ReMaTecNews | 01-2012

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:15

Pagina 1

ReMaTecNews REMANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL

• Remanufacturers in Shanghai

• Social media for remanufacturers

• Jef Verelst new head of Remy Europe

CPI – a new

player on the scene • Transmission World • APRA News • FIRM News www.rematecnews.com

2012 - NO 1 - VOLUME 12

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:16

Pagina 2

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:17

Pagina 3

CONTENTS

CPI enters the Jef Verelst scene 8 takes over Car Part Industries, CPI, is the name of a new player in the reman industry. Having just acquired Cardone’s businesses in Europe, this new sister company to Borg Automotive is now set for further expansion.

NO 1 • FEBRUARY 2012 • VOLUME 12

Social media for 16 10 reman

After five years at the helm, Philippe James steps down as head of Remy Europe. He is succeeded by Jef Verelst, the former Head of Sales and Marketing.

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.

Much time can be wasted on updates, tweets and the like. Nevertheless, social media also represents a serious business tool on which a company’s survival may depend. ReMaTecNews looks at how some remanufacturers and suppliers make the best use of social media.

‘By using social media, remanufacturers can get better relationships with customers’ Mike Gerbyshak, Social Media Specialist

4 Editorial 6 Change at the top at CLEPA 7 Cardone sale called off 23 German reman survey 27 Transmission World 30 APRA News 32 FIRM News 34 International events and trade fairs www.rematecnews.com Eight issues in 2012: February, March, May, June, August, October, November, December A special about Heavy Duty in no 2, March

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:17

Pagina 4

EDITOR’S LETTER

ReMaTecNews Volume 12 – Number 1 – February 2012 ReMaTecNews, the only international news magazine and wesite dedicated to automotive and heavy duty remanufacturing worldwide, is an independent channel for news, views and developments within the remanufacturing industry.

The next steps

Published by: RAI Langfords B.V. P.O. Box 10099 1001 EB Amsterdam The Netherlands In association with

Trade magazines carry news about their industries, report on new developments and profile people and companies and, in general, reflect the life and times of their business environments.

To do so in an appropriate manner, they also have to ensure that their editorial content develops in tune with the industry they serve. ReMaTecNews is no exception. We also monitor rising and falling trends within remanufacturing, emerging businesses and new players and, in general, try to act as a mirror for the reman industry (sometimes we even succeed).

In keeping with this, in the last edition of 2011 the magazine, as some readers may have noticed, launched a new initiative – regular pages for the transmission industry which we have called Transmission World.

Intended to keep those who make a living from this technological segment updated on news and views pertinent to their profession, Transmission World will be an integral part of ReMaTecNews in four out of our eight annual editions. So far the response has been positive.

But we’re not stopping here. In the next edition of ReMaTecNews we’ll go one step further by launching a ‘sister’ segment to Transmission World dedicated to the Heavy Duty segment.

As is the case with automotive remanufacturing, heavy duty remanufacturers work in a constantly changing environment with constant challenges. By providing news and other relevant information specifically for the Heavy Duty segment, we hope to add an extra dimension to coverage of the reman industry.

2012 will be at least as busy a year for remanufacturers as 2011. And we hope to be there with you.

Editor-in-Chief, Magazine William Schwarck Phone +44 (0)1865 340 435 Fax +44 (0)8704 215 681 editorial@rematecnews.com Editor-in-Chief, Online Eric van Spelde Phone +31 (0)20 504 28 00 editorial@rematecnews.com Advertising Sales Eva Barten Phone +31 (0)20 504 28 00 Fax +31 (0)20 504 28 88 advertising@rematecnews.com Managing Director RAI Langfords B.V. Ron Brokking Publisher Luuk Aleva (responsible under Dutch Press Law) l.aleva@rematecnews.com Editorial Advisory Board Niels Klarenbeek Production Niels Zwan, Sebastiaan Dekker Phone +31 (0)20 504 28 00 traffic@railangfords.nl Design & Art Van Munster & Bos, Amsterdam Printing MediaCenter Rotterdam, The Netherlands Copyright RAI Langfords B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands

William Schwarck, Editor-in-Chief Reproduction Permitted, providing ReMaTecNews is credited Subscription magazine and e-newsletter 8 editions 1 73 See www.rematecnews.com Change of address Phone +31 (0)20 504 28 00, Fax +31 (0)20 504 28 88 E-mail info@rematecnews.com Website www.rematecnews.com ReMaTecNews magazine online www.rematecnews.com Circulation 13,230 readers per edition. The magazine is delivered on a controlled circulation basis to recipients in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Asia.

4 l ReMaTecNews

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:17

Pagina 5

NEWS FROM THE INDUSTRY

Boost for ECU remanufacturer Detroit-based Electronics Remanufacturing company, ERC, recently received a significant boost through a capital injection from the investment group, KGI Partners Inc. Specialising in remanufactured electronic components for commercial vehicles, ERC has, over the past few years, established itself as a frontline ECU remanufacturer. It intends to use the new capital to further enhance its position within the segment.

The capital injection brings together an experienced remanufacturer, the former founder and owner of Transaxle, Warren Klein, who heads up investment group KGI partners, and ERC’s existing owners, Jim Morrow and ERC president, Russ Schinzing.

Morrow is a past President of Detroit Diesel Corporation and Schinzing a 19 year veteran of electronics remanufacturing at Cardone Industries and Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing, DMR, before founding ERC. Schinzing has also made a name for himself as a shrewd observer and blogwriter on subjects relating to remanufacturing.

“We are pleased to have KGI Partners join our remanufacturing team. Warren Klein brings a strong background with many years in the remanufacturing business and will be a

Russ Schinzing of Electronics Remanufacturing Company: ‘Fresh opportunities ahead.’

positive catalyst for future growth,” he told ReMaTecNews during the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week in Las Vegas in January.

ERC is a differentiated remanufacturer of electronic components serving diverse industrial customers in the heavy duty truck, hybrid vehicle, medical and wind power industries.

“We see very substantial potential for remanufactured electronic components for the heavy duty market,” Russ Schinzing said.

“In the six years prior to 2008, there was an average of six electronics modules in every Class 8 truck. With approximately 1.3 million trucks sold in those six years, there are 8.2+ million electronic modules on the road today in need of service so the growth potential is huge, also as a result of the 2007 emissions regulations, which means that there are now more than sixteen electronics modules on a typical Class 8 truck. The capital injection from our new and experienced partners will allow us to take full advantages of these opportunities.”

ReMaTecNews l 5

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:18

Pagina 6

NEWS FROM THE INDUSTRY

Clepa appoints new Chief Executive After eight years as CEO of CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers in Brussels, Lars Holmquist has announed his retirement. He will be succeeded by JeanMarc Gales who will take over on April 2, 2012.

Born in 1962, Mr. Jean-Marc Gales is a native of Luxembourg and currently a Member of the Managing Board of PSA Peugeot Citroën and Executive Vice-President Brands.

Mr. Gales has spent most of his career in the automobile industry, notably with MercedesBenz, Volkswagen, General Motors and BMW. “I am honoured and excited to have been given the opportunity to lead CLEPA during the upcoming changes in the automotive industry,” Jean-Marc Gales said in a statement.

In a comment Bosch’s Peter Tyroller, CLEPA’s President, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jean-Marc to CLEPA. He brings immense business experience and I am confident he will continue the solid track record of

Lars Holmqvist. With his enthusiasm and professionalism Lars Holmquist has increased the visibility and the profile of CLEPA as one of the main interlocutors with EU Institutions and the United Nations.”

Leadership capabilities Lars Holmqvist stated: “I wish to thank all CLEPA Members for their support and ask them to support Jean-Marc in the same way.

I have full confidence in Mr. Gales’s global leadership capabilities based on his experience, his knowledge of the automotive industry and his ability to convince and to engage people. These skills will be crucial for achieving CLEPA’s forward-looking goals.”

Jean-Marc Gales - new Head of CLEPA.

Special Event Direct from factory clearance of Commercial Vehicle Brake Shoe Remanufacturing Plant Installed new in 2007 at a value in excess of £250,000.00

REMANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR 2011

Rosler conveyorised wash plant only £33,750.00

Processes include: Washing, shot blast cleaning and painting.

