By SEMA News Editors
Fluidyne High Performance, the Mooresville, North Carolina-based manufacturer of cooling products, has been acquired by DPI Ventures, a private equity firm.
"I am delighted to see Fluidyne moving to the next level and I am highly confident Frank will provide our customers with the same amazing products and service our family has for the past 30 years," said former owner Gary Johnson, who led the company with his wife Nancy.
As part of the announcement, Fluidyne will now be run by Frank Kuperman, Jr., who has more than 25 years in the performance automotive aftermarket and most recently oversaw the Race Winning Brands transmission division.
"It is my fullest intent to grow Fluidyne to new levels, and I am excited to be a part of such a proud brand," Kuperman said.
Fluidyne has been a provider of some of the industry's finest all-aluminum heat exchangers for over 30 years, including for several elite race teams, including some competing in the NASCAR Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series.
For more information, visit fluidyne.com.
4th Annual Hood Master Event Sets New Records
The 2023 Hood Master event exceeded expectations with a full house
of top-notch industry professionals. The Hood Master Challenge started in 2020 as an automotive painting challenge for industry professionals within the automotive painting, refinishing and collision repair industry.
Guests attended a special event in late September at the Biltwell Event Center in Indianapolis, where they were able to connect with industry members, sponsors, judges and challengers. Additionally, guests met with Dave Kindig of Kindig-It Designs and watched live pinstriping demos from Cory Mroz of Mr. Oz Designs, both featured judges for this year's challenge.
There were 105 hoods and bowling pins on display for the 2023 Hood Master and PiN Master Challenges, including the gallery of select prior winners. More than $22,000 in prizes, including cash, tools and equipment were, awarded to this year's winners. In addition, the FinishMaster Team raised a record-breaking $30,000 for Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) through fundraising efforts.
Airbrush Winners
- 1st Place: Tom Hudach, Urethane Circus
- 2nd Place: Tom Strait, Perseverance Through Pain
- 3rd Place: Craig "WIZ" McNeil, Melting Pot
Pinstripe Winners
- 1st Place: Tommy Strader, Endless Summer
- 2nd Place: Kevin Campbell, Purgatory
- 3rd Place: Austin Polen, Turmoil
Overall Winners
- Wild Card: Tom Strait, Perseverance Through Pain
- Crowd Favorite: Tom Hudach, Urethane Circus
FinishMaster expressed its gratitude for the continued support from key industry partners:
- Diamond: 3M, AkzoNobel, Axalta
- Platinum: Smart
- Gold: Norton/St. Gobain, Sagola, SATA
- Silver: Accudraft, DeVilbiss, Dynabrade, Evercoat, GFS--Global Finishing Solutions, Innovative Tools, ProStat, RJE--Business Interiors, SEM, Transtar
"Hood Master--it's awesome! The whole thought behind this thing to get the kids involved and just what we're doing in general is incredible. And with the artwork alone, I'm super impressed--it's phenomenal,” said Keith Bell, Axalta business director, North America and CREF board member.