment.”

Elgin Industries, a manufacturer and marketer of engine and chassis components for automotive and heavy-duty applications, was named a Preferred Partner for the fourth consecutive “We’re very proud to stand among the elite manufacturing partners to Jasper Engines Transmissions,” Skok said. “Jasper’s quality and service expectations are at the very core of our own business, and everyone in our organization understands and embraces them.”

Winners were selected from the more than 3,000 firms doing business with Jasper.

In accepting the Preferred Partner award, Elgin Industries President William Skok presented Jasper executives with a banner signed by Elgin’s manufacturing workforce. The banner read, “Doing it Right Having Fun.”

AAIA Legislative Summit Drives Home the Message

With record numbers and spirited optimism, representatives from the aftermarket industry assembled in Washington, D.C., for the Aftermarket Legislative Summit recently. More than 250 attendees representing 37 states made the journey to the lobbying rally to discuss with members of Congress the issues that affect the aftermarket.

The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), along with other industry associations such as the Coalition for Automotive Repair Equality, the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers and the Tire Industry Association, sponsored the event. Tuesday evening, a reception was held that featured special guest Ray Evernham, NASCAR team owner and president and CEO of Evernham Motorsports.

AAIA President and CEO Kathleen Schmatz spoke encouraging words to attendees before their congressional appointments later that day.

“I sincerely believe that today could be the tipping point for the automotive aftermarket,” said Schmatz. “All of us have caught the ‘bug’ to fight for our industry. Today, about 250 compassionate, dedicated, committed individuals who represent our industry are going to have a big affect on the aftermarket’s future.”

The main focus during the summit was The Motor Vehicle Owner’s Right to Repair Act, which legally prevents vehicle manufacturers from restricting access to the information, parts and tools necessary to accurately diagnose, repair, re-program or install automotive replacement parts.

Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) who also spoke during the summit, appeared confident about the passage of legislation that he will re-introduce to the 109th Congress.

Another issue discussed during the summit was proposed anti-counterfeiting legislation. Counterfeiting, in general, costs businesses in the U.S. $200 billion per year, as estimated by the U.S. Customs Service and Border Protection. It has especially damaged the sales and brands of many aftermarket suppliers. The proposed Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act of 2005 (H.R. 32) would tighten existing criminal sanctions against counterfeiters by mandating the destruction of equipment and materials used for making and packaging counterfeit goods.

Another topic during the Legislative Summit was association health plan legislation, written under the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005. This act, if passed, will allow small companies via trade and professional associations to obtain health benefits through small business health plans known as Association Health Plans.

Also on the summit agenda was asbestos litigation reform, which has placed an extreme burden on the aftermarket companies that manufactured products that contained asbestos. Companies throughout the industry have been battling lawsuits from those who worked in manufacturing facilities that made auto products containing asbestos or technicians who installed products that contained asbestos.

AAIA Releases “Global Aftermarket Trends: China”

China’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001 drastically reduced many barriers to international trade and has resulted in significant growth for the Chinese automotive industry. China is now the fourth largest motor vehicle producing country in the world, surpassing France, South Korea, Spain and Canada and it could pass Germany in 2005.

Changes in the Chinese automotive industry support the need for the most current information. To help businesses gain a better understanding of China’s market, products and services, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) has published a new study: “Global Aftermarket Trends: China.”

The study was developed to provide extensive data and information on many of the important factors needed to formulate a successful business plan in China, including:

  • Passenger vehicle sales data by make and model
  • Commercial vehicle sales data by manufacturer and segment
  • Passenger vehicle production data by make and model
  • Commercial vehicle production data by manufacturer and segment
  • Detailed U.S.-China trade statistics for automotive parts and components
  • Key government, business and media contacts
  • Important Chinese cultural and business practices

The price of “Global Aftermarket Trends: China” is $395 for AAIA members and $695 for non-members. For more information or to order a copy of this report, please contact AAIA at 301-654-6664 or visit www.aftermarket.org.

Federal-Mogul Announces Industrial Agreement with Timken

Federal-Mogul has entered into a long-term agreement with The Timken Co. to supply National sealing products for sale in the U.S. and Canada. The seals will be marketed and sold under the Timken brand in cartons with the National industrial seal name. The line will be available to the marketplace in May.

Timken will be the source for National industrial seals for authorized Timken industrial distributors and select original equipment manufacturers. The agreement does not cover the automotive and heavy-duty aftermarket. In addition, Federal-Mogul will continue to market National Oil Seal products to industrial customers outside the U.S. and Canada.

“Federal-Mogul is pleased to bring our exclusive portfolio of sealing solutions to a much wider audience of industrial customers through this initiative,” said Joseph Felicelli, executive vice president – Worldwide Aftermarket Operations, Federal-Mogul. “With Timken’s strengths in the industrial market and the quality of National sealing products from Federal-Mogul, the bottom-line advantage is that the customer can now access premier industrial bearing and seal technologies from a single source.”

The National industrial seal products covered by the agreement include oil, grease, fluid sealing and dirt exclusion sealing products in a broad range of small bore sizes. This product portfolio also includes Federal-Mogul’s National Redi-Seal technology, which provides premium custom-fit seals within 24 hours; Redi-Sleeve wear sleeves, which help correct grooved or worn shafts; Shaft Repair Kits; V-seals for extreme environments; and Redi-Coat, a patented sealant that fills nicks and scratches in a poorly finished bore.

“Seals are an important expansion of our industrial friction management solutions,” said Michael Arnold, president – Industrial Group, The Timken Company. “Timken has always been known for experienced technical support and a solid distribution network. Capitalizing on those strengths while partnering with Federal-Mogul to supply seal products accelerates our ability to better serve customers and grow our business.”

For more information about Timken, go to: www.timken.com

For more information about Federal-Mogul, visit: www.federal-mogul.com

Diesel-Powered Vehicles Gain 50 Percent Of Europe Could Head To U.S.

If a growing automotive market trend in Europe is any indication of a potential trend in the U.S., then a lot more diesel-powered vehicles could be seen on American roads. Recently collected market data by Robert Bosch Corporation confirmed that more than 50 percent of new passenger vehicles sold in Europe today are powered by diesel engines.

A pioneer in the development of diesel fuel delivery systems technology, Bosch has led the way in much of the advancements in the diesel arena. “Common Rail,” an electronic fuel management technology, much like the fuel injection systems in gasoline engines, uses electronic sensors to vary the pressure of the diesel fuel for delivery to electronically activated injectors for each cylinder. The higher pressure in the new system allows the injector to deliver finer fuel atomization while improving combustion efficiency and lowering harmful emissions. Glow plugs provide the initial heat to help start a diesel engine, and Bosch Duraterm™ glow plugs provide ‘post glow’ that keeps the plugs turned on while the engine is cranking and briefly after the engine begins to run.

For more information visit www.bosch.com.

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Check out these Shop Solutions from builders across the country!

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Automotive Specialty-Equipment Retail Sales Reach New High

Despite what occurred throughout 2020, the specialty-equipment industry showed resilience with industry retail sales climbing from $46.2 billion to a new high of $47.89 billion in the U.S., according to the new 2021 SEMA Market Report. Related Articles – Future of Engine Building: Converting the Masses – Future of Engine Building: The Road Ahead for

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