INDUSTRY NEWS
Fast Facts
Peterson Manufacturing named Jeff Geoffroy director of marketing and business development. In his new role, Geoffroy will be responsible for increasing brand awareness, expanding customer engagement and leading all go-to-market activities. Prior to joining Peterson, Geoffroy served as senior global product marketing manager for IBM’s Watson Commerce Group and, more recently, as director of product marketing for ZoomInfo, where he led product marketing for a pre-IPO go-to-market data company. Geoffroy also spent 15 years at Bose Corp., leading the sales and marketing efforts for one of its emerging business groups.
Miami-based NPW Companies acquired Engine & Performance Warehouse Inc., an engine parts warehouse distributor based in Denver. The transaction was finalized on December 4. The acquisition expands NPW’s footprint to 30 warehouse locations and 50 storefronts.
Oracle Lighting announced the promotion of Melissa Parker-Boudreaux to national sales manager. She will be responsible for leading Oracle Lighting’s inside and outside sales teams and managing upper-level distribution accounts. Parker-Boudreaux recently celebrated 10 years with Oracle Lighting, during which she rose through administrative and supervisory sales roles.
The Timken Co., a provider of engineered bearings and power transmission products, acquired Aurora Bearing Co.’s assets. Aurora manufactures rod ends and plain spherical bearings.
Dura-Bond Bearing appointed Joe Kerick its new president. Kerick, who will begin his new role effective January 1, was promoted from the position of new-product development manager. Also with the announcement, Andre Moser was named vice president of sales and marketing. He was promoted from the position of general sales and marketing manager. Meanwhile, current Controller Jennifer Pasquali was promoted to CFO. Chuck Barnett will continue to serve as the CEO and chairman in 2021.
Wilwood’s racing division hired Tommy Strup as the newest outside sales contractor. Since his early childhood, Strup spent time at racetracks. He’s owned a race program and worked directly with various race teams, builders and dealers. In 1969, he turned his passion for racing into a career at Heintz Performance. He also spent time at CV Products, Central High Performance and Pro-Systems. A native and longtime resident of Long Island, New York, Strup now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. He will report directly to Dave Brzozowski, Wilwood motorsports manager.
Truck Hero Inc. and L Catterton announced that they entered into a definitive agreement under which global consumer-focused private equity firm L Catterton and its investors will acquire a controlling interest in Truck Hero. CCMP Capital Advisors LP, the current holders of a majority interest in Truck Hero, and Truck Hero’s founding CEO Bill Reminder will remain significant investors as part of the transaction. Reminder will retain his current leadership position. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Plews & Edelmann announced the appointment of Dan Billie to the position of chief executive officer. The announcement was made by David Rashid, executive chairman for Plews & Edelmann. A 25-year veteran of the automotive aftermarket, Billie joined Plews & Edelmann in September 2019. He previously served as executive vice president of APC Automotive Technologies and as senior vice president of Cardone Industries.
Harts Diesel and Machine, known for its line of high-performance diesel parts, is expanding with the formation of Harts Turbo, a division focused on street/strip applications. Roger Conley will lead the new division as director of business development. Conley is a 30-year veteran in the high-performance aftermarket. His role will include product development, inventory management and distribution.
Power Automedia announced the hiring of Chad Powszok as Alloy Studios’ video production manager. Prior to joining the Power Automedia team, Powszok worked in the video production industry, fulfilling a variety of roles from production coordinator to associate producer and eventually producer. Powszok contributed to the coordination and production on three generations of Apple’s iPhone campaigns and two iPad campaigns. Additionally, he went on to win a Bronze Lion from the Cannes Film Festival for the opening film (entitled “Apocalypse”) for the World Wide Developers Conference in 2017.
Amphenol Sine Systems and Waytek Inc. announced a formal agreement to distribute Amphenol Sine’s full selection of industry-standard connectors. This distribution partnership became official in September. Waytek will continue to distribute new products developed by Amphenol Sine Systems throughout 2021 and beyond.
Former 700-WLW America’s Truckin’ Network host Steve Sommers is returning to the airwaves with a new five-hour live-stream talk show direct from the brand-new Hot Shot’s Secret studios. WLW-AM’s overnight America’s Truckin’ Network show reached a broad audience of overnight truckers, third-shift employees and anyone who was up and listening from 12:00 a.m.–5:00 a.m. Sommers is now returning with a live-stream call-in talk show scheduled also from 12:00 a.m.–5:00 a.m., thanks to longtime advertiser and supporter Hot Shot’s Secret.