Complete, highly automated, modern facility, available as a whole plant or individual lots at clearance prices.

No buyers premium!

Location: Nr Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

All items must be cleared by end February 2012.

Remy Automotive Europe Schaliehoevestraat 10 2220 Heist o/d Berg Belgium

6 l ReMaTecNews

Phone: +32 15 25 75 50 Fax: +32 15 25 75 55, E-mail: customer.service@remyinc.be

For full technical details and videos, visit: www.rileysurfaceworld.co.uk and click on the SPECIAL EVENT button To arrange a viewing, call Stephanie on +44 (0)1922 458000 or email Stephanie@rileysurfaceworld.co.uk

www.rileysurfaceworld.co.uk

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:18

Pagina 7

Cardone/TPG deal falls through The Cardone family retains ownership of Cardone Industries Inc. In a sudden reversal, the acquisition by the Texan investment company, TPG Capital, of Cardone Industries, has fallen through at the last minute. After detailed negotiations between TPG and Michael Cardone Jr. and his family, the acquisition announced in November has been disbanded and the Cardone family will remain sole owners of the world’s largest independent remanufacturing company.

In a brief statement shortly before ReMaTecNews’ deadline, the two parties announced the decision to end their discussions as ‘mutual’. “Cardone and TPG agree that the automotive aftermarket and the remanufacturing industry are fundamentally strong and represent tremendous potential for future growth, particularly through the strategic platform that we have developed,� said Michael

Cardone Jr., Chairman and CEO of Cardone Industries. “We also agree that the timing for the acquisition is not appropriate. Accordingly, we have mutually agreed to end our discussions.�

No further details as to the reasons for terminating the planned deal were forthcoming before ReMaTecNews’ deadline although

the announcement of the planned acquisition

by TPG had attracted widespread interest across the reman industry. At the time of the announcement Michael Cardone Jr. stated: “The acquisition of Cardone by TPG will strengthen our position to pursue new prod-

uct lines and further enhance our competitiveness within the industry.� After the collapse of the negotiations Michael Cardone Jr. and his son, Michael IV, who is the company’s President, will continue to remain actively involved in its operations, a statement said.

Focus on North America and Mexico Cardone recently divested its European operations in a separate transaction (see page 8) and will now focus its efforts on its profitable North American operations, the optimisation of its remanufacturing site in Mexico, and the completion of its new Dallas logistics hub. “We look forward to continuing the strong relationships with our customers that we have built on a foundation of high quality products and service excellence,� said Cardone.

&& "" % $ % "!

&&,% "$ %% * ' ! &"" % ( ! %# * % ! ! ( "# &" # $ ' &" #$ % "! " #"! !&% '$ ! %% * ! $ ' ! & !' $ " ) $$ !&* $ &'$!%

&& &"" % + & # ! ! ! &'$ " $ $ $ # $% "$ "$ ! "$ & "! # % "!& & % %@ && "

))) && "

ReMaTecNews l 7

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:18

Pagina 8

NEWS FROM THE INDUSTRY

Car Parts Industries takes o European operations By buying Cardone’s businesses in the UK and Belgium, Denmark-based holding company of Borg Automotive has consolidated its position as one of Europe’s leading remanufacturers.

A new management team for the former Cardone businesses in Europe. From left: Sales Director Benoit Rampelberght, Belgium, UK Sales Director Peter Muscutt, Johannes Mortensen (back), CEO, Borg Automotive, (at the back), Production Director Andrew Dunkley, UK, and Ivan Mikkelsen, Managing Director, CPI.

When the Texan investment group TPG Capital in November announced the planned acquisition of Cardone Industries , the world’s largest independent reman operation, the announcement talked about ‘Cardone’s North American assets’. The fact that Cardone’s European businesses, in the UK and Belgium, were not mentioned, begged the question: “What about them?”

We now know the answer. In December.

Car Parts Industries, a sister company to Borg Automotive, the Danish remanufacturer of

8 l ReMaTecNews

starters and alternators, AC compressors, brake calipers and more, became the new owner of Cardone’s factories outside Birmingham in the UK and at Houdeng-Goegnies near Brussels in Belgium, which specialises in brake calipers and steering racks. Car Parts Industries (CPI) is managed by MD Ivan Mikkelsen, who after a three-year absence, during which he worked as MD for a Danish automotive supplier JP Group, has returned to the Borg family of companies. Until 2009 Mr. Mikkelsen headed up the sales and

marketing efforts of Borg Automotive and had a key role in its European expansion.

In a lengthy conversation with ReMaTecNews at the new CPI head office in the UK in Birmingham in the Midlands, CEO Johannes Mortensen and MD Ivan Mikkelsen explained the rationale behind the acquisition which increases the total number of employees in the group from 750 to around 1,000 and substantially adds to the group’s turnover.

“We’ve set up a new company to

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:18

Pagina 9

es over Cardone’s former operate the two Cardone businesses because they are different from Borg. This means that they will operate as two sister companies each focusing on their own segments. Borg is focusing on branded products while the UK and Belgium activities are focused on private label customers. As a result, of course, we’re extending the business considerably. By adding Cardone’s remanufacturing of steering racks to our current activities, we’re taking a very significant step forward in the history of the group.”

The deal between Cardone and the Danes became a reality after weeks of intense negotiations in November and December. A few days later, with the formalities completed Car Parts Industries was well on its way to taking possession of its new acquisition.

“We’ve been very impressed with what we’ve seen so far,” Ivan Mikkelsen said. “The production facilities are of a very high standard and the workforce is clearly well skilled as well as deeply motivated. We’re currently visiting all our customers to introduce CPI and on the basis of what we’ve seen, we’re very confident about the future. We also have a strong feeling that our new colleagues in the UK, as well as in Belgium, welcome us as the new owners. Of course, they also know Borg as a demanding customer.”

Although Cardone did not take over the factory in Western Drive outside Birmingham from Remy until three years ago, the business relationship with Cardone dates back a long time. The two companies, therefore, were well known to each other when the first contacts concerning a potential deal were initiated in November.

“I don’t expect to see any dramatic changes in CPI’s approach to the business,” Ivan Mikkelsen says. “What we’ve purchased from Cardone is a healthy business with many good customers and, as I said, a high caliber workforce.”

CPI’s intention is to retain the existing managers in Birmingham and HoudengGoegnies. Rather than create an upheaval,

focus will be on securing and enhancing CPI’s quality, availability and competitiveness.

“Of course the companies will have a ‘mother’ in Denmark, but we’ll certainly respect local cultures and differences,” says Johannes Mortensen. “We’ve a great deal of experience with this from the activities in Poland, Slovakia and Denmark, and from sales activities across Europe. Remanufacturing is about people and our values as a company are based on transparency and interdependency. Transparency means that the workforce is entitled to openness as far as possible and interdependency means that we accept that we’re all dependent on each other. From the other parts of the group, we know that this will serve CPI well.”

XX

AUTOPULLEY EUROPE VISION

QUALITY

DEVELOPMENT

IMPROVEMENT

VALUE

INTEGRITY

SERVICE

I All Items are available in stock I Approved and Tested by all main OE Players and all Main Rebuilders I We can Develop any new Type according your OEM Sample I Worldwide Distribution Network I Complete Database in our Webshop I Production Capicity of 6 Million Pulley’s a Year

NEW!

Managing Director Ivan Mikkelsen – a new beginning for the former Cardone plants in

R 2 YRERAANTY WA

www.autopulley.com

Belgium and the UK.

ReMaTecNews l 9

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:51

Pagina 10

Change at the top at Remy Auto m

Jef Verelst takes over.

10 l ReMaTecNews

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:19

Pagina 11

to motive Europe The beginning of the New Year heralded significant changes for leading rotating electrics supplier, Remy Automotive. After five years at the helm of Remy Europe, and having presided over a substantial turnaround, Philippe James, has stepped down as President of Remy Europe and will be succeeded by his long-standing commercial number two, Jef Verelst.

Belgian Jef Verelst, who took over the top job in Europe with effect from January 1, is now responsible for Remy’s European Aftermarket business, where he has been a visible lieutenant to Philippe James. Both have been the key drivers behind Remy Automotive Europe winning ReMaTecNews’ Remanufacturer of the Year Award in 2011.

