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Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/30905
INDUSTRY NEWS Subaru announces move, expansion of V-Twin engine assembly in Japan Subaru Industrial Power Products announced April 20 that it will expand the assembly of its V-Twin engine line, and move production from the current Robin Manufacturing facility in Hudson, Wis., to Subaru’s existing facility in Tokyo, Japan. The move will consolidate all engine production to Japan. Brad Murphy, vice-president of sales and marketing, said the move will increase V-Twin engine production capacity, and will be accompanied by a larger engine in- ventory at its North American headquar- ters, located in Lake Zurich, Ill. “The decision to increase production ca- pacity in Japan signifies a step forward for the V-Twin line, as we’re expanding pro- duction and increasing our inventory here in North America,” Murphy said. “This will improve the efficiency of production, and allows for enhanced service and value to our North American OEMs.” Murphy continued, “For years, we’ve been producing V-Twins in Japan for worldwide distribution, and now we’re simply expanding on that experience and increasing production. At Subaru, we hold ourselves to the highest-quality standards, ensuring our customers continually receive superior technology and exceptional serv- ice. The V-twins are no exception.” Subaru Industrial Engines are manufac- tured by Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., Japan. Fuji Heavy Industries is a diversified manu- Briggs & Stratton awards service tech all-day trip to prestigious racing school A landscaping equipment service technician from Minneapolis won a day of racing at the prestigious Bob Bondurant Racing School for finishing as the Vanguard Power Chase’s first runner-up. Nigel Miller, who works for A-1 Outdoor Power, and three friends spent the entire day March 3 at the racing school in Phoenix, driving a vari- ety of high-perfor- mance vehicles and Pro Karts powered by a Briggs & Stratton racing engine in a variety of on-course exercises. The group com- peted in a time trial ex- ercise on the race school’s autocross course, spent time on the evasive maneuvers course, completed a follow-the-leader exer- cise on Bondurant’s 1.6-mile/15-turn race track, and spent time in the school’s skid cars. That was all in addition to logging some laps on the racing school’s kart track. The group also had a chance meeting with Bob Bondurant, the racing school’s founder and former professional racecar driver. “The Bondurant experience was just in- 10 Bob Bondurant autographs the shirt of Alex Geithman as Nigel Miller, far right, and Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power marketing manager Dan Roche look on. credible — everything about the place is first class,” Miller said. “Having an opportu- nity to spend a few minutes with a racing legend was especially meaningful.” During the Vanguard Power Chase com- petition, hundreds of participants chose racecar drivers online in a “pick ‘em” style format for the final 10 races of the 2010 stockcar season. Points were awarded based on where the drivers finished. “The Power Chase was intended to be something fun for all of our dealers and customers who play an integral role in the continued success of Van- guard engines,” said Dan Roche, marketing man- ager for Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power. “Vanguard engines are about power and durability, and nothing exemplifies that better than auto racing.” Justin Joerman placed first in the Power Chase, winning a four-day trip for two to Daytona Beach, Fla., for racing’s premier event this past February. For additional information on Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power, visit www.vanguardengines.com. OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com facturer of Subaru automobiles, aircraft, ecotechnologies and industrial engines and equipment. Subaru engines are mar- keted and supported in North America by Robin America, Inc., a subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries. For additional informa- tion, visit www.subarupower.com or www.subarupower.com/facebook. The V-Twin assembly expansion will consoli- date all Subaru industrial engine production to the Fuji Heavy Industries factory (shown here) in Tokyo, Japan. Stens increases fits model database Stens recently announced the expansion of its fits model database to include more than 320,000 equipment applica- tions in the green industry. As a result, finding parts for your spe- cific needs will be easier than ever, and you will have the ability to use Stens’ products in more than 320,000 different ways. Stens’ fits model database now serves as a resource for parts fitting more than 200 brands. To search the Stens’ website for fits model application information, visit www.stens.com using your DealerNet username and password. Once you are logged in, click on the “Search by Model” tab in the middle of the screen. You can then search by equipment model number. With this search, you will be able to identify which parts Stens carries for that model, including air fil- ters, fuel parts, belts, blades, starter parts, oils and more.