Compiled by SEMA Editors
 The Creature from the Wrap Lagoon. |  The BMW M135i /// Artist. |
 The Wrap Like a King 2019 – SLS AMG. |  The ’14 Porsche 911 Turbo S TECHART GTstreet R. |
 The Eric the Viking – Sharpline drift car wrap. |
Avery Dennison Crowns Five Continental “Wrap Like a King” Challenge Winners
Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions has announced the five continental winners from its annual Wrap Like A King Challenge. Wrap installers from 53 countries around the world were invited to submit full-print or color-change wrap projects to be judged for the chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes. The projects were completed featuring options from the Avery Dennison Supreme Wrapping Film portfolio including Conform Chrome, MPI 1105 SuperCast Digital film or a combination of car wrap films to be evaluated against their regional peers by a panel of judges. The winners were selected as this year’s final five contenders. The following vehicle graphics installers and shops have been crowned the Continental Wrap Kings:
- North America: The Creature from the Wrap Lagoon project, completed by MetroWrapz.
- Europe: The BMW M135i /// Artist project, completed by WrapStyle s.r.o.
- North Asia: The Wrap Like a King 2019 – SLS AMG project, completed by Shanghai DC Town Auto Service Co. Ltd.
- Australia/New Zealand: The ’14 Porsche 911 Turbo S TECHART GTstreet R project, completed by Winguard Paint Protection Specialists.
- South Africa: The Eric the Viking – Sharpline drift car wrap project, completed by Sharpline Signs and Graphics.
The 2019 panel of judges included: Justin Pate of The Wrap Institute; Myles Kovacs of DUB magazine; Yianni Charalambous of Yiannimize; Eddy Speelman of Speelman Graphic Applications; Molly Waters of Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions; Peter Wright of Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions; Sarel Krüger of Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions; Frank Marquart of Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions; and Jun Kinoshita of Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions.
Each continental winner will receive a four-night stay in Las Vegas for the SEMA Show, where the global King of the Wrap World will be crowned in booth #12659 on November 5. The King of the Wrap World grand-prize package is worth almost $5,000, with additional gift vouchers and exposure via the Avery Dennison website and web advertisements.
 Firestone Industrial Products is adding more than 20,000 sq. ft. to its existing Wolsztyn, Poland, plant. |
Firestone Industrial Products Expands Operations in Europe to Meet Growing Demand for Air Suspension
Firestone Industrial Products Co. LLC (FSIP) has announced a significant investment to expand the company’s operations in Central Europe. The investment is a direct response to the growing demand for air suspension technologies throughout Europe. As part of the investment, Firestone Industrial Products is adding more than 20,000 sq. ft. to its existing Wolsztyn, Poland, plant, where the company has manufactured air suspensions for commercial vehicles and passenger cars since 2005. Additionally, Firestone Industrial Products will open a new distribution center nearby in Chobienice, Poland. These expansions are designed to increase the company’s development and production capabilities and support improved logistics for customers. In Wolsztyn, the expanded plant will be equipped with new machinery and equipment and an ISO class 8 cleanroom, enabling the company to supply European automotive OEMs. The new facility is planned to be fully operational by the second half of 2020. The new Chobienice distribution center includes more than 100,000 sq. ft. of floorspace.
Acme Manufacturing Company Launches R&D Centre in Singapore
Acme Manufacturing Company has officially launched its Singapore office. Acme Singapore includes a standalone research and development center focused on creating new solutions and customized robotics systems for the company’s customers in Southeast Asia. Acme’s integrated automated solutions employ robot arms and a suite of digital technologies to perform finishing tasks, such as grinding, polishing, deburring and buffing on manufactured metal parts. The systems are applied for high-precision finishing of jet engine and aerospace structural components, such as turbine blades, vanes, fuselage skins and wing skins. Apart from cost reduction and increased operating efficiency, the application of robots improves consistency and uniformity, ensuring that parts satisfy stringent aerospace requirements, according to Acme.
 Oracle Lighting will host the Formula DRIFT competition Dodge Viper in its booth #21505 during the 2019 SEMA Show. |
Oracle Lighting to Feature Formula DRIFT Dodge Viper in 2019 SEMA Show Booth
Oracle Lighting has announced that it will host the Formula DRIFT competition Dodge Viper in its booth #21505 during the 2019 SEMA Show. The Viper’s driver, Dean “Karnage” Kearney, will also be in the Oracle Lighting booth signing limited-edition posters throughout the Show. The Viper features a pair of Garrett 4088 turbochargers feeding the V10 engine, which pushes out more than 900 hp at 3,000 RPM. Overall, the package is good for more than 1,400 hp, but the final output is undetermined because most dynos will shut down well below that threshold.
VP Racing Fuels Signs Distribution Agreement With California Fuels & Lubricants
VP Racing Fuels Inc. has announced it has signed a new distribution agreement with California Fuels & Lubricants (CFL), of Garden Grove, California, servicing Los Angeles and Orange Counties. California Fuels & Lubricants will distribute the full line of VP products, including VP race fuels and VP racing lubricants, servicing tracks and drivers throughout Southern California. Also, CFL will market VP’s Branded Retail programs, including VP-branded gas stations, VP FastLube oil-change centers and VP PowerWash carwashes.
 Cristy Lee |
Covercraft Welcomes Cristy Lee to 2019 SEMA Show
“Garage Squad” and “All Girls Garage” co-host Cristy Lee will make two appearances in the Covercraft booth at the 2019 SEMA Show, November 5–8, in Las Vegas. The TV hostess will sign autographs, take pictures and greet fans with stories about two-wheel and four-wheel adventures. Her visits in booth #23243 will be Tuesday, November 5, from 10 a.m.–12:00 p.m., and Thursday, November 7, from 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Shell to Bring the “Pioneering Performance” Experience to the 2019 SEMA Show
Shell is returning to The SEMA Show in Las Vegas with the Shell “Pioneering Performance” (#60003) experience presented by Pennzoil and Quaker State motor oils, Shell Rotella heavy-duty engine oil, Jiffy Lube and Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Premium Gasoline. Attendees will be able to get a first look at several vehicle unveilings, insight on the brands’ latest product innovations and a chance to speak with friends of the brands, including John Hennessey and Pennzoil motorsports professionals Joey Logano, Simon Pagenaud and Matt Hagan. The Shell “Pioneering Performance” Live Stage will host three official press conferences in addition to musical performances and interviews with industry legends and newcomers. Additional guests include drivers of Don Schumacher Racing, such as Leah Pritchett, Matt Hagan, Antron Brown, Tommy Johnson Jr., Jack Beckman and Ron Capps, as well as America’s Favorite Fisherman Jimmy Houston, professional stunt-car driver Rhys Millen, the Fun Havers including Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Chelsea DeNofa, Jeff Allen, Meg Bailey and Eric Ables of Flat 12 Gallery, Tommy Pike of Tommy Pike Customs and Joe Ray from Lowrider magazine. Also, to take the stage will be two well-known celebrities, Erik Estrada from “CHiPs” and “Miami Vice” star Philip Michael Thomas. There will also be vehicles including Barrett-Jackson’s Green Hornet, Hennessey’s Goliath, the Quaker State Lowrider ’68 Chevrolet Impala and Pritchett’s Top Fuel Dragster.
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