Having worked for Atlas Copco Airpower for 13 years, holding a series of leadership positions on the operational side of the business, Jef Verelst joined Remy in 2000 and in 2007, became responsible for OE and Aftermarket Sales, Marketing and Distribution in Europe.

Prior to this he had responsibility for European Purchasing and also worked as Plant Manager at Remy’s remanufacturing plant in Miskolc, Hungary.

In his new challenge, Jef Verelst inherits a solid basis for future growth from Philippe James and Remy’s European team, of which he was part and which will remain in place: “Over the past few years, we’ve laid a solid foundation for future growth, we’ve fixed the business fundamentals, rebuilt Remy’s credibility, and clearly positioned ourselves as a ‘specialist’ in rotating Philippe James. electrics. We also created a strong team with a genuine ‘can and will do’ spirit, so we’re clearly ready to continue the path of continuous profitable growth,” he says.

“We will continue to focus on improving key customer satisfaction with key value proposition elements such as best in class product range , delivery service and warranty. We have been able to develop these values during the last years through combined efforts of our sales team, flexible plants, distribution centers and supporting staff.”

Changes at Remy International In keeping with the recent announcement of its new ‘Power of One’ strategy (see ReMaTecNews Edition 8, 2011) Remy International has carried out a change in its Remy global structure to better align the organisation with the strategy under which Remy will go from a business unit approach to a functional structure approach. What this means is that Jay Pittas, who until now was responsible for the OE side of the Remy business, is named Chief Commercial Officer responsible for all sales, marketing, hybrid and product management functions world-wide. For Europe Jef Verelst will report to Jay Pittas.

There will also be nominated a Chief Operations Officer to lead operations, supply chain and engineering. In the interim period CEO John Weber will fill this position.

With respect to the newly set organisation structure, Jef Verelst believes this will create significant synergies and opportunities that will tear down barriers between departments and the former business units and will speed-up improvement actions, supporting the further profitable growth of the company. ‘’I am proud to have the opportunity to participate in Remy’s promising future,” he says.

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:19

Pagina 12

Automechanika Shanghai backs remanufacturing More reman events in China underpin trend towards remanufacturing

With minor fluctuations, China’s car industry maintains its relentless growth, with remanufacturing riding high, propelled by the Chinese government’s new-found enthusiasm for ‘Green’.

If anyone was in any doubt, this year’s Automechanika show in Shanghai (7-10 December) served as an enlightening example. Not only did this extravagant display of automotive power attract a record number of visitors and exhibitors, 61,178 and 3,619 respectively from 131 countries, it also saw the launch of a special reman pavilion which, by all accounts, is set to return in 2012. Automechanika, the world’s largest organiser of automotive exhibitions, is also geared up to continue and develop the remanufacturing side of the show.

‘There will be huge opportunities for remanufacturers in China going forward’

Jianfu Luo of the China Resource Recycling Association’s Remanufacturing Committee promotes reman in China.

12 l ReMaTecNews

“Based on what we have seen this year, we believe that we can develop the new remanufacturing initiative, the reman pavilion over the coming years,” Jason Cao, Head of Automechanika Shanghai, told ReMaTecNews. “The Chinese government is investing heavily in energy saving measures, including remanufacturing and we wish to respond to this. As we have done with the remanufacturing pavilion this year, we’re keen to work with organisations such as APRA and the Chinese remanufacturing associations to develop the sector further. Remanufacturing in China, of course, has started much later than in Europe and the US but now we have to catch up. We’re confident that reman will be much more important in China over the coming years.”

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:20

Pagina 13

Yiping Huang – APRA’s first Chairman for Asia/Pacific

International forum The growing interest in the budding Chinese remanufacturing sector was further illustrated by the International Forum organised immediately prior to the show on 6 December. Here some high-level 200 attendees from Chinese and international organisations and companies discussed topics ranging from strategies and policies of remanufacturing in China, Chinese engine remanufacturing and remanufacturing innovation to solutions for automotive remanufacturing in Asia.

During the day the audience heard presentations from, amongst others, Li Yong, Vice-Chairman of China Association of International Trade, Professor Zhu Sheng of the National Key Laboratory for Remanufacturing, Luo Jian Fu, Head of the Remanufacturing Committee of The China Resource Recycle Association and Professor Rolf Steinhilper of Bayreuth University. Other speakers included Amir Fallah, Technical Director ATP UK, Rex Vandenburg of Injectronics, Australia, Shingo Komatsu, President of Shin-Etsu Denso of Japan and Fernand Weiland, ViceChairman of APRA Europe.

In connection with it’s International Forum in Shanghai on December 6, APRA (The Automotive Remanufacturers’ Association formelly announced it’s new Asia/Pacific Division and the appointment of the division’s first Chairman. The choice is Dr. Yiping Huang, an industrial biologist with strong links to both China, his birthplace and Canada, where he has worked for many years. Dr. Yiping is currently involved with setting up a comprehensive database for Chinese remanufacturers.

“The most important goal of the new division is to spread knowledge of remanufacturing and help present and future members across Asia and the Pacific region,” Yiping Huang says. “This will include information about ongoing policy changes in respect of remanufacturing in China and help our members understand the effect of such changes.”

“We firmly believe that the future of the automotive remanufacturing industry lies in Asia and that there will be huge opportunities for reman in the future.”

After 15 years in Canada where he took his Doctorate at the University of Alberta, Dr. Yiping Huang returned to China in order to sell automotive transmissions, backed by a research grant from the Canadian government. Having obtained first hand knowledge

of the obstacles facing Chinese remanufacturing at the time, he was inspired to write a letter to Premier Wen Jiabao proposing that the government take a closer look at the benefits of remanufacturing. Wen Jiabao wrote a favourable comment in the margin and passed the letter on to high-level bureaucrats. Its recommendations subsequently became part of the government’s decision to provide official support for remanufacturing.

ReMaTecNews l 13

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:20

Sales Manager Eva Barten, ReMaTecNews, with a local assistant.

An optimistic picture On the backdrop of China’s new policy for promoting remanufacturing and, in particular, for supporting remanufacturing within engines, transmissions, starters and alternators, steering racks and compressors, the discussions drew an encouraging picture of China’s approach to remanufacturing.

While a range of issues remain unclear – and are likely to do so for the foreseeable future – the consensus is that in 2011, numerous new windows of opportunity

Pagina 14

APRA Pavilion.

opened up and that 2012 will see even more.

The Reman pavilion at Automechanika Shanghai clearly pointed in the same direction. Throughout the four days, the pavilion, which included both Chinese and international exhibitors, attracted plenty of interest – so much so that APRA, the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association, plans to revisit the pavilion again in 2012.

“We all need to network together and, in this way, improve worldwide remanufacturing. Our presence here has definitely been

worthwhile.” On behalf of The China Resource Recycle Association’s Remanufacturing Committee, Director Jianfu Luo welcomed the foreign interest in China’s reman industry, saying: “Remanufacturing is well developed in the US and Europe. Now our challenge is to prove that we can do equally well in China.

We believe that there will be huge opportunities for remanufacturers in China over the coming years and that foreign companies can play a big role.”

.ReMaTecNews.com

www

REMANUFACTURING WORLDWIDE

14 l ReMaTecNews

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:20

Pagina 15

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:20

Pagina 16

Social networking for remanufacturing

By Steve McQueen

Social media is fast becoming a business tool. ReMaTecNews reports on how remanufacturers and suppliers make the best use of it.

So, you want to use social networking to manage your business, but you don’t know how the different neworks function?

Well, if you are in the remanufacturing business, you are among the majority. The fact is, as a business sector, remanufacturers are among the least represented on the social networks scene.

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube are four of the most popular, but there are many others including the personal dating sites (excluded from this feature - if you want to know more about them you will have to find out for yourself!).

Use the Internet to search for remanufacturers using Facebook or Twitter, for example, you are more likely to find companies who started with every good intention, but the frequency of their posts have since fizzled away to nothing.

And yet, once you do find users, they are usually enjoying a significant return.

