SEMA News—March 2012

INDUSTRY NEWS

Fast Facts

  aftermarket business, aftermarket news, auto industry jobs, automotive industry news, Scott Luckett
Scott Luckett, MAAP, vice president of technology standards for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), to its Board of Trustees.
   
The Aftermarket Foundation announced the appointment of Scott Luckett, MAAP, vice president of technology standards for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), to its Board of Trustees. In addition to his duties serving as liaison to the AAIA Technology Standards Committee and industry spokesperson for electronic commerce standards, Luckett also serves as executive director of the National Catalog Managers Association and is chairman of the Aftermarket eForum Planning Committee.

AP Exhaust Technologies Inc. acquired the assets of ANSA Automotive Parts Distributors. The sale was finalized December 23, and the terms of the transaction were not disclosed. According to a release from the Marx Group Advisors—the agency that brokered the sale—all assets of ANSA, including inventory, were sold to AP Exhaust and have been relocated from ANSA in Macon, Georgia, to AP Exhaust’s headquarters in Goldsboro, North Carolina. AP Exhaust Technologies, 919-580-2000.

Crane Cams announced that it has moved to an expanded facility in Daytona Beach, Florida. The new facility is located at 1830 Holsonback Drive, Daytona Beach, FL 32117. “The new Holsonback facility provides us with the space and foundation we need to support our growth projections for the next five years,” says Crane Cams President, Sean Holly. In addition, the new facility allows the company to consolidate the two Crane Cams Valve Train and Crane Cams Ignition manufacturing in one location, according to the company. Crane Cams, Daytona Beach, FL; 866-388-5120.

Mile Marker Inc. announced that Wade Cobb joined the company as national sales manager. He will be responsible for overseeing the company’s entire outside sales force and product promotion to help increase sales. According to Mile Marker, Cobb has been a partner with Hapco for several years while representing the company’s product line in the past. Mile Marker, Pompano Beach, FL; 954-782-0604.

  aftermarket business, aftermarket news, auto industry jobs, automotive industry news
A 1969 Meyers Manx Dune Buggy that came to Mid America Motorworks with original certification will be on display at Funfest for Air-Cooled VW 2012, June 1–3, at Mid America Motorworks’ corporate campus in Effingham, Illinois. 
   
A 1969 Meyers Manx Dune Buggy that came to Mid America Motorworks with original certification will be on display at Funfest for Air-Cooled VW 2012, June 1–3, at Mid America Motorworks’ corporate campus in Effingham, Illinois. The build began as a challenge to complete a Meyers Manx makeover in two days during the 2011 Funfest for Air-Cooled VW, a challenge accepted by the crew from www.dunebuggyarchives.com. With the second day of the build interrupted by severe weather, VW enthusiast and owner of Midwest Autosavers, Dr. Darby Milnor, will complete wiring, dash and gauges, convert to disc brakes, add an aluminum axle beam and add suspension components. Mid America Motorworks, Effingham, IL; 800-500-1500.

Kahn Media announced that it was selected by B&M Automotive Group to assist with public relations and communications, including targeted outreach, social media marketing and special projects. The B&M Automotive Group includes high-performance brands B&M Racing & Performance, Flowmaster Exhaust, Hurst Shifters and Hurst Driveline Conversions. Kahn Media, Reseda, CA; 818-881-5246. B&M Automotive Group, Chatsworth, CA; 818-882-6422.

Speedway Motors has partnered with Lucas Oil and the Speedway Motors Big Rig to showcase Lucas Oil lubricants and additives at events across the country. The first stop for the Speedway Motors Big Rig was the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Speedway Motors Inc., Lincoln, NE; 402-323-3244.

Clean Seal Inc. and Uni-Grip Inc. are celebrating the 20-year partnership between the companies that has resulted in a full line of grip seal products for the recreational vehicle, truck, bus and marine industries. Bill Dawson, vice president and general manager of Clean Seal Inc. said, “We are extremely pleased with our relationship with Uni-Grip and look forward to many more years of partnership in the future.” Clean Seal Inc., South Bend, IN; 574-299-1888.

Akebono Brake Corp. partnered with ExtremeWrench to offer reward points to independent repair shops through the ExtremeWrench rewards portal. Akebono will offer rewards for scanning the barcodes on the company’s complete line of brake pads, brake drums and calipers. Reward points can be redeemed for trips, merchandise, technical training and other prizes offered by ExtremeWrench. Akebono Brake Corp., Elizabethtown, KY; 270-234-5500.

