Compiled by SEMA Editors
Holley Performance Products Acquires MSD Group
Holley Performance Products has announced the acquisition of the El Paso, Texas-based MSD Group, which includes brands such as MSD, Mr. Gasket, ACