By SEMA Editors
 Marie Yeager |
CRP Automotive Names Marie Yeager as Product Manager for Pentosin and Ajusa
CRP Automotive has announced the appointment of Marie Yeager as product manager for the Pentosin and Ajusa brands. In this role, Yeager will be responsible for managing product-line lifecycles, from strategic planning to tactical activities, developing product sales and providing technical support as a subject-matter expert. Prior to joining CRP, Yeager spent 11 years as a product manager with Elementis Specialties, where she was also responsible for product lifecycle management, new-product forecasting, product development, analysis and marketing.
American National Carbide Celebrates 40 Years of ERP Loyalty With Global Shop Solutions
Global Shop Solutions, a global producer of ERP software for manufacturers, has announced that American National Carbide (ANC), a make-to-order manufacturer of tungsten carbide products, recently passed the 40-year mark as a loyal Global Shop Solutions customer. According Global Shop Solutions, ANC has yielded ongoing improvements in virtually every area of the business, including inventory and scheduling, 95% on-time delivery rates, significant reductions in labor costs and customer retention.
 Kahn Media will handle public relations and specific marketing campaigns for the ClassicCars.com team with an emphasis on expanding the brand’s mainstream appeal and reach with various men’s lifestyle outlets. |
ClassicCars.com Selects Kahn Media as Agency of Record
Kahn Media has been selected as the agency of record for ClassicCars.com—a web portal for the classic car hobby and industry. ClassicCars.com is a destination for those looking to purchase a classic automobile with a database of vehicles currently for sale and automotive market and technical knowledge provided by journalists and experts. Kahn Media will handle public relations and specific marketing campaigns for the ClassicCars.com team with an emphasis on expanding the brand’s mainstream appeal and reach with various men’s lifestyle outlets, both online and in print through content syndication. Kahn Media will work with the ClassicCars.com editorial and data teams to report market shifts and predictions, share interesting trends and connect the mainstream media with experts on the collector car lifestyle.
Home Service Oil Signs on With VP Racing Fuels Retail Branding Program
VP Racing Fuels Inc. has introduced Home Service Oil as its newest partner in VP’s national retail branding program. A wholesale fuel distributor based in Barnhart, Missouri, Home Service owns and operates nine Express Mart c-stores and supplies 60 other retail sites across Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois. Home Service is in the process of reimagining its first site with the VP brand in Piedmont, Missouri, and anticipates having four more sites converted by year’s end.
National Performance Warehouse Announces Its First Acquisition of 2017; Names Race Fittings Solutions Service Area Retailer of the Year
National Performance Warehouse (NPW) has announced its first acquisition for 2017 by its purchase of the Key Line Automotive operations. The deal closed March 1. When the deal is complete, NPW will have three distribution centers in Utah and Idaho and 17 Auto Value stores. Key Line Automotive was founded in 1968 by Don Robinson as the first automotive parts distributor in the Idaho Falls area. In 1991, Dee and Kristi Sucher purchased the business from Robinson.
In addition, NPW, in conjunction with Parts Pro, recently named Race Fittings Solutions of Hialeah, Florida, Retailer of the Year at its January 29 FAST Expo event held at the Miami Airport Convention Center. NPW, an AAM Group member warehouse distributor that sells both traditional and performance parts, maintains 12 stocking locations and is headquartered in Miami.
TEN Announces Appointment of John Viscardo as General Manager of Car Craft
TEN: The Enthusiast Network has announced the appointment of John Viscardo as general manager of Car Craft. In his new role, Viscardo’s primary responsibilities include enhancing the relationship between the Car Craft brand and its audience and driving content strategy across digital, social, video, print and event sponsorship. Viscardo will also continue in his current role as general manager of Circle Track—a position in which he has been successful extending the brand’s content into new media platforms.
 Desia Anderson |
Desia Anderson, Erik Umscheid Join Ranch Hand as Outside Sales Representatives
Desia Anderson and Erik Umscheid have joined Ranch Hand as outside sales representatives. Anderson will cover the Northwest region, including Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, California, Oregon, Washington State, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico and West Texas, while Umscheid will cover East Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. Anderson has worked closely with national and regional automotive aftermarket warehouses for 15 years. Her experience includes sales, product training and customer service. She specializes in strong relationship building with customers and vendors. Umscheid’s career in aftermarket truck accessories spans nearly two decades. His accountabilities have included general manager and owner of a truck accessory shop, sales rep for a regional distributor and running an e-commerce website.
Lund International Acquires RoadWorks
Lund International has announced it has acquired substantially all of the assets of RoadWorks Manufacturing Inc.—a manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket accessories to the heavy truck market. Operations will continue to be conducted from RoadWorks’ existing facility in Lafayette, Indiana, and its employees will join the Lund International team. Regions Business Capital, as administrative agent, along with a syndicate of participating lenders, provided senior financing. Fifth Third Securities Inc. acted as exclusive financial advisor to RoadWorks Manufacturing Inc. on its sale to Lund International.