For example, OEM in Canada (Facebook) and Carrec Technocenter in Holland (Twitter) and PSSSi in the US (LinkedIn) are three users who are using social media to strengthen their businesses, whether by spreading ideas, encouraging new business or building confidence with their current and future employees.

OEM Remanufacturing is one of Canada’s largest suppliers of remanufactured engine and powertrain components. It serves the railway, natural gas/diesel and heavy equipment sectors, especially when it comes to Caterpillar machinery in the mining, oil and construction industries.

Recruitment consultant Steven Davidson says the company has been using social media - in particular its Facebook Page - but also LinkedIn for over a year: “Primarily, we are using social media as a recruitment, engagement and retention tool. We post on a regular basis and monitor responses as well as growth of followers,� he says. “It is in relative infancy at this point for us, but we are seeing real results. Candidates are following the feed, and employees are both following and commenting on the feed.“ He believes the response is improving staff/management relations without placing too many time constraints on those uploading

16 l ReMaTecNews

the information: “There is a potential to have a more cohesive staff if we are seen to have open discussion with quick and relevant responses to questions or concerns. We are posting on a weekly basis which is reasonable for someone to manage and not have to do this full time, and it also lets people know there is activity and that this is a source of information and not a dead page.�

Texas-based PSSSi is a remanufacturer of a wide range of electronic products such as

tive returns management, remanufacturing, green supply chain strategies, as well as the latest news and information from our company and our clients.“ From a recruitment perspective, PSSSi is encouraging potential clients to find out more about the company before they apply: “We recommend that potential candidates learn about our leadership team and culture through their LinkedIn profiles.�

Operational skills

Bill Biancaniello, PSSSi.

cell phones, pagers, GPS systems, in-vehicle recording devices, game consoles, security systems, computers, laptops, and a number of other consumer devices.

President and Chief Operations Officer Bill Biancaniello says the company uses Twitter and LinkedIn to connect and share information with others involved in all stages of the electronics and reverse logistics industries.

So, while some remanufacturers are using social media to spread the word about their activities, their operational skills and culture, others are using it to search out new business opportunities.

In addition to a vehicle repair business, Holland-based Carrec Technocenter is a specialist niche player in the Dutch automotive industry. Its core business is repairing and rebuilding car engines, manual gearboxes and diesel injection systems, working with new, remanufactured and used parts.

It is a multiple user of the social medium.

In addition to its website and weblog, it uses Facebook and Twitter. The latter, in particular is proving a big hit with potential customers far and wide: “We were rebuilding a V8 engine for a BMW, a rather large and complex engine and we tweeted rather a lot about it including photographs. We noticed that suddenly, we had a large number of requests for service and diagnostic work from BMW

Opportunities “So far, social media has enabled us to join and begin participating in the conversation, expand our network and increase the visibility of our company. It can provide a number of opportunities for lead generation, thought leadership, customer service, recruiting, and employee communication. We have only scratched the surface of its potential.“ More specifically, he says: “We use it to share helpful tips and information on effec-

Guido van der Spek, Carrec Technocenter.

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

owners. When we checked with googlematics, we saw that the hits on the Carrec website went up,” says owner and proprietor Guido van der Spek.

He explains that once you have learned about the way the network functions, adapting to it can improve the results: “I discovered that whenever I tweeted about a particular car brand, engine or part, it improved the search results. The only way this works is to tweet using terms that people would use to search for things that interest them.

For example, on Renaults, whenever there is a fuel injection problem and the warning light comes on, the instruction manual uses a particular term to explain the reason for the light. We found that lots of people had ‘Googled’ to find out what it meant. As soon as we started a Google Adwords campaign using that term, a lot of Renault work came our way.

In a short time, Carrec has attracted nearly 800 ‘followers’, attracted by tweets

12:21

Pagina 17

about difficult diagnoses, entire rebuilds or severe damage repair.

Guido van der Spek adds: “Tweets including silly questions or events, anything that makes someone laugh and is related to our business work well. I’m keen to tweet using key words, about enthusiasm (for our work), our customer focus, how service minded we are and about the brands we work on.”

Research tool H Engineering is a modern vehicle repair specialist but also a classic vehicle restorer, small parts remanufacturer and distributor for Lucas Oil in the South East of England. In researching the Twitter network, proprietor Tony Hansford stumbled across the tweets uploaded by ReMaTecNews as research tools for the generation of this article.

“I’ve only just signed up, because it’s a fact that local newspaper advertising is no longer as effective as it was. We hope to use it to generate more work in the future.”

Tony Hansford, H Engineering.

That’s certainly worked for Carrec. “We have evidence that as a result of tweeting, people have driven long distances and passed the doors of several of our competitors in order to get to us.”

Twitter Works!

For remanufacturers, too This, at least, is the belief of Phil Gerbyshak, a US consultant to reman companies, the author of three books on the benefits of social media to small businesses and an enthusiastic proponent of its benefits.

“It’s no longer about advertising your company or talking business – it’s all about

communicating with people and making friends, sharing tips and tricks,” Gerbyshak told ReMaTecNews during the BigR/ Powertrain exhibition in in Las Vegas. “Using social media definitely works.” So much that Gerbyshak has titled one of his books ‘Twitterworks’. Since he has expanded on the theme

in numerous presentations, speeches and seminars across the US. “Take remanufacturing”, he says.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about what remanufacturing really is. By using social media remanufacturers can create greater transparency and get a better, more immedi-

Dashboard systems can be used to manage your different social network accounts - upload your prepared ‘posts’, monitor reactions and measure the response. You can use the data and the systems - to manage marketing campaigns. Check them out: • Tweetdeck • Hootsuite • Seesmic Starting up: • Begin by checking out each medium to see if anyone you know uses it • Study what they are saying and the responses they are getting • Check to see if any competitors use the mediums • Take the time to learn how they work and how to use them or nominate someone to take control.

Security is a major issue. What others can see about you may not be all that you expect. So, take care with the information you include, and get your ‘privacy settings’ right. Ensure you retain control. For example, if setting up a Facebook page or a Twitter account, ensure that more than one person has administrative access.

Once you understand how they work, the business applications are expanding all the time.

For example, you can use online applications known as Dashboards (examples are Seesmic, Hootsuite and Tweetdeck) to monitor each of your different social networking accounts (such as Facebook and Twitter).

Phil Gerbyshak, Social Media Consultant.

ReMaTecNews l 17

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

ate, relationship with customers. Today people ignore a lot of advertising, they want information, even entertainment and they want to know about the people they deal with. Social media can give them that.”

10.000 readers ETE reman, a transmission specialist company Gerbyshak works with, says it benefits substantially from its newsletter which reaches more than 10,000 readers per month. The newletter has 2,000 ‘proper’ recipients but these forward the letter to another 8,000 people per week.

“This is not hard to do,” Gerbyshak says.

12:21

Pagina 18

“You begin building a local base and then you take it from there. Twitter is a good start but is limited to a small number of words, 140.

Facebook allows for longer texts. But videos on YouTube are the way to go. People love videos so it’s ideal for providing how-to information. Some will even think that if you’re not on YouTube, you don’t exist. And videos represent excellent opportunities for others to speak favourably about your business. It’s much better for others to speak positively about your company rather than you stating how good you are.”

For ReMaTecNews Phil Gerbyshak sums up the three main benefits for remanufactur-

ers in using Social Media. Use it to teach, provide how-to information and answer questions. Instead of answering one question many times, you can answer many questions one time.

Create awareness. Not everyone goes to trade shows or reads the yellow pages. It’s more important to give information than to advertise.

You can be more human – be someone the customers feel they know. It’s all about me-to-you business. The bottom line is that people buy from other people. Not about brick and mortar buildings.

Phil Gerbyshak: ‘If you’re not on social media, for some people you don’t exist.’

SHARE AND DISCUSS REMAN WITH US ON LINKEDIN The ReMaTecNews LinkedIn Group already contains many voices from the reman industry around the world. It just lacks one thing… your participation! Join us now at LinkedIn Groups – ReMaTecNews.

