DDC to build new engine in Michigan … Donaldson, Stanadyne in filter deal … BorgWarner buys more of Beru … Alfa Laval, Haldex Ink Venture

Diesel Progress North American Edition, Dec, 2004

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Detroit Diesel Corp. DDC said it will build a new heavy-duty diesel engine line at the company's Redford, Mich., manufacturing facility DDC also stated that it plans to initiate North American assembly of the MBE 900 medium-duty diesel engine at Redford. DDC intends to industrialize production of the two engine platforms at the Redford facility by 2007.

The new heavy-duty truck engine--currently in development by DDC and parent company DaimlerChrysler--will be launched in 2007. For a period of transition, the new engine will be sold in tandem with the DDC series 61) engine.

Donaldson Co. announced it has entered a filter alliance agreement with Stanadyne Corp. In part, the alliance combines Donaldson's global market position with Stanadyne's modular diesel fuel filter system design and concept. Donaldson is named the primary marketer within North America and Europe for Stanadyne's large Fuel Manager 1000 series diesel fuel filtration system which applies to large on-highway vehicles. Stanadyne's other Fuel Manager assemblies will be available through Donaldson throughout the world in non North American or European countries.

BorgWarner Inc. said that it agreed to purchase a 63% stake in German diesel engine parts manufacturer Beru AG from the Carlyle Group private equity firm and a group of family shareholders for $476 million or 59[euro] per share. BorgWarner also said it plans to launch a voluntary public tender other in Germany for all or Beru's remaining outstanding stock for $319 million in cash, or 67.5[euro] per share. BorgWaner expects to close the acquisition in January. Headquartered in Ludwigsburg, Germany, Beru is a supplier of diesel cold-start technology ignition technology, electronics and sensors. BorgWarner said it plans to maintain Beru as a unit of the company and doesn't anticipate employment changes as a result of the transaction.

Alfa Laval and Haldex have announced the creation of a jointly owned company, Alfdex AB. Alfdex will focus on developing and supplying products for cleaning diesel crankcase gases in the vehicle industry. The Alfdex separator it intended for use on diesel engines in sizes ranging from 5 to 16L.

Eaton Corp. said it has agreed to purchase the businesses or-Winner Group Holdings Ltd., a China based maker of hydraulic hose fittings and adapters. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it will be done through a combination of share and asset purchases, Eaton said. It is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2005.

Wilmer had 2003 sales of $28 million and employs 750 people. It is bated in Hong Kong, with operations in mainland China in Shanghai, Ningbo, Guangzhou and Luzhou. It primarily serves the Chinese market with products used in stationary and mobile construction equipment applications.

Oshkosh Truck Corp. said it has agreed to buy privately held Concrete Equipment Co. Inc., a manufacturer or" concrete batch plants. Concrete Equipment, Blair, Neb., will add a line of central, mobile and portable concrete batch plants to the company's current lineup of concrete mixers and mobile batch plants, sold under the Oshkosh and McNeilus brand names.

Allied Systems Co., Portland, Ore. manufacturer of specialized heavy lift and material handling equipment, has purchased of the assets of J. A. Freeman & Son Inc., manufacturer of hay baling and hay handling equipment, also based in Portland.

John Deere has built its five millionth engine. The production milestone was marked at engine facilities in Waterloo, Iowa: Saran, France: Torreon, Mexico; Pune, India: and Rosario, Argentina. John Deere first entered the engine business in 1918 when it purchased Waterloo Gasoline Engine Co. Deere produced its first diesel engine in 1949.

More changes for Briggs & Stratton engine distribution as Magneto Power, Mequon, Wis., has acquired certain assets of the Briggs & Stratton distributorship operated by Engine Warehouse Inc., Houston, Tex.

Iveco Motors of North America has added two more engine distributors. GenRep Ltd./Ltee, Toronto, will cover Canada, while R.A. Mitchell, New Bedford, Mass. has been appointed to cover Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and Eastern Connecticut.