Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Nick Tucci |
Avery Dennison Appoints Nick Tucci Vice President and General Manager, Label and Graphic Materials, North America
Avery Dennison has announced it has made Nick Tucci vice president and general manager, label and graphic materials (LGM), North America. In this role, Tucci will provide leadership and strategic vision for the North America region. He will also continue his current role as vice president, sales, LGM, while searching for his replacement. Tucci has 22 years of experience with Avery Dennison. Since 1994, he has held leadership positions in finance, marketing, procurement, and was the general manager and vice president of the Reflective Solutions business, where he was recognized as leader of the year in 2015.
Dee Zee Adds Wes-Coast Marketing as New Rep Agency
Dee Zee Inc. has announced the addition of Wes-Coast Marketing as the rep agency covering California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. Wes-Coast Marketing services the automotive aftermarket in 13 western states and western Canada, has been selected as a finalist for SEMA Rep of the Year, and is a member of Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) [now called “Custom Automotive Network”], SEMA and SEMA’s Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN).
 Bill McLaughlin |
Covercraft Hires Bill McLaughlin as Southeastern Sales Manager
Covercraft has announced the addition of sales veteran Bill McLaughlin as the new southeastern sales manager. He will cover the southern part of the United States, from the Atlantic coast through Texas, and handle both aftermarket and distribution accounts in the territory. McLaughlin is a veteran of more than 20 years in the softgoods industry, last serving as the regional director of stores for the Samsonite Corp.
AAM Selects GCommerce to Implement and Manage EDI Connectivity Functions
The AAM Group has chosen GCommerce to implement electronic data interchange (EDI) between the group’s warehouse distribution members and its manufacturing suppliers. The decision aims to reduce communication friction between stakeholders in order to effect increased sales for all parties. Enhancements will include simplified order entry and error reduction at the WD level and faster vendor responses relating to transit, invoicing, accounts payable and more. In support of the initiative, GCommerce, a provider of cost-effective, cloud-based technology solutions to the vehicle aftermarket, will communicate with AAM Group suppliers to facilitate onboarding, mapping, testing and implementation of electronic documents. GCommerce’s single-integration architecture will operate despite any differences in technology platforms, document formats or IT protocols.
The Valspar Corp. Expands Production Capacity for Automotive Refinish Coatings
The Valspar Corp. has expanded production capacity of its automotive refinish coatings products at U.S.-based manufacturing facilities. Recent technology and equipment upgrades at locations in Garland, Texas, and Pittsburgh have significantly increased manufacturing volumes, and filling and storage capacity for select brands within the Valspar Automotive portfolio. Expansions at the Garland and Pittsburgh sites represent a $10 million project—the largest of its kind by Valspar Automotive to date. The added production capacity will result in a 200% increase in output of automotive refinish brands. As a result of both east and west expansion projects, Valspar Automotive has not only increased production in North America, but also storage space by approximately 300%. The sites’ expansion is part of the final stages of integrating the automotive refinish coatings business of Quest Specialty Chemicals, which Valspar acquired in June 2015. Valspar has consolidated all of its automotive coatings research and development, manufacturing and distribution at three “Centers of Excellence” — Garland, Pittsburgh and Massillon, Ohio.
 This year’s report shows record results in all areas of CSR measured by Hypertherm, including community engagement, environmental impact and associate well-being. |
Hypertherm Shares 2016 Progress on Social and Environmental Goals in New CSR Report
Hypertherm has announced the release of its annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report. This year’s report shows record results in all areas of CSR measured by Hypertherm, including community engagement, environmental impact and associate well-being. For 2016, nearly 85% of associates volunteered, spending an average of more than 16 hours, or the equivalent of two working days, in the community. Of those, more than 500 associates, or approximately 45%, served at least 24 hours, the maximum number covered under Hypertherm’s paid time-off program last year. In addition to its volunteer program, Hypertherm provided support to nonprofits through its Hypertherm Owners’ Philanthropic Endeavors (HOPE) foundation. In all, the organization provided funding to 132 organizations, 25 more than the previous year. Last year also saw gains when regarding the company’s environmental goals with Hypertherm diverting a record amount of waste from landfills. The company credits improved partnerships with its supply chain and its regional recycling center with helping it divert more than 2,500 tons of waste. As a result, 2.5% of waste generated by Hypertherm in 2016 went to a landfill, bringing the company ever closer to its goal of zero landfill waste by 2020. In 2016, Hypertherm had a safety incidence rate of 1.8% compared with an industry average of 4%, and announced that seven of its eight U.S. manufacturing locations are now OSHA VPP Star worksites. The company also reports lower than expected health-plan costs, fewer family medical leave and disability claims, and a 35% increase in the number of associates receiving primary care through one of Hypertherm’s on-site primary care clinics. Read the full report.
