Industry veteran Leo Frumkin passes away
The transmission industry lost another veteran on June 23 when Leo Frumkin passed away at the age of 93 after a brief illness. Leo was known for his outsized and engaging personality and will be missed by all who knew him. Leo founded National Transmission Products (NATPRO) in 1973, which became one of the longest-surviving
TCRA names new officers and board
The Torque Converter Rebuilders Association (TCRA) recently named its new board and officers. The positions were chosen during the organization’s annual meeting June 24 and 25. Note that not all of these positions are newly elected, as some members return from last year. Here is the full list: President: Mike Cargill (Schaeffler) Vice President: Eric
Transtar sells Nickels Performance
Transtar Holding Co. announced the sale of its Nickels Performance business unit to Summit Racing Equipment. Summit Racing, headquartered in Tallmadge, Ohio, is a retailer of performance and replacement automotive parts and accessories. According to the companies, this represents better market alignment for the Nickels brand, which distributes high-performance racing parts.
TAS announces general availability of reman, retail software
Transmission Automated Solutions (TAS) has announced the general availability of its eponymous TAS software packages. According to the company, the service was initially developed specifically for a local company in Springfield, Missouri, but is now being expanded to be offered to other businesses. One shop that has benefited from this software was Ace Transmission in
Ford adds 1,890 jobs in Ohio for EV production, engine and transmission plants
Ford Motor Co. announced new investments and jobs in its Ohio automotive plants. The company is investing $1.5 billion into Lorain County at the Ford Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake to assemble an all-new commercial electric vehicle (EV). This investment will create 1,800 new hourly jobs. In addition, the expanded facility will continue producing Ford’s E-series van, medium-duty trucks and
TCRA announces Sonnax credit for members
The Torque Converter Rebuilders Association (TCRA) announced that Rebuilder Members in good standing will each receive a $200 credit from Sonnax. The credit can be used towards their existing Sonnax account or towards future purchase. “I was pleasantly surprised when Sonnax offered this direct award to our Rebuilder Members,” said Mike Cargill, president of TCRA.
Lucille Treganowan passes
The industry lost a pioneer and Transmission Digest lost a friend on May 19, when Lucille Treganowan passed away in Pittsburgh at the age of 92. With three children to support, Lucille took an office job in an automotive shop in 1960. She eventually learned the ins and outs of transmissions and opened Transmissions By
Alto opens new Automation Center
Alto has announced the groundbreaking of its new Automation Center. An extension of the company’s current manufacturing facility located in Atmore, Alabama, it will be used for and house new automated robotic machinery to be used in Alto’s manufacturing process of friction clutches and steel reaction plates, according to a company spokesperson. “The Automation Center
Mustang Advanced Engineering installs heavy-duty dynamometers at GM Canada
Mustang Advanced Engineering (MAE), an American manufacturer of testing equipment, dynamometers and related products, has delivered and installed two new chassis dynamometers for GM Canada, which recently began a $2 billion transformational investment in their manufacturing and R&D facilities in Ingersoll and Oshawa, Ontario. As part of their expanding capabilities, the need for end-of-line testing
Industry pioneer Pete Kubrick dies
Pete Kubrick passed away last month at the age of 84. Pete was well known as the owner of Kason Transmission Shop and later of Transmission Parts Supply (TPS) headquartered in Texarkana, Texas. TPS grew to open several branches in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. Upon his 2013 retirement, the business was sold to Transtar. Pete
Torque Converter Rebuilder Association annual seminar set for June
The Torque Converter Rebuilder Association (TCRA) has scheduled its annual program of seminars for June 24 and 25 in Troy, Michigan at the Detroit Marriott, Troy. Included in the event will be Friday tours of the Henry Ford Museum and Ford’s F-150 Rouge assembly plant and an early evening reception at the GM Heritage Center.
Transtar adds AC product line
Transtar Industries has launched a new line of vehicle air conditioning parts, components and tools. The Transtar AC product line is the organization’s first entry into non-transmission or driveline parts. According to the company, the Transtar AC product line offers a complete line of air conditioning parts and covers thousands of vehicles from 1970 to
