SEMA News—July 2014
INDUSTRY NEWS
Fast Facts
Wes-Coast Marketing has announced its newest team member, Scott Holst, who graduated in 2010 with a bachelor of arts degree in business and economics from the University of California Riverside. After graduation, Holst joined K&N Engineering, advancing from call center manager and working industry trade shows to becoming an account manager in charge of 10 key distributors. Wes-Coast Marketing, Upland, CA; 909-946-6899.
Kahn Media Inc. was selected by Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. to provide media outreach and PR assistance for the company and its full product line. Kahn will work with Nitto and its digital agency of record, Cie Studios, on the development and implementation of dynamic public and media relations campaigns to elevate brand visibility, increase sales and promote the company’s motorsports initiatives and events. Kahn Media Inc., Reseda, CA; 818-881-5246.
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) has announced the selection of its 2014–2015 board of directors. The selections took place during the Society’s annual elections in April. While there are no new board members, the new nominees will find places of involvement on SCRS committees to become further entrenched in SCRS activity as they seek board positions at future elections. The current SCRS board of directors is comprised of Ron Reichen, chairman; Andy Dingman, vice chairman; Kye Yeung, secretary; Rodes Brown, treasurer; Aaron Clark, immediate past chairman; Brett Bailey, director at large; Luis Alonzo, national director; Paul Val, national director; Dustin Womble, national director; C. J. Vermaak, national director; Domenic Brusco, national director; Bruce Halcro, national director; and Jim Sowle, national director. SCRS, Tri-Cities, WA; 877-841-0660.
Midwest Truck & Auto Parts announced that Steve Filipiak is the company’s new director of marketing. Filipiak will be responsible for driving the company’s global marketing strategy in order to strengthen its brands and advance business goals. He will also oversee the day-to-day management and implementation of marketing programs and initiatives for Midwest Truck & Auto Parts and its brands. Midwest Truck & Auto Parts, Chicago, IL; 800-934-2727.
Holley Performance Products hired Jason Bruce as vice president of business development. Bruce, who is returning to Holley, is an industry veteran and has held sales and marketing management positions with aFe Power, Street Scene Equipment, Holley and Hooker Headers. Bruce is now responsible for developing and coordinating new business projects across Holley’s family of brands. “Jason is a proven team player, a guy who moves projects forward and a great addition to our leadership team here at Holley,” said Holley President and CEO Tom Tomlinson. “Jason’s initial focus will be the revitalization of our Hooker and Flowtech brands.” Holley Performance Products, Bowling Green, KY; 270-782-2900.
The University of the Aftermarket has opened registration for Leadership 2.0 classes, a post-graduate-style leadership and business skills education experience designed to promote the development of the next generation of aftermarket leaders. The first session will be held August 24–29 on the campus of Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. The second session will be held March 8–13, 2015, at Northwood’s campus in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Participants must attend both sessions.) Featured presenters include leading aftermarket executives and faculty members of the Northwood University DeVos Graduate School of Management. The program is designed for early- to mid-career, management-track, high-potential aftermarket professionals in all market segments. More information and registration details are available at www.universityoftheaftermarket.com. Northwood University, Midland, MI; 989-837-5149.
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association has officially changed the organization’s name to the Auto Care Association. The association began its rebranding initiative more than 18 months ago and culminated in the name change as well as a new direction to redefine the aftermarket industry as the auto care industry in all communications. The Auto Care Association based both decisions on feedback from research findings, focus groups, industry leaders, media and consumers.
The Marx Group hired Holly Mayfield as the company’s marketing coordinator. In her new role, Mayfield will provide support for The Marx Group in the areas of marketing, public relations and social media. Mayfield was most recently the marketing coordinator for the software company AVRS, where she was involved with copywriting, press releases and content review and contributed to the branding and development of collateral materials. The Marx Group, San Rafael, CA; 415-453-0844.
Don Baker has joined the Fidanza Performance key account sales team as sales manager. He brings to the company more than 20 years of automotive parts and service experience, which includes 12 years of experience in sales, account management and sales management with SPX Service Solutions. Baker will oversee all national and international accounts as well as outside rep groups. Fidanza Performance, Perry, OH; 440-259-5656.
Mahle Aftermarket, Service Solutions announced a promotion through which the company will make a $50 donation to Operation Support Our Troops–America (OSOT America) for each Arctic PRO RHS 980 Series–American edition sold. The American edition features “Old Glory” displayed prominently on the front. The limited-time promotion ends July 4, 2014. The mission of OSOT America is to support the morale and well-being of American forces by providing comfort, resources and education to troops and their families both while they are deployed and after their return. Mahle Aftermarket Inc., Farmington Hills, MI; 248-347-9700.
