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
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
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
Reducing VOCs In The Shop
Well, here we are again, talking about how to reduce VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in your shop. It’s surprising, in light of today’s regulatory environment, to see how many businesses still don’t even think or care about the subject…but it’s an important part of our business lives. In some states it seems that VOCs are
Rebuilt Market Reviews – Cores Market: The Perfect Example Of Supply And Demand
In some businesses, the classic law of supply and demand is hard to identify. But that’s not the case in the core business. “The core market is the perfect example of supply and demand,” comments John Lathan, plant engineer at The Hastings Co., a rebuilder in King, NC. “When one company is looking for a
Rebuilt Market Reviews – Electronics Market
If flexibility and the ability to quickly diversify are the marks of a successful rebuilder, then Denver, CO-based electronics rebuilding specialists, cciUPTIME, was destined for this industry. cciUPTIME remanufactures electronic control modules (ECMs) for Mercedes-Benz and other high-end import vehicles. These units include everything from on-board computers to climate control, cruise control, idle speed control,
Rebuilt Market Reviews – Electrical Market
Though the overall demand for rebuilt alternators and starters continues to be relatively soft, particularly in the Midwest and Northeastern parts of the United States, sales, in general, have been up in the South. Weather seems to play a major role in driving the demand for electrical products. Cold winters are hard on starters and
Rebuilt Market Reviews – Clutches Market: New Rules And A Changing Field Of Players.
Anybody who’s in the clutch rebuilding business today knows that it’s an entirely different ball game, one with new rules and a changing field of players. A proliferation of new passenger car and light truck clutches in recent years, plus an influx of low-cost new clutches from offshore manufacturers, has driven the cost of new
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
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,
Grinding Techniques: In Thousands Of Years, The Basics Of Grinding Haven’t Changed
Grinding is one of the oldest methods known for shaping and sharpening objects. It was first used in prehistoric times to make weapons and other tools by rubbing wood, stones, bones and eventually metal against hard, abrasive rocks. In thousands of years, the basics of grinding haven’t changed. We’re still rubbing an abrasive against metal
Cv Market Travels Fast Track: Power To The Front Wheels Is The Drive System Of The Present And Future
Although sport utility vehicles, many still with rear wheel drive, are the hot sellers right now, few will dispute that power to the front wheels is the drive system of the present and future. A market for rebuilt front wheel drive axles and CV joints will be around for a long, long time. With few
What Is The Recommended Surface Finish
Shop Line, Automotive Rebuilder, July 1996 Q A In the Production Engine Remanufacturers Association’s (PERA) May 1996 edition of Current Concerns, Ed Keibler of Sunnen Products Co., St. Louis, MO, says that the typical Ra finish on cast iron should be 60 to 110 Ra. On aluminum cylinder heads it is much smoother – typically