German engineering company Bosch said Tuesday that it plans to buy the automotive services division of U.S.-based SPX Corp. for about $1.15 billion in cash.

Bosch said that SPX, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, agreed to sell its Service Solutions unit. The division develops, manufactures and sells tools, workshop equipment, and software for the global automotive market.

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LA VERGNE, Tenn., Jan 18, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Hennessy Industries has partnered with Hockman-Lewis, Ltd., one of the world's foremost international export management companies, to manage the sales and marketing of the renowned COATS, AMMCO and BADA brands throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim. The new partnership represents a commitment to capitalizing on the increasing demand for automotive service equipment in those markets.

"Hockman-Lewis is dedicated to the global promotion of U.S. and international automotive service equipment," said Howard Hagan, Hennessy's vice president of international sales. "This new arrangement offers Hennessy's Asian customers continued world-class service and a complete range of high-quality products."

Hennessy recently opened its newest manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China, and the company expects the partnership with Hockman-Lewis to facilitate the development of a strong position in the Asian automotive service equipment and tools markets.

"Partnering with Hennessy for the sales and marketing of its well-known brands fits perfectly into our company's philosophy and portfolio," said Greg Hockman, president of Hockman-Lewis, Ltd. "With our recent addition of experienced international sales professionals focusing on the Asian markets, we anticipate a growing presence throughout this part of the world."

Hennessy initiated this partnership with Hockman-Lewis following the retirement of Ron Pfafflin, who had represented the COATS, AMMCO and BADA brands throughout Southeast Asia for the last 10 years.

About Hennessy Industries

Hennessy Industries manufactures COATS(R), BaseLine by COATS, AMMCO(R) and BADA(R) products, and is the one of the world's leading full-line wheel-service equipment manufacturers. Hennessy is recognized for its state-of-the-art technology in the manufacturing of COATStire changers and wheel balancers, AMMCO brake lathes and lifts, and BADA wheel-balancing weights.

Hennessy is headquartered in La Vergne, Tenn., with manufacturing facilities in Tennessee, Kentucky and China. To learn more about Hennessy and COATS, visit www.ammcoats.com or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ammcoats .

SOURCE: Hennessy Industries

In order to merge and expand business tasks in brand-related diagnostics (OES Diagnostics), the respective tasks undertaken by ETAS GmbH, Vetronix LLC and the Automotive Aftermarket Division will now be carried out in the AA Diagnostics business unit from January 1, 2012.

 

The product range will consist of diagnostics communication interfaces, diagnostics software,

diagnostics parameterization and instructions, test equipment and engineering services.

The tasks will be combined in the newly established OES Diagnostics product area within the AADG business unit. Corporate management responsibilities for Vetronix LLC will pass from ETAS GmbH to AA-DG. Both ETAS and DG sales activities and the corresponding development activities in the area of OES Diagnostics software and test equipment will be based in the OES Diagnostics area

 

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In an effort to assist our members in bringing new and improved equipment and tools to the marketplace, The Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) has launched a series of Market Research Projects.  The current survey covers numerous automobile Air Conditioning topics. 

 

ETI is surveying automotive repair facilities in an effort to find out more about their familiarity with different types of A/C Service, Equipment and Trends.  ETI will use this research to help all segments of the automotive industry provide aftermarket shops with effective tool and equipment solutions. 

 

The findings of ETI’s Market Research will be made available to all attendees at ToolTech 2012 in Palm Springs, California April 17-19, 2012.

 

If you are part of an automotive repair facility and are interested in participating in our survey, please go to the following link:

http://www.a-i-m.com/etiacpr/

This survey can only be taken on-line.

 

Previous Market Research Studies have included J2534 Reprogramming, TPMS, Telematics, and Collision Repair which are available on our website at www.etools.org.

 

If you have an idea for a future Marketing Survey Project, please send an email to jessiek@etools.org.

 

Founded in 1947, the Equipment and Tool Institute is a trade association of automotive tool and equipment manufacturers and technical information providers. ETI’s mission is to advance the vehicle service industry by providing technical data and open dialog between the manufacturers of transportation products, government regulators and the providers of tools, equipment and service information.

 

For more details about ETI programs and activities, contact Jessie Korosec, Marketing Manager, Equipment and Tool Institute, 134 W. University Drive, Suite 205, Rochester, Michigan. Phone: 248-656-5080; e-mail: jessiek@etools.org.

LEESBURG, Va. – The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) has announced that the Secure Data Release Model (SDRM) will now be managed by the Automotive Service Association (ASA). The SDRM was previously managed by the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) and moves to ASA per the organization’s charter, now that ALOA has relinquished management responsibility. David Lowell, former executive director of ALOA, has been contracted by ASA to manage the day-to-day operations of the SDRM.
 
“ALOA and ASA have always held joint responsibility for the SDRM,” said Ron Pyle, NASTF Chairman and chief staff executive of ASA. “ALOA took the lead and developed the SDRM software, registered vehicle security professionals and performed background checks on new and renewing applicants. Now, the SDRM is taking on new responsibilities that include vehicle module initialization and Theft Related Parts programs. Since these new programs will eventually become much larger than the locksmith function that SDRM originally addressed, ALOA has decided that now is the time to shift responsibility for the program to ASA.”
 
To ensure a smooth transition, Lowell has left his role as executive director of ALOA to become the SDRM manager for ASA.
 
“David has and will continue to be an important part of the day-to-day management of the SDRM,” said Pyle. The transition will occur over the next few weeks and will be completed by the end of the year.
 

After 30 years as an information technology manager at Corning, Alan Crawford knew just what he wanted to do next when the company offered an early-retirement package two years ago.

 

Go into the auto repair business.

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The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) will hold its next general meeting from 1-5 p.m. on Oct. 4 in room 304A/B at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The meeting will be held in conjunction with Automotive Service & Repair Week (NACE and CARS).

The Vehicle Security Meeting will take place from 9 a.m. to noon in room 303B at the convention center.

The NASTF general meeting is open to all and there is no registration required or fee to attend.

For more information, visit www.nastf.org.

Chief is a leading manufacturer of collision repair equipment, including frame-pulling machines and computerized measuring systems. Elektron Bremen is a market leader in the manufacture of a full line of vehicle repair equipment, including resistance welders, battery chargers and plasma cutters.

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Recently, ToolTech Week 2011- one of the Equipment and Tool Institute's (ETI) three annual core events - focused on "Exploring the Shop of Tomorrow." The event provided an insightful look at where aftermarket service and repair facilities are headed and what key emerging trends will drive service opportunities in the future. Each of the presenters delivered a consistent message: The automotive aftermarket "shop of tomorrow" has a bright future, provided the entire industry continues to capitalize on improved communication, cooperation and collaboration.

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Several states are introducing or reintroducing so-called Right to Repair (R2R) bills into their legislatures this year.  The opponents and proponents have flocked to each state to give testimony, hire lobbyists and spend huge amounts of money in an attempt to persuade legislators that their position on this volatile issue is the correct one.  The arguments are the same as they have been for some time now.  In essence, the debate has two sides...

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