Wheels and deals AlliedSignal Inc. and Knorr-Bremse AG signed a memorandum of understanding with Robert Bosch GmbH to combine their European and South American heavy-duty brake systems businesses. Under the proposed agreement, the North American joint venture, AlliedSignal Truck Brake Systems Co., will be operated by AlliedSignal; both the European joint venture, Knorr-Bremse Systeme fur Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH, and the South American joint venture, Knorr-Bremse Sistemas para Ve'culos Comerciais Brasil Ltda., will be operated by Knorr-Bremse. The deal is expected to be finalized in June. ... Prestolite Electric Inc. has acquired three LucasVarity businesses: Lucas Heavy Duty Electrical, Lucas Holdings, and Lucas Indiel S.A....The assets of Chicago-based Trailer Leasing Co. (TLC) have been purchased by TIP (Transport International Pool).
Fresh looks Organizational changes affecting the Heavy Vehicle Systems and Light Vehicle Systems units have been announced by Meritor Automotive. The aftermarket functions of both divisions will be combined to form a separate Aftermarket Services unit, headed by Thomas A. Gosnell, who will serve as vp and general manager. Quality, engineering, and procurement functions will also be combined, with the new group headed by S. Carl Soderstrom. Financial functions will also be centralized. In addition, the Heavy Vehicle Systems division will be reorganized into six business units: Axle Products, Brad Arnold, general manager; Braking Systems, Walter Frankiewicz, general manager; Transmissions, Clutches, and Drivelines, Rick Martello, general manager; Off-Highway Products, Rick Meese, general manager; Trailer Products, Roger Storey, general manager; and Government Products, James Zagacki, general manager. All report to Prakash Mulchandani, president.
Training takes Carlisle Motion Control Industries announces the following schedule for its Heavy-Duty Brake School: Bloomington, Ind., Mar. 24-26, June 9-11, and Sept. 1-3; Fredericksburg, Va., Mar. 10-12, May 12-14, and Oct. 13-15.
Web sightings Trucker Buddy now has a home on the net, www.layover.com/truckerbuddy. ... Fleets can get information on the Cycloid ACS (air compressor system) at the company's new home page: www.cycloid.com. ... Answers to basic repair and installation questions, as well as a link to technical advisors who handle more difficult problems, highlight Stewart Warner Instrument Corp.'s new Web site, which can be found at www.stewartwarner.com.