September 26, 2011

Resources

Pent-Up Demand Driving New-Truck Sales

FleetOwner Magazine
With an economy stubbornly stuck in slow-growth mode and motor carriers constrained from adding equipment by the return of the driver shortage, it is pent-up vehicle replacement demand that is causing medium- and heavy-duty trucks sales in the U.S. to continue galloping ahead.

As of August, according to the latest data released by WardsAuto, the pace for U.S. sales of Class 4-8 trucks was running 54.2 percent ahead of last year. Last month, Class 4-8 OEMs sold 27,649 units—up from 17,238 units sold in the same period a year ago on a daily-selling rate basis. Sales also mounted in July by 31.2 percent and in June by 37.8 percent.

MEMA Files Comments Opposing Proposed Rule Limiting Employer Access to Labor Counsel

Washington DC - On September 21, MEMA filed comments (http://www.mema.org/Document-Vault/DC-LettersTestimony/2011/MEMA-AdviceException-Comments-FINAL-9-21-2011-4PM.pdf) with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) opposing sweeping proposed changes to the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act that could limit employer access to legal counsel during a union organization effort.

“MEMA is concerned that the rules could make it difficult for motor vehicle parts manufacturers—especially small and medium-sized suppliers—to access the necessary legal assistance to help comply with complex labor relations laws,” said MEMA President & CEO Robert McKenna.

Why Navistar Looks Good in Spite of Tepid Numbers

The Motley Fool
Navistar's (NYSE: NAV ) third-quarter net profit figure came in at an eye-popping $1.4 billion, compared with just $56 million a year ago. Being the savvy Fool that you are, you must have guessed there's something big behind the impossible-sounding jump.

Of course there is. Let's dig a little deeper before making a call on the company.

PACCAR Parts Announces Telematics Fleet Management Service

Fleet Maintenance Magazine
PACCAR Parts announced commercial availability of its aftermarket TruckerLink telematics and fleet management service. The sophisticated, yet easy-to-use and affordable offering lets dispatchers and maintenance staff view the location of their trucks, driver logs and fuel consumption reports, vehicle diagnostic data, inspection results and more.

TruckerLink utilizes proprietary Remote Carrier Switching(TM) technology that seamlessly switches the service's cellular connection between GSM and CDMA networks. It is the market's only fleet management system that can switch between differing cellular networks, meaning more reliable, affordable connectivity, said Tony McQuary, general sales manager for PACCAR Parts.

Announcing the MEMA Brand Protection Committee Meeting, Oct 16, 2011

MEMA Washington DC
Tuesday, Oct. 11 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Lunch Provided) National IPR Coordination Center, Washington, D.C.

We are pleased to invite you to the MEMA Brand Protection Committee (BPC) Fall Meeting, scheduled from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center in Arlington, Virginia.

Monthly Freight Index Unchanged in July, Y/Y + 3.8 Percent

Truck Parts and Service Magazine
The amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry remained the same in July as in June, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ Freight Transportation Services Index released Wednesday, Sept. 14.

The level of freight shipments in July (108.3 on the index) remained at the second-highest level since August 2008, exceeded only by March and equaled by June. Although freight shipments rose 3.8 percent from July 2010, they remain below the level of July 2008 (109.9) and the all-time high for the month of July (110.9) reached in 2005.

TMD Friction SA acquired by Tokyo based Nisshinbo Holdings Inc.

Luxembourg / Tokyo (Japan), 26 September 2011 – TMD Friction Group SA (“TMD” or the “Company”), the world’s leading manufacturer of friction materials for automotive and industrial applications, today announces its shareholders have reached agreement with Nisshinbo Holdings Inc. (“NISH”), a Japanese group listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, on the terms of a recommended acquisition of the Company. The combined business will become the world’s largest automotive brake friction manufacturer.

TMD has grown rapidly over the past three years, benefitting from strong growth in fast growing regions such as China, Brazil and the independent aftermarket. The Company is now well positioned having made significant investment in capacity and product development as well as through targeted acquisitions. For the year ended 31 December 2010, TMD reported a 20 per cent increase in sales to €637 million with proforma EBITDA up 160 percent to €71 million.

Accuride Appoints Chuck Byrnes Senior Vice President / Sales and Marketing

Business Wire
EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- Accuride Corp., a leading supplier of components to the commercial vehicle industry, today announced that it has appointed Charles M. “Chuck” Byrnes as senior vice president / sales and marketing. In this capacity, he will continue to report directly to Rick Dauch, Accuride president and chief executive officer.

Byrnes takes over the role formerly held by Rick Schomer, who left Accuride today to pursue other professional opportunities. “Since joining Accuride in August 2007, Rick helped us maintain solid customer relationships during the global recession and our subsequent restructuring,” Dauch said. “We extend our sincere appreciation to Rick for his contributions to our company and wish him the very best for the future.”

MERA Elevates Awareness of Importance of Remanufacturing on Capitol Hill

MEMA Washington DC
Members of the Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA) successfully raised awareness of the importance of remanufacturing to sustainability and job creation during the first-ever Remanufacturing Legislative Summit, held Sept. 20-21 in Washington, D.C.

The event was held in conjunction with the Remanufacturing Industries Council with support from the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). Attendees conducted over 65 individual meetings with congressional offices and demonstrated the latest remanufacturing technologies to hundreds of policymakers and staff during an evening congressional reception.

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