Midwest Truck & Auto Parts Inc. Acquires Assets of Richmond Gear
Midwest Truck & Auto Parts Inc. has acquired the assets of Richmond Gear from Regal Beloit Corp. for an undisclosed amount. Richmond Gear manufacturers ring-and-pinions, transmissions and traction-control devices for the racing and high-performance off-road aftermarkets. Midwest's acquisition also includes the Powertrax and Lock-Right product lines.
Mitchell 1 and ASE Present 2011 Technician of the Future Award
Steven Ray from Essex Junction, Vermont, received the Technician of the Future Award, sponsored by Mitchell 1 and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), during a ceremony on November 16 as part of the 2011 ASE Fall Board of Governors Meeting and Technician Recognition Awards held at the Marriott City Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ray has been an automotive technician for five years and has worked as a BMW technician at The Automaster, BMW, in Shelburne, Vermont, for the past year. He received an associate’s degree in automotive technology, which included courses in alternative fuel, high performance and racing technology, from Ohio Technical College in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was on the honor roll every quarter. Ray said he decided to become an automotive technician because cars fascinate him; he likes figuring out the way things work and working with his hands.
Toyo Tire Continues as Official Tire of NASA
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. announced that it will continue as the official tire of the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) through 2015. Toyo Tires stated that it has enjoyed a long association with NASA. The Toyo Proxes RA1 became the spec tire for select racing classes in 2002. Toyo Tires also announced that it will also return as the title sponsor of the NASA Championships at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course. Toyo Tires will increase the payouts in its NASA contingency program. Drivers in 13 different spec classes as well as time trial and non-Toyo spec classes are eligible to earn Toyo Bucks when they win on Toyo tires. Details can be found on the NASA website at www.nasaproracing.com/contingency.
Vincent De Stefano Joins HushMat Sales Team
HushMat announced that it has added Vincent De Stefano to its sales team. The company reports that De Stefano has more than 28 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry, working in almost every level of the retail structure, from salesman to national positions. Tim McCarthy, founder of HushMat stated, “We are pleased to have Vincent join us as a key member of our sales team. Vincent’s skills and 28 years of experience in virtually every level of sales is a great addition for our company."
Heri Automotive Receives 2011 Automotive Communications Award
Heri Automotive received a 2011 Automotive Communications Award (ACA) in the Business to Business awards category for the company's new corporate image campaign. To help support its 2011 aftermarket product launch, Heri Automotive worked with The Marx Group to develop a new corporate identity. The new campaign included a branding strategy, logo, website, video, sale support materials and distinctive packaging. The Automotive Communications Awards, sponsored by the Women’s Board and supported by the Automotive Communication Council, honor companies/agencies that provide automotive information through outstanding advertising, marketing and public relations efforts.
ASA Doubles New System Installations in 2011
ASA Automotive Systems (formerly ASA Tire Systems) announced that it has implemented more than 100 new systems so far in 2011, with more than 1,100 new users at more than 300 locations nationwide. ASA provides software systems and services to independent tire dealers and automotive service centers. According to the company, with the installation of 100 new systems, ASA doubled its new-system installations it reported in 2010. “It's certainly no news these days that the economy could be a lot better and there's no magic wand to help tire dealers and auto repair shops avoid the impact, but there are strategies that they can deploy that can help to make the difference between pain and gain during these challenging times,” said Ken Halle, president of ASA Automotive Systems.