SEMA News—July 2015
FAST FACTS
AP Exhaust Technologies LLC announced Keith Marchiando as its new chief financial officer (CFO). He joins AP Exhaust with more than 25 years of global finance experience. Most recently, Marchiando was CFO of Perceptron Inc., a publicly traded global supplier of high-technology measurement systems. He brings additional automotive experience from various finance roles he held at Ford Motor Co. and the Dow Chemical Co. AP Exhaust Technologies, Goldsboro, NC; 919-580-2000.
WELD Racing is supporting the “Hot Wheels: Race to Win” exhibit at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis now through August 16. The exhibit will travel to other U.S. museums during the next five years, returning to Indianapolis each summer. The exhibit encourages children to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers with a behind-the-scenes look at racing through investigating the scientific process for designing super-fast cars. WELD Racing’s contribution to the exhibit is a demonstration on building lightweight wheels that don’t sacrifice safety for speed. WELD Racing, Kansas City, MO; 800-788-9353.
BettsHD appointed Ed Powderly as vice president of sales. Most recently, Powderly was business development manager, aftermarket, for Hendrickson USA LLC. Powderly will report to Betts Co. President and COO Bill Betts and will be responsible for all sales activities at BettsHD. Since 2011, Powderly was responsible for the aftermarket sales organization, which represents all Hendrickson product lines. He began his career as a product manager for the aftermarket performance group at Tenneco Automotive.
Tectum Holdings Inc. (THI) acquired A.R.E. Accessories LLC, making it the eighth acquisition on the THI platform. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, THI is a supplier of branded light-duty truck accessories for pickup-bed applications. A.R.E. Accessories, which manufactures custom-made fiberglass and aluminum truck caps and tonneau covers, operates from three manufacturing locations in Ohio and a distribution center in Nevada. A.R.E. Accessories, Massillon, OH;
330-830-7800.
UCI Holdings Ltd. announced an agreement to sell its Wells vehicle electronics business to NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd. for approximately $257 million. Wells is a U.S. market supplier of switches, ignition coils and pressure sensors, mainly to the automotive aftermarket. The transaction is expected to close early in the third quarter of 2015, pending final regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. NGK feels that Wells is an ideal candidate for its expansion efforts because of its more than 100-year history in the United States. NGK Spark Plugs, Wixom, MI; 248-926-6352.
Meyer Distributing Inc. added a Salt Lake City, Utah, location that will have a direct feed from the company’s Denver, Colorado, distribution hub, which houses one of the largest inventories of automotive accessories in the mountain states. The company also added a Salt Lake City, Utah, location that will have a direct feed from the company’s Denver, Colorado, distribution hub, which houses one of the largest inventories of automotive accessories in the mountain states.
Florida’s National Performance Warehouse (NPW) announced its second new location in the first five months of 2015. Last month, NPW completed its purchase of Racer’s Equipment Warehouse in Rhode Island. The Frank Edwards Co. is nearing its centennial, as it started in business in 1916. The company operates from a 100,000-sq.-ft. modern automated facility in West Valley City, Utah. Store operations will soon include the Auto Value banner under new management. The new operators were not disclosed at press time. National Performance Warehouse, Miami, FL; 305-953-7270.
Holley Performance announced a partnership with Detroit Speed Inc. for the 2015 show season. Detroit Speed will display, promote and sell products from the Holley family of brands in its booth at all shows and events the company attends in 2015. This partnership will increase awareness for both companies and allow consumers to see Holley products in action. Detroit Speed’s test cars will use Holley products in 2015. Holley Performance Products, Bowling Green, KY; 270-782-2900. Detroit Speed, Mooresville, NC; 704-662-3272.
Premier Performance Holdings and Northridge 4x4 announced the acquisition of RallySport Direct LLC (RSD), which was founded in 2003 by Nick Widdison. The company offers a full range of performance-enhancing products for Subaru, Ford, Mitsubishi, Toyota and others. Widdison will continue in his leadership role as president of RSD in the combined organization. Premier Performance, Rexburg, ID; 208-356-0106. RallySport Direct, Draper, UT; 801-495-6681.
Champion Oil announced that Lugran Ind COM IMP EXP De Products LTDA EPP (Lugran) is its exclusive warehouse distributor in Brazil. Lugran will offer Champion products in a number of categories as well as promote the Purpose-Built line of Champion motor oils, chemicals and lubricants. Champion Oil, Clinton, MO; 660-890-6231.
Anthem Media Group Inc. entered a partnership with Lucas Oil Products to bring the growing MAVTV network to Canada. MAVTV features exclusive automotive/motorsports programming, such as “The Dave Despain Show,” “Full Custom Garage,” “Stacey David’s GearZ” and “Speed Sport,” hosted by Ralph Sheheen in partnership with National Speed Sports News, and more. MAVTV Canada will be based out of Anthem Studios in Toronto, Canada. Media entrepreneur and Fight Network founder Mike Garrow will oversee MAVTV Canada’s rollout and launch. Lucas Oil Products, Corona, CA; 951-270-0154.
Radar and laser detector manufacturer Escort Inc. named John A. Malone senior vice president of sales. Malone will directly oversee all sales-related business units, including retail sales, direct-to-consumer sales, consumer service and sales support. He will report directly to Escort’s President and CEO, David Thornhill. Reporting to Malone will be all sales and sales administration, national account and territory managers and regional international sales.
