SEMA News—March 2016
Fast Facts
Classic Tube appointed Nicole Millich marketing manager. She has worked for more than 10 years in consumer and B2B arenas, focusing on the implementation of strategic and tactical marketing research. Millich will oversee all marketing strategy and tactics of Classic Tube, including print, digital and events. She will also work closely with the Classic Tube sales department to grow the company’s automotive retail, distributor and industrial customer segments. Classic Tube, Lancaster, NY; 800-882-3711.
Serra Automotive announced the appointment of Lou Lobsinger Jr. as the company’s new OEM and aftermarket accessories specialist. Lobsinger will work with all of the brands on the Al Serra Auto Plaza to launch a new accessories program. Lobsinger joins Serra Automotive after 13 years with Specialty Auto Parts USA Inc. in Warren, Michigan, and most recently with Next Advisory Group Inc. He currently writes for several automotive magazines, including Performance Business, and is the automotive correspondent for “NBC 25 Today.”
QA1 won the Materials and Process Innovation Award from the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) during the 2015 Composites and Advanced Materials Expo in Dallas. ACMA presents its awards to companies that implement innovation in composites design, manufacturing or market growth. QA1 won in the manufacturing category for its nanosilica-infused resin for use in performance automotive carbon-fiber driveshafts. The company partnered with 3M to develop Matrix Resin, which allows for redesign of composite structures, eliminating weight while improving strength and stiffness, according to QA1. QA1 Precision Products, Lakeville, MN; 952-985-6450.
RealTruck.com promoted Justin Deltener to vice president. Deltener will be responsible for managing the regular operations and administration of the company, working with managers and company executives to set strategic goals and spearheading initiatives geared toward further company growth and development. Hired as chief technology officer in 2008, Deltener has been instrumental in creating RealTruck.com’s back-end order-management and fulfillment system, the development of the company’s website and the founding of the RealTruck Fargo office. RealTruck.com, Jamestown, ND; 877-216-5446.
The Wheel Group/Wheel-1 added Shelly Urwiler to its national sales force. Urwiler has been in the wheel, tire and accessory business for more than 40 years and has worked for many well-known wheel companies. He brings many years of experience, knowledge and relationships to the company. His main focus for The Wheel Group/Wheel-1 will be expanding business with national and small chain stores. Wheel-1 has 19 warehouse locations in the United States and Canada. The Wheel Group/Wheel-1, City of Industry, CA; 626-363-1660.
Turn 14 Distribution relocated its corporate headquarters to a state-of-the-art corporate park in Horsham, Pennsylvania, to better meet the needs of its customers and vendors and facilitate continued growth. The Horsham offices will serve as the base of operations for Turn 14 Distribution’s executive offices as well as its sales, customer-support call center, purchasing, marketing, web development, IT and accounting departments. The addition of a dedicated, 55-person training room features the latest audio and video equipment. Turn 14 Distribution, Horsham, PA; 877-788-7914.
Considine Sales & Marketing received the Rep of the Year Award from Meyer Distributing. Located in the Midwest, Considine Sales & Marketing is a manufacturing representative firm that has been in business for more than 44 years, providing sales, service, product placement, jobber calls and training to the automotive aftermarket. Criteria for the award included jobber calls; communication between manufacturers and Meyer; sales visits with Meyer inside sales reps; participation in vendor days, marketing and promotions; and overall support of Meyer and its efforts to increase sales. Considine Sales & Marketing, Highland, MI; 877-611-3344.
Abdallah (Abdul) Ibrahim was named the 2015 Mitchell 1 Automotive Service Excellence Technician of the Future. The award package included a $500 cash prize and a $2,000 gift certificate for a one-year subscription to ProDemand. Ibrahim has been an automotive and diesel technician for three years. He is currently working with his father at his auto shop in Wiggins, Colorado, and is attending Northeastern Junior College, where he is working toward an associate’s degree in diesel service technology. He also holds an associate’s degree in automotive service technology from Morgan Community College. Mitchell 1, Poway, CA; 858-391-5000.
Truck Hero Inc. announced the acquisition of N-FAB Parts and Accessories, making it the ninth acquisition on the Truck Hero platform. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Truck Hero is a supplier of branded light-duty truck accessories for pickup-bed applications. Since its formation, the company has grown organically and via acquisition from two truck bed-cover brands into a diverse portfolio of seven major bed-cover and truck-cap brands and a bedliner brand. N-FAB was previously owned by Thomas Fichter.
The Petersen Automotive Museum announced a media partnership with TEN: The Enthusiast Network. TEN will house its photo archive—which includes historical Petersen Publishing material—in the new Robert E. Petersen Library & Research Center at the museum. TEN will also serve as the presenting sponsor of the museum’s Hot Rod and Customs Gallery. The TEN photo archive—the largest automotive enthusiast archive in the world, with 8 million images from 1955 to 1997—will eventually be available to the public. Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, CA; 323-964-6320.
Doug Stokes received the Motor Press Guild’s 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award for his public-relations contributions to motorsports and the racing industry. A member of the MPG since it was re-named from IMPA-West in the mid-’80s, Stokes has supported motorsports for more than 25 years. Stokes has served as vice president of communications at Irwindale Event Center since 2013 and has previously been honored with the Chapman Award for PR by the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association. Irwindale Event Center, Irwindale, CA; 626-358-1100.
Power Heavy Duty welcomed SR Parts as its newest member company. Established in 2001 and based in Laredo, Texas, the company is operated by Sylvia Benavides, president, and Ricardo Rivera, vice president. The addition of SR Parts to Power Heavy Duty provides the organization with a strategic new point of distribution in South Texas and includes a customer base of fleets, independent service facilities, municipalities and owner-operators. The company’s inventory includes various truck and trailer parts.
Permatex named Curtis Haines associate innovations manager and Suzanne C. Liseo associate product manager. Haines will work with the product-marketing and R&D teams to identify and develop new markets and innovate product ideas for new and existing markets. He will also oversee new-product development, research analysis and provide hands-on technical advisement. Liseo will support the product-management team with a focus on new-product development. She will also handle customer/sales data (NPD & POS), line reviews and promotions as well as price-list maintenance and management.
