Compiled by SEMA Editors
 WELD Racing has supplied its Delta-1—a one-piece forged drag-racing wheel used by John Force Racing, as part of the new “Hot Wheels: Race to Win” exhibit, which opened May 9, 2015, at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. | |
WELD Racing and John Force Racing Bring Hot Wheels Traveling Exhibit to Children’s Museums Across the Nation
WELD Racing has announced its support of a new exhibit, “Hot Wheels: Race to Win,” which opened May 9, at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. After concluding August 16, 2015, in Indianapolis, the exhibit will travel to other museums around the United States over the next five years, returning to Indianapolis every summer. The exhibit encourages children to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers with a behind-the-scenes look at the world of racing by investigating the scientific process for designing super-fast cars.
WELD Racing has supplied its Delta-1 for the exhibit—a one-piece forged drag-racing wheel used by John Force Racing and available in three versions for Top Fuel/Funny Car, Pro Mod/Top Alcohol and Pro Stock. WELD Racing’s contribution to the exhibit will show children how to build a lightweight wheel that does not sacrifice safety for speed.
NGK Spark Plugs to Acquire UCI Holdings
UCI Holdings Limited, the parent company of UCI International Inc., announced an agreement to sell its Wells vehicle electronics business to NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd. for approximately $257 million. Wells is U.S. market supplier of switches, ignition coils and pressure sensors, mainly to the automotive aftermarket. The transaction is expected to close early in the third quarter of 2015, pending final regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.
NGK reports that the company has been pursuing opportunities to further strengthen its automotive components business, including expanding both the product lineup and improving its penetration in various distribution channels. NGK said Wells is an ideal candidate for its expansion efforts because it is a well-known automotive parts manufacturer with more than 100 years of history in the United States.
National Performance Warehouse, Florida, Acquires Frank Edward’s Co., Utah, in Second Acquisition in Two Months
Florida's National Performance Warehouse (NPW) has announced its second new location in the first five months of 2015. Last month, NPW completed its purchase of Racer’s Equipment Warehouse in Rhode Island. The Frank Edwards Co. is nearing its centennial as it started in business in 1916. The company operates from a 100,000-sq.-ft. modern, automated facility in West Valley City, Utah. Store operations of the purchase will soon be flying the Auto Value banner under new management. The new operators were not disclosed at press time.
 Keith Marchiando | |
Keith Marchiando Joins AP Exhaust Technologies as CFO
AP Exhaust Technologies LLC has announced Keith Marchiando as its new chief financial officer (CFO) and member of the AP Exhaust Executive team, effective May 2015. Marchiando joins AP Exhaust with more than 25 years of global finance experience. Most recently, he was CFO of Perceptron Inc., a publicly traded global supplier of high-technology measurement systems. Marchiando previously held CFO roles at Carbon Motors—a startup company developing a purpose-built law-enforcement vehicle—and Dura Automotive—a $2.5 billion Tier-1 and Tier-2 supplier to the automotive industry. He brings additional automotive experience from various finance roles he held at both Ford Motor Co. and the Dow Chemical Co.
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