8 minute read
Industry Movements
MARC SIEMSSEN JOINS THE MEYLE AG EXECUTIVE BOARD
Marc, 50, has been Meyle’s Chief Human Resources Officer for five years now
Meyle AG, the spare parts manufacturer based in Hamburg, appointed Marc Siemssen to the Executive Board on the 1st of July 2022. In addition to Human Resources, Marc will also be responsible for Marketing, Sales and Product Management in his new role. He has many years of experience in leadership positions in the automotive and other industries. Marc’s appointment completes the Meyle Executive Board, which currently comprises Dr Karl J. Gaertner, Chairman, and Dirk Damaschke, Chief Financial Officer. “Over the past five years, Marc Siemssen has demonstrated an in-depth understanding of our company, the people here, our culture and our market, which is all the more remarkable considering the unique circumstances of the pandemic. We look forward to shaping the future of our company with his input,” Meyle AG Executive Board Chairman, Dr Gaertner, said. Marc Siemssen is highly motivated to perform his new role at the company. “I would like to thank you for placing your trust in me, and look forward to overcoming current challenges such as the pandemic and identifying new development opportunities for the manufacturer,” Marc said. “I remain fully committed to my responsibilities in Human Resources, with a focus on culture, the employer brand and more.” Working closely with his colleagues in Marketing, Sales and Product Management, Marc is also eager to help promote growth and success. Meyle says it is already considered to be one of the leading spare parts specialists and manufacturers of premium parts in the independent aftermarket (IAM). Nonetheless, Marc sees huge potential in the global spare parts market for the manufacturer and developer of technically refined parts to establish an even stronger position internationally and generally increase brand awareness among those unfamiliar with the sector. Meyle says it has proven its manufacturing and engineering expertise over the past 20 years with its flagship product range, Meyle HD. The long-standing company employs its own engineers and Meyle says they take poorly constructed original spare parts and make them more reliable, durable and sustainable. With sustainability and a pioneering spirit deeply rooted in its DNA, Meyle says it also further optimises its HD solutions to overcome future market challenges for electric vehicles and anticipates solutions for tomorrow. In fact, in keeping with this pioneering spirit and to mark the 20th anniversary of the HD product line, Meyle began to produce its Meyle HD steering and suspension solutions carbon-neutrally for the first time this year. For the benefit of business partners, customers and employees, Marc plans to pursue the company’s long-term aim of developing durable, innovative solutions, establishing a sustainable position and leading the company to the future alongside Dr Gaertner and Dirk Damaschke. Meyle products are now available in Australia with Sparesbox recently becoming the first supplier of the Meyle range to Australia and New Zealand, with more than 2,500 Meyle products available. For more information, visit www.meyle.com
MICHAEL WHITMORE RETIRES
The King Springs Sales Manager has announced his retirement
After beginning his career with Lovell Springs, Michael and his wife Ann made the move to Queensland in 1990 and he joined Mark King and the team at King Springs shortly afterwards. Michael’s 32-year reign as Sales and Marketing Manager with Kings has been an outstanding career. “King Springs is recognised as a world leader for aftermarket replacement, spring design and development. I am very proud to have been part of the journey for 32 years,” Michael said. “Watching the growth of the King Springs brand and customer base has been extremely fulfilling.” King Springs Director, Mark King, acknowledges Michael’s contribution to establish King Springs as a leading force in the Aftermarket Spring Replacement industry. “Michael’s passion and drive in the industry has allowed him to achieve results for the King Springs brand and growth. He has achieved a very good reputation and is highly respected in the industry,” Mark said. “The advancements in technology that King Springs have ushered in over the years including high stress steels and progressive rate advancements have allowed King Springs to be the market leaders. The business continues to go from strength to strength. “We at King Springs would like to acknowledge and thank Michael for his outstanding contribution to the company, his dedication, enthusiasm and loyalty and wish him and his family much enjoyment in his retirement.” King Springs was established in 1956 on Queensland’s Gold Coast and services all sectors of the automotive market including passenger, commercial and Four-Wheel Drive vehicles, and various motorsport categories. King Springs specialises in the design, development and manufacture of aftermarket coil springs, and distributes to both private brand clients and authorised distributors within Australia and worldwide. For more information, go to www.kingsprings.com.au
MACKAY AUTOMOTIVE CELEBRATES 90 YEARS
