Price fixing alleged in rubber chemicals
PALM BEACH, Fla.-The world's three largest rubber chemical manufacturers caused Florida consumers to pay more for their tires because of price collusion, according to allegations in a class-action lawsuit filed in Palm Beach Circuit Court.
Attorneys for Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach, a nationwide class-action law firm with offices in Boca Raton, Fla., accused Crompton Corp., Flexsys N.V. and Bayer A.G. of creating ``an unlawful cartel agreement'' that conspired to keep chemical prices up in an atmosphere of shrinking markets and increased production costs. The suit seeks compensatory damages plus interest and attorneys' fees.
Crompton, Flexsys and Bayer are under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and the European Union for alleged price fixing.
A Crompton spokeswoman said her company knew of the lawsuit but had no comment other than what it said when the government investigation was first revealed.
Stellar Web site gets a redesign
GARNER, IOWA-Stellar Industries Inc., a maker of truck-mounted hydraulic equipment, service trucks and truck accessories including tire service cranes and service bodies, has redesigned its Web site with new navigation bars and animations of the company's equipment.
The strategy behind the redesign is to provide accurate, up-to-date information for customers, Stellar said.
The site includes new sections on articulating cranes, troubleshooting, employment opportunities and recent news releases. A new animation feature allows users to see the company's equipment in action. ``When a user runs their cursor over certain photographs, the crane will extend, toolboxes will open, or a hooklift or X-Tra-Lift body will unload and load,'' said Donna R. Popp-Bruesewitz, Stellar's communication manager.
Users can find the site at www.stellar-industries.com.
Nissan Forklift honors Solideal
MARGENGO, Ill.-Nissan Forklift Corp. of North America has named Solideal Tire Inc. as its supplier of the year.
Nissan awards a single supplier out of 150 different companies it does business with based on a firm's quality and rejected parts rate, cost reduction planning and implementation, on-time and correct deliveries, reaction time and corrective actions.
A maker and distributor of industrial and construction tires, Solideal has been a recipient of a Nissan award every year since Nissan Forklift started tracking supplier performances. Solideal operates from a Midwest headquarters in Lebanon, Ind., and an East Coast headquarters in Charlotte, N.C.
Nitto, Toyo sponsor hot rod race series
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif.-Two tire firms have joined the ranks of sponsors for the PRO Hot Rod & Muscle Car Nationals Series upcoming season.
Nitto Tire North America Inc. will sponsor the Nitto Tire Super Street Class, and Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corp. will sponsor the PRO-Edelbrock Bracket Racing program. In its second year, the racing series runs from April through October.
Pep Boys CEO plans to retire
PHILADELPHIA-The board of directors of Pep Boys-Manny, Moe & Jack has formed a search committee to find a replacement for the company's chairman and CEO, Mitchell G. Leibovitz, who announced he plans to retire.
The Philadelphia-based company has retained an executive search firm to find a successor to Mr. Leibovitz, 57, who said he'll retire once a new chief executive is appointed. Until then, he will continue in his current positions and assist the board in the succession process, Pep Boys said.
Pep Boys-among the nation's top 10 sellers of replacement tires-operates 629 stores and more than 6,500 service bays in 36 states and Puerto Rico, and also services the commercial auto parts delivery segment of the automotive aftermarket.