18 l ReMaTecNews

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:21

Pagina 19

ReMaTecNews REMANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL

The only international news magazine and website dedicated to Automotive and Heavy Duty remanufacturing worldwide 13,230 readers per edition Worldwide circulation Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa

ReMaTecNews is aimed at • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Remanufacturers/rebuilders Core suppliers Suppliers of OE components Suppliers of components for remanufacturers Suppliers of rebuilding equipment and machinery Suppliers of test equipment Suppliers of cleaning equipment Distributors – importers – wholesalers of rebuilt parts Government and non-government organizations Banks of commerce and insurance companies Automotive trade associations Car manufacturers – OEMs Fleet operators Government and non-government organizations Banks of commerce and insurance companies Trade associations

ws e i V s w e N Reman ts Developmen www.rematecnews.com Your press releases and news to editorial@rematecnews.com

• • • • • • •

Subscriptions Magazine online e-Newsletter Marketplace online Website Expert blogs Video items

In association with

For advertising please contact me, Eva Barten, +31 (0)20 5042800, from US and Canada 011 31 20 5042800, e-mail advertising@rematecnews.com

ReMaTecNews l 19

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:21

Pagina 20

Air brake specialist expands

New home for Majorsell: (l-r) Arthur Turner (Majorsell), Cyrille Reis, Mayoress of Sandwell Joyce Underhill and Deborah Burrows (Majorsell).

Majorsell, the UK airbrake specialist that supplies 70 countries across the world, recently organized an open day to showcase its new 20,000 sq ft facility outside Birmingham.

“We used to be based over three buildings in Birmingham, but due to the pace of

growth we found that we were outgrowing the site,” said Managing Director Deborah Burrows. “The new facility is just what we were looking for and, following a £150,000 investment, we have now got it operating at 100 per cent efficiency.”

GE moves further into reman GE Transportation, a division of the giant US corporation, GE, is building a new plant in Pennsylvania to meet increasing demand for remanufacturing services. GE expects to spend $35 million to create capacity at a new diesel engine remanufacturing plant in Grove City and an additional $37 million in 2011 and 2012 on improvements at the existing plant there.

The new plant will employ up to 250 people by early 2013.

Production is scheduled to begin around year-end 2012 and the company predicts that demand for remanufacturing services is likely to increase significantly in the coming years because of routine locomotive overhaul cycles and the need to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s stringent emissions standards for diesel engines by 2013.

Reman organisation changes name The American Engine Repower Council, a segment of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), has officially changed its name to the Engine Rebuilders Council (ERC). This new name reflects the more commonly recognized industry terminology of ‘rebuilding’ versus ‘repowering’, ERC says.

The name change also will help consumers more easily find information online about the benefits of replacing their worn-out engines with rebuilt-remanufactured engines.

“In our research, we found that many

more internet searches involve the words ‘engine rebuilder’ or ‘rebuilt engine’ compared to ‘engine repower’,” said ERC Chairman Ken Carter of MAHLE Clevite Inc. “Changing our name to the Engine Rebuilders Council will direct more consumers to the ERC website and make it easier and quicker for them to locate the information needed to make an informed decision on the rebuilt-remanufactured engine option.”

The ERC has completely rebranded its consumer-based website with the new name

at www.enginerebuilder.org. The website features a Find-a-Shop search engine of rebuilt engine retailers, engine installers and rebuilders that is searchable by city, state and zip code, which consumers can use to find shops located in their neighborhood. The site also features videos about the benefits of a rebuilt engine, cost comparisons of the rebuilding option, letters to the editor, an ERC Facebook page and materials from the ‘Be Car Care Aware’ campaign, which ERC supports.

Harley-Davidson Remanufacturing Program New services have been added to the Engine Remanufacturing Program offered by Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories in the US. The Twin Cam 96, Twin Cam 103 and 2003-06 CVO Twin Cam 103 have recently been added to the ‘Reman’ program that restores Harley-Davidson engines to factory specifications.

All 1999-06 Twin Cam Engines will be upgraded with Screamin’ Eagle Hydraulic Cam Chain Tensioner and Oil Pump Kit (except ‘06

20 l ReMaTecNews

Dyna models). Remanufacturing is also now available for all 1999-later engines with a Screamin’ Eagle Street Legal Big Bore Stage I EFI Kit. The program will continue to accept 1984-later Evolution 1340 engines, Twin Cam 88, Twin Cam 88B and Twin Cam 95 engines.

The Harley-Davidson Reman program returns engines to original factory specifications. The program requires an authorized Harley-Davidson dealership to remove the engine, ship it to the Harley-Davidson Reman facility, and then reinstall the engine.

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:23

Pagina 21

TRW sets up North American Aftermarket group TRW has formed the TRW North American (NA) Aftermarket Group in order to serve distributors and repair technicians with a range of safety products, including braking, steering and suspension parts.

“TRW is the global leader in the design, development and manufacture of OE safety systems. We will now be translating this expertise into a leading aftermarket range and ser-

vice package,” said John Nielsen, Vice-President Parts and Service TRW North America.

“As well as having a full services team here in the U.S., including product and application management, engineering, sales and marketing and operations and logistics, we will utilize support and expertise from TRW’s global aftermarket business.” “This business has long been recognized for its product excellence, market

leadership and long-standing customer relationships across Europe and Asia Pacific. The next 10 years will see the automobile evolve more than it has in the last century, as technology is called upon to do more,” John Nielsen added. “Throughout this transformation, TRW will help our OE and aftermarket customers worldwide to chart a course of success with new product and technology solutions.”

Investors to take closer look at remanufacturing The growing interest in remanufacturing is now attracting the attention of the investment community. One example among others is the UK’s Centre for Remanufacturing and Reuse which is organising a reman investment event in London on 9th March. The meeting will include organisations from the investment community as well as speakers from a range of remanufacturing industries.

“This is a great opportunity to meet with investors and discuss your future business needs,“ says Dr. Ben Walsh of CRR. “The event is free but places are limited.”

Under the aegis of London Environmental Investment Forum, a cleantech consultancy, the event takes place from 8.30 – 14.00, Friday 9th March, 2012 at Norton Rose, SE1 2AQ, London and speakers include: Nicholas Morley, Director of Sustainable Innovation, Oakdene Hollins (which runs the Centre for Remanufacturing & Reuse). Daniel Keely, Head of Manufacturing and Transportation Industry Business Development, Cisco. Lawrence Leuschner, CEO, ReBuy, the German online recommerce company trading in consumer goods. Juergen Habichler, Managing Partner, Mountain Clean-

tech, a Swiss-based venture capital fund.

Daniel Keely (left) Nick Morley (right) Lawrence Leuschner (left) Tom Whitehouse (right)

For more information: www.london-eif.com

®

ReMaTecNews l 21

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:23

Pagina 22

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:23

Pagina 23

German workshops have positive attitude to reman A substantial proportion of German workshop owners and managers would use more remanufactured parts if available - and at the right time and the right place.

Equally, car owners would look favourably at having reman parts installed in their vehicles.

This is revealed in a new survey by Bayreuth University in Bavaria in partnership with Upper Franconia Chamber of Crafts. Named Project: ‘Car Service - Engineering 2020’, and sponsored by the Bavarian Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Mobility and Innovation, 1,254 repair garages in the University’s region were surveyed on their attitude to remanufactured parts. Altogether, the survey showed that 97% of the workshops would like to use more affordable remanufactured parts. However, they added that still 25% of their customers stated they wanted new parts for their repair. In addition 85% would like to work more closely with suppliers to repair customers‘ cars more efficiently while 57% would value greater access to information in order to provide shorter repair times.

Although the survey was limited to workshops in Bavaria, its results are thought to reflect the attitudes of repair shops and their customers across Germany.

“I suspect that similar results would be the case if a European-wide survey of the

same type had been carried out,” said Professor Rolf Steinhilper of Bayreuth University’s Chair of Manufacturing and Remanufacturing.

The questionnaire covered a wide range of remanufacturable parts such as airflow metres, window lifters, anti-block brake systems, entertainment and navigation systems, electric power steering, automatic transmissions etc. etc. One example given by the survey concerns turbochargers. Whereas the price of a new turbocharger amounts to 1,300 euros on average, a remanufactured unit can be sold for 833 euros, i.e. a price difference of 467 euros. Assuming that 728,100 turbochargers are needed in Germany each year, the savings from using remanufactured turbochargers would total some 340 million euros. Or in other words, a potential of 170 million euros in savings for customers and a corresponding 170 million euros in added value for the service centres per year - in Germany alone.

