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.
Blasting Technology: This Cost-Effective Cleaning Procedure Has Improved
When it comes to parts cleaning by blasting,the idea of propelling abrasives at parts to clean them of rust,carbon, paint or other difficult contaminants is a simple one.But the technology involved with this cost-effective cleaningprocedure has improved, and rebuilders can take advantage of manyoptions to eliminate out-dated, labor-intensive cleaning practicesin the shop. Scott Christiansen of
The Core Market Right Now Is Very Soft
Core suppliers throughout the industry aretrying to interpret the reasons for a slower market this year."The core market right now is very soft", says Bob Grady,president of Rebuilders Automotive Supply (RAS) in Cranston, RI."Unit sales are about the same, but prices and margins aredown and terms are longer, so profits are down too." It’s human
Cv Shafts Market: Cv Axle Rebuilding Business: There’s Definitely More Competition
When Dan Levine, president of Southland Clutch, Inc., in National City, CA, started his rebuilt axle operation three years ago, it seemed like a win/win situation. The projected growth of front-wheel-drive vehicles and the number of vehicles nearing service age were good reasons to pursue this market. Plus, his initial start-up costs were minimal since
Electrical Market The Market For Rebuilt Starters And Alternators Has Been Painfully Soft
So far this year, the market for rebuilt startersand alternators has been painfully soft for many rebuilders. Ina business that depends heavily on the weather to stimulate sales,a mild winter and a relatively cool spring and early summer havedone little to spur demand. For most rebuilders, sales have beenflat. In some areas of the country,
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
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
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,