SEMA News—April 2013
INDUSTRY NEWS
Fast Facts
Power Automedia hired industry veteran Aaron Hahn as publisher. Hahn spent 10 years with the sales team at ProMedia Publishing, most recently as publisher of Fastest Street Car magazine. He will operate out of the company’s home office in Murrieta, California. “Aaron is primed to hit the ground running in the burgeoning digital media market, and we’re happy to welcome him to the Power Automedia team,” said Power Automedia’s Vice President Jason Snyder. Power Automedia, Murrieta, CA; 951-677-2626.
Meyer Distributing Inc. announced the addition of a location in Champaign, Illinois. The crossdock will have a direct feed from Meyer’s distribution hub in Jasper, Indiana, which houses one of the largest inventories of automotive accessories in the nation. “The Champaign crossdock will add deliveries for long-standing Meyer accounts,” said Nick Gramelspacher, vice president of sales and marketing. “They will have even better access to massive inventories with next-day delivery.”
Prestolite Performance, producer of automotive brands such as Mr. Gasket, Accel and Mallory, has named Don Barry its new president. Barry has more than 16 years of experience with 3M, including the company’s automotive aftermarket business and as president of the Consumer Group Europe, based in Paris. He was a senior vice president at Dorman Products and was recently the CEO at OttLite Technologies. Prestolite Performance, Cleveland, OH; 216-688-8300.
Mishimoto Automotive recently received a grant from the state of Delaware for employment growth. According to an article published on Delawareonline.com, the Delaware Economic Development Office awarded the company money to help offset the costs of hiring five employees in marketing, accounting, engineering and support staff, as well as additional money for capital expenses. Mishimoto President Mike Sullivan said that the grant was developed for employers who are growing and building long-term homes in Delaware and that the process was fairly painless, requiring a proposal with growth estimates, etc. Mishimoto Automotive, New Castle, DE; 302-762-4501.
BrakeQuip has moved into larger facilities at 3143 Regal Drive, Alcoa, Tennessee 37901. BrakeQuip was founded in 1998 in Australia by Fred Anderson, who owned a brake parts store and developed the concept of making brake hoses to order at the point of sale, usually while the customer waited. The concept proved so successful that Anderson developed a manufacturing system that could be easily and economically produced to sell to others. BrakeQuip, Alcoa, TN; 865-251-9193.
Design Engineering Inc. (DEI) recently announced its sponsorship of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge. A scholarship program for high school shop teams, the challenge consists of a series of competitions that exhibit each team’s skill at breaking down and reassembling a small-block Chevrolet engine. The engine challenge encompasses more than 600 students and 150 sponsors participating in seven events, including the national championship at the annual PRI trade show. Every student who places first through fifth in the nationals wins college scholarship funds to be used to pursue careers in the automotive aftermarket. First-place team members win $10,000 each; second-place team members win $9,000 each; third place wins $8,000 each; fourth place wins $7,000 each; and fifth place wins $6,000 each. Design Engineering Inc., Avon Lake, OH; 440-930-7940. Hot Rodders of Tomorrow, Villa Park, IL; 630-730-4082.
Brenton Productions, producers of “Two Guys Garage” and “Truck U” on the SPEED cable TV network, has become a lifetime trustee of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. To support the appointment, Brenton Productions President John Passante will become a member of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation board of trustees. The foundation encourages industry support, including donations for the purpose of honoring or memorializing individuals or otherwise recognizing special events. Contributions support training and education that continue to strengthen the automotive aftermarket industry. Brenton Productions, Swansea, MA; 800-572-7798.
Motovicity Distribution will give away a ’13 Scion FR-S and a ’13 Ford Mustang with an assortment of performance products through its “Ticket to Ride Promotion.” Winners of the project cars will document the installation of the supplied performance parts as well as before-and-after performance tests. The promotion runs through September 30 and is open to registered performance-parts retailers and participating speed shops. The winners will be selected from a random ticket drawing in October. Once the builds begin, Motovicity will provide regular updates on the progress of the installations, and the final project cars will be performance tested by a professional race car driver on a closed track. Motovicity, Madison Heights, MI; 888-SPEED-16.
Classic Recreations announced that it now offers restoration services for vintage vehicles of all makes and models through a new shop that was added to its headquarters in Oklahoma. According to a company release, the 7,500-square-foot shop opens June 5, 2013, and will welcome an additional crew of at least seven restoration experts, making the shop capable of all manner of projects and builds. Classic Recreations, Yukon, OK; 405-577-6464.
Trick Flow Specialties was named the official cylinder-head company of the Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, starting with the 2013 racing season. Characterizing the partnership as an opportunity to reach a broader range of racers and fans, Trick Flow will display its products at many of the track’s major events. The company will also return as the sponsor of Fright Night at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park’s Halloween Classic in October. Trick Flow Specialties, Tallmadge, OH; 330-630-1555.
Alpine Electronics of America Inc. presented its annual sales achievement awards to two firms from its aftermarket sales rep force: Driven Sales and Marketing and Focused Marketing Solutions. Each rep firm was presented with a “Bill Whitehouse Rep Firm of the Year Award” at Alpine’s annual sales meeting. The award was renamed in honor of Bill Whitehouse, a 12-year direct sales rep of Alpine who passed away in 2012. Whitehouse himself was named rep of the year in 2010 and 2011, becoming the first person to achieve the recognition two years in a row. Alpine Electronics, Torrance, CA; 310-326-8000.
Holley Performance Products now has a full list of NOS Nitrous-Oxide Systems installation and tuning videos available on the company’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/holleyperformance. There are a total of 18 videos covering how nitrous oxide works, complete kit overviews, installation details, system operation, tuning and more. The videos include animations and step-by-step, underhood video footage. Holley Performance Products, Bowling Green, KY; 270-782-2900.
Jody DeVere, founder and CEO of AskPatty.com, received the Women’s Automotive Association International (WAAI) distinguished service award during the 14th Annual WAAI Spirit of Leadership awards reception on February 9 at The Peabody in Orlando, Florida. DeVere founded AskPatty.com in 1999 as a social-media site to provide expert advice to women on automotive-related topics and to teach strategies to enhance women’s experiences in dealing with automotive-related businesses through the AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly program. A long-time member of the WAAI board of directors who previously served as chairman, DeVere currently holds the position of vice chairman and treasurer. She is also a member of the Car Care Council’s women’s board, the California state advisory board for SkillsUSA and the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network. AskPatty.com, Newbury Park, CA; 888-745-1928.
With the goal of streamlining its interface to help users find content quickly, Advanced Clutch Technology launched a new website, www.advancedclutch.com. The company reports that the new online destination is modernized, with a clean format that is easy to navigate. Among the enhancements to the website is a new account management system, which makes it easier for customers to track recent orders, rate products purchased and save shopping carts for future purchases. Advanced Clutch Technology, Lancaster, CA; 661-940-7555.
Automotive Lift Institute has partnered with Petty’s Garage to support the Petty’s Garage Performance Tour for its second year in 2013. The Performance Tour brings Petty’s Garage car designers and builders, custom parts and unique vehicles directly to enthusiasts at events across the United States. “The Performance Tour is our opportunity to bring Petty’s Garage from Randleman, North Carolina, where it all started for me and my family, directly to our fans at events around the country,” said Richard Petty.
Racer Media & Marketing Inc., publisher of Racer magazine and Racer.com, has partnered with Car Guy Nation to help establish a revenue-sharing opportunity that, according to Racer Media & Marketing, allows the company to monetize its content with membership referrals to Car Guy Nation. “Racer magazine was reacquired by its founders in 2012, and we’re excited about their plans,” said Michael Chapin, senior vice president of digital for Car Guy Nation. According to a recent release, Racer.com plans to forego its initial efforts to build an online marketplace and instead refer readers to Car Guy Nation with incentives and exclusive promotions. By referring members to Carguynation.com, marketing partners in return earn a percentage of the sales those members make. Racer Media & Marketing, Irvine, CA; 949-417-6700.
Holley Performance Products announced that Trevor Wiggins has joined the company as vice president of sales. Wiggins will lead the Holley sales team in supporting customers of Holley fuel systems and other Holley products and brands, including Earl’s Performance Plumbing, NOS Nitrous Oxide Systems, Hooker Headers, FlowTech Exhaust and Weiand. Prior to joining Holley, Wiggins was a national accounts manager for key automotive aftermarket accounts, including warehouse distributors and retailers as well as OEM customers across 92 locations worldwide. Holley Performance Products, Bowling Green, KY; 270-782-2900.
Royal Purple Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mark McFann has elected to transition from the day-to-day management of the company’s marketing and consumer sales to a role as a contracted consultant for the company. In addition to his new role with Royal Purple, McFann has joined marketing consulting company Cast a Long Shadow. He is also a principle for the company Xecu Group, whose EZ Waiver product provides cloud-based complete electronic waiver and risk-management application. Royal Purple, Porter, TX; 281-354-8600.
Michael Re, ticket operations manager for the Sonoma Raceway, was promoted to senior director of ticketing, raceway officials announced. Re has more than 25 years of ticketing experience and will manage the day-to-day operations of the ticketing department, including all aspects of ticket operations and services, policies and procedures related to ticket sales, pricing and allocation. He will also oversee customer relations. Re was hired at the raceway in 2011.
Strattec Security Corp. has updated its website to include a new design, vehicle-match database and section for distributors. Available at Boltlock.com, the website includes detailed descriptions of Bolt products and a “how it works” tutorial video demonstrating Bolt’s One-Key Lock Technology. The site also features a vehicle-match database that allows users to see all of the different lock types that will fit their specific vehicles.
The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association will stage a year-long National AutoCross Shootout at 11 events this season, with the year-end shootout finals presented by BFGoodrich Tires to be held Saturday, November 16, at the Goodguys 16th Southwest Nationals (November 15–17, Scottsdale, Arizona). Throughout the year, the overall winner (fastest time of the event in any class) from each Goodguys National event where autocross is contested will be invited to Scottsdale as a finalist for the autocross finals shootout. The finals will feature a 24-car field made up of 11 finalists from the year-long shootout, nine PRO class drivers as well as four entrants who race their way into the finals. Those final four slots will be filled by the fastest cars on-track at the Southwest Nationals to be held Friday, November 15.
The winner of the Eagle One 20th anniversary Golden Rule Award for car clubs was the Over The Hill Gang of Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Eagle One presented the club with a check for $3,000, which was donated to the non-profit help organization Women With Willpower. The club’s entry form was drawn from more than 100 entries, and the random drawing was held to celebrate the 20th anniversary and allow all not-for-profit car clubs the opportunity to win the substantial donation. The club will also receive a custom-designed award plaque and a generous supply of Eagle One appearance products and Valvoline motor oil for fundraising events.
