By SEMA Editors
Quadratec Names Crown Automotive as First-Ever Vendor of the Year
Quadratec Inc. has named New England-based manufacturer Crown Automotive as its 2021 Vendor of the Year. Crown was chosen following an extensive search across Quadratec's entire vendor lineup, which features more than 500 of the Jeep aftermarket industry's biggest and most known manufacturers.
“Crown exemplifies what we expect from our vendors as a business partner as part of their everyday business practices,” said Quadratec Director of Category Management Phil Rees.
Crown Automotive fully embraced Quadratec’s customer-focused initiatives, provided a constant product supply to achieve superior order fill rates, fulfilled profitability expectations and assisted with numerous marketing efforts over Quadratec’s retail and wholesale sales channels.
“Crown supports our wholesale initiatives with competitive pricing, marketing support and jobber-based sales support,” said Quadratec Wholesale Manager Ray Weaver.
Meyer Distributing Announces Northwest Megahub
Meyer Distributing Inc. has announced the addition of its Hermiston, Oregon, megahub. The 170,000-sq.-ft. facility will be expandable in four phases to 728,000 sq. ft. The inventory hub will contain full coverage of automotive, RV and marine accessories and replacement parts as well as outdoor lifestyle, janitorial/sanitation and industrial products to all Northwest population centers in addition to Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton in Canada.
“The Northwest has always been a difficult market for us to reach,” says Cody Ziegler, director of sales for Meyer. “With this new inventory hub, we look forward to improving next day delivery service to Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and Utah. We appreciate customers that have supported us in the last few years as we’re newer to the region. This is an opportunity for Meyer to say thanks by reinvesting everything back into infrastructure that will in turn help these customers provide faster service, more reliable delivery, and more cost-effective products to those they serve.”
“Minimizing the impact of the mountains and I-84, especially in the winter, will be a huge help,” states Jeff Braun, CEO of Meyer. “Starting the inventory in the Northwest and combining that with 2-day service from both our Kingman and Denver hubs will dramatically improve service levels throughout the Northwest. We will go from around $10 million to $40 million of inventory in less than three years, so we’re definitely putting every dollar and then some back in to higher quality of service we’re more accustomed to providing in other parts of the country where we’re most established.”
MAHLE Motorsport Achieves Five-Year Perfect Safety Report
MAHLE Motorsport has announced that its division, comprised of 125 employees, was able to achieve a five-year manufacturing record with zero lost-time accidents. This sought-after work safety achievement was met March 14, 2022—a full 1,827 total days since the last recordable injury, and was reported by Brad Green, MAHLE Motorsport’s general manager.
DENSO Engineer Wins STEP AHEAD Award
Monique Radersma, a former director of Engineering at DENSO’s thermal manufacturing facility in Guelph, Ontario, has won a STEP Ahead Award from The Manufacturing Institute. The STEP Ahead Awards annually honor women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory floor to the C-suite.
Radersma, who retired at the end of last year, began her career at DENSO in 2005. She soon took roles of increasing responsibility and was later promoted to director of Engineering. In this position, she developed a quality management system that helped secure business with a major North American automaker, generating millions in sales. Radersma also helped pioneer the Women in Engineering business resource group at DENSO’s Guelph location and developed programs to grow female team members’ skills.
Outside of work, Radersma continues to advocate for women in STEM, speaking at conferences, mentoring students and supporting education initiatives that encourage young women to explore the sciences.
Now entering its 10th year, the STEP Ahead Awards have celebrated and supported the accomplishments of more than 1,000 outstanding women in manufacturing. On April 28, The Manufacturing Institute—the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers—will recognize Radersma along with 130 other women at a gala event in Washington, D.C.
Atturo Tire Donates $10,000 to 'Keeping Families Covered'
To kick off 2022, Atturo Tire has committed to donating $10,000 to Keeping Families Covered, to help provide basic needs to families in the greater Lake County, Illinois, area. Keeping Families covered is based out of Waukegan, Illinois, and is located next door to Atturo Tires.
Atturo Leadership recently presented their donation to Keeping Families Covered as part of a combined charity event where Atturo Employees assisted in wrapping, packaging and preparing donations to be distributed at an upcoming diaper drive. Atturo has also committed to continue to support Keeping Families Coveredthrough 2022 as a Diamond sponsor of their new “Changing Table” Program.
Brass Knuckle Releases New Catalog
Brass Knuckle’s new catalog showcases gear that stands up to the biggest challenges while maintaining ultimate wearability and style.
Brass Knuckle hand, eye and ergo protection are hard-working tools that can help save a finger, increase productivity, reduce replacement costs and more.
The new catalog is packed with information about each product to make it easier to specify the right one for the task. Everything is covered, from the coatings and base fiber blends of gloves to lens coatings, gaskets, and comfort features of eyewear, and beyond.
Check out what’s new in the Brass Knuckle line, including the wave-making Vader Combo with its superior goggles and integral face shield that moves with the face, not a helmet! Also, a new lineup of great-looking BK-Anti-Fog glasses that feature the strictest anti-fog protection in the world, but still look sleek and fashionable.
R&R Marketing Partners With Klean Freak in Nationwide Promotions
Klean Freak has chosen R&R Marketing Consultants Inc. (RRMCI) to promote its products across North America.
“Not often does a product come along that has a potential sale to every human on the planet,” stated Chuck Lenhart, COO, RRMCI. “The R&R team is extremely excited to help tell the world just how great the Klean Freak personal body wipe product line is. The partnership between RRMCI and Klean Freak could not be better as we all work hard and play hard, and Klean Freak is there to make us look and smell as good as new.”
RANDYS Worldwide Announces New Employee Ownership Program
RANDYS Worldwide Automotive, the parent company of Yukon Gear & Axle, has announced the Team Ownership Program (TOP), designed to give its employees ownership in the company. All RANDYS full-time employees (after 30 days with the company) will receive a grant valued at $10,000. The grants only have cash value at a liquidity event; i.e., company sale or distribution payout. The award grant’s share value will be updated quarterly. Shares are not transferable or saleable and are valid only if the employee is on active status. For more information, visit randysworldwide.com.
Continental Retools REDI-Sensor Website to Deliver More Robust TPMS Training and Education
Continental has launched a redesigned website for its REDI-Sensor Multi-Application TPMS Sensor program. The new website at REDI-Sensor.com, features a wide range of TPMS training and educational resources for professional technicians and shops. It also introduces and showcases the next generation of REDI-Sensor TPMS sensors, which can replace more than 290 different OE sensors and provide coverage for more than 150 million VIO with only four sensors.
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