“These figures and similar ones for other types of parts show the enormous potential for remanufacturing,” Professor Steinhilper said. “This, in turn, reveals the need for developing a broad range of technologies to meet the increasing demands for a broad range of remanufactured parts in the future.”

ReMaTecNews l 23

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:24

Pagina 24

Re-engineering expertise a Motorsport seems to thrive whatever the state of the economic climate. ReMaTecNews made a pitstop at Europe’s largest motorsport show, AutoSport International.

Lucas Oil – targetting remanufacturers.

It must be the constant desire to upgrade and improve the engines and components that have proved so reliable in previous race outings that makes motorsport a target for remanufacturing specialists.

So when AutoSport International (AI) opened its doors at the UK’s National

Exhibition Centre, in Birmingham this month (January 2012), it was no surprise that engine remanufacturers, service suppliers and lubricant specialists were among the exhibitors.

As a remanufacturer SAS Engineering, from Cambridgeshire, has been over 30 years in the business. Director Tim Cousins says

remanufacturing is about 95% of his business, with motorsports the key sector.

The company specializes in race specification cylinder heads for the Lotus Twin Cam, as well as Ford BDG, BDA and FVC engines: “There are engine builders here that need parts, but also individuals who run their own cars and who may want to specify our bits for them,” he says. “That’s why we are here.”

Grabbing attention Lucas Oil has identified remanufacturers as a prime target in 2012. Distributing products like Assembly Lube, workshop greases, a full range of oils and many chemical additives that engine builders need, it’s easy to see why. The company launched a new dragster team sponsorship deal, while several new engine care products and its impressive stand helped grab workshop managers’ attention.

Westwood –building a profile abroad.

24 l ReMaTecNews

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:24

Pagina 25

e at AutoSport Nestling inside the main show is AutoSport Engineering (AE), a gathering of specialists supplying the teams and dreams that drive a booming worldwide industry.

Gosnay’s - a remanufacturer that specialises in white metalling, flywheel re-grinding and the production of ‘one-off’ parts such as gears had travelled from Essex in the

SAS Engineering – remanufacturing racing cars.

South East of England to set up its stand.

Managing Director Adrian Wilkes, a former President of the UK’s Federation of Engine Remanufacturers, knows the business and recognises AI as a show with opportunities: “We’ve added several parts to our catalogue, so the thing we’ve come here to do is get the catalogues out into the workshops. We can’t measure the success of the show, other than to say we have lots of people throughout the year who contact us having seen the stand here.”

Engine rebuilding parts supplier Westwood Cylinder Liners was generating interest in Ductile Liners from the US, added to its catalogue of small batch production engine cylinder liners in the middle of last year. Managing Director Duncan Andrews sees AE is an essential part

Adrian Wilkes, Gosnay.

of the business calendar: “We’ve made some new customers from mainland Europe here today and identified some potential new ones.

This is an international show that’s local to us.

We are reasonably well known in the UK, but it’s helping to build our profile abroad.”

ReMaTecNews l 25

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:25

Pagina 26

marketPLACE ASSOCIATIONS

APRA Forsbachstraße 13 51145 Cologne Germany phone +49 (0)220 3292984 info@apra-europe.org www.apra-europe.org

FIRM Boulevard de la Woluwe 42 boite 5 1200 BRUSSELS Belgium phone +32 (0) 2 7619513 jl.basset@firm-org.eu www.firm-org.eu

CLEANING EQUIPMENT

Metalas Cleaning Systems BV James Wattweg 28 3133 KK Vlaardingen The Netherlands phone +31 (0)10 4356036 info@metalas.com www.metalas.com

Proceco Ltd. 7300 Tellier Street Montreal, QC H1N 3T7 Canada phone: +1 514 254 8494 cleaning@proceco.com www.proceco.com

26 l ReMaTecNews

CORES

Autoenterprises Ltd. Units 5,6,14,15 Pembroke Centre, Gardiners Lane South Basildon, Essex, SS14 3HX United Kingdom phone +44 (0)1268 285888 john.snr@autoenterprises.co.uk www.autoenterprises.co.uk

Premier Components UK Ltd. Unit 701 Long Marston Storage Campden Road Long Marston Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire CV37 8QR United Kingdom phone +44 (0)1789 720061 www.premiercore.com

R.A.S.E.D. S.p.A. Spaco Diesel Via Padova 183 20127 Milano Italy Phone +39 022722161 info@rased.it www.spacodiesel.com www.rased.it

Van Der Star Bvba Van Der Star Bvba Ind. Leuerbroek 1094 B-3640 Kinrooi Belgium phone +32 (0)89 703657 vanderstarbvba@msn.com www.vanderstarbvba.com

• Cleaning equipment • Consultancy - Research • Cores • Environmental products • Lubricants - Chemicals • Organisations - Associations • Parts for remanufacturers • Production equipment • Remanufactured products • Test equipment Rates 2012 1 placement 1 160 5 placements 1 695

Gobbi Spare Parts Srl Via Capannaguzzo, 3681-47521 Macerone di Cesena (FC) Italy phone +39 0547 3111346 info@gobbisp.com www.gobbisp.com

A.E.S. Auto Electric Service BV Cannenburgerweg 59c 1244 RH Ankeveen The Netherlands phone +31 (0)35 6563444 info@aes.nl www.aes.nl

REMANUFACTURED PRODUCTS

ERA Benelux Drieslaan 78 B-8560 Gullegem Belgium Phone +32 56 439300 info@erabenelux.be www.erabenelux.be

Wah Seng Industry Sdn. Bhd. 22 Jalan Industri Beringin 14100 Juru Industry Park S.P.T. Penang Malaysia phone +6 04 5079982 marketing@wahseng.com www.wahseng.com S.D.A. Im-Export BV Duizeldonksestraat 7 5705 CA Helmond The Netherlands phone +31 (0)492 524463 Info@sdaim-export.nl www.sdaim-export.nl

INFORMATION For more information please contact Eva Barten, phone +31 (0)20-5042800 advertising@rematecnews.com www.rematecnews.com

BU DRIVE GmbH Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 129 49811 Lingen/Ems Germany phone +49 (0)591 71050 info@bu-drive.com www.bu-drive.com

Alto Europe BV Marconistraat 2a 7442 DD Nijverdal The Netherlands phone +31 (0)6 10432191 rudy.cents@altousa.com www.altousa.com

TEST EQUIPMENT

Auto-Matic C/ Laguna 20 (Pol.Ind.Urtinsa II) 28923 Alcorcón Madrid Spain phone +34 91 644 44 22 auto-matic@auto-matic.es www.auto-matic.es

Dynostar Hogerwerf 15 4707 RV Roosendaal The Netherlands phone +31-165521336 info@dynostar.com www.dynostar.com

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:25

Pagina 27

TRANSMISSION WORLD

Automatic transmissions – the need for knowledge On the backdrop of increasing technical complexity, type proliferation and rapid technological developments, the field of automatic transmissions is presenting rising challenges to remanufacturers – and corresponding requirements for specialist information.

Fortunately for remanufacturers information is not too difficult to come by. In Europe players like the UK’s Bill Henney and Sussex Autoparts are well known providers of seminars, with Automatic Choice in the Netherlands as another example of several.

In the US, ATSG, Automatic Transmission Group in Miami, Florida, occupies a key position within the dissemination of technical expertise for transmission remanufacturers. A technical support service that offers a technical hotline, manuals, software, bulletins, seminars, and technical courses to the Automatic Transmission Industry, ATSG has for years been a key source of expertise for remanufacturers in the US, Europe and Latin America. This employee-owned company, under its Founder and President, Wayne Colonna, will be now significantly extending its web-based services.

Upgrading website “We’re currently redesigning our website in order to facilitate different ways of educating our subscribers,” Colonna told ReMaTecNews during the recent Power Train Expo in Las Vegas. “The website will, for instance, have different videos that can be accessed 24/7 so that subscribers can get the information they need whenever they want, including at weekends. We’re doing this rather than using webinars because it is more convenient for users because transmission rebuilders can choose a time that suits them.”

