Wharton Automotive Group Acquires PowerTrain Technology
Paul Lee, president of the Wharton Automotive Group, continues to grow his portfolio with the acquisition of the small-diameter racing clutch and drivetrain component line of PowerTrain Technology (PTT) of Algonquin, Illinois. PTT will relocate to McLeod Racing’s facility in Anaheim, California, and the products will be available through McLeod Racing and its worldwide distribution network. This acquisition will expand the McLeod line to continue to grow into the one-stop-shop for all of our customers’ drivetrain needs. PTT’s founder, Steve Fox, will join the McLeod Company as a consultant while continuing to service his hydraulic street release bearing customers under the new company name PTB-USA Inc. Current and future customers can find PTT products through McLeod’s catalog and distributors. For more information, visit McLeodRacing.com.
Brembo Announces Venture Capital to Invest in Startups; Unveils New Logo
Brembo has launched Brembo Ventures, a venture capital unit that aims to “accelerate the development of innovative solutions for the mobility of tomorrow.” Brembo Ventures will invest globally as a shareholder in technology startups—with a focus on artificial intelligence, big data, sensors, mechatronics, energy efficiency and sustainability businesses—to find solutions that can be applied in the automotive sector.
Brembo Ventures most recently acquired 6.8% of PhotonPath, a deep-tech company spin-off from the University Politecnico di Milano, which develops integrated photonics-based products. Infibra Technologies—the Italian company that develops and produces integrated photonic systems—will also join Brembo Ventures following Brembo’s acqusition of a 20% stake in 2020.
In other news, Brembo has unveiled its new visual identity and logo, reflecting the company’s strategic vision: “Turning Energy into Inspiration.” The new logo will be rolled out globally across all of the company’s digital and physical assets, as well as on all of Brembo’s solutions of the future.
Shelby American Adds Kash Singh to Management Team
Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc., has announced that industry veteran Kash Singh has joined the company’s management team as the sales and marketing manager. Singh was most recently with Ford Motor Company, where he last served as global Ford Performance enthusiast marketing manager and in other key roles since 2004.
In his new role, Singh will lead Shelby American’s sales efforts and help implement strategic objectives for the company. He will also be part of the product-development team, working closely with the Shelby American R&D department and Ford Motor Company to create new vehicles for worldwide distribution. In addition, he will support dealers and provide input on marketing programs. Singh is based at the Shelby American headquarters in Las Vegas.
Speedway Motors Announces Promotions
Speedway Motors, a manufacturer, retailer and distributor of high-quality automotive parts and racing products, has announced three recent promotions within the company.
Betsy Grindlay has been promoted to vice president of people, purchasing & marketings. Her background includes a role at First National Bank of Omaha as a management trainee, then working for FNBO Direct as an online marketing advisor. In her time at Speedway Motors, she has progressively advanced through the company from e-commerce/web content manager to brand marketing manager and director of marketing & people operations.
Melissa Ward has been promoted to director of marketing. She has held leadership and branding positions in the marketing industry for 17 years. Prior to joining the Speedway Motors team in 2018 as creative director, she led the design team at Firespring, a Lincoln-area marketing agency with notable clients across the nation, and has held marketing positions for a number of Nebraska businesses, including American Enterprise, DTN and Nebraska Book Company, Inc. As director of marketing, she will oversee all marketing efforts for Speedway Motors from research and planning to execution and analysis.
Erin Bond has been promoted to director of people operations. Prior to joining the Speedway Motors team in 2020, she worked for the State of Nebraska for seven years taking on various roles and advancing through their human resources department.
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