By SEMA News Editors
Classic Recreations Launches Fundraiser for American Heart Association
Classic Recreations is launching a $1 million campaign to support the American Heart Association.
For the campaign, the Dallas-based company is introducing the Centennial Edition Carbon-Fiber Shelby GT500CR customized to commemorate the American Heart Association's 100th birthday. For every custom-ordered Centennial Edition sold from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, Classic Recreations will donate $100,000 of the purchase price to the American Heart Association's Life is Why campaign.
Classic Recreations will manufacture only 10 of these limited-edition vehicles and offer them to collectors for $625,000.
For more information, visit classic-recreations.com.
Cloyes Gear & Products Acquires Automotive Tensioners
Cloyes Gear & Products, the Fort Smith, Arkansas-based manufacturer of timing drive systems and components, has acquired Automotive Tensioners (ATI), a front-end accessory drive pulley and tensioner supplier in Denton, Texas.
In operation since 2014, ATI has developed a range of automotive pulleys and tensioners compatible with both domestic and import, heavy-duty and off-road vehicles.
The acquisition aims to deliver an improved and cohesive timing system solution to customers, company representatives said.
For more information, visit cloyes.com.
Hans Blatter Joins AACF Board of Trustees
The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF), a non-profit supporting people in the automotive aftermarket industry, has appointed Hans Blatter, president and owner of Castle Products, to its board of trustees.
Castle Products is a manufacturer of lubricants, additives, cleaners and degreasers.
"For many years, Hans has been involved with the AACF and supported the organization with his team at Castle Products," said AACF Executive Director Joel Ayres. "His commitment to helping the wonderful people of the automotive aftermarket industry is widely recognized and his joining the AACF Board of Trustees reinforces his belief in servant leadership."
For more information, visit aftermarketcharity.org.
Bilstein of America Wins Turn 14 Distribution Collaborative Supplier of the Year Award
Turn 14 Distribution has awarded thyssenkrupp Bilstein of America, the suspension parts manufacturer with U.S. headquarters in Hamilton, Ohio, with its Collaborative Supplier Award for 2023.
Turn 14 Distribution's Collaborative Supplier Award is presented to a supplier with whom the company collaborated prominently over the last 12 months, the distributor said, and presented the award in recognition of the company's mutual support with Turn 14 Distribution in capitalizing on opportunities in sales and marketing to bolster both companies' status as leaders in the industry.
For more information, visit turn14.com or bilsteinrocks.com.
WyoTech Reports Increase in Graduates, Graduation Rate, Job Placements
WyoTech, the Laramie, Wyoming-based, automotive, collision, diesel and welding trade school, recently reported an increase in enrollment, graduation and job placement rate.
In five years, the size of WyoTech's graduating class has increased from 370 in 2017 to 804 in 2022. Additionally, WyoTech's overall graduation rate improved from 76.2% in 2017 to 84% in 2022, which now outpaces the average graduation rate of U.S. colleges overall (62.3%) and all individual college types.
After graduation, 76.8% of graduates landed jobs in 2022, up from 76.2% in 2017.
For more information, visit wyotech.edu.