Further down the line ATSG is looking at ‘certain other services’, the exact details of which Colonna does not wish to reveal. It’s safe to assume, however, that some new initiatives will relate to the new engine management systems which all have an effect on automatic transmissions. As to the future in general, he sees considerable opportunities for transmission rebuilders – as well as for ATSG itself.

And not only in the US: for Europe he sees relatively modest growth whereas growth in Brazil and Mexico is ‘phenomenal’.

One continuous fly in the ointment is OE manufacturers’ reluctance, if not refusal,

Wayne Colonna, President of ATSG, is a veteran of 26 years in the automatic transmission segment.

He is also Technical Editor of Transmission Digest.

to provide information enabling remanufacturers to carry out their work. Colonna doubts that this is unlikely to change much. “No, it doesn’t look as if it’s getting better,” he says.

“It’s quite disappointing. But you know in remanufacturing there are a lot of great companies rising to the challenge. Our role at ATSG is to continue to provide information that cannot be found anywhere else, thus enabling remanufacturers to do their job.”

Automatic Transmission Service Group Wayne Colonna started his career in the transmission industry after attending the Lincoln Technical Institute in 1975. He has been a rebuilder for franchise shops in the New Jersey and New York areas, and brings to ATSG over 26 years of experience. He is also the Technical Editor of Transmission Digest.

ReMaTecNews l 27

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:25

Pagina 28

TRANSMISSION WORLD

Shifting technology for improving Australia to host off-highway transmission durability series of seminars Oerlikon Graziano transfers coating and actuation innovations from supercar transmissions to tractors.

High-performance transmission specialist Oerlikon Graziano has used its carbonfaced synchroniser technology to develop an new forward-reverse shift actuator. The actuator gives agricultural transmissions smoother shuttling control and longer life, the company says. Originally developed to give high-performance sports cars very fast gearshift times, Oerlikon Graziano is now developing carbon synchronisers for a growing number of offhighway transmissions.

“During shuttling, gearboxes shift quickly between forward and reverse, making control and durability a key challenge for transmission development,” said Andrea Serra, Product Manager, synchro and powershift design, Oerlikon Graziano.

“To handle the high relative speeds

28 l ReMaTecNews

involved and to remove the engagement problems some materials encounter, Oerlikon Graziano worked closely with its customer to develop specialist materials and a bespoke shift activation technology for agricultural vehicles. Our carbon synchroniser technology is also being applied to construction equipment for the first time.”

In partnerhip with transmission supplier, Newco Autoline of Germany, Motospecs Australia will organise a number of seminars in Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast in Australia in march.

Presented by Dutch specialist Coen van Beek and the UK’s Bill Henney, the seminars will focus on CVTs with emphasis on technical and practical information about Jatco/Nissan JF011E/REOF10A, VW/Audi 01J Multitronic, ZF 8HP, Mercedes 722.9 and Aisin TF80SC. The Australian seminars represent a further extention of Newco Autoline’s international presence. Last year the company opened a joint venture in Brazil for the sale of parts and components for transmissions in European vehicles. Located in Porto Alegra, the new Brazilian venture is headed up by Regina Lunkes Diehl who has worked as a Service Agent for Newco Autoline in Latin America for the past six years. Porto Alegre is now Newco’s third location besides the head office in Weyhe, Germany, and the Australian branch established in New South Wales in 1997.

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:26

Pagina 29

Database for Transmission Components Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket is launching its enhanced INA Database for Transmission Components. Provided on CD-ROM, the information is available in nine languages and comprises more than 14,500 references and 1,000 products (including 355 new items) for passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles and bus applications. The database also contains bearing sets for commercial vehicles and passenger cars.

The search engine allows for a quick

search and faster identification of INA transmission components and includes links to

products of the world’s leading transmission manufacturers. The latest version also does away with the need to register. Moreover, reports can be compiled by transmission, manufacturer, type of transmission or application.

The latest version of the INA Database for Transmission Components is available from all distribution partners of the Schaeffler Group’s Automotive Aftermarket Division (reference 999 6003 520) or via e-mail to Transmission-AS@Schaeffler.com.

New CVT transmission fluid New Comma AQCVT is a high performance fully synthetic transmission fluid that meets the unique requirements for Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs). Formulated and rigorously tested to the highest quality standards, new Comma AQCVT covers more than twenty vehicle manufacturer specifications, making it suitable for no fewer than 231 different models including Audi, Ford, Honda (also suitable for Honda hybrid

vehicles fitted with CVTs), Jeep, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, MG, Mini, Nissan, Renault, Rover, Toyota and Vauxhall. In total, this currently represents around 640,000 vehicle registrations in the UK car parc.

“With Comma AQCVT being suitable for such a wide range of manufacturers’ specifications, independent technicians can now rely on their Comma distributor to supply the majority of their OE quality CVT transmission

fluid requirements without having to depend on main dealers,” said Comma Marketing & Sales Director, Mike Bewsey. “We’re committed to doing everything possible to level the playing field with franchised workshops. New Comma AQCVT makes specialist transmission technology available to independent workshops and extends their professional capabilities, service offer and profit opportunities across a large number of makes and models.”

ReMaTecNews l 29

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:26

Pagina 30

For further news about APRA Europe, please visit www.apra-europe.org

APRA Europe

NEWS How APRA Europe all began

Working together across the Atlantic APRA President Bill Gager in Washington looks back on 25 years with APRA Europe.

By Bill Gager, President, APRA

On April 6 and 7, 1987 APRA held their first International Remanufacturing Symposium in London at the Hotel Churchill. When we started planning the event a year earlier, we estimated that most of our attendees would come from the US and Canada. These members would be hoping to explore new business possibilities as well as, quite frankly, have a ‘tax deductible’ business trip to a real nice city and

found a real ‘champion’ in Europe who would really help bring together the remanufacturing industry in Europe. Needless to say, we developed quite a business relationship that has been very worthwhile for APRA and its members throughout the world. Almost everyone in the membership knows of Fernands’ driving force behind the association in Europe.

These were the early stages of our involvement in Europe. We invite you to come celebrate our 25th Anniversary at the upcoming meeting in Krakow, Poland on April 23-25.

We will try to have some of the early memorabilia from the early days for you to review when we see you in Krakow.

bring their wife. We had, maybe, 30 people in that portion of our meeting who signed up for the full week of plant visits, tours and sightseeing. On that trip we had about twelve plant tours scattered around many sections of England.

We did not have much of a membership base in Europe at that time but we knew that there was some opportunity in Europe and we

30 l ReMaTecNews

didn’t want to miss out on future growth and networking opportunities for our members.

We had exhibited at a couple of Automechanika’s in 1984 and 1986 and found a great deal of interest in APRA among companies in Europe.

In 1987 we had six members who are still members today – Denso, Elstock, Auto Supplies Ltd., Remy, Rolf Steinhilper and Van Rompaey – and maybe another fifteen companies who were members of APRA at the time. Some of those who were members in the early days were bought out by someone else, went through a merger, or just went out of business.

In 1988, Holger Christensen joined, followed by Valeo in 1989. So, in the initial stages of our European membership drive we only have six companies who are still members under their original name.

Today there are 108 active members of APRA Europe.

One of the main reasons that associations exist is to provide opportunities for members to do business. So, we were ready to do something in Europe, but we had no idea that it would be so wildly successful with over 100 people in attendance at the London Symposium in 1987. Over 60 per cent of the attendees were from Europe. These people were serious about the remanufacturing industry.

At this London Symposium I met Fernand Weiland who was with Lucas at that time. I knew shortly after talking with him and answering some of his questions, that I had

New members APRA Europe welcomes the following new members: RCA France Jean Claude Poletti rcafrance@rcafrance.com Aulnay Sous Bois, FRANCE Scandinavian Brake Systems A/S Ib Neustrup Simonsen is@sbs.dk Stouring, DENMARK

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:26

APRA Europe celebrates its first 25 years in Krakow, Poland APRA’s European Division, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, will host their Annual Remanufacturing Symposium in Krakow, Poland on April 24, 2012. Long heralded as ‘The New Prague’, this beautiful city will also be the backdrop for APRA’s 3rd European Exhibition which will take place on April 23, 2012. Both events will take place in the Galaxy Hotel in Krakow, Poland. On April 25th there will be an optional plant tour of Valeo, a major European OE component manufacturer.

