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May 2000
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Arvin and Meritor Announce Merger At the beginning of April, Arvin Industries, Inc. and Meritor Automotive, Inc. announced that that they had entered into a definitive agreement to combine their businesses in a strategic merger. This will create a global supplier of a broad range of integrated systems, modules and components for light vehicle, commercial truck, trailer and speciality original equipment manufacturers and related aftermarkets. The new company, to be called ArvinMeritor, Inc., will have combined revenues of $7.5 billion. It will be incorporated in Indiana and will have its corporate headquarters in Troy, Michigan. All its operating units will remain at their current locations. Arvin state that the combined product portfolio and technological expertise of the two companies will support their goal of becoming a global provider of integrated solutions for light and heavy vehicle undercarriage, drive train, exhaust as well as aperture, modules and systems. The combination is also expected to expand their light and heavy vehicle systems product range and strengthen their presence in the worldwide motor vehicle aftermarket. Larry Yost, Chairman and CEO of Meritor, will hold the same post at the new company, and Bill Hunt, Chairman and CEO of Arvin, will serve as its Vice Chairman and President. Together, they will comprise the Office of the Chairman, which will directly oversee the company's corporate staff functions, as well as the operations of all the business groups. The Board of Directors of ArvinMeritor, Inc. will be comprised of nine members from the current Meritor Board and nine from the Arvin Board, plus one Independent Director agreed upon by the parties. (5/00) Gabriel Launches Mobile Customer Support Team Shock absorber manufacturer and distributor, Gabriel, has created a Mobile Customer Support Team which will be based at its British head offices within Arvin Replacement Products, Blackpool.
According to the company, each vehicle is equipped with specialist steering and suspension tools for tackling any replacement situation. All tools can be purchased by fitting stations and will include the dedicated fitting equipment required for the specialised suspension systems on Renault, BMW, Nissan and Mercedes models. (5/00) Daewoo have opened a new £600,000 Car Centre outlet in Swansea bringing 35 new jobs to the area. The company took possession of the premises, a former car dealership, in January and has completely refitted the outlet. The Swansea Car Centre will have space to display 15 new cars, as well as a refreshment area for customers. There is also an eight-bay service area and capacity to display 60 used cars. (5/00) Nationwide Air Conditioning Service Launched by Würth
The campaign will be launched at the end of May with an advertisement feature in the Saturday Motoring section of the Daily Telegraph, inviting owners of cars with air conditioning and climate control systems to take advantage of a specially discounted disinfecting service to rid their cars of unpleasant odours and bacteria that can build up in the ventilation ducts. Würth is hoping to recruit more than 500 service departments and independent workshops to support the promotion. It will use the company's saBesto A/C Disinfectant Spray, as promoted on the pictured rear mirror hanger. Participating workshops must be registered for the promotion by 15th May. (5/00) Bosal Wins 'One in a Million' Award From Saab Bosal has reported its achievement of the 'One in a Million' Award for product and service quality from Saab Automobile. For the 1999 year, Bosal is one of thirteen of Saab Automobile's suppliers to earn the accolade. The award was presented to Mr M. Welteroth, Managing Director of Bosal's German division at the Saab Car Museum in Trollhatten, Sweden, on March 14th this year. Bosal met the criteria by being certified to the QS 9000 quality management standard and achieving a delivery performance of better than zero defects per million articles supplied. The company's logistics performance was also assessed. (5/00)
The newly published Arvin Replacement Products Catalogue 2000 for the UK market includes 435 new exhaust and 150 new catalyst and catalyst related parts. The company states that 90% of the new parts featured are now readily available. This year, the catalogue, also available on CD, is 1120 pages long and features over 5700 exhaust, catalyst and mounting part references. Arvin claim that this edition features more technical information and more visual references for clarity. In addition, CAT assemblies on systems now carry an asterisk where there is a choice of the Arvin Metal' Cat or Arvin Eurocat catalytic converter product. (5/00) |
The
Team will be equipped with two customised VW Transporter vehicles.
Gabriel state that it will provide practical on-site training in shock
absorber fitting as well as technical problem-solving for Gabriel
national and independent garage and fast-fit customers throughout
the UK.
Würth
is inviting franchised car dealers and independent garages to join
a nationwide network of service providers, supported by adverts in
the national press and regional press, which they claim can generate
extra profit from air conditioning.