SEMA News—September 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Fast Facts

David Black	Joseph Shaw

Peterson Manufacturing announced two new and experienced additions to its sales department: David Black and Joseph Shaw. As the new business-development manager of fleets, Black will focus on all fleets in the Eastern and South Central United States. Black’s career began at a Lexington warehouse/trucking company. Shaw joins the company as product sales manager in Canada. He started his career in the trucking industry in trailer fleet leasing and OEM trailer sales. His résumé includes stints with Holland Binkley, Jost International, Pac-Lease, Bose Ride and Sears Seating.

Fastrak Companies International LLC, the parent company for the Fastrak Racing Series and Ultimate Super Late Model Series, hired Tim Packman as the company’s new general manager. Packman brings more than 25 years of racing experience to the position. Prior to Fastrak, Packman was the president of Lancaster (New York) National Speedway & Dragway, where he earned short-track promoter of the year honors in 2016 and 2017. He also has career experience working for Richard Childress Racing, Dale Earnhardt Inc., MRN Radio and NASCAR.com.

Dr. Thomas Klukas assumed the newly created position of COO for Formel D and now heads the group’s operational division. Formel D’s executive management will consist of Dr. Jürgen Laakmann (CEO), Gian Mario Deligios (CFO) and Dr. Klukas. For the past 14 years, Dr. Klukas was employed by SGS SA, holding various international managerial positions. With a PhD in industrial engineering, he was responsible for the transportation division.

Dayco announced several leadership changes. Thomas J. (TJ) Fontana will serve as the director of sales for North America, while Shannon Lara was announced as the director of marketing for the North American aftermarket. Also, Tyler Samagalski was promoted to director of the industrial, fluid power and performance markets in North America. All will report directly to Dayco Vice President of the North American Aftermarket Tom Tecklenburg.

Acme Manufacturing Co. announced the retirement of Joe Saad, senior vice president of sales and marketing, after 46 years of service. Saad was instrumental in developing polishing automation solutions for automotive trim, truck bumpers, aluminum wheels, plumbing components, hand tools and builders’ hardware.

GearFX Driveline announced its relocation to a new facility in Mooresville, North Carolina, down the street from its current post. The new 18,000-sq.-ft. facility increases the company’s footprint by more than 5,000 sq. ft. It features a larger dyno area and increased warehouse capacity. The machine shop, build shop and fabrication shop are housed in individual climate-controlled spaces to better control dust mitigation. The new physical and mailing address is 114 Infield Ct., Mooresville, NC 28117.

Turn 14 Distribution Inc. and Motovicity Distribution Inc. announced a definitive agreement under which Turn 14 Distribution will acquire substantially all of Motovicity’s assets for an undisclosed price. Turn 14 Distribution will extend employment offers to a majority of Motovicity’s employees. The transaction marks Turn 14 Distribution’s first asset purchase agreement since its formation in 2007. Moving forward, Motovicity’s operations will cease, and the company will operate exclusively under the name Turn 14 Distribution. For more information, visit www.turn14.com.

Mahle Motorsport announced the promotion of Joe Maylish to sales and program manager for the company’s North American motorsports division. Maylish will serve as the primary contact for all external sales reps, warehouse distributors and other customers and develop and coordinate sales strategies, goals and missions, direct training and coordinate market research to meet sales goals.

Wrapmate entered a three-year global collaboration agreement with 3M Commercial Solutions to help businesses improve their marketability within the print, signage and vehicle graphics industry. This collaborative agreement, first announced in 2019, will provide customers with a one-stop shop network of professionals and resources on a global scale. Wrapmate’s technology includes an augmented reality app that allows business owners to visualize their vehicle graphics mockups on 3-D digital images placed virtually in their driveways or office parking lots.

Power Test Inc. and Taylor Dynamometer completed the merger of their two heavy-duty dynamometer and test-stand businesses. The combined businesses will employ approximately 160 people, with a majority working in Sussex, Wisconsin, and 30 in Milwaukee. Taylor Dynamometer Vice President of Sales and Service Jeff Brown and Vice President of Engineering Larry Golding will continue to lead the Milwaukee-based facility while reporting to Power Test Inc. President Rick Ruzga. Art Downey, the former owner of Taylor, will continue to collaborate with Power Test CEO Alan Petelinsek.

Borowski Race Engines Inc. (BRE) announced that Tim Zapp was promoted from lead technician to shop manager. Zapp, an active drag racer, is described as a “true prodigy,” having assembled his first engine at the age of 14. Zapp most recently completed Holley’s EFI training program as well as an advanced Rottler five-axis CNC course. Zapp first joined BRE while still attending high school.

Masters Entertainment Group Inc. of Bristol, Tennessee, announced that it has added a livestreaming division. Masters plans to break away from the usual video streaming used in motorsports and offer more complete and professional streaming event coverage. Using professional television HD cameras, Masters said it will use boom cam shots, several manned cameras, drone shots, point-of-view cameras, photo-finish cams, live interviews from the pit area and top-end winner interviews. There is no cost for the streaming service for the event. For more information, visit www.masterstvshows.com.