SEMA News—November 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Fast Facts

Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI) initially hired Todd Cawley as its vice president of global sales to head a new initiative to capture market share in the lubricant and additive market abroad. LSI has since announced the immediate promotion of Cawley to president to head a new company division: LSI Chemical. Cawley, with a strong sales and technical background in the oil, fuel and lubricant business, contributed to the decision to develop an all-new division that will operate as a standalone unit with a focus of developing products utilizing LSI’s nano technology for new markets.

Dave Furst, the television sports director from WRTV Channel 6 in Indianapolis, was named NTT IndyCar Series vice president of communications. Furst, a native of Newburgh, Indiana, was with ABC-affiliate WRTV Channel 6 since 1997 and was promoted to the position of sports director in 2002. During his tenure, the station received several awards and nearly two dozen Emmys, many for its Trackside 6 coverage from Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the month of May. Furst also works with the Pennzoil IndyCar Radio Network.

R&R Marketing Consultants Inc. (RRMCI) was chosen by Magnuson Products LLC to provide sales and marketing services for the marine aftermarket for North America. RRMCI will also represent Magnuson in 10 states, including Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, North Dakota and South Dakota, and for all locations of Atech Motorsports/Summit Racing.

Edelbrock appointed David Page as its new product manager for forced-induction products. In his new position, Page will coordinate the efforts of the Edelbrock team and its resources to grow the presence of the brand in the forced-induction market. Page brings more than three decades of hands-on and professional experience in the performance automotive aftermarket component industry. He spent the last 15 years with Comp Performance Group, holding several tech and sales titles that included his last position as technical training director.

APC Automotive Technologies LLC was named “Outstanding Vendor of the Year” by the Automotive Parts Services Group (The Group). The announcement was made during The Group’s 2020 “Together Towards Tomorrow” National Member Conference & Expo last week. The award recognizes APC Automotive Technologies as the organization’s most preferred vendor and was voted on by all Pronto and Federated members. It is the highest supplier-partner award given annually by The Group, which purchases all undercar product categories from APC Automotive Technologies (both brake and emissions components), with Centric Parts being the largest overall supplier by volume.

McLeod Racing announced the launch of a new and improved website. McLeod enlisted Admark to provide a technology-driven fresh look for its online presence. Celebrating 50 years of business in 2021, www.mcleodracing.com was ready for a total overhaul to better showcase all of the products McLeod carries, including the many new lines it has added. The new site provides a make/model/year search, a dealer locator, product reviews, a wish list and more.

BorgWarner announced that Dr. Shaun E. McAlmont was named to its board of directors. Dr. McAlmont is the president of Career Learning Solutions at K12 Inc., a provider of online education programs, skills training and talent development. Before joining K12, Dr. McAlmont served as the president and CEO of Neumont College of Computer Science and was the CEO of Lincoln Educational Services, which includes the Lincoln Tech automotive training schools.

National Auto Parts Warehouse (NPW), a family-owned automotive aftermarket parts distributor with a nationwide presence, and Icahn Automotive Group LLC, which owns and operates Auto Plus and Pep Boys automotive retail and service locations, have announced that they have completed NPW’s acquisition of substantially all Auto Plus assets in Washington state and Oregon. The transaction includes two Pep Boys Parts retail store locations in Seattle but excludes Pep Boys automotive service centers. NPW will convert and rebrand the acquired Auto Plus and Pep Boys Parts retail locations as Auto Value parts stores. Icahn Automotive will continue to own and operate all of its service centers under the Pep Boys brand in Washington and Oregon.

Specialty Products Co. of Longmont, Colorado, announced the acquisition of Peterson Fluid Systems’ assets and team in Henderson, Colorado. Peterson manufactures high-end oil pumps, tanks, filters and associated plumbing along with fittings and accessories to meet the demands of Circle Track, drag, rally and any motorsports environment requiring performance and reliability.

Universal Technical Institute Inc. announced two additions to its executive leadership team. Bart Fesperman joined the company in the newly created role of senior vice president/chief commercial officer, while Sonia Mason was named senior vice president/chief human resources officer. Both report to Jerome Grant, UTI’s CEO. In his new role, Fesperman is accountable for UTI’s marketing and student recruitment functions and leads the company’s integrated approach to student engagement, with a focus on optimizing interactions with students from lead generation through graduation. As senior vice president/chief human recourses officer, Mason will lead UTI’s human resource function supporting all aspects of the business, including talent acquisition and management, succession planning, performance management, training and development, and compensation and benefits.

Idea Ranch announced a North American agency partnership with Australia-based Redarc Electronics. Redarc has more than 40 years’ experience developing a range of electronics for on- and off-road adventures. The products include voltage converters and inverters, 12V-to-12V battery chargers, power management systems, and brake controllers. Redarc Electronics adds to Idea Ranch’s growing portfolio in the outdoor vehicle and adventure sector market, joining Toyota, Yakima and B&W, among others.

After helping to establish Mahindra Automotive North America and being instrumental in developing a multinational powersports sales and service dealer network for the launch of the Mahindra Roxor off-road vehicle, Luc De Gaspe Beaubien elected to leave his position as vice president of business development to pursue other interests. Beaubien was a part of the senior management team at Mahindra Automotive North America and held multiple senior positions over the years.