Compiled by SEMA Editors
 (From L-R): Lonnie McCurry Jr.; Lonnie McCurry Sr. (Skyjacker); Brianne and Josh Ellison, winner of the Bushwacker Founder’s Award (Royalty Core); Jerry Logan, founder and chairman of the Board (Bushwacker); and Kelly Fromm (Rev-It-Up For Wounded Warriors). | |
Bushwacker Announces Winner of Founder’s Award
On November 6, 2014, Jerry Logan, founder of Bushwacker, awarded truck builder Josh Ellison the first Bushwacker Founder’s Award, which recognized the builder of the best truck or SUV at the 2014 SEMA Show as judged by a panel of industry experts. Ellison won $1,500 and a trophy for his custom ’14 Ford F-350 Crew Cab.
Ellison, who is also the president of Royalty Core Truck Grilles and Accessories, built the truck and then drove it from Oregon to the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. His F-350 features an extensive list of modifications, starting with Bushwacker Pocket Style fender flares with custom hardware, which provides extra coverage to the custom-painted 24-in. Hostile wheels wrapped in 40-in. Interco tires. Ellison equipped the rig with a custom Bullet Proof lift and added dual shocks, steering stabilizers and traction bars. He also installed Mag Hytech differential covers.
Exterior accessories include Royalty Core grilles and bolts throughout, a custom ram-air hood by Cervinis, Fusion Bumpers, a Warn winch, a Line-X bedliner, various Monster Hooks products, LED lighting and a custom ramp in the bed to allow for a Polaris RZR side x side that resides on the back. The truck’s finish wears a baked-on ceramic coating.
To boost performance, Ellison added an Edge Evolution CTS touch-screen programmer, MBRP dual exhaust, an S&B Filters intake system and an H&S Motorsports intercooler pipe kit to the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel. Part of the final touches include a sound system courtesy of Kicker.
 A.R.E. and Rigid offer an LED light bar as an MX Series truck cap option. | |
Rigid Industries Announces Joint Marketing Partnership With A.R.E. Accessories
Rigid Industries LED Lighting entered a joint marketing partnership with A.R.E. Accessories—the result of both companies working together on industry project truck builds. They include the Wounded Warrior Project truck, professional angler Justin Lucas’s ’14 Tundra SR5 Double Cab and A.R.E.’s ’14 Fishing Team Toyota Tundra. A.R.E. Accessories recently began offering Rigid Industries’ E-Series LED Light Bars as optional equipment on its fiberglass MX Series truck caps.
Brian Huck Promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer of the Eastwood Co.
Brian Huck has been promoted from vice president of marketing and sales to president and chief operating officer of The Eastwood Co. In his new role, Huck will oversee the entire Eastwood Co. business unit, including channels, product development and the expansion into retail, which also includes strategic planning, acquisitions and business development. He will be based out of Eastwood's corporate headquarters in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
WELD Announces Hiring of Richard Greenblatt as Vice President of Operations, Keith Kern as General Manager of WELD CCW Forged Performance
WELD has announced the addition of Richard Greenblatt as the company’s new vice president of operations. Greenblatt has more than 30 years of experience in production, machining, operations and manufacturing management, and most recently was the field project operations manager for Doosan Infracore America. A former manufacturing engineering manager for ThyssenKrupp Crankshaft, Greenblatt's career has included work at several automotive and industrial companies, including Brad Foote Gear Works, Carlisle Industrial Brake, Ardisan, Inc., Condux International and Extrusion Dies Inc.
The company also has announced the addition of Keith Kern as general manger of the company’s new WELD Complete Custom Wheels (CCW) Forged Performance division, effective November 24. Kern joins WELD with a history in the performance wheel and accessory industry, most recently as the director of sales and marketing for Billet Specialties Inc. WELD recently announced the acquisition CCW of Holly Hill, Florida—a manufacturer of premium forged road race, sports car and luxury car wheels, creating CCW Forged Performance.
 Van T. Free III of Montgomery, Alabama, was the winner of the AED Performance/RacingJunk.com ’14 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 Extended Cab pickup. | |
RacingJunk.com and AED Performance Hand Over the Keys to a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado at the SEMA Show
Van T. Free III of Montgomery, Alabama, was the winner of the AED Performance/RacingJunk.com ’14 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 Extended Cab pickup. The truck represents the grand prize of a nearly yearlong campaign of giveaways and events to celebrate the 15th anniversary of RacingJunk.com. The prize also included a trip for two to the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. On Wednesday, November 5, RacingJunk.com handed over the keys to Free and his wife.
Jerry "Monza" Johnston, star of the television show "Street Outlaws," actually handed the keys over to the winners. Representatives from Magnaflow, WELD, JHR Performance, Mickey Thompson Tires, Crawford Service and AED Performance were on hand to congratulate the Frees.
The Silverado has been modified with aftermarket components, including Mickey Thompson tires, WELD Racing wheels, a Magnuson supercharger installed by JHR Performance and an A.R.E. tonneau cover, while Crawford’s Service installed the Dupli-Color bed armour system, Magnaflow exhaust system and a lift kit from Rough Country Suspension Systems. It traveled around the country as part of the giveaway contest.
Husky Liners Awarded 2014 RealTruck.com SEMA Vendor Award
Husky Liners was named the 2014 Data Geek of the Year award by RealTruck.com. The award was presented at the 2014 SEMA Show and is part of RealTruck.com's Vendor Awards series. Now in their second year, the awards honor partner companies that demonstrate a commitment to excellence in the areas of communication, problem solving and support, while providing high-quality products and top-notch customer service. Ultimately, only one company per category won, and the winners represent the partners that stood out during the September 2013 to August 2014 period.
| Covercraft President Marty Lichtmann discusses the company's commitment to customers for more than 50 years. | |
Covercraft Kicks-Off Celebration of 50 Years
Covercraft kicked off the celebration of the company's 50th anniversary with a special display featuring a '65 Mustang at the 2014 SEMA Show.
“As we prepare to celebrate 50 years of ‘Covercraftsmanship,’ we look to the past with both pride and humility, and to the future with a great deal of excitement,” stated Covercraft President Marty Lichtmann. “Our company and family of brands reflect the hard work and dedication of more than 530 employees and the inspiration of the industry we love.”
Founded in 1965 in San Fernando Valley, California, by Bob Lichtmann, Covercraft was the pioneer in custom vehicle covers. Still family owned and now headquartered in Oklahoma, Covercraft offers more than 80,000 custom patterns and a complete line of interior and exterior vehicle protection solutions.
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