Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Jason Snyder |
Jason Snyder Joins R&R Marketing Consultants as Western Region Sales Director
R&R Marketing Consultants Inc., a leader in professional sales and marketing representation in the automotive aftermarket, has announced the recent hire of Jason Snyder as its newly appointed western region sales director. He will be responsible for leading the R&R sales team and customer relationship strategies for 13 states and two Canadian territories. Snyder joins R&R Marketing Consultants with more than two decades of experience in the automotive space, spending the previous six years as vice president of Power Automedia LLC. Prior to that, Snyder spent eight years in various roles with Edelbrock LLC, including national sales manager and vice president of marketing. He has also served as a buyer and sales manager for Ohio-based Pace Performance.
The Classic Auto Show Selects Kahn Media as Agency of Record
Kahn Media has been selected as the agency of record for the second annual Classic Auto Show (CAS), which will return to the Los Angeles Convention Center, March 2–4, 2018. The event will feature an array of classic cars and trucks, appearances by automotive celebrities and restoration and auto detailing demonstrations. Kahn Media will handle public relations and specific marketing campaigns for the CAS team with an emphasis on expanding the show’s mainstream appeal and reach.
 4 Wheel Parts opened the doors to its newly relocated and remodeled 60,000-sq.-ft. location in Indianapolis last Saturday. |
4 Wheel Parts Relaunches Indianapolis Retail Store
4 Wheel Parts opened the doors to its newly relocated and remodeled 60,000-sq.-ft. location in Indianapolis last Saturday, September 16. Representatives from many of the industry’s leading manufacturers, such as Rubicon Express, Poison Spyder, G2 Axle and Gear, Pro Comp, Polaris, Wheel Pros and BFGoodrich, offered product displays and demonstrations. Off-road enthusiasts from throughout the region joined in the celebration, including members of the Mutiny Off-Road Club.
National Auto Body Council Awards Nominations Deadline Extended
The National Auto Body Council (NABC) has extended the deadline for nominations for its Award of Distinction and Body Shop Image Award to Friday, September 22, 2017. Nominations can be submitted online at www.nationalautobodycouncil.org. Winners of the NABC Awards will be announced at the Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Breakfast at the 2017 SEMA Show, Wednesday, November 1, from 7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Covercraft Industries LLC Acquires GT Covers
Covercraft Industries LLC has announced that it is acquiring GT Covers. This acquisition will provide Covercraft with a large pattern library and broad assortment of custom-fit automotive aftermarket seat covers. GT Covers was previously owned by President Gary Walsh, who will assume the role of vice president, manufacturing of custom seat covers, within Covercraft. GT Covers will continue to service its customer base under the GT Covers and Precision Fit brand names and will operate as a division of Covercraft out of its existing facility in Colorado.
 Turn 14 Distribution has added Skyjacker Suspensions to its line card. |
Turn 14 Distribution Adds Skyjacker Suspensions to Line Card
Turn 14 Distribution has increased its 4x4 and off-road suspension offerings with the addition of Skyjacker Suspensions to its line card. According to Kyle Shelley, Turn 14 Distribution’s director of sales, partnering with Skyjacker Suspensions allows Turn 14 Distribution to be better poised to serve the 4x4 and off-road markets.
CRC Industries Inc. Acquires Weld-Aid Products
CRC Industries Inc. has announced the acquisition of Weld-Aid Products, a manufacturer and marketer of maintenance chemicals serving the welding and metal-working business segments. The Weld-Aid product business will become part of the CRC Americas Group led by Wayne King, president, CRC Americas.
Summit Racing Equipment’s Arlington, Texas, Facility Now Open
Summit Racing Equipment has announced that its new Arlington, Texas, distribution center and retail super store are open for business. At 750,000 sq. ft., the Arlington facility is Summit Racing’s largest, and will ship in-stock items the same day when ordered by 10 p.m. (EDT). The 32,000-sq.-ft. Summit Racing retail super store offers hundreds of parts on display for all types of racing, classic and modern musclecars, trucks and SUVs and off-roading. Texas enthusiasts will also find parts for motorcycles and ATV/UTVs, tools, paint and body supplies and apparel.
 Jimmy Rivera (center) with GET'M Garage founders. |
Veteran Machinist Jimmy Rivera Joins GET’M Garage
Veteran machinist and carburetor specialist Jimmy Rivera has joined the management team at GET’M Garage. In this role as general manager, Rivera will be responsible internally for the coordination and execution of production and new-product development. Prior to joining GET’M Garage, Rivera worked for 13 years at a well-known racing company in Orlando, Florida. During his tenure as the company’s lead machinist and production manager, he worked together with Mike Laws to successfully create and manufacture innovative racing products. Rivera’s vast CNC experience will fill a vital role at GET’M Garage, ensuring the highest quality parts are produced for GET’M Garage’s racing customers.
Prop Shaft Supply Acquired by Machine Service Inc.
Prop Shaft Supply Inc., based in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, has been acquired by Machine Service Inc. (MSI), based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The sale was finalized August 1. Operating as a separate division of MSI, Prop Shaft Supply founder and president JP Beierle will continue as head of U.S. OEM, driveline sales. The transaction was supported by M&A consulting firm Hart Marx Advisors LLC. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
LIQUI MOLY Reaches the 800-Employee Mark
In August and September, LIQUI MOLY employed 23 people, thereby breaking the 800-employee barrier. The number of employees has doubled since 2006. Only recently did the company report that August was the month with the highest sales in its company history. The German lubricant and additive specialist now employs 819 people, 515 at the Ulm site and 268 in Saarlouis.
 thyssenkrupp BILSTEIN of America has launched its new eCatalog that features improved navigation and functionality. |
BILSTEIN Launches New Online Catalog Offering Enhanced Product Search and Functionality
thyssenkrupp BILSTEIN of America has launched its new eCatalog at cart.bilsteinus.com. The website includes improved navigation and functionality. In addition to an enhanced year-make-model vehicle-specific product lookup, customers can now search for custom, non-vehicle specific BILSTEIN products in custom light truck, heavy duty and motorhome, motorsports, and off-road motorsports categories. To help users further navigate the product pages, custom attributes can be selected to search product by length, mount type, extended and collapsed measurements, chassis type and more. Extensive product information is also available, including technical information, videos, 360-degree images and an enhanced part-number search that supports OE interchange part numbers, competitor part numbers and partial searches to aid in finding the precise results. In addition, BILSTEIN dealers and distributors will also experience new features and functionality within the dealer portal. Once signed in, dealers can view updated inventory data for all warehouses. The ordering process has also been streamlined and now provides complete shipment tracking information.
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