Compiled by SEMA Editors
Motor State Distributing to Present the 2020 Race & Performance Expo
Race & Performance Expo (RPEXPO) has announced that Motor State Distributing has become the presenter of the 2020 RPEXPO. After a year without a venue, RPEXPO has signed with the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center and Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois, to hold the 12th Annual Race & Performance Expo, February 21–23, 2020. A trade-only day for Motor State’s resellers will be held Friday, February 21, while the expo will be open to the public and trade the remaining two days.
 Kyle Obermeier |
RideTech Hires Kyle Obermeier as Engineering Project Manager
RideTech has announced the appointment of Kyle Obermeier as engineering project manager. In this newly created role, Obermeier brings comprehensive experience from his United States Marine Corps and manufacturing background. He served five years in the military as a jet engine mechanic and spent the last 12 years working in product-development and project-management roles for office/hospitality furniture manufacturers.
 MIA’s Business of the Year Award was presented to the Alcon Group. |
The Motorsports Industry Association (MIA) Celebrates Excellence at Annual Business Awards
Marking its 25th anniversary, the Motorsports Industry Association (MIA) hosted its annual Business Excellence Awards at the NEC Birmingham, January 10. The Awards Dinner closed the first day of Autosport International—Europe’s largest preseason motorsport show, with 400 guests celebrating winners in seven categories. The MIA presented the main Business of the Year Award, partnered by Xtrac, to the Alcon Group, suppliers of hydraulic and electronic brake and clutch systems and engine components to the elite of global motorsport.
Performance Business Media Partners With Aeromotive
Aeromotive has enlisted aftermarket industry marketing firm Performance Business Media (PBM) for its public relations and marketing needs. PBM will facilitate, create and distribute product and press releases on behalf of Aeromotive, as well as provide consulting for various new digital media opportunities, including utilizing user-generated content in new ways.
 The Custom Automotive Network announced the election results for its 2019 board of directors. |
CAN Announces Board of Directors Election Results
The Custom Automotive Network (CAN) has announced the election results for its 2019 Board of Directors. Royal Coburn, owner and general manager at TruckTech Distributing, will continue to serve on the CAN Board as the newly elected treasurer for the 2019–2020 term. Having served as board liaisons for the last two years, Cary Redman of Edelbrock, Mike Stickney of Westin Automotive and Rich Butler of R&R Marketing Consultants will serve as directors for one-year terms in 2019. New board members elected to serve a two-year term include Adrian Murray, president of Painless Performance Products; Denise Waddingham, regional sales and corporate relations manager of Dee Zee Inc.; and Chris Fellows, director of internet solutions at DCi.
Rightline Gear Moki Door Step Debuts on ABC’s “Shark Tank”
Zach Brown and his wife Alyssa accepted a $3 million buyout for the Moki Doorstep from Daymond John, the Fubu CEO more famously known for his role as one of the key investors on ABC’s “Shark Tank.” He originally came up with the idea to assist his wife in accessing her rooftop snowboarding gear. However, it didn’t take long for Brown to realize that the device had dozens of applications, from loading and strapping down car-top cargo bags and boxes, paddle sports, snow sports and biking gear, to washing and waxing vehicle roof tops. He quickly teamed up with his uncle to finalize the original design and file the product’s patent, (which has since been granted). Soon after, Brown launched the Moki Doorstep Kickstarter campaign, where he received $110,000 in pledges from more than 2,000 backers. This campaign caught the eye of recreational and automotive aftermarket manufacturer Rightline Gear. Soon, the two devised a partnership, with Brown’s initial design laying the foundation for what is today known as the Rightline Gear Moki Door Step—an all-weather foot platform that universally hooks to a vehicle’s door latch, allowing for safe, easy rooftop access. Brown’s innovative design debuted on ABC’s “Shark Tank” Sunday, January 6, and the episode is viewable on www.abc.go.com.
SCOSCHE Industries Receives 2019 CES Innovations Award
SCOSCHE Industries received a 2019 CES Innovations Award for its BTFREQ Bluetooth FM transmitter with Alexa built-in and power-delivery charger. The annual CES Innovation Awards program celebrates outstanding product design and engineering in brand-new consumer technology products. The Scosche BTFreq is designed to deliver several technology solutions, including in-vehicle hands-free communications, entertainment, Power Delivery and Alexa—Amazon’s cloud-based voice service.
 Tom Lehner |
Bridgestone Americas Inc. Names Tom Lehner Vice President of Government Relations
Bridgestone Americas Inc. has announced that Tom Lehner has been named vice president, government relations. Lehner will be responsible for the strategic direction and management of the company’s government relationships, including political affairs and public policy advocacy, as well as developing government relations strategies for Latin America and Canada. In addition, he will advise on compliance, risk, legislation and policy issues within the industries Bridgestone serves and lead the company’s involvement in national industry trade associations. Prior to joining Bridgestone, Lehner spent more than five years as vice president of public policy for the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), where he represented the largest manufacturing sector in the U.S. in support of issues such as connected vehicles, fuel economy and telematics operations among others.
Big O Tires Expands Footprint With First Stores in Texas
Big O Tires has expanded into the state of Texas by its franchisee Chris Monteverde. The brand now has more than 455 independently owned and operated locations in 25 states. Monteverde, an existing franchisee of the Big O Tires brand with 19 locations in California, now owns and operates 27 locations in two states. The locations were formerly NTB Tire & Service Center locations and will be converted to Big O Tires over the next few months.
IDIDIT LLC Purchases Schroeder Steering
IDIDIT LLC has purchased Schroeder Steering as it positions itself for another record-breaking sales year in 2019. The acquisition included all inventory, machines, castings, molds, prints, specifications and original tooling owned by Schroeder, along with 75 years of manufacturing knowledge to be implemented at IDIDIT, LLC’s Tecumseh, Michigan, facility. IDIDIT was also given immediate full and exclusive authorization to continue the production of the quick release and steering box products by Gary Schroeder, founder of Schroeder Steering.
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