By Ashley Reyes
SEMA's Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) has named Auto Metal Direct (AMD) as the council's newest spotlight member. Get to know the company's story in the SEMA News interview with Auto Metal Direct's Marketing Director Jason Chandler below.
SEMA News: How did Auto Metal Direct start?
Jason Chandler: Founder and President Mark Headrick has been an industry veteran for more than 40 years. After working with some of the biggest names in the industry, he ventured out and started Auto Metal Direct in 2007. Being a MOPAR guy, Mark saw a huge need for quality replacement body panels for late-'60s and early-'70s Dodge and Plymouth musclecars. That is how AMD got started.
SN: What was your breakthrough moment?
JC: As many of you may know, the development process on new product lines takes time. AMD's breakthrough moment came once our products came to market. Once customers started receiving our high-quality, OE-style replacement restoration products, we took the body-panel market by storm.
SN: Tell us about your business now and the projects that you are working on.
JC: Auto Metal Direct has come a long way from the early days of inception. The design process for new products is completely digital, reducing development time on new products as well as dialing in previous tooling. Robotics now play a huge role in our production facility, ensuring repeatability in a quality end product. Also, AMD is now headquartered in a new 318,000-sq.-ft. facility, with expansion coming soon with another 280,000-sq.-ft. facility in 2025.
SN: Tell us about a particular project, product or build you are proud of.
JC: We are growing heavily in all areas of restoration. From our well-known, premium-quality body panels to our extensive offering of interior components, we offer a lot for restoration professionals and DIY'ers alike. We strive to offer the best quality at an affordable price.
SN: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive restoration segment?
JC: With so many different opportunities available, get in there and try as many as possible. Find something you love to do and stick with it. Working with the ARMO council is a great way to get exposure to multiple outlets.
Fill out an ARMO-member spotlight form to highlight how your company is contributing to the specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates will be featured on ARMO's social media, SEMA News and future ARMO-member updates.