Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Joe Sebergandio |
Motor Media Inc. Selected to Represent TEN’s Roadkill Brand
Motor Media Inc. has been selected to direct the sales efforts of TEN: The Enthusiast Network’s Roadkill brand, which delivers a one-of-a-kind taste of “Automotive Chaos Theory,” and features authentic gearheads David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan in a variety of mediums, including a YouTube automotive original series, two Roadkill Nights-branded events, a quarterly magazine and social media outlets. In addition, the brand-new series “Roadkill Garage” is now available on Motor Trend OnDemand. Joe Sebergandio, owner of Motor Media Inc. (MMI), has represented TEN for a number of years independently selling print, digital, and event-related opportunities within the automotive aftermarket. Prior to establishing MMI in 2005, Sebergandio worked at Petersen Publishing Co., eMap and Primedia as a publisher of many titles, including 4-Wheel & Off-Road and Sport Truck magazines, and also served as vice president of automotive events during his more than 20-year tenure there.
 Three generations of Hellwigs. |
Hellwig Products Celebrates 70th Anniversary
Hellwig Products is celebrating its 70th year in business. Hellwig was founded in 1946 after the Second World War and has remained family owned and operated to this day, manufacturing all of its steel products in California’s Central Valley. Hellwig’s expansive line of load and sway-control products can be found on everything from musclecars to trucks, military vehicles and RVs. Don Hellwig’s son Mark joined the family business in the ’60s and is currently president of the company. Melanie Hellwig White came to the business after gaining experience in other industries, and now holds the title of vice president. Hellwig has grown to become an industry-leading manufacturer of suspension products. The company began manufacturing sway bars in the ’70s, which now account for a majority of its sales, and has also leveraged its manufacturing expertise to build a private label and OEM division. In 2006, air suspension was introduced and added another dimension to Hellwig’s towing and hauling product line. Today, Hellwig offers suspension components for a variety of on-road and off-road vehicles. All Hellwig Products are made in the United States and come with a lifetime warranty on all steel parts.
PPG Refinish Continues Its Commitment to Training
While more than 16,600 students participated in PPG Automotive Refinish’s product, distributor and MVP training courses in 2015, PPG foresees an ongoing need to keep its customers and business partners up to date in all matters concerning collision refinish and commercial coatings. To address the challenge, the company will offer an expanded array of classes throughout 2016, with subjects ranging from basic and advanced product line training to custom painting techniques, business management, shop operations and customer service. Courses will be available in 16 state-of-the-art PPG Business Development Centers in the United States and Canada. Specific locations are being upgraded with new equipment and remodeled to accommodate the increased demand. PPG trainers will also travel to numerous vocational schools, PPG distributors and other PPG-affiliated locations across North America. Class schedules will continue to be announced throughout the year.
 Brian Altenberger |
Brian Altenberger Joins TI Automotive as Director, North American Aftermarket
TI Automotive has announced the appointment of Brian Altenberger as director, North America aftermarket. Altenberger will be responsible for North American sales, product management, marketing and business development, and will report to David Barbeau, managing director of global aftermarket at TI Automotive. Before joining TI Automotive, Altenberger spent 16 years with Delphi Product & Service Solutions in a variety of leadership roles, including his most recent assignment as director of North America marketing and service. Before that, he spent 10 years at Federal-Mogul Corp. and four years at Unisys Corp. Altenberger replaces Doug Thomson, who recently retired from TI Automotive after a distinguished career in the automotive aftermarket that included leadership posts at Federal-Mogul Corp. and Sloan Transportation Products. Altenberger is a former chairman and vice chairman of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Marketing Executives Council.
Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. Partners With DECKED
During the past year, Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. partnered with DECKED—a manufacturer of in-vehicle storage systems for trucks and cargo vans—as an important distributor in Canada, and now is delivering to U.S. customers. Contractors, outdoorsmen and commercial fleet operators are the core customers of DECKED products.
 Excelsior Comp H tires feature a European-style “triple-stud” tread pattern, and they are available in a wide range of sizes to fit rim diameters from 18 to 21 in. |
Excelsior Named the Recommended Tire for Pur Sang
Recently, Pur Sang selected Excelsior Comp H tires as the recommended tire choice for all Pur Sang T-Series builds (including T13, T35B, T35T, T37A, T43, T51 and T55), owned by the likes of Jay Leno and many other collectors. This exclusive agreement is based on the quality, authenticity and service associated with the Excelsior brand and its parent company, Coker Group. While Pur Sang has a United States presence, many of its customers and clients are based in other parts of the world, and the same can be said for Coker Group.