 Vahé Michaelian |
Vahé Michaelian Rejoins 1-800EveryRim – OEM Wheels
After graduating from San Diego State University with a degree in environmental science in 2014, Vahé Michaelian rejoined 1-800EveryRim – OEM Wheels, where he had previously worked part-time. In 2016, he was promoted to warehouse manager. In December 2016, at the age of 24, Vahé became the youngest board member ever to serve the California Tire Dealers Association. He is also active in his charity organization, The Trex Fraternity of California, and was recognized as Junior Trexman of the year 2014.
 Chuck Kenney |
DEI Appoints Chuck Kenney to Lead Sales for Boom Mat
DEI Vice President of Sales and Marketing Tom Miller has named Chuck Kenney as the company’s 12-volt sales manager—a newly created position. A 30-year veteran of the electronics industry, he is responsible for overseeing sales, distribution and profits for Boom Mat, DEI’s acoustic brand. With expertise in account management and team development, Kenney has been selected to grow the Boom Mat brand in the 12-volt market, to solidify and further develop DEI’s heat- and sound-control product distribution and sales and to explore new market opportunities in the home theater, trailer, RV, commercial work truck and marine industries. He will be the primary contact for trade and distributor shows and will be integral in the selection of sponsored project-car builders to represent the Boom Mat brand under Team DEI. As the former national sales manager for Epsilon Electronics, Kenney handled national accounts and was responsible for domestic sales. In this and prior positions as regional sales manager for Audiovox Electronics and general manager of Lesco Distributing, he was responsible for working with program distribution groups, developing and managing a strong team of manufacturer representatives and generating sales with retailers, including Wal-Mart, Target Stores and Best Buy. Kenney will work remotely from his home in Texas and report directly to Miller.
Highlander Partners Acquires Controlling Interest in Hi-Tech Industries
Highlander Partners L.P. has announced the acquisition of Hi-Tech Industries Inc.—a provider of a full line of professional car-care product accessories and specialty aerosols to the automotive appearance industry. Hi-Tech will operate through a holding company owned by Highlander that has various investments in automotive appearance and maintenance products. The business will continue to operate autonomously, and all operations will remain unchanged and continue to be conducted from Hi-Tech’s two facilities in Farmington and Southfield, Michigan, where all manufacturing and distribution takes place. The business will continue to be led by Hi-Tech's current CEO Herschel Wright.
 The Goodguys–Austin Hatcher Foundation partnership will kick off at the season-opening Goodguys 8th Spring Nationals, March 10–12, at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona. |
AutoCross for Kids and Goodguys Rod and Custom Association Join With the Austin Hatcher Foundation
Goodguys Rod and Custom Association and The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer have partnered again in 2017 to raise funds and awareness for the foundation’s mission to erase the effects of pediatric cancer for patients, survivors and their families. The partnership will provide the foundation with opportunities to educate both children and adults about healthy lifestyles that prevent cancer, and provide much-needed therapies in a variety of cities throughout the United States. This year, the Austin Hatcher Foundation is commemorating its 10-year anniversary. During the first decade, they have provided services to approximately 70,000 children and their family members across 28 states and 38 hospitals. Goodguys Rod and Custom Association will work in conjunction with the foundation at several Goodguys shows during 2017. Association members and show attendees will have opportunities to contribute to the effort through donations and volunteering for some of the program’s initiatives. The AutoCross for Kids will offer Goodguys car show attendees opportunities at selected shows a chance to ride with Pro AutoCross competitors on a specially-prepared closed performance AutoCross course in exchange for a specified donation to the Austin Hatcher Foundation. The partnership will kick off at the season-opening Goodguys 8th Spring Nationals, March 10–12, at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, and be held at several events throughout the Goodguys 2017 event schedule.
Tenneco Launches Monroe “Feel the Difference” Consumer Promotion
This spring, Tenneco’s Monroe shocks and struts brand is rewarding consumers for their purchases of qualifying Monroe and Rancho ride-control products with Visa Prepaid cards worth up to $100 through the “Feel the Difference” mail-in rebate promotion, running now through April 30, 2017. The spring promotion coincides with the launch of the new “Feel the Difference” Guarantee, available now on qualifying premium Monroe ride-control products. The Feel the Difference Guarantee is a comprehensive, risk-free consumer offer designed to enable service providers to promise ride-control customers that they will feel a positive difference in handling and overall ride quality or receive their money back. Rebate submissions must be postmarked no later than May 31, 2017. Qualifying purchases available through the promotion include Monroe OESpectrum shock absorbers and struts, Monroe Quick-Strut replacement assemblies, Monroe Reflex shocks and struts and Monroe Gas-Magnum shock absorbers. Visit www.monroe.com for more details and products covered by the guarantee.
Win a 2018 Mustang GT in Mustang 5.0 Fever Sweepstakes Presented by Motorcraft
One winner will drive away with an ’18 Ford Mustang GT, plus $5,000 in Ford Performance Parts in the eighth-annual Mustang 5.0 Fever Sweepstakes Presented by Motorcraft. Contestants 18 years or older can enter online for a chance to win at www.Mustang50Fever.com now through December 1, 2017, or at Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing’s midway display at select Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races and automotive and Ford enthusiast events. Entries are limited to one per person. In 2016, more than 194,000 entered the contest, and Robin Staudte of Lemon Grove, California, was last year’s winner. She took delivery of her magnetic metallic Mustang GT with black interior from Penske Ford in La Mesa, Saturday, February 25.
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