Matt Smith was named national sales manager for Flex-a-lite. Smith brings a decade of sales experience in the automotive industry, including roles as regional sales manager for Mann+Hummel, where he achieved quarter after quarter of sales growth. He also worked for Foster Babcock & Associates as an account manager, overseeing sales and executing training seminars. Flex-a-lite, Fife, WA; 253-922-2700.
Brenton Productions announced the opening of its third location in Mooresville, North Carolina. The new facility provides the company with instant access to all the resources in the Charlotte area, including interesting subject material and the ability to develop new programming for future use. The latest Brenton facility is located in the Talbert Pointe Business Park. “The entire Charlotte region is rich in automotive and motorsports history and culture and is fast becoming the center for all motorsports disciplines,” said Brenton Managing Partner Jim Cozzie. Brenton Productions, Swansea, MA; 800-572-7798.
Advanced Clean Air Technologies (ACAT) Global was recognized as one of Michigan’s 50 Companies to Watch as part of the 2014 Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards. ACAT Global joins a select group of honorees for 2014. Chosen by a panel of entrepreneurs and leaders in economic development, the firms recognized are headquartered in the Great Lakes State and are beyond the start-up phase. The awards also require that honorees must show “evidence such as employee or sales growth, exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, sustainable competitive advantage or other notable factors that showcase the company’s success.” ACAT Global was recognized in May at the 10th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business banquet held at the Breslin Center in Lansing, Michigan.
Hammerking Productions Inc., creators of the Griffin King of The Hammers Presented by Nitto Tire and Ultra4 Racing, has appointed Ron Stobaugh as vice president of sales and business development. Stobaugh, who will oversee the operations of the Hammerking sales team, joins the organization with more than 25 years of off-road business experience and more than 80 off-road races under his belt. He will immediately begin working with the existing management team to partner with existing and potential sponsors to promote the current 2014 Ultra4 racing season and begin planning for the 2015 Griffin King of The Hammers Presented by Nitto Tire. Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., Cypress, CA; 800-648-8652.
Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels is an official sponsor of the Rockstar Performance Garage (RPG). Established in 2012 with Rockstar Energy Drinks and Ldrship Designs, RPG is a fully functioning performance automotive shop specializing in custom project-vehicle development on behalf of major automotive and lifestyle brands. Mickey Thompson joins numerous industry brands to participate in the 17-event RPG season, including the recent Moab Easter Jeep Safari. Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ tires will be featured on the RPG trailer-hauling truck for all events, and both the truck and trailer will be branded with the Mickey Thompson logo. Mickey Thompson Performance Tire & Wheels, Stow, OH; 330-928-9092.
The Atomic Fuel Injection System from MSD Performance was granted an executive order (EO) number from the California Air Resources Board. The EO number signifies that the Atomic aftermarket EFI system is legal on 1987 and older GM vehicles in California. The Atomic EFI system received EO number D-722, which permits the system to be installed in place of the factory carburetor on ’87 and older GM passenger cars and trucks originally powered by V8 engines. This executive order also means that the Atomic EFI system provides “reasonable basis” for satisfying the anti-tampering requirements of the Federal Clean Air Act, thus allowing its use in all other states. MSD El Paso, TX; 915-857-5200.
Black Book, a division of Hearst Business Media Corp., announced a partnership with Chicago-based Cars.com to become the company’s official vehicle valuation service. Black Book vehicle values have been used for more than 55 years throughout the automotive industry in every facet of a vehicle’s lifecycle. Through the partnership, Cars.com customers will now have the benefit of leveraging the same Black Book valuation used by car dealers nationwide when pricing their vehicles.
Hellwig Products announced that the company hired Will Rowe. Being physically located in California, the company has been actively looking to increase its representation on the East Coast and sees having representation in the East as an advantage. Rowe is currently covering the Eastern states. “He is energetic and has a great customer service attitude,” Vice President Melanie White said. “We look forward to how he’ll represent us on the East Coast.” The family-operated company produces components for trucks, RVs, musclecars and military vehicles. Hellwig is ISO9001 certified and is proud to develop, test and manufacture products in the United States. Hellwig Products, Visalia, CA; 559-734-7451.
Dan Teitscheid has joined the MAVTV network as vice president of content distribution and partner marketing. A 30-year veteran of the TV industry, Teitscheid spent 16 years with Viacom, rising to vice president of affiliate sales and marketing at MTV Networks before joining Disney and ESPN Media Networks in May 2008. During his career, Teitscheid has been involved in the introduction, launch and brand development of more than 25 cable TV networks.