Mackay Consolidated Industries is a 100 percent Australian family-owned company, with 2022 marking its 90th anniversary of manufacturing in Australia. From humble beginnings in a small Carlton site in 1932, Mackay says it has grown to become Australia’s largest and most trusted designer, manufacturer, and distributor of a diverse range of engineered rubber and rubber metal/composite products. These products service the Automotive, Defence, Transport, Rail, Marine, Mining, Construction, and Industrial markets globally. In 2020 Mackay expanded into a new facility in Dandenong South (Melbourne) investing millions into new equipment and capabilities to continue supporting local and international markets. This included a new dump mill, strip mill, cooling conveyor and skip conveyor; each critical pieces of equipment to provide a new level of reliability and control within the company’s compound mixing operations. Mackay also introduced additional strategically aligned pieces of equipment targeting enhanced capability, such as a dedicated silicone mill (increasing in-house silicone mixing capability and capacity), a silicone stuffer on injection moulding (improving its silicone product production), one 500-tonne compression moulding machine (increasing production capacity within its clean room), another 200-tonne compression moulding machine (its second lab production machine), and finally a larger 1,000-tonne compression moulding machine with vacuum and ejector systems. Since 1932 Mackay says it has been a cornerstone of Australian Automotive Manufacturing, and has had many achievements, such as being the first company in Australia to bond Rubber to Metal and supplying parts on the first Australian made vehicle (FX Holden - 1948) through to the last (VF Holden 2017). Mackay has a proud history of supplying Automotive OEMs such as GM Holden, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota, and Mitsubishi and continues to manufacture Original Equipment (OE) rubber products for manufacturers globally including Kenworth, Iveco, Isuzu, Volvo Trucks, Sea Electric, GM AUS, Ford AUS, AMG, and Maserati. Over the years Mackay’s Automotive range has expanded to include ball joints, blanking caps, bulk coolant/heater hose, bulk fuel/ oil hose, centre bearings / drive shaft support, control arms, moulded coolant, fuel and steering system hoses, drive shaft couplings, engine mounts, exhaust hangers/isolators, heater valves/taps, hose clamps, link rods, mackayflex flexible coolant hoses, pedal pads, power steering hoses, PVC air and water hose, radiator caps, rubber suspension bushes and kits, steering rack ends, steering tie rod ends, strut mounts, and sway bar link rods. “With an unparalleled range of over 5000 hoses, from the latest models to historic models dating back to the 1940s, if Mackay doesn’t have it, chances are no one does,” Mackay Consolidated Industries Chief Executive Officer, Graham Scull, said. “Our success has been built on a simple philosophy – understanding our customers’ needs and providing timely, cost-effective engineered solutions. “Mackay is a proudly 100 percent Australian family-owned business and looks forward to a bright future continuing to service the Automotive Aftermarket for another 90 years.” For more information, visit www.mackayrubber.com.au/automotive
BEAUDESERT EXHAUST CELEBRATES 40 YEARS
September 2022 marks the 40th anniversary for Beaudesert Exhaust
In September 1982, Brian Parker began his dream of opening his own business after taking leave from his job at Tancred Meatworks. Beaudesert was really humming during this period with many locals and families from out of the region heading there for employment. It was in a little shed out the back of Wards Driveway in Telemon Street that Brian began learning to weld and to do exhausts and radiators. Beaudesert Exhaust and Radiator was established and initially provided the local shire with basic exhaust and radiator repairs. As the years progressed Brian took up residence in what people call ‘the igloo’ next to the old L&A Hotel in Brisbane Street and in 1996 he purchased his first mandrel tube bender. With the introduction of GST in 2000, Brian’s wife Jane came to offer her expertise in the company with the introduction of a computerised system. The business was growing then with many staff being employed and many more machines and trucks, boats, bikes and so on being looked after. After extending as much as they could in the town centre the only other way was to find a bigger premises. So, in 2010 the business was relocated to its existing Enterprise Drive location. Over the years the company has developed to a much larger portfolio and its knowledge of exhaust systems and fabrication has expanded extensively. Brian was one of the first to bring a CNC Automatic mandrel tube bending machine to Australia, and thus revolutionised the 4WD aftermarket exhaust industry. Beaudesert Exhaust is now home to eight of these machines and employs a highly qualified team to operate them. The business now manufactures exhaust systems for most 4WD vehicles and also keeps a vast range of mandrel tube bends in various sizes and material in stock ready to ship within a prompt time frame. It also customises bending solutions for customers who require something more specific, with this custom bending able to include headboards, handrails, snorkels and sliders. Now with a beautiful Mt Lindsay Hwy frontage – the first large building you see when you are entering the town from Brisbane – Beaudesert Exhaust says it is very proud to be locally owned and bred. For more information, visit www.beauexhausts.com.au
