Corky Coker, past SEMA chairman of the Board and president of Coker Tire Company, will speak at the Prayer Breakfast at the 2009 SEMA Show. The breakfast organizers offer a complimentary continental breakfast, an inspirational message and a chance to hang out with Coker and other Christian leaders. The breakfast is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 7:00 a.m.—9:00 a.m, in room N234-N236. For further information, contact Wade Kawasaki.
Vortex Splash Guards Technologies Inc., developers and patent holders of what they say are the world's first aerodynamic (air routing) mud guards, has recently designed an MOU with Papp Plastics to manufacture and distribute to the OEM accounts. Besides the stealth styling, Vortex says the technology affords fuel savings and other performance advantages over existing designs. Vortex partnered with Hopkins Manufacturing in 2007 to service the aftermarket. Hopkins has had great success garnering sales through retailers, such as Oreilly’s, to a recent launch with Pep Boys.
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| Heath Breedlove |
Heath Breedlove joined Beck/Arnley as its new vice president of retail and program group sales. In this position, Breedlove calls on and facilitates sales growth with program groups and retailer customers' businesses. Prior to joining Beck/Arnley, Breedlove served as regional director of store sales for General Parts Inc., where he managed sales activities for more than 20 CARQUEST Auto Parts stores' corporate sales.
Tire Group International (TGI) opened a new sales office in Houston, Texas. The new office is headed by Tom Wilbur, who joins the company with more than 12 years experience in the tire industry.
JATO Dynamics appointed David Di Girolamo to business development manager for the retail sector. Before joining JATO, Di Girolamo was instrumental in the development and management of performance improvement programs for dealers and importers globally, including Volkswagen group, Peugeot and Toyota.
Jotto Desk and SNUGTOP announced a new distribution agreement allowing SNUGTOP to offer the Jotto-Cargo Slide line of cargo management products through its dealer network in conjunction with SNUGTOP products. This agreement fills a distribution gap for Jotto-Cargo Slide on the West Coast while providing new sales opportunities for existing SNUGTOP dealers.
Philips Automotive Lighting North America, a division of Royal Philips Electronics, appointed Dave Illes as its senior sales manager for the North American automotive aftermarket. He will be responsible for all sales channels and customers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Prior to joining Philips, he spent 10 years with Tenneco Inc. working in both Canada and the United States in a variety of sales management and operations roles.