CFI honored by Mexican carriers CANACAR, Mexico's association of transportation companies, has named Joplin, Mo.-based CFI as its first and only U.S. trucking company member. The honorary membership was conferred as evidence and confirmation of CFI's commitment to refrain from any business practices that might infringe upon Mexican laws or the North American Free Trade Agreement. CANACAR's president, Bernardo Lijtszain Bimstein, welcomed CFI as a member during a recent ceremony attended by Ernesto Zedillo Ponce De Leon, president of Mexico. "It is truly an honor to be named to this organization," says Glenn Brown, president of CFI. The truckload carrier, founded in 1951, interlines with Mexican carriers at various border crossings to provide through-trailer service to Mexico. The fleet fields 1,800 tractors and 5,400 trailers and operates through five terminal locations and 35 sales offices.
PACCAR finalizes Leyland buy The acquisition of Britain's Leyland Trucks Ltd. by PACCAR has been completed. Already, Leyland's 45 and 55 Series distribution trucks are marketed exclusively in Europe by Holland-based DAF Trucks, a Paccar subsidiary. Leyland, which Paccar says was profitable before the acquisition, also makes heavy-duty on- and off-road vehicles for the U.K. Ministry of Defense. "The addition of Leyland considerably expands PACCAR's worldwide product range, particularly in the light- and medium-duty segments of the market," says Mark Pigott, PACCAR's chairman and CEO. "It also enhances our position in Europe and expands on the existing, successful collaboration between Leyland and DAF." PACCAR is the parent firm of both Kirkland, Wash.-based Kenworth Truck Co. and Peterbilt Motors Co. of Denton, Tex.
Eaton to buy Polish gearbox maker Eaton Corp. reports it has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase Fabryka Przekladni Samochodowych (FPS), a transmission maker based in Gdansk, Poland. FPS, with annual sales of about $20 million, is the largest manufacturer of truck and bus transmissions in Poland. The firm also produces truck transfer boxes, PTOs, splitter boxes, and gearshift mechanisms for both domestic and export markets. "This acquisition is consistent with our global growth strategy," says Thomas O'Boyle, Eaton's senior vp-truck components. "It gives us access to the expanding East European market."
Scania likes Estonia Swedish truck maker Scania AB says it will invest 35-million Swedish kronor in its retail and service network in the Baltic nation of Estonia this year. The goal is to continue growth in the country, where Scania sold more than 170 trucks last year to score a 38% market share. That performance was also significant because the total market there in '97 was more than double that of the year before.
MEMA and Spanish group ink deal The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Assn. (MEMA) of the United States has signed a memorandum of understanding with Spain's auto-parts makers association (SERNAUTO) to promote increased cooperation between the two groups and their members in their respective countries. Signifying the international scope of the agreement, it was signed in Mexico City at a trade event sponsored by Mexico's automotive-parts industry. Jose Antonio Jimenez Saceda, executive general director of SERNAUTO, and Robert Miller, president of MEMA, signed the memorandum on behalf of their associations. Under the agreement, the two groups will exchange market and regulatory information; assist visiting trade delegations; ease participation of members at events; and meet periodically to promote closer business relations between the U.S. and Spanish motor-vehicle equipment industries. MEMA and SERNAUTO report they already have similar agreements with sister groups in Mexico, Brazil, and India.
