Power Steering Pumps and Gearboxes
In today’s increasingly competitive marketplacethe quest for additional profits is of paramount importance notonly for continued growth and success, but for the survival ofthe company itself. This is particularly true for undercarriagespecialists such as CV axle and rack-and-pinion rebuilders. Niche market diversification can accomplisheconomic and strategic objectives that will not only improve the"profitable" cash flow
Power Investments, Inc.: Building An Empire In The Rebuilding Industry
Mike Jarvis, 53, president of Power Investments,Inc., is quietly building an empire in the rebuilding industry.If you want proof, just take a look at his frequent flyer miles(he’s averaged about 2,500 business miles per week over the pastfour years), and the fact that company growth has averaged between12-18% per year, mostly through acquisitions, since 1983.
Clutch Market: Passenger Car And Light Truck Clutches
Optimism isn’t exactly running high these daysamong clutch rebuilders and their component parts suppliers, particularlywith respect to passenger car and light truck clutches. The marketis being squeezed on one side by an influx of new clutches fromoffshore suppliers, and on the other side by price pressures andtoo much competition. You might say it’s a gripping
Machine Shop Market Profile Part II
Based on information provided in part one ofour annual Machine Shop Market Profile which appeared in lastmonthís issue, the machine shop market produced between1.31 million and 1.7 million rebuilt engines in 1996. These figuresrepresent a decline of about 7% from the previous production year. Part one of our annual Machine Shop Market Review featured detailson
Ensuring Bearing Life: Crankshaft Bearings Are Always Replaced When Rebuilding An Engine
Crankshaft bearings are always replaced when rebuilding an engine because they’re a wear component. Heat, pressure, chemical attack, abrasion and loss of lubrication can all contribute to deterioration of the bearings. Consequently, when an engine is rebuilt new bearings are always installed. “Reading” the old bearings can reveal a great deal about conditions that may
Piston Rings and Surface Finish
Horsepower is always paramount in the minds of customers who salivatelike a Pavlovian dog when the terms "high performance"and "engine" are used in the same sentence. Unquestionably,horsepower is heady stuff, capable of not only moving a vehicleto obscene speeds, but also of propelling its owner to a positionof prominence in the eyes of performance enthusiasts
7CleanCsts.doc
So it’s important to remember when deciding on a specific approach to cleaning to strive for cleaning effectiveness, while at the same time, staying in compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. In order for a machine shop to have a positive return on investment, cleaning systems and
Software Solutions For The Shop: Job Tracking Programs and More
Although computers began to make their way into the automotive aftermarket in the early to mid-1970s, only recently are rebuilders beginning to realize the benefits of shop management software for their businesses. One example of how shop software improves shop productivity can be found with job tracking programs. Job tracking allows managers to see the
Machine Shop Market Profile
As is generally already known, the machineshop/custom engine rebuilder market struggled in 1996 to keeppace with production numbers generated in 1995. Many shop ownerstold us that demand was flat for machine shop services and/orrebuilt engines during 1996. Verification of these shop owners’ commentswas generated in our annual survey of the membership of the AutomotiveEngine Rebuilders
Making A Big Splash In The Marine Market
The average individual that would have owned a performance car in the 1960s, and the baby boomers that did, in many cases no longer have a modern affordable toy they can tweak to their own satisfaction. Serious performance today is often available to only a few with large checking accounts or extra good credit, and
Tackling High Performance Work
Obviously, there are many questions to be answered before a shop enters or expands its activities into the high performance arena. There are moderately successful performance-oriented machine shops scattered from one end of the nation to the other. There are also a significantly smaller number of VERY successful shops. Typically, the difference between the former
Getting A “Good Seat” : The Growth In The Valve Seat Insert Market
The growth in the valve seat insert market can be traced back to the early 1970s when the switch to unleaded fuel took place. Most of the engines in use or that were in core or inventory storage had to have replacement seats inserted in the exhaust side to prevent valve seat recession that occurred when the engines were run
Forklifts
Engine rebuilders often classify themselves as an automotive (car and light truck), and/or medium duty/heavy-duty diesel or industrial rebuilder, and usually primarily stay in one market or the other. Some cross the line and do business in both markets, but most tend to stay in familiar territory where they’re comfortable. Yet rebuilding forklift engines is
Salvage Yards
For more than 75 years, automotive recyclers have had a role in the supplying of used parts to commercial repair operations including body shops, new and used car dealers, auto and truck fleet businesses, independent repair shops and garages. Through recycling more than 11 million vehicles a year with more than $5 billion in annual
Diesel Dialog: The Nature Of The Diesel Aftermarket Has Become Increasingly Competitive
In recent years, the nature of the diesel aftermarket has become increasingly competitive. Many of the bread-and-butter engines that diesel shops have focused on have become so common that the factory replacement parts and reman engines available leave little profit to be made by the machine shop trying to stay competitive. One important factor in
Perspective On Using CBN Versus Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) Cutters
In your June Shop Line you offered Jerry Lawson’s of DCM Tech, Inc., perspective on using CBN versus poly crystalline diamond (PCD) cutters. Have any other manufacturers voiced their opinions? In PERA’s May 1996 Current Concerns publication, Andy Rottler of Rottler Manufacturing made the following observations on CBN versus PCD cutters:Rottler says that due to
Letters: Test Data For Failing Rectifiers Requested
The article by Donald Yuhas, “Dissecting CS-130 Diode Failure,” in the May, 1996 issue of Automotive Rebuilder gave electrical rebuilders insights into the ways that diodes can fail. The author concluded that high “current pulse” technology is needed for successful screening-out of diodes that will likely fail in the vehicle.While I share that conclusion, the
The 1995 Camaro That Served As The Basis For Project Road Rocket
As noted previously, the 1995 Camaro that served as the basis for “Project Road Rocket” received a change in rear end gearing and that, in combination with the repair of an exhaust system leak really brought the car to life.From a best quarter-mile performance of 12.87 at 109.27 miles per hour the Camaro blasted to
Caliper Clinic: Rebuilders Not Only Can Improve An OE Design, But They Can Also Improve The Consumers’ Opinion
Rebuilders not only can improve an OE design, but they can also improve the consumers’ opinion about the rebuilt auto parts business, in general. Many people still believe that all rebuilt parts are sub-standard compared with original equipment parts. However, most rebuilders are continually working to improve the reputation of rebuilt parts by producing quality
Complete Circuit: The Components That Are The Cause Of Most Starter Failures
If you had to categorize the components that are the cause of most starter failures, the starter solenoid, without a doubt would be on top of the list. The starter drive may come in a close second. Some large rebuilders may opt to rebuild their starter solenoids in-house or have them built to their specifications,