Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Steve Rogers |
Edelbrock Appoints New President
Edelbrock has announced the appointment of Steve Rogers to the position of president of Edelbrock LLC. He succeeds Wayne Murray, who will assume the role of chief operating officer. Previously, Rogers was the president and CEO of K&N Engineering Inc., from 2003–2014. At Edelbrock, Rogers will focus on product strategies and marketing initiatives to continue growing the brand. Murray will continue to focus on overseeing Edelbrock’s manufacturing and foundry operations. John Colaianne will remain chief executive officer. Further, along with the entire aftermarket industry, Rogers expressed his sorrow for the recent loss of Vic Edelbrock Jr. He is committed to supporting the legacy for quality products that Edelbrock Jr. and his father built around the brand.
Insane Audio Added to Meyer Distributing’s Line Card
Insane Audio, an American-made audio solution that caters primarily to Jeep enthusiasts, is the latest addition to the 12-volt category at Meyer Distributing. Insane Audio builds in-dash multimedia and navigation solutions for the off-road aftermarket specifically designed for the Jeep JK, Jeep TJ, and Toyota FJ Cruisers.
 Mike Hallmark |
Hellwig Suspension Products Names Mike Hallmark as Marketing and International Sales Manager
Hellwig Products, a manufacturer of sway bars and tow/haul suspension products, has announced that its West Coast and International Sales Manager Mike Hallmark will transition to marketing and international sales manager. In this new capacity, Hallmark will oversee all marketing functions, and will work closely with Hellwig’s agency of record, Kahn Media. As the West Coast and international sales manager, Hallmark has led the company into new segments, such as the Overland market. Hallmark has also pioneered Hellwig’s international expansion into Australia and the Middle East countries through SEMA development conferences. Hallmark brings years of automotive aftermarket experience, working with both Advanced Clutch Technology and T-Rex Grilles prior to joining the Hellwig Suspension Products team.
Royal Purple Synthetic Oil Presents $5,500 Donation Check to Lupus Foundation of America
Royal Purple Synthetic Oil presented the Indiana chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America with a $5,500 donation, June 12. Attending the presentation were J.P. Hyden, marketing and event coordinator at Royal Purple Synthetic Oil; Jason Penix, director, development series, Indy Lights at INDYCAR; John Brunner, Belardi Auto Racing team manager; and Emilee Hunt and Lisa Kelly, representing the Lupus Foundation of America. At the Grand Prix of Indianapolis all 50-plus cars across the Mazda Road to Indy series displayed a decal in support of the Lupus Foundation of America, and a special hashtag—#RaceToEndLupus—was utilized throughout the event. Throughout the weekend, $5,500 was raised, and the check was presented to the Indiana chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America at the organization’s Indiana headquarters.
 The Yokohama Nitro Circus “Get Trucked Up Giveaway” grand prize will be a custom-built, ’17 Ram 2500 Power Wagon Crew Cab 4x4 |
Yokohama Tire to Give Away Custom ’17 Ram 2500 Power Wagon
The Yokohama Nitro Circus “Get Trucked Up Giveaway” grand prize will be a custom-built, ’17 Ram 2500 Power Wagon Crew Cab 4x4 featuring Yokohama’s all-new GEOLANDAR M/T G003 mud-terrain tires. The sweepstakes, in conjunction with Yokohama marketing partner Nitro Circus, runs through October 15. The truck made its debut at the Nitro Circus show in San Diego, and will be on display at all 20 Nitro Circus Live events across the country through the end of September. To enter the contest, visit Yokohama’s website.
HELLA and ZF Form Strategic Partnership
ZF and HELLA are entering into a strategic partnership in which both automotive suppliers will cooperate on sensor technology, particularly for front camera systems, imaging and radar systems. ZF will further strengthen its portfolio as a systems supplier that offers both modern assistance systems and autonomous driving functions, whereas HELLA will drive technological development and benefits from a broader market access. The first joint-development project in camera technology will start immediately, with the objective of a market launch in 2020.
Danielson Fuel Services Joins VP Racing Fuels Retail Brand Program
VP Racing Fuels has introduced Danielson Fuel Services as the newest partner in its retail branding program. Based in Norman, Oklahoma, Danielson supplies 100 independent locations in a region comprised of Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri. In partnering with VP, Danielson is attempting to respond to its dealers in the midst of a changing landscape, according to Steve Hopkins, vice president, fuel operations for Danielson.
DENSO’s Athens and Maryville locations Recognized by the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TGSP) has recognized DENSO’s Athens and Maryville locations for outstanding environmental conservation and vision for creating a sustainable automotive society. A recent article from the Tennessee Green Star Partnership highlighted key environmental initiatives at each facility, including DENSO’s EcoParks and continued focus on recycling, energy management and diverting waste material from landfills. TGSP also recognized how each facility’s environmental efforts align with DENSO’s worldwide Eco-Vision initiative, which provides local facilities with a blueprint to achieve a sustainable automotive society and the decisions to implement non-traditional methods and technologies to improve energy efficiency and waste diversion.
RealTruck Recognized for Mobile Commerce Excellence
RealTruck.com was recently recognized as a finalist in the third annual Internet Retailer Excellence Awards, which highlight outstanding and innovative online retailers and business-to-business e-commerce companies for significant strides made in their nominated category over the past year. Selected by a panel comprised of Internet Retailer senior editors and e-commerce experts, RealTruck joined eBay, Lancôme, and Wayfair as a Mobile Commerce finalist. RealTruck submitted a nomination for the Mobile Commerce award after the website completed a significant mobile website upgrade. The two month-long process included a logo redesign, sleeker and more modern graphics, a more prominent vehicle selector that allows the user to view the most applicable products for their vehicle, inclusion of Pay With Amazon and the redesign of a number of pages guided by heat mapping and A/B testing data.
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