The following new hires were announced by Tire Group International: Enrique Goudie, a 20-year veteran of the tire industry, joined the company’s international team as senior category manager; Sherko Hajrasouli joined the company as its territory manager for the Middle East; Alejandra Troconis was hired as senior marketing manager; David Morris was added to the domestic team as domestic commercial manager; and Emilio Perez Jr. joined the company as territory manager for Palm Beach County.

  aftermarket business, aftermarket news, auto industry jobs, automotive industry news
Team BIGFOOT has called on veteran driver Eric Tack to pilot the monster truck for the 2012 season.
   
Team BIGFOOT has called on veteran driver Eric Tack to pilot the monster truck for the 2012 season. In addition to driving, Tack will also help train on-deck driver JR Adams. Tack’s record behind the wheel of Team Bigfoot’s truck includes capturing his first championship in 2000, the inaugural ProMT title, and Monster Nationals championships in 2002 and 2003. After his retirement from driving in 2003, Tack got behind the wheel of BIGFOOT again in 2010 at the Pontiac Silverdome.

Katzkin Leather Inc. signed a sponsorship agreement with automotive TV series “Motorz.” Based in San Diego, “Motorz” will showcase Katzkin’s custom leather interiors and their installation as part of its hands-on, “how-to” TV series. Chris Duke, “Motorz” host and producer said, “Katzkin is not only the most respected leather seat interior manufacturer, they are also being used by the automotive manufacturers themselves as upgrades in many of their most popular vehicles.” New episodes of “Motorz” air on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. (PST) on DirecTV or DISH Network. Episodes are also available at www.motorz.tv. Katzkin Leather Inc., Montebello, CA; 404-386-3609.

Curtis Industries LLC signed an installment financing agreement with Sheffield Financial, a subsidiary of BB&T, effective September 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012. The agreement provides consumer financing to customers purchasing Sno-Pro snow and ice control products through authorized Sno-Pro and Curtis dealers, including truck and UTV plows, spreaders and loader blades. “We are very happy to offer consumer financing to our customers through our national dealer network,” said Thomas Dimauro, vice president for Curtis Industries. “Sheffield has a great reputation for customer service with excellent experience in our industry.”

  aftermarket business, aftermarket news, auto industry jobs, automotive industry news
James Turgeon, a graduate from the Motorcycle Technology program at WyoTech-Daytona, was selected as the 2011 WyoTech Dream Award winner.
   
James Turgeon, a graduate from the Motorcycle Technology program at WyoTech-Daytona, was selected as the 2011 WyoTech Dream Award winner. The award recognizes a graduate who has completed post-secondary education while overcoming challenges. After being laid off from his job as a diesel mechanic at Ford, Turgeon took a risk by leaving his hometown to learn more about what he loves the most, motorcycles. As a Dream Award winner, he will receive a $2,500 scholarship to pursue advanced programs in his field of study.

CargoGlide announced that it is the U.S. sales arm for TRUCKBOSS by Marathon Decks. The TRUCKBOSS is an all aluminum anodized truck bed deck that utilizes Capture Channel Technology, enabling adjustments to fit any fullsize pickup while allowing for the addition of accessories. CargoGlide, St. George, UT; 239-340-9605.

Infineon Raceway promoted Rachal Pollen to director of marketing. According to Infineon Raceway officials, Pollen will help oversee the planning and execution of all marketing initiatives at the raceway, including the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and IZOD IndyCar Series race weekend. Pollen has served as senior manager of marketing for Infineon since 2006.

Federated Auto Parts has obtained the rights to the I-55 Speedway in Pevely, Missouri. According to the company, the I-55 Speedway, now known as the Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, annually hosts some of the most competitive dirt-track races in the nation. The raceway is co-owned by longtime Federated spokesperson and dirt-track legend Ken Schrader. Federated also announced that the newly renamed raceway will host the inaugural 2012 Federated Auto Parts World of Outlaws “Ironman 55” race in August.

CRC Industries announced that the company will participate in the 2012 season of “Two Guys Garage” and “TruckU,” produced by Brenton Productions and aired on the Speed Channel. According to CRC, the shows will feature CRC products in use and on the set to promote the company’s CRC BRAKLEEN brake parts cleaner and full line of automotive maintenance products. CRC Marketing Manager Dori Ahart said, “There is a recent trend toward increased vehicle maintenance over buying new. Car and truck owners are trying to get the most out of their vehicles, and these shows help them learn how.”

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