SEMA News—September 2014
INDUSTRY NEWS
Fast Facts
Air Lift Co. promoted Melanie Conran to consumer marketing manager. Conran has been with Air Lift since 2006 in a number of creative, IT and graphic design positions. Prior to joining Air Lift, she was a graphic design and communications specialist for the Michigan Farm Bureau. In her new position, Conran is responsible for directing a comprehensive marketing communications program for the company’s load support division. Her duties include creative and content development for digital and print communications, PR management and implementation of strategic marketing initiatives. Air Lift Co., Lansing, MI; 517-322-2144.
Royal Purple announced the panel of judges for its fourth-annual Show It Off at SEMA photo contest. The winner of the contest, which launched in July on the brand’s Facebook fan page, will have the opportunity to display his or her vehicle at the 2014 SEMA Show, November 4–7, in Las Vegas, as a feature vehicle outside the Las Vegas Convention Center. The judges are Townsend Bell, IndyCar and Tudor Sportscar Championship driver and TV personality; Tim “Skrape” Katz, vice president and co-founder of Authentic Brands Group, Tapout LLC; Jeff Thisted of Discovery Channel’s television show “Rods ‘N Wheels”; Mark Fields, 2013 Show It Off at SEMA winner; and Carrie Strange, 2013 Royal Purple Ladies Feature Vehicle Contest winner. Royal Purple, Porter, TX; 281-354-8600.
The University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) announced that the school will offer a bachelor’s degree in automotive technology supervision. The degree is designed as a 2+2 bachelor’s program and can be completed in the College of Applied Technologies. This allows students who have obtained an associate’s degree in automotive technology, agricultural equipment technology, diesel technology, high-performance motorsports technology or alternate-fuels technology to complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in just two additional years of study. Prospective students fall into two categories: those who have already completed an associate’s degree and those who are just entering college for the first time. For more information about the program, or to enroll, contact the UNOH admissions office at 419-998-3120 or info@unoh.edu.
Eric Morgan of San Diego, California, won the Goodguys Tribute ’32 Ford Highboy Tudor during the Goodguys 17th PPG Nationals Columbus. Built in 2012 by Kindig-It Design, the vehicle was created as a modern-day tribute to Goodguys Founder and Chairman Gary Meadors’ original yellow Deuce Tudor (the Goodguys logo car for more than three decades). It features an all-steel body (donated by George Poteet) bathed in PPG “Goodguys Yellow,” a GM Performance Ramjet 350 engine featuring a custom intake from Arizona Speed & Marine, a Hughes transmission, a quick-change rearend from Speedway Engineering, Wilwood disc brakes and Billet Specialties “altered” front wheels and “fuelies” in back. Goodguys Enterprises Inc., Pleasanton, CA; 925-838-9876.
Ingersoll Rand donated a full suite of vehicle service power tools—valued at approximately $10,000—as part of its first Ingersoll Rand Race Day. The donation was made to Hunterdon County Polytech Career and Technical School in Annandale, New Jersey. Ingersoll Rand Race Day educates employees and customers about technical automotive industries and Ingersoll Rand tools, with a focus on the Ingersoll Rand racing program. The donation is part of an existing Ingersoll Rand student program that donates tool packages and offers a discount to students registered in vocational and technical programs for high schools or colleges. Ingersoll Rand, Annandale, NJ; 908-238-7000.
In a move designed to strategically realign the company’s executive and administrative operations, Roadwire Inc. has relocated its world headquarters to a state-of-the-art facility in Austin, Texas. The new, 20,000-sq.-ft. headquarters will serve as the hub for the company’s global operations and features expansive office space for executive and administrative staff. Roadwire, Santa Fe Springs, CA; 951-965-6390.
Rattletrap Productions Inc. announced that Stacey David’s “GearZ” will begin airing on Sunday mornings in October at 8:30 a.m. (EST) on the Velocity channel. With more than 100 episodes in syndication, “GearZ” is full of how-to editorial that covers everything from hardcore fabrication and makeovers to simple tips and tricks. It’s also packed with informative stories on people, products and events. Rattletrap Productions Inc., White House, TN; 615-868-6203.
Performance Industry Publications (PIP) was recently sold to manufacturer James Wilkins, who takes over as president and CEO. PIP was started 10 years ago by automotive aftermarket veteran Fleet Thompson to help facilitate communications between manufacturers, retailers and consumers to stimulate sales. Thompson will remain with PIP and head up the company’s marketing and sales. Wilkins is also the owner of Centillion Industries, which manufactures automotive aftermarket and motorcycle parts for OEMs.