 Champion Oil will display a special limited-edition 50th Anniversary Shelby Super Snake Mustang GT at the 2017 SEMA Show in Booth #24423. |
Champion Oil to Display 50th Anniversary Shelby Super Snake at 2017 SEMA Show
Champion Oil will display a special limited-edition 50th Anniversary Shelby Super Snake Mustang GT at the 2017 SEMA Show in Booth #24423. Five decades after the first “Super Snake” came out of the factory, Shelby American Inc. is commemorating the anniversary of the legendary Shelby Super Snake Mustang. The new Shelby Super Snake marks a significant next chapter in the company’s history. “We compared the groundbreaking ’67 and ’07 model Super Snakes to other cars of their era when setting the performance parameters for our anniversary model,” said Gary Patterson, Shelby American president. “The new Shelby Super Snake matches those cars’ competitive advantages. The newest Super Snake is both extraordinarily fast and a thrill to drive. In a world filled with sterile cars, it’s a throwback to a time when people enjoyed driving.”
 Robin Krimminger |
Robin Krimminger Joins Ranch Hand as Outside Sales Representative
Robin Krimminger has joined Ranch Hand as outside sales representative for the North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia areas. She has worked closely with national and regional automotive aftermarket warehouses for more than 15 years. Her experience includes sales, business development and market launch, and trend analysis.
Gold Eagle Co. Receives Honda Supplier Performance Award for 10th Consecutive Year
Gold Eagle Co. has announced it has been named a recipient of the Honda Supplier Performance Award for a 10th consecutive year for its outstanding service delivered to American Honda Service Parts. Acknowledging its network of more than 600 OEM and service parts suppliers in North America, Honda recognized top-performing companies for excellence in key areas of operation, including quality, value, efficiency and delivery.
VP Racing Fuels Partners With CANUSA Automotive Warehousing Inc.
VP Racing Fuels Inc. has announced an agreement with London, Ontario, Canada-based CANUSA Automotive Warehousing Inc. to stock VP’s full line of products in CANUSA’s chain of APC Auto Parts Centre stores. There are 45 APC stores in south and central Ontario, each of which will carry VP Racing Fuels, VP Small Engine Fuels, VP Madditives and VP Motorsport Containers.
 Prestone’s custom-yellow ’71 De Tomaso Pantera built by Ringbrothers will join the Hot Rod Power Tour. |
Prestone Brings Iconic Vehicles to Hot Rod Power Tour
Prestone Products Corp. will join this year’s Hot Rod Power Tour for the first time in the company’s 90-year history. Prestone’s custom-yellow ’71 De Tomaso Pantera built by Ringbrothers will lead the way as the tour kicks off in Kansas City, Missouri. Prestone will also take a classic ’69 Chevrolet Camaro along on the tour. In addition to offering fluids to protect tour-participant engines, Prestone will also give away several prizes and a variety of Prestone swag to drivers and spectators. At all seven stops on the tour, the company will offer commemorative license plate magnets, each notating the date and location of the respective checkpoints. Joining Prestone on its high-performance journey is former Vice President of Operations at Lingenfelter Performance Engineering Mike Copeland and Owner of Stoner’s Speed Shop Blake Stoner. Hot Rod Power Tour participants are encouraged to post pictures of their vehicles with the hashtag #RunningOnPrestone for a chance to win special prizes from the Prestone trailer.
 Kevin Cornelius |
Industry Expert Joins Grote Business Development
Grote Industries has hired Kevin Cornelius as a new business-development manager for Harness and Power Delivery. With a background in manufacturing, design and operations, Cornelius will be responsible for managing Grote’s Power Delivery product lines, including developing and launching all new-product projects and direct growth.
“CURT Group” Announced as New Name for CURT Family of Brands
CURT has unveiled “CURT Group” as its new corporate name. The new name is part of a developing brand strategy designed to help distinguish the company’s individual brand identities, while communicating its effectiveness as a unified family of brands. CURT Group encompasses CURT, ARIES, LUVERNE Truck Equipment and RETRAC. Each of these brands offers products that appeal to different consumer preferences. Under the umbrella of CURT Group, they will maintain their separate identities and continue to specialize in their own unique product categories.
Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.