Bob Warnke, Sonnax VP of Technical Development, was the featured speaker at Choice Tech 2009, a technical seminar sponsored by Automatic Choice Europe B.V., a full service transmission parts distributor based in the Netherlands. Warnke’s five hour presentation focused on repairs for Aisin Warner FWD 5 and 6 speed units, along with general diagnostic techniques and valve body reaming procedures.

The seminar was held June 6, 2009, the day before the three day ReMaTec Trade Fair, an event for powertrain rebuilders from Europe and beyond. Approximately 120 rebuilders attended.

The seminar and Trade Fair were held in the RAI Exhibition Center in Amsterdam. The ReMaTec event provided Sonnax an excellent opportunity to meet with valued customers, while catching up on the latest product, application and market news. Additionally, Sonnax held a reception for the attending international members of the Sonnax TASC Force in appreciation of their ongoing help in identifying, researching and testing new products and units, which greatly furthers Sonnax’s success in the global marketplace.

Posted: June 16th, 2009 under News.

Steve Jaussaud, Sonnax VP Sales, receives a Top 10 Product Award plaque from Bobby Mace, publisher of Transmission Digest. 

Transmission Digest readers chose HP-4L60E-01, Sonnax’s performance pack upgrade for 4L60-E & 4L65-E units, as a top 10 automatic transmission product for 2009.

The award ceremony took place in conjunction with this year’s Show Power, hosted by Transmission Digest in Louisville, KY.  

Posted: April 2nd, 2009 under News, Transmission Specialties.

Ming Qi of Sonnax (3rd from left) accepts Top 20 Tool Award in Beijing

In Beijing, China, Sonnax was honored to receive a Top 20 Tool Award for its SonnaFlow® cooler flow diagnostic tool in the annual contest sponsored by “Auto Repair and Maintenance,” a leading Chinese automotive aftermarket magazine. Ming Qi, manager of the Sonnax office in China, gave a brief speech upon accepting the award. Top20 contest winners are selected by a committee of established auto repair experts, who evaluate products from all areas of the automotive aftermarket based on their innovativeness and usefulness. The SonnaFlow® was the only winning product in the transmission repair and maintenance sector in this year’s contest. “Auto Repair and Maintenance” is associated with the China Auto Maintenance Equipment Association and MOTOR magazine in the USA. Its readership includes senior technical staff in general auto repair shops and new car dealers.

The Sonnax SonnaFlow® is a Flow Meter Kit that measures ATF cooler flow rates during vehicle road tests or bench tests; the SonnaFlow® can be used with a labscope or dynamometer. The tool kit includes an easy-to-read meter with low-flow warning light and a detailed technical manual with charts indicating normal/abnormal metrics for most common transmission applications.

Posted: March 5th, 2009 under News.

Sonnax exhibits at the 21st Performance Racing Industry Trade Show, Dec. 11-13, Orlando FL. Rick Willson and Gregg Nader of Sonnax met with new and long-time customers and friends, discussed performance product solutions and Sonnax’s latest performance products on display.

Web link: http://www.performanceracing.com/tradeshow/

Posted: December 23rd, 2008 under News.

APRA’s 1st European Workshop on Automatic Transmissions, Nov. 20-21, Stuttgart, Germany at the SI-EVENT-CENTER brought together respected OE and aftermarket industry experts to focus on current and future trends in Europe’s growing market for automatic transmission remanufacturing. It was noted that remanufacturing in Europe is growing quickly, and changing from the current market share of 90% manual and 10% automatic to a split of 33% manual, 33% automatic and 33% double clutch transmission in 5 to 10 years. Steve Jaussaud, VP Sales, Sonnax, addressed the group with a presentation on the importance of maintaining hydraulic integrity during the remanufacturing process. Other companies and contributors to the meeting included ZF Getriebe Gmbh, MPO Mosolf Power Train, Midland Automatic Transmission, Lubeguard and Superflow Technologies. Dr. William Henney (a well known technical consultant for AT remanufacturing) moderated the meeting and noted that “we now have a professional association where companies will work together in the transmission remanufacturing industry in Europe.”

Posted: December 10th, 2008 under News.