Power Automedia has announced plans to launch a new digital magazine targeted toward sport-compact performance enthusiasts. Titled “Revved,” the new publication will deliver enthusiast content, including tech insight and how-to guidance, the latest specs in wheels and tires, show and lifestyle highlights and high-performance driving and handling techniques. Power Automedia currently publishes 10 automotive performance magazines that reach more than 1.3 million readers a month. Power Automedia plans to launch “Revved” in the fourth quarter of 2014 at www.revvedmag.com. Power Automedia, Murrieta, CA; 951-677-2626.
UnderCover’s newly designed Elite tonneau cover now comes standard with Strattec Security Corp.’s Bolt lock incorporated into the cover’s newly designed handle. The custom-fit tonneau cover is made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene composite material, which is strong and durable. With a full perimeter seal, the Elite protects gear from damaging weather. Bolt locks are available for many General Motors, Ford, Ram/Jeep, Toyota and Nissan vehicles and come with a limited lifetime warranty. UnderCover, Rogersville, MO; 417-753-8000.
Trim Parts Holdings Corp. has acquired The Right Stuff Detailing and all of its assets, adding to Trim Parts’ family of top-tier restoration-parts manufacturing companies. The Right Stuff will maintain its operations in Westerville, Ohio, and both customers and consumers should experience a seamless transition to the new ownership. The Right Stuff management team will continue in their current roles. Trim Parts Holdings has also acquired Mr. Mustang, manufacturer and distributor high-quality ‘64–’73 Ford Mustang restoration components. Founded in 1975 by Carl Pendley, Mr. Mustang became a highly respected and well-known name among Mustang enthusiasts around the world by manufacturing its brand of more than 200 components to exact OEM specifications. Mr. Mustang will operate out of Trim Parts’ facility in Lebanon, Ohio, and production will be headed up by Pendley’s daughter, Connie Johnson.
Enerpulse Technologies has added Mathew Truster as the company’s new aftermarket business unit manager. Truster is responsible for leading the sales growth of Pulstar with PlasmaCore, the latest edition of the company’s line of Pulstar sparkplugs. Truster will devise and implement sales strategy, provide support to the company’s distribution channel partners and ensure product data information accuracy. Truster joins Enerpulse with a diverse background in sales, including 15 years as a senior sales representative for Mantek, a division of NCH Corp. Enerpulse Inc., Albuquerque, NM; 505-842-5201.
Betts Co. introduced its new corporate website: www.betts1868.com. The website serves as the centerpiece of the company’s new branding initiative to help introduce the six-generation family-owned and -managed business to customers, prospects and the general public. The Betts Co. home page includes links to the websites for its three operating divisions, Betts Spring Manufacturing, BettsHD and Betts Truck Parts and Service. Betts Spring Co. Inc., Fresno, CA; 559-498-3304.
Tire Group International (TGI) announced that the company has hired Kevin O’Brien as vice president of strategic accounts for its domestic division and Rishi Raj Bhatnagar as a territory manager. O’Brien, who was previously vice president of sales for Ameriquest Transportation, has been in the tire industry for more than 20 years and has a vast amount of experience in the trucking industry. Bhatnagar, who brings more than 25 years of experience in the retreading industry in the African market to TGI, will work to continue developing and growing the African market.
Axalta Coating Systems is sponsoring First State Robotics of Delaware and the Miracles of Engineering First Tech Challenge team. Axalta awarded a scholarship to robotics team member Noah Andrews, a recent high school graduate who is looking to start college in the fall as an information technology major focusing on security. Axalta Coating Systems, Glen Mills, PA; 610-358-4941
Yokohama Tire Corp. announced that it will move its western region distribution center from the company’s current facility in Fullerton, California, to a new 658,000-square-foot facility in Chino, California. The move is expected to be completed late this year. The new western region distribution center, located at 16388 Fern Avenue in the county of San Bernardino, is designed to hold tires at more than twice the capacity of the existing warehouse and bring together both full-time and contract labor. It will be used to distribute Yokohama’s products. Yokohama Tire Corp., Fullerton, CA; 714-870-3800.
Flaming River Industries Inc. announced that hot rodding and racing veteran Ron Skyrme will join its team. Skyrme will lead new-business development for Flaming River and will call on customers and represent Flaming River at industry shows and events in areas primarily west of the Mississippi River. Skyrme has been involved in the automotive industry since the early ‘70s and started out in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he opened his own paint and striping shop at the age of 22. He most recently finished a 24-year career with DuPont USA, working as a technical advisor in the automotive finishes division. Flaming River Industries Inc., Berea, OH; 440-826-4488.
