SEMA News—December 2019

INDUSTRY NEWS

Fast Facts

Jake Wegner was named vice president of sales for Brake Parts Inc. LLC (BPI). He joins BPI from Magid Safety, where he held multiple positions with increasing responsibility, including his most recent role as regional vice president of sales. At Magid, he developed and implemented sales strategies that helped increase sales across all product lines. Prior to Magid, Wegner served as regional account manager with Sonoco and spent time with Hayes Manufacturing.

Darin Morgan joined the Mast Motorsports team. Best known for his efforts in heading Reher-Morrison’s research-and-development department, Morgan built his career around developing advanced cylinder heads and induction systems for engine applications, including NHRA and IHRA Pro Stock, IndyCar, NASCAR Cup, powerboats, land-speed cars and high-end sportsman and bracket racing.

Daystar Products International announced that Steve Robinson was appointed the company’s sales manager. He will be responsible for B2B sales management duties in the United States and Canada for the Daystar family of brands. He has 30 years experience in sales management and 20 years in automotive wholesale manufacturing.

R&R Marketing Consultants Inc. (RRMCI) will offer product video and 360 photo production services through a partnership with Voko Video. The partnership is a part of RRMCI’s efforts to help clients increase sales and improve the shopping experience in the digital age. RRMCI and Voko Video will work together with clients to produce digital content, while RRMCI will distribute the content in the right places.

LC Power Tools announced the appointment of Robert Eichelberg as global sales director. In his new role, Eichelberg will oversee sales and marketing for the professional power tool manufacturer. He has more than 40 years of experience in the power tool market, most recently serving as president of Flex North America—a position he held from 2001–2019. His prior experience includes work for Black & Decker/DeWalt, Skil and Porter Cable power tool brands.

Aftermarket Analytics announced a new consulting agreement with DRiV, a Tenneco Inc. business and global aftermarket and OE ride performance supplier. Aftermarket Analytics will provide services to enhance the company’s demand forecasting and commercial processes. The current product suite offered by Aftermarket Analytics includes four components: replacement rates, vehicle input/output, inventory analyst and supply-chain commander.

Rack-it Truck Racks Inc. announced the opening of its new manufacturing facility in Albany, Kentucky. The 39,000-sq-ft. facility will house manufacturing and powdercoating operations and serve as the company’s Eastern United States distribution point. Rack-it currently operates its flagship manufacturing facility in Shingle Springs, California.

Kahn Media has announced it has been recognized as one of the fastest growing marketing agencies in the world on Adweek magazine’s inaugural Top 100 Fastest-Growing Agencies list. Citing rapid growth and an increasing presence in both transportation and luxury/lifestyle marketing from 2016–2018, Kahn Media earned its place at spot number 74. Kahn Media was also recently recognized on the 2019 Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States for the second year in a row and was named the top public-relations firm in its area by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.

The Power Automedia “Horsepower Wars” show announced a partnership with Dana Aftermarket’s Victor Reinz Sealing Products for its second season. To watch “Horsepower Wars” season two, visit www.horsepowerwars.com.

VP Racing Fuels Inc. has announced it has signed a new distribution agreement with California Fuels & Lubricants (CFL), of Garden Grove, California, servicing Los Angeles and Orange Counties. California Fuels & Lubricants will distribute the full line of VP products, including VP race fuels and racing lubricants, servicing tracks and drivers throughout Southern California. CFL will market VP’s Branded Retail programs, including VP-branded gas stations, VP FastLube oil-change centers and VP PowerWash carwashes.

Thermo-Tec is partnering with Hoonigan on two of its programs: Season 2 of the next-level build show, “Knuckle Busters” and Season 2 of the head-to-head contest, “Build & Battle.” Season 2 of “Knuckle Busters” will focus on a Duramax diesel conversion of a fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro. Requiring a retrofit of the engine bay, the goal is to hit 200 mph in the standing mile. Thermo-Tec will provide products to manage heat during extended run times including exhaust wrap, heat shields, wiring wrap and covers for the Duramax’s twin turbos.

Firestone Industrial Products Co. LLC (FSIP) has announced a significant investment to expand the company’s operations in Central Europe. The company is adding more than 20,000 sq. ft. to its existing Wolsztyn, Poland, plant, where the company has manufactured air suspensions for commercial vehicles and passenger cars since 2005. It will also open a new 100,000-sq.-ft. distribution center nearby in Chobienice, Poland. The new facility is planned to be fully operational by the second half of 2020.

Acme Manufacturing Co. has officially launched its Singapore office. Acme Singapore includes a standalone research and development center focused on creating new solutions and customized robotics systems for the company’s customers in Southeast Asia. Acme’s integrated automated solutions employ robot arms and a suite of digital technologies to perform finishing tasks, such as grinding, polishing, deburring and buffing on manufactured metal parts. The systems are applied for high-precision finishing of jet engine and aerospace structural components.

Old World Industries (OWI) is now the sole distributor and strategic partner of BASF Glysantin automotive coolant/antifreeze products in the North American market. Under the agreement, Old World Industries will offer BASF Glysantin automotive coolant/antifreeze products through the OWI portfolio of brands, including PEAK Coolant + Antifreeze, for the service and aftermarket. In addition to the partnership with BASF, OWI will continue to develop and leverage its own coolant and antifreeze technologies to cater to the needs of consumers and OEMs.

3M has announced a strategic collaboration with Wrapmate to help businesses improve their brand’s visibility through vehicle graphics and ultimately help graphic professionals find more customers. Wrapmate is an online platform where business owners can visualize their brand on a vehicle by using their business’ website address. Wrapmate uses the URL to scan the website for branded visuals, such as logos and imagery and within seconds, a vehicle wrap design is created. According to 3M, this service helps business owners understand what a vehicle wrap would look like in a 3D environment and builds excitement by offering tools for the user to better understand the impact that vehicle graphics have on the awareness of their business.