“This APRA event is another milestone in opening up the association to ‘new’ remanufacturing companies in Eastern Europe,” said Fernand Weiland, Vice-Chairman APRA Europe.” We are particularly pleased to invite our members to visit the Valeo remanufacturing plant near Krakow on the day following the seminar.”

The exhibition will take place on Monday, April 23rd from 11:00 until 17:00, followed by a cocktail reception and dinner. On Tuesday, April 24th, the symposium will begin at 08:30 and will include presentations from both the Electrical and Mechatronics & Electronics Divisions of APRA as well as general presentations on remanufacturing and a panel discussion and open forum.

Exhibit space Exhibit space is currently available, but selling quickly. You must be an APRA member to exhibit and there is a limit of one booth per company. Companies interested in participating in the Krakow exhibition should contact Jeanie Magathan at 001 703-968-2772, ext 104 or e-mail to magathan@buyreman.com. To register for the symposium, please visit www.apra-europe.org or www.apra.org.

Pagina 31

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:27

Pagina 32

NEWS

By Philippe Maerten, Federauto

Belgian and Dutch FIRM members on joint educational trip to Scandinavia In the autumn, engine remanufacturers from BOVAG in Holland invited their colleagues from Belgium’s FEDERAUTO to take part in a joint educational trip to Sweden and Denmark.

the work table of the founders, Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson from their early years.

One part of the exhibition also shows Volvo’s work with the environment and safety.

Among the prototypes, there are also experimental cars, such as the VESC which preceded the 240-series, the first electric car, the concept truck ECT (Volvo Environmental Concept Truck) as well as the concept bus ECB (Volvo Environmental Concept Bus). There is also an exhibition of Volvo Penta’s engine development, from the early outboard engines to the current Aquamatic with Duoprop, and Volvo Penta IPS (Inboard Performance System). Volvo Aero’s radial engine as well as the first jet engine used by The Swedish Air Force are also on display.

Visit to Denmark

On the first day, we visited the Volvo museum in Arendal, outside Gothenburg, to follow the history and development of Volvo from 1927 until today. The museum exhibits products

32 l ReMaTecNews

from the whole Volvo range, including cars, trucks, buses, construction equipment, marine engines, aero and many other interesting Volvo products. Besides vehicles, we saw also

The following day, we boarded a ferry for Aarhus in Denmark. During the crossing, we were privileged to be able to visit the engine room of the ship and received a detailed explanation of the function of the propulsion engines and the four auxiliary engines for electrical power.

Once we arrived in Aarhus, we visited the new Technical Academy which educates

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

future automotive engineers. The approach of the academy, which offers a higher technical diploma, is very innovative and focused on tomorrow’s entrepreneurs through a very modern course. For more information, please visit www.akademiaarhus.dk/subsites/ international/programmes/it+and+ technology/automotive+technology.

On the final day, we visited the workshop of a glass blowing artist before ending our stay in Denmark by visiting the company of a young motorcycle manufacturer, Lauge Jensen (www.laugejensen.dk). Designed for motorbikes, his engines are the only engines in the world that comply with the Euro3 norm - a fine example of successful entrepreneurship.

Although not directly related to engine remanufacturing, the trip once again showed how important it is to look beyond daily work and make new contacts. In addition, engine remanufacturers’ trips are always platforms for social networking among colleagues. They are useful for creating new business, learning from each other and exchanging experience and discussing strategies.

12:27

Pagina 33

New FIRM Secretary FIRM’s Board and President Philippe Maerten have appointed Filippo Marino LL.M, to the post of FIRM’s Secretary with effect from 1 January 2012.

Filippo Marino is an experienced EU Advisor and a qualified lawyer with a Master’s in European Law (LLM) from University College Dublin. Additionally, he has several years of experience working in European Law and Affairs within a number of different organisations, both governmental and non-governmental. Through his studies and his work experience, he has gained in-depth knowledge of the workings of the EU legislative and political decision-making processes.

Filippo Marino has extensive knowledge and experience in EU transport, environmental and energy policies, having dealt with them for over six years. Moreover he also managed two trade associations and dealt with automotive, internal market and competition issues.

In addition to his previous position, Marino organised and managed a number of events and awareness campaigns where he gathered pan-European support from relevant policy players and stakeholders such as

the EU Commission, MEPs and others. He successfully continues to organise social and corporate events on a weekly basis.

Filippo speaks fluent English and French in addition to his mother tongue, Italian.

Content and responsibilities Filippo Marino will be FIRM’s representative before EU institutions and other stakeholders dealing with policy and legislative issues relating to FIRM members’ activities.

These include: • Monitoring and reporting on issues of interest to FIRM. • Specific legislative monitoring.

• Drafting position papers.

• Organising and attending meetings with MEPs, Commission and other stakeholders on behalf of FIRM. • Profile raising activities if necessary.

The board welcomes Filippo Marino and wishes him a rapid integration into FIRMs member network.

For more information, please visit www.fmconsultants.eu

r

r

ReMaTecNews l 33

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:27

Pagina 34

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS & TRADE FAIRS 01.03.2012-02.03. 2012 Automechanika THAILAND - Thailand International Trade Fair for Automotive Parts, Equipment and Service Suppliers Bangkok (Thailand) 06.03.2012-08.03.2012 Commercial Vehicles Middle East - Int. Event for Commercial Vehicles, Parts & Services Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 08.03.2012-11.03.2012 Erbil Autoshow - INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOBILE, AUTOMOTIVE AND SPARE PARTS Erbil (Iraq) 08.03.2012-18.03.2012 Geneva International Motor Show Geneva (Switzerland) 13.03.2012-15.03.2012 International fair for parts and technology for the automotive industry St. Petersburg (Russia) 14.03.2012-17.03.2012 AutoShow - Azerbaijan International Automotive Exhibition Baku (Azerbaijan)

15.03.2012-17.03.2012 Expom贸vil Comercial - Spare Parts, Accessories, Equipment and After-Sales Show Barcelona (Spain) 15.03.2012-18.03.2012 BILER i BELLA-Cars and Accessories Copenhagen (Denmark) 22.03.2012-24.03.2012 MATS - Mid-America Trucking Show Louisville (USA) 22.03.2012-03.25.2012 RETRO CLASSICS - Classic automobiles Stuttgart (Germany) 23.03.2012-25.03.2012 Automotive Week - incl. Auto Service Korea & Korea Tuning Show Goyang/Seoul (Republic of Korea) 23.03.2012-25.03.2012 automobil - Automotive exhibition Dresden (Germany)

23.03.2012-25.03.2012 AutoTrend - Automobile Exhibition Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Rostock (Germany) 23.03.2012-25.03.2012 FIRAUTO - Automobil and Parts Exhibition Elche/Alicante (Spain) 23.03.2012-25.03.2012 Auto Messe Salzburg (Austria) 25.03.2012-28.03.2012 AUTOTECHNICA BENELUX - International Automotive Trade Show for Spare Parts, Accessories, Tools, Garage & Bodywork Equipment Brussels (Belgium) 27.03.2012-31.03.2012 BEOTRUCK - International Commercial Vehicle Show Belgrade (Serbia) 28.03.2012-31.03.2012 INAPA - Indonesia International Auto Parts, Accessories and Equipment Exhibition Jakarta (Indonesia)

ReMaTec 2013 INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR FOR REMANUFACTURING

June 16-18 Amsterdam The Netherlands

We thank you for exhibiting at ReMaTec2011. Be part of the success again and sign up for ReMaTec2013.

www.rematecnews.com/exhibition

Organised by:

In association with:

Mediapartner:

ReMaTecNews

34 l ReMaTecNews

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:28

Pagina 35

REMATECNEWS 1-2012:REMATEC-1/2004

03-02-2012

12:28

Pagina 36

SUPERIOR STANDARDS IN REMANUFACTURING

PIRANACONCEPTS.COM

EPS STEERING COLUMNS

BRAKE CALIPERS

DRIVESHAFTS

STEERING PUMPS

STEERING RACKS

AIRCONDITIONING COMPRESSORS

www.erabenelux.be

AdEraBelux2012 002.indd 6

13/01/12 11:41