January 2, 2012

Resources

ACT: Trailer Orders Up 29.5 Percent Y/Y in November

Transport Topics Magazine
Customers ordered 28,393 new trailers in November, a 29.5 percent increase from the same month a year earlier and the largest monthly total since March 2006, ACT Research Co. said.

Manufacturers suggested they were seeing even stronger activity during December.

November Truck Tonnage Numbers Rise 6 Percent for 24th Straight Monthly Gain

Transport Topics Magazine
Truck tonnage rose 6 percent in November from the levels of a year ago, riding a wave of growth sparked by manufacturing demand and inventory restocking, American Trucking Associations reported.

The November report marked the 24th consecutive year-over-year increase, as the advance seasonally adjusted index reached 116.6. Over the first 11 months of 2011, cumulative tonnage rose 5.4 percent above the same period a year earlier. In the index, 100 equals freight levels in 2000.

Navistar 4th-Quarter Profit Jumps; OEM Reports Shortage of Castings

Transport Topics Magazine
Profit surged at truck and engine maker Navistar International Corp. during the fiscal fourth quarter as its three main divisions — trucks, engines and parts — all posted stronger results.

The Lisle, Ill., original equipment manufacturer earned $275 million, or $3.48 a share, on revenue of $4.32 billion for the three months ended Oct. 31. Year-earlier earnings were $50 million, or 61 cents a share, on revenue of $3.37 billion.

Bendix CVS Celebrates One Millionth Braking System in Service

Truck Parts and Service Magazine
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC has marked a major milestone with delivery of its millionth Bendix ABS-6 braking system. The Bendix ABS-6 braking system is installed on Class 6, 7, and 8 air-brake tractor-trailers, trucks, motorhomes and specialty heavy-duty vehicles.

Introduced in late 2004, the Bendix ABS-6 family includes three types of braking systems: the standard Bendix ABS-6 antilock braking system, the premium system with Bendix Smart ATC (automatic traction control) and Bendix ABS-6 Advanced with ESP Electronic Stability Program, the company says. Bendix ABS-6 braking systems are available from most major truck manufacturers, including International, Kenworth, Mack, Peterbilt, Volvo and a variety of specialty vehicle manufacturers.

Meritor Announces Sale of French Manufacturing Operation to Renault Trucks

PRNewswire
SAINT PRIEST, France -- Meritor Inc. announced that it has completed the sale of the assets of its axle operation in Saint Priest, France, to Renault Trucks SAS. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

"We believe this transaction takes us another step toward optimizing our footprint in Europe," said Chairman, CEO and President Chip McClure. "We will retain and continue to invest in our Lindesberg, Sweden, and Cameri, Italy, axle facilities with new housing technology, laser welding lines for our 17X and 18x carriers, robotic automations and advanced gear manufacturing capability."

Preliminary Steel Imports Down 10 Percent in November

CCJ Magazine
The American Iron and Steel Institute reported that the United States imported a total of 2,107,000 net tons of steel in November (down 10 percent), including 1,646,000 NT of finished steel (down 13 percent) vs. the October final data.

Annualized total and finished steel imports in 2011 would be 28.8 and 22.1 million NT, respectively, up 21 percent and 17 percent vs. 2010. Finished steel import market share in November was an estimated 20 percent and is 22 percent year to date.

Health Care Reform and Employer Implications Discussed at February Event

HDMA sister organization, OESA will hold a briefing for automotive suppliers on the federal health care reform law (HCR) and supplier implications on Feb. 2, 2012. Many employers have been asking themselves how HCR will help or hurt efforts to find and retain a solid workforce, and what the effect will be on the bottom line.

James S. McElya, executive chairman and CEO, Cooper Standard, will open the session and provide context for the health care reform law, and discuss its importance to Cooper Standard and the industry.

The Global Commercial Vehicle Industry Outlook -

Heavy Duty Dialogue ’12 - The Global Commercial Vehicle Industry Outlook January 23, 2012, The Mirage, Las Vegas, Nevada. Register TODAY! www.hdma.org

Heavy Duty Dialogue ‘12’s outstanding program will address several strategic areas within the Commercial Vehicle Industry. Topics to be discussed include the Global Economic Landscape, Considerations for Manufacturing Near-Shoring, the Global and North American Truck and Trailer Outlook for OEM and Aftermarket, the Global Off-Highway Vehicle Outlook, an update on major legislative and regulatory issues in the US and abroad, as well as a perspective on doing business in major emerging markets.

HDMA/MEMA’s 2012 Legislative Summit 1-29 - 3-1, Washington DC - Registration Still Open

The Legislative Summit will include a political update on the 2012 elections from Stu Rothenberg, editor and publisher of the Rothenberg Political Report, as well as a CEO roundtable discussion on the legislative and regulatory challenges facing motor vehicle parts suppliers. The Summit will conclude with a presentation by Jay Timmons, President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers.

Navistar CEO's Compensation Rose 47 percent In 2011

Dow Jones News Service
Navistar International Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Daniel Ustian's total compensation for fiscal year 2011 rose 47 percent, driven higher by large increases in stock and options awards.

Ustian's base salary, incentive pay, executive perks and equity awards totaled $12.4 million for year ended Oct. 31, compared with $8.46 million the year before, according to a regulatory filing late Wednesday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Tight Times Forecasted For Used Trucks

FleetOwner Magazine
Though sales of used trucks slowed at the end of 2011, inventory is expected to continue tightening in 2012 and beyond – with mileage on used truck odometers predicted to keep climbing as well.

In an interview with Fleet Owner, Steve Clough, president, Arrow Truck Sales, said the slowdown in available used Class 8 inventory began last year as the used-truck pipeline started drawing on the “Great Recession” years when production and shipments of new Class 8 dropped precipitously.

Accuride Boosts NA Aluminum Truck Wheel Capacity with $35 million Capital Investment

Accuride Corporation, a leading supplier of components to the commercial vehicle industry, today announced that it significantly enhanced its aluminum wheel production capacity during 2011 through a combination of strategic acquisitions, key process technology investments, and transfers of aluminum wheel machining lines within its operations. These steps were part of a $35 million strategic initiative to boost Accuride’s ability to serve the commercial vehicle industry’s increasing demand for high-quality aluminum wheels.

“Many factors, including fuel economy requirements, residual value and aesthetics, are driving the growth in aluminum wheel demand in the North American commercial vehicle industry,” said Rick Dauch, President and Chief Executive Officer, Accuride. “Accuride is investing to ensure that we have the right production capacity in place when and where our customers need it, whether for steel or aluminum wheels. We’re also raising our standards for product dependability and finish to meet customers’ ever-increasing expectations.”

Two Accuride Wheels Facilities Named DTNA Masters of Quality Winners

AftermarketNews.com
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Accuride's Henderson, Ky., and Accuride de Mexico Monterrey facilities recently received Daimler Trucks North America’s (DTNA) Masters of Quality Supplier Award for 2010. This is the eighth year that Accuride’s Henderson facility has been recognized with the award, and the first year for the Monterrey facility.

The 24-year-old program recognizes the “best of the best” among DTNA suppliers by honoring those companies that meet or exceed DTNA’s stringent quality standards and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to improving the quality of its products. Facilities are graded on four criteria: quality; cost; technology; and supply/on time delivery.

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