SEMA News—April 2015
INDUSTRY NEWS
Fast Facts
Motorcycle USA has hired Adam Booth as its new off-road editor. He brings 17 years of publishing industry experience to the MotoUSA staff. Booth will lead off-road content production for the publication’s 1 million unique monthly visitors. He joins MotoUSA after working at Dirt Rider for the past three years, where he served as senior editor. Prior to that, he spent seven years as associate editor for Dirt Bike. Former MotoUSA off-road editor Justin Dawes remains on staff as senior editor. Dawes will continue to contribute dirt- and street-related feature content. He will also continue leading MAG Media Group’s ATV/UTV website, 4WheelDirt.com, where he serves as editor.
Transamerican Manufacturing Group has acquired Poison Spyder Customs (PSC). Poison Spyder is continuing to gain momentum in the off-road community. “I really admire what Larry McRae [PSC president] has done in building a predominant brand so quickly,” said Greg Adler, CEO of Transamerican Auto Parts. Transamerican, Compton, CA; 310-900-5500.
Power Automedia has hired Mads Buck to its team of digital automotive experts. His automotive publishing experience began with CSK Publishing, the original publishers of Muscle Mustang & Fast Fords. Buck also served as a group director for Primedia, was an account executive with Hemmings Motor News and was most recently with Internet Brands’ Racing Junk online classified and dealer network. Power Automedia, Murrieta, CA; 951-677-2626.
AP Exhaust Technologies has appointed Chris Ostrander chief executive officer and president. Evangelos Proimos will continue as executive chairman, working directly with Ostrander to develop the company’s strategic vision. Ostrander joins AP Exhaust with more than 16 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket and OEM industries. He most recently served four years as senior vice president and president of the Americas at Cooper Tire & Rubber. AP Exhaust Technologies Inc., Goldsboro, NC; 919-580-2000.
Avery Dennison has appointed Roxanne McSpadden as marketing director of graphics for Materials Group North America (MGNA). Her responsibilities include leading the product innovation and management team for digital and screen and cut media. She will report to Shelley Woods Whiting, who was recently appointed MGNA vice president of marketing. Whiting comes to Avery Dennison from Georgia-Pacific Chemicals, where she served as director of marketing for commercial development and sustainability. Avery Dennison, Mentor, OH; 800-282-8379.
Edelbrock’s 60th Anniversary of the Small-Block Chevrolet Engine Sweepstakes will allow enthusiasts the chance to enter to win a unique engine commemorating the 60th anniversary launch of the popular small-block. The engine was built on a special episode of this season’s “Engine Power” TV show and features an Edelbrock E-Force Enforcer EFI Supercharger system, Performer RPM E-Tec 200 cylinder heads, a Performer-Plus camshaft and more. The contest may be entered at www.edelbrock.com until May 5, 2015. Edelbrock, Torrance, CA; 310-781-2222.
Torklift International has implemented a resale price policy in order to protect product integrity and dealer margins at the request of hundreds of dealers and distributors. “This policy will require that certain Torklift products cannot be sold below a specified dollar amount,” explained Randy Fisher, Torklift International’s national sales manager. The lines included in the policy are FastGun turnbuckles, SpringLoad XL turnbuckles, Derringer Handle turnbuckles, AnchorGuard turnbuckles, SuperHitch 20k, SuperHitch 30k, SuperTruss Extensions and more. Torklift International, Sumner, WA; 800-246-8132.
Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT) has hired Nye & Associates Inc., a full-service advertising agency specializing in accessory and aftermarket manufacturers. The agency will assist ACT with marketing projects, including overall branding, media planning, creative, sales tools and more. Advanced Clutch Technology Inc., Lancaster, CA; 661-940-7555. Nye & Associates, Wichita, KS; 316-263-5878.
Yokohama Corp. of North America (YTC) announced several organizational changes. Rick Phillips was promoted from senior director for commercial and OTR sales to vice president of sales for consumer, commercial and OTR. He will report to Takayuki Hamaya, YTC chief operating officer. Larry Kull, former senior director for tire business planning and sales operations, is now senior director for consumer sales. He will report to Phillips. Fred Koplin, former senior director for consumer sales, is now senior director of marketing. He will report to Hamaya. Andrew Briggs, former senior director of marketing, product planning and technical services, is now senior director for tire business planning, product planning and sales operations. He will report to Hamaya. Yokohama Tire Corp., Fullerton, CA; 714-870-3800.
Action Car and Truck Accessories, located in Eastern Canada, has acquired CTP Distributors/Custom Truck Parts Inc. of Western Canada. “Now that we will be combined under one umbrella, CTP and Action will be the only truly national aftermarket accessory company that deals in all aspects of the aftermarket accessory business in Canada,” said Bill Kluyt, CEO of CTP Distributors Inc. The combined companies will consist of four major distribution centers (Surrey, Edmonton, Pickering, Moncton), four secondary distribution points (Calgary, Grande Prairie, Winnipeg, St. John’s), and 37 retail stores with installation facilities and e-commerce stores catering to wholesale, retail and commercial fleet segments. Action Car and Truck Accessories, Moncton, Canada; 506-857-0120.
SCG Brands—parent company of Surf City Garage and Paradise Road Car Care—has retained Kahn Media Inc. as its agency of record. Kahn Media will provide public relations, social-media marketing, brand journalism and strategic communications to help the Orange County-based company market its washes, waxes, polishes and surface care products. Surf City Garage, Huntington Beach, CA; 714-894-1707. Kahn Media Inc., Moorpark, CA; 818-881-5246.
The Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) has announced that it has extended its partnership with VP Racing Fuels, which will be designated the Official Fuel of PDRA through 2017. As part of the agreement, VP will provide trackside fuel service for the all-eighth-mile drag-racing series and postseason awards up to $1,000 in each class for the series championship.
