By SEMA Editors
Bully Dog and SCT Merge
 The Bully Dog and SCT merger has resulted in one company dedicated to providing effective software solutions that optimize performance across a large number of vehicle types. | |
SCT Holdings (SCT) announced the acquisition of Bully Dog, an industry leader in full-featured automotive calibration solutions for the truck aftermarket. The combined company will provide customers with effective software solutions to optimize performance across an unprecedented number of vehicle types.
“Combining the strengths of these two leading companies will expand our vehicle coverage and accelerate our international growth in both the performance and fleet segments,” said Lisa Schule, managing director of GEF, a global investment firm that invested in SCT in 2013. “Bully Dog and SCT’s complimentary software will be a crucial part of new technology advances in vehicles as they become more intelligent, fuel efficient and powerful.”
“There are many synergies between both companies, and our combined performance and fleet customers will see the direct benefits: more products for more vehicles with more features sold in more places in the months to come,” said Rick Trudo, CEO of SCT. “With Bully Dog’s vast vehicle coverage, we can offer our customers calibration solutions for even more vehicle applications.”
According to Bully Dog’s COO, Daryl Klassen, “SCT’s calibrations and custom tuning software are second to none. Merging with SCT will allow us to take advantage of these strengths and take our products to the next level.”
Over the coming months there will be a comprehensive integration for employees, customers and suppliers. New features and products will be rolling out through the course of 2014. Cascadia Capital, a Seattle-based investment bank, acted as the sole financial advisor to Bully Dog in this transaction.
Launch of Kit Car Builder Digital Version
  Steve Temple (left) will serve as publisher/editor for the new digital version of Kit Car Builder, and Larry Weiner (right) of Performance West Group will help lead the magazine's editorial and marketing. | |
The new digital version of Kit Car Builder magazine will officially launch with the March/April 2014 issue. Recently purchased by SCT Communications Inc. from the National Kit Car Club, Kit Car Builder joins the growing number of publications that have converted from print to a digital platform.
A user-friendly, magazine-format version of Kit Car Builder will be sent directly to more than 50,000 enthusiasts via e-mail free of charge. The frequency and package of the magazine will increase, and the content of the Kit Car Builder website will be significantly increased to include video, detailed tech and expanded event coverage. Free subscriptions are available at www.kitcarclub.com. Advertisers will also benefit from the cost savings of the digital format with new, lower rates.
The new publisher/editor is Steve Temple, who is very familiar with the kit industry and has served as marketing director of Kit Car Builder for the past 12 years. He replaces the magazine's founder and previous owner, Jim Youngs, who will be on the masthead as editor emeritus, and provide his decades of publishing experience and firsthand knowledge of the kit industry.
Larry Weiner of Performance West Group joined the editorial and marketing team. Weiner is the editor of Pentatstar Power, a digital magazine that is mailed out monthly to MOPAR enthusiasts of all ages, covering every era of Chrysler cars and trucks, and in particular Mr. Norm's GSS performance vehicles from the ’60s through the current models. Look for the first digital edition of Kit Car Builder magazine in early March.
ACAT Global Hires Darrell Blackburn as VP of Purchasing and Global Supply Chain
Advanced Clean Air Technologies Global (ACAT) has hired Darrell Blackburn—a purchasing/supply chain specialist for nearly three decades in the automotive and defense industries—as vice president of purchasing and global supply chain.
Blackburn joins ACAT after handling global supply chain operations for companies including Raytheon and Delphi/General Motors. His new position at ACAT will develop and direct the global supply chain operations and materials group, including personnel management, systems development, purchasing and inventory of raw materials, vendor negotiations and selection and distribution of finished goods.
Goodguys Season Kicks-off in Scottsdale
 Goodguys Rod & Custom Association will kick off its 2014 season, March 7–9, at Westworld in Scottsdale, Arizona, with the fifth Spring Nationals. | |
After a three-month winter break, Goodguys Rod & Custom Association will kick off its 2014 season March 7–9, at Westworld in Scottsdale, Arizona, with the fifth Spring Nationals. The three-day event—the first of 19 events on the 2014 Goodguy's event schedule—features a Show & Shine with more than 2,500 cars, vendor exhibits, a large swap meet, a car corral and more.
The Goodguys AutoCross will pick up right where it left off last November. It was in Scottsdale that Cleveland’s Danny Popp won the Goodguys AutoCross Finals Shootout in his ’72 Corvette, beating the best 24 cars in the country. The Finals Shootout returns this season with an expanded 32-car field, the first finalist to be determined at the season-opening Spring Nationals.
While the fifth Spring Nationals is the lid-lifter, the Goodguys 2014 event season has a lot in store, highlighted by the 17th annual Goodguys PPG Nationals, July 11–13, 2014 in Columbus, Ohio. A new three-event series called the “Goodguys All American Nationals” will welcome all years, makes and models of American-made or American-powered show cars, opening the gates to generations of new Goodguys event participants and enthusiasts!
For more information on the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association and its events, visit www.good-guys.com.
Vogue Tyre Acquires E&G Classics
Vogue Tyre & Rubber Co. acquired certain assets of E&G Classics, forming a new, separate company: E&G Corp. LLC. According to both companies, the combination of E&G and Vogue positions both companies for substantial growth.
“Partnering with E&G is a great opportunity for Vogue Tyre, E&G and our collective customers,” said Greg Hathcock, president of Vogue Tyre and Rubber. “We know that combining the strengths of both organizations will allow both companies to provide better service and support to our customers. It’s great that we can celebrate our 100th anniversary by aligning with E&G.”
General Manager of E&G Classics Lynn Eash stated, “We are excited to be working with Vogue Tyre and its 100-year history of providing products to the most discerning customers. E&G’s expertise in manufacturing and design aligns very well with Vogue Tyre’s strengths in the areas of marketing, sales and distribution. We are re-energized and refocused on growing our custom grille and ground effects businesses.”
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