Sonnax displayed many of its newest products at the ATRA Powertrain Expo: Oct. 31 – Nov. 1, 2008 in Las Vegas, NV and also demonstrated valve body reaming and filtration technology. As part of Sonnax’s ongoing efforts to provide rebuilders with the latest technical information Bob Warnke, Sonnax VP of Tech Development, presented two technical seminars, including a program titled “Complaint-Cause-Correction ” which addressed diagnostics for AW55-50SN, JF506E, 5L40-E, Honda TCC/CPC control, AX4N/4S, 5R110W and 4R100 units. Gregg Nader, Sonnax Technical Specialist, spoke on “Fluid Contamination and The Dirty Secret.” 

Posted: November 12th, 2008 under News.

On October 24, Sonnax hosted a visit from Vermont Governor Jim Douglas, who complimented Sonnax on its commitment to keeping jobs in Vermont and using resources from state agencies to grow its business.

(left to right) VT Governor Jim Douglas tours Sonnax with Ben Wallace (Sonnax VP, Supply Chain Management), Tommy Harmon (Sonnax President & CEO), Steve Jaussaud (Sonnax VP, Sales)

Gov. Douglas was impressed to learn how many times Sonnax employees had participated in lean systems training or projects (280) by the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) with additional funding support from the Vermont Department of Economic Development. Gov. Douglas also learned about Sonnax’s “Green Initiatives,” which have allowed Sonnax to allocate funds more productively while benefitting the environment. In the past year Sonnax employees have reduced energy usage by 30% and cut dumpster pickups in half lessening landfill waste. The Governor then toured the nearby Sonnax Distribution and Technical Center (SDTC), during which time he spoke with Sonnax Engineer Jon LeClair about his service in Iraq with the Vermont National Guard.

Gov. Douglas applauded Sonnax for locating the SDTC in Vermont and keeping jobs here, rather than locating elsewhere as was previously considered. Sonnax employees were gratified that the Governor took the time to visit and see how companies like Sonnax contribute to the economic vitality of Vermont. The visit offered the opportunity to highlight how our tax dollars are being used in government-private cooperation to benefit the overall economy, generate jobs as well as support company stability.

Posted: November 7th, 2008 under News.

Sonnax is featured in Transmission Digest ’s October 2008 issue with an inside article and cover photograph of Sonnax products beneath the heading “Responding to Rebuilders.” Interviews with CEO Tommy Harmon and many others at Sonnax, speak to Sonnax’s role in developing unique products for transmission, valve body and torque converter rebuilders along with the development of our new product line areas, driveline and Power Train Savers . The company’s dedication to lean practices, along with its focus on teamwork and getting new product to market quickly are highlighted in the article’s interviews. Transmission Digest is issued monthly and has served the rebuilders, distributors, shop owners and suppliers of the automatic transmission aftermarket for many years.

For the complete article, click here .

Posted: October 24th, 2008 under News.

Automotive aftermarket manufacturer designs failure points out of parts with 3D CAD software.

Oct 14, 2008 8:00:00 AM

Copyright Business Wire 2008

Aftermarket auto transmission components manufacturer Sonnax has standardized on SolidWorks(R) 3D CAD software to re-engineer worn out parts so they are as good or better than the original, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corp. (DS SolidWorks) announced today. Using SolidWorks, Sonnax engineers have become more productive and more creative in their design approaches than with 2D software.

Since 1978, Vermont-based Sonnax has been designing, manufacturing, and distributing replacement components for automatic transmissions, torque converters, drive shafts and related products worldwide for the passenger vehicle, racing and heavy-duty vehicle markets. Precision and durability are critical as its parts are used in rebuilt transmissions which often carry 100,000 mile warranties.

We get worn out parts that we reverse engineer to find out where the part failed," said Steve McAllister, a technical group manager in engineering at Sonnax. "SolidWorks lets us identify the original failure point and design it right out of the product."

For the complete article as it appeared in CBS MarketWatch, click here .

Posted: October 20th, 2008 under News.

Sonnax exhibits at Automechanika Frankfurt am Main (Germany), September 16-21

Joseph Lombardi and Mike DeFelice, International Sales Representatives, Steve Jaussaud, VP Sales, Bob Warnke, VP Tech Development, and CEO Tommy Harmon met with many Sonnax customers and friends from around the world. They discussed the latest Sonnax valve body and torque converter products as well as the challenges due to the dramatic growth in automatic transmissions and emerging distribution networks in various international markets. In addition, Bob met with members of Sonnax’s EuroTASC Force for in-depth technical discussions of new applications, failure modes, complaints and possible product solutions.

Posted: October 7th, 2008 under News, Torque Converter, Transmission Specialties.