Excelsior Comp H tires feature a European-style “triple-stud” tread pattern, and they are available in a wide range of sizes to fit rim diameters from 18 to 21 in. Excelsior is the only full line of vintage-style racing tires to feature DOT and ECE approval. The tires feature an H-speed rating (130 mph) and eligibility in both FIA and VSCC racing organizations. Original fitments, such as 4.50-19, are included in the Excelsior tire product line but many racing enthusiasts increase sizing to enhance performance. Excelsior tires are available in many sizes to provide options for all types of street and race applications.
“We’re proud to be working closely with such an esteemed group of folks at Pur Sang.” said Coker Group President Wade Kawasaki. “The workmanship that goes into these cars is outstanding, and we’re thrilled to be the exclusive tire supplier for a company that takes pride in every nut and bolt that goes into a build. We take that same type of pride with our Excelsior tires, in addition to all of the tires and wheels within the Coker Group.”
Dee Zee Supports the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation “Awareness” Support Program
Dee Zee Inc. has announced its support of the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF), which is dedicated solely to helping members of the automotive aftermarket industry and their families. For more than 50 years, the AACF has assisted numerous individuals and families of the automotive aftermarket industry who have fallen on hard times due to a death, catastrophic accident or illness leading to financial or emotional hardship.
 Ryan Feyer |
Ryan Feyer Named Marketing Manager, Air Lift Co. Load Support Division
Air Lift Co. has promoted Ryan Feyer to marketing manager of its Load Support Division. Feyer will be responsible for developing and executing the marketing strategy behind Air Lift’s load support brand. Feyer has been with Air Lift since 2012, when he joined the company as an Internet marketing manager. Prior to working at Air Lift Co., he served as a website administrator at Vertafore in East Lansing for three years.
WELD Participates in KC World of Wheels Student Career Day
Keith Kern, general manager of CCW Forged Performance, a WELD brand, helped educate more than 500 students on careers in the performance aftermarket industry during Student Career Day at the KC World of Wheels in February. Student Career Day is an initiative to support the automotive educational programs at schools by exposing students to the wide range of opportunities in the industry through speakers, corporate support and event participation. Kern was among several industry guest speakers and told students that it’s an ideal time to start a career in manufacturing. He also told students that the performance aftermarket is booming, and a significant sector of the U.S. economy, employing more than 4.3 million people. He also explained that industry sales in 2015 totaled $340.9 billion—a 3.9% increase over the previous year—contributing more than 2.3% of the U.S. gross domestic product.
DEI Announces Inaugural Cruise-In Custom Car Show Event
Design Engineering Inc. (DEI) has announced the company’s inaugural Cruise-In car show planned for Saturday, June 18, at the company’s headquarters in Avon Lake, Ohio. The show will bring some of the area’s most exciting custom cars and hot rods to DEI as part of the 2016 Cruisin’ Times Lucky 7 Road Show.
Women’s Automotive Association International Announces 2016 Spirit of Leadership Honorees
Five exceptional female business leaders have been selected to receive the 2016 Spirit of Leadership Award presented annually by the Women’s Automotive Association International (WAAI) in recognition of professional accomplishments, community involvement, and contributions to the growth and progress of the automotive industry. The award was established in 1999 to honor women in the automotive industry who have achieved noteworthy accomplishments in their profession, community and family, and who have served as role models and mentors, noted WAAI Founder and CEO Lorraine Schultz. This year’s honorees include Mandi Fang, vice president of product management, vAuto; Kathy Gilbert, director, sales and business development, CDK Global; Shellie Medici, commodity manager, FCA; Michelle Primm, managing partner, Cascade Auto Group; and Christy Roman, founder, Women in Automotive Conference. The women will be honored at the 18th annual Spirit of Leadership Awards Reception, Saturday, April 2, from 5:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m., at The D Hotel in Las Vegas. The reception, hosted by WAAI and presenting sponsor Cox Automotive, will be held in conjunction with the NADA Convention. For additional information, email Lynn Wilhelm or visit www.waai.com.
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