Compiled by SEMA Editors
 The crew at Brake Parts Inc. raised more than $150,000 for the United Way of Greater McHenry County (Illinois) during the company's annual campaign drive. | |
Brake Parts Raises $150,000 for United Way
Brake Parts Inc. (BPI) raised more than $150,000 for the United Way of Greater McHenry County (Illinois) during its annual campaign drive that ran from early October through the end of November. The United Way will use the funds to support 27 local health and human service agencies in the area. Brake Parts matched the initial $75,000 raised by employees for a total donation of more than $150,000. For their part, employees conducted special fundraising projects, many held at the company’s headquarters, such as “Jeans Day,” where employees paid $5 to wear jeans to work. Employees also conducted a raffle, a pizza lunch sale, a bake sale, a computer sale and a brake sale. In addition to the fall campaign, BPI raised money through a car show held in August 2014, with the raffle proceeds benefitting six United Way agencies. The company is also partnering with a United Way agency through a “giving tree” to help families in the McHenry area this holiday season.
Brake Parts has been the largest contributor to the United Way in McHenry County for several years and has received the Landmark Award three times. The Landmark Award was created in 2011 and is reserved for companies who reach an outstanding level of success by raising $100,000 or more during their United Way campaign.
 Rick Stempien | |
Hopkins Names Rick Stempien to Vice President of Sales
Hopkins Manufacturing Corp. has announced the addition of Rick Stempien as vice president of sales. Stempien will lead and direct the sales activities for Hopkins with its leading market positions in the automotive and recreational vehicle aftermarket. Most recently, Stempien was the vice president of sales and marketing for Trico Products Corp. Prior to this, he was the vice president of sales for Fabsol and Holley Performance Products.
Champion Oil Announces RK Motors Charlotte as Newest Master Warehouse
Champion Oil has announced that RK Motors Charlotte is its newest master warehouse distributor featuring Champion Classic and Muscle “Purpose-Built” motor oils. RK Motors Charlotte is a restorer, re-seller and provider of classic, muscle and high-performance cars. The company was created in 2010 when Robert Kauffman, founder of RK Collection and co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, and Joseph M. Carroll, founder of Best of Show Automotive, leveraged their success and experience to create RK Motors Charlotte.
Champion Classic and Muscle motor oils are designed to meet the demands of contemporary and retrospective performance gasoline engines, especially carbureted vehicles that have flat tappet, roller cams and/or high-pressure valve springs. Champion utilizes its ZDDP anti-wear protection package, which contains high levels of premium zinc, moly, calcium, sodium and phosphorus. Champion Classic and Muscle oils contain Thermal Viscosity Stabilizer (TVS) technology, which, according to the company, delivers film strength at high temperatures, better piston ring seal for maximum compression and increases horsepower and torque in most engines.
 Randy George | |
Betts Co. Welcomes Randy George as Marketing Manager
Randy George, a marketing and sales professional with more than 20 years of experience, has joined Betts Co. as marketing manager. George is responsible for the execution of all marketing communications activities for Betts Co. and its three divisions—BettsHD, Betts Spring Manufacturing and Betts Truck Parts & Service.
Before joining Betts Co., George was business development/senior account executive for Bixly—a software and web application development firm based in Fresno, California. George earned a B.S. degree in international business from California State University, Fresno.
 In 2015, Avery Dennison will offer 10 workshops and certification programs across the United States and Canada. | |
Avery Dennison Announces 2015 Car Wrap Training Courses and Schedule
Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions has announced the Avery Dennison hands-on car wrap workshops and certification programs 2015 schedule. With programs scheduled in 17 cities in the United States and Canada, car wrap installers can enhance or test their skills by attending the Avery Dennison/Mutoh Car Wrap Training courses, Supreme Wrapping Film Workshops and the Avery Dennison Certification Test. Master installer Justin Pate will teach all the car wrap installation workshops.
The Avery Dennison/Mutoh Wrap Training is a two-day course, recommended for basic- to intermediate-skilled vehicle wrap installers. The wrap training course focuses on full-print commercial wraps using Avery Dennison MPI 1005 Supercast Easy Apply RS. Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions will offer a 10-class wrap training schedule in 2015.
The Avery Dennison Supreme Wrapping Film Workshop is a one-day course for intermediate to advanced wrap installers. The workshop focuses on installation techniques for Avery Dennison Supreme Wrapping Films and Conform Chrome Accent Films. A complete car wrap training schedule of the 12 classes is available for installers to pick and choose their sessions.
The Avery Dennison Certification Test is open to all installers; attending an Avery Dennison wrap class is not required to take the exam. Avery Dennison Certified Wrap Installers receive a free listing on Avery Dennison’s “Find an Installer” directory. In addition, an Avery Dennison Certified Wrap Installer will receive a full marketing package for their shop and for themselves to showcase their certification in marketing efforts and to customers.
Installers can register for car wrap classes and participants can submit questions or requests to grpd.technicalservice@averydennison.com prior to the class explaining specific areas of interest and what they want to learn.
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