Booth Visits Remind Us Why We
There’s something to be said for stability and as we come to the last issue of 2011, I’d like to thank all of our long-time readers and advertisers for their continued support of Engine Builder magazine. Since we can’t physically come to each of your shops to do it, I’m instead sending out a virtual
Champion Oil Celebrates Fifty-Five Years in Lubrication Industry
Champion’s many successes over the past 55 years are due to loyal customers who share mutual honesty and respect. Also important to Champion are the many employees who show a dedication to value, fair prices, advancements in technology, and excellence in customer service. At the Performance and Racing Industry Show (PRI) held recently in Orlando,
Learning To Manage The Changing Workforce
On the other hand, people from the younger generation will struggle with many of the values and ethics of the older generation. When you consider the diverse demographics of today combined with a multi-generational workforce, it’s easy to see how the differences in values and behavior are having a profound impact in the workplace. These
Goal Setting For 2012: Combine A Well-Cast Vision With A Charted Course
Having determined this goal, Eisenhower and his commanders began to build a battle plan. Through careful planning, execution and modification of the battle plan, the Allies successfully liberated Europe in 11 months. For America, this was one of the defining moments for “The Greatest Generation.” As the Supreme Commander of your shop, your role as
Pay Yourself First: It’s Your Job To Look Out For Your Financial Future
He replied that he, too, was committed to the same goal. I asked him what strategies he had in place to ensure this happened. He said he always reviewed what his options were at year-end with his CPA, but there never seemed to be any cash left to fund any kind of program. He asked
COMP Cams Named NSRA Manufacturer of the Year
Upward of 10,000 cars were seen at the 2011 NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Ky., over a four day span. The event was especially meaningful for COMP Cams, as the “Absolute Leader in Valve Train Technology” was named NSRA Manufacturer of the Year. Founded in 1970, the NSRA is the foremost street rodding organization
Trends in Employee Benefits
According to a recent study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), uneven economic growth and related uncertainties about the nation’s fiscal health are having an impact on benefits offerings. As fewer employers offer defined-benefit pension plans and more are using other savings plans, they continue to shift more of the cost burden to
Ed Pink-Built Engine Auction To Benefit SEMA Scholarship Fund
With the participation of SEMA-member performance parts manufacturers and legendary engine builder Ed Pink, the SEMA Scholarship Committee will have a complete dyno-tested 302 Ford engine, based on a Dart block and “Pro 1” cylinder heads, up for auction on eBay concurrent with the upcoming SEMA Show. Proceeds will benefit the SEMA Scholarship Fund. Simultaneously,
Shop Success: Good Planning Is More Fruitful Than
It’s a fair question, but it misses the point. Focusing on one secret ingredient instead of the entire recipe won’t lead to success. If I baked a cake and you asked me what was in it and the only thing I told you was sugar, you couldn’t replicate the cake. Yet, that’s the approach many
Recruiting’s Leading Edge
Enter ACE (Automated Candidate Experience) from PeopleClues. ACE is anifty new means for employers to deliver value to their candidates.Simultaneously, these leading-edge employers are giving themselves acompetitive advantage, by identifying the job fit of their bestcandidates. Once people have applied to the participating employer, the applicantstake an assessment. Once completed, they are presented with their
When You
Unfortunately, a lot of engine rebuilders and remanufacturers seem to question the value of membership as well, and they’re needlessly working too hard. Businesses are usually encouraged by profitability experts to band together with similar companies in their industry. Not to set prices or steal employees, mind you, but to share experiences, trade war stories
Do Your Customers Qualify?
If you’ve been following along the past couple years, you know that when I say qualify, I’m referring to the act of “qualifying” your potential customer. First and foremost, can they afford to pay for the work and the parts you will provide. The best test for this is to require a deposit. A down
SuperFlow Technologies To Merge With Dynamic Test Systems
“We are very excited to offer DTS dynamometers along with our existing SuperFlow dynos," said Scott Giles, CEO of SuperFlow. “We have always had a high level of respect for their designs and equipment and we’re expecting great things moving forward." Steve Matthiesen, vice president of sales and marketing explained the vision for the merger,
Advances in Engine Component Surface Finishes
For their part, parts suppliers are often sympathetic to the concerns of engine builders. Alan Davis from Eagle Specialty explains: “There have been a lot of ‘snake oils’ and ‘voodoo’ in the past. Any results you can’t quantify by obvious results on the dyno or by other tests are risky at best.” Anyone who has
How Strong Is Your Team?
Every year there is at least one team that causes a big upset during the tournament – we call them the “Cinderella” or the “Dark Horse” and of course, everyone is pulling for these underdogs. This year the field was expanded from 64 teams to 68, and the battle VCU waged to get from the
Elgin Industries Earns ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certification
Elgin Industries has been certified to the ISO 14001:2004 environmental management systems standard, a global specification covering processes and practices necessary to limit environmental impact through significantly reduced energy and raw materials consumption and lower production of waste materials. “Elgin Industries has always been a leader in engineering and manufacturing technologies, and now we’re taking
CNH Opens Reman Distribution Center in Springfield, MO
The distribution center will support Case IH, Case Construction Equipment, New Holland Agriculture, New Holland Construction, Kobelco and Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT) dealerships in North America, by shipping high-priority remanufactured products directly from the Springfield plant to dealers. Since the 2009 launch of CNH Reman, a joint venture between CNH and Springfield Remanufacturing Corp. (SRC),
Cloyes Testifies in Favor of Free Trade Agreements before House Small Business Panel
OnApril 6, Trevor Myers, president and CEO of Cloyes Gear and ProductsInc., testified before the House Small Business Committee on behalf ofhis company, as well as the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association(MEMA), in support of pending U.S. Free Trade Agreements with SouthKorea, Columbia and Panama. His testimony was
Berkshire Hathaway to Acquire Lubrizol
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and The Lubrizol Corp.have announced a definitive agreement for Berkshire Hathaway to acquire100 percent of outstanding Lubrizol shares for $135 per share in anall-cash transaction. The transaction, which was unanimously approvedby the board of directors of each company, is valued at approximately$9.7 billion, including approximately $0.7 billion in net debt, makingit one
AERA Announces Engine Rebuilding, Machining Certificate Program
Rather than a test to prove understanding, AERA has chosen to offer a comprehensive online training program leading to diploma-quality certificates in Cylinder Heads and Engine Machining. Technicians who successfully earn either certificate will hold proof that they have an elevated understanding of fundamentals of machining, measuring tools, shop safety, fasteners, engine theory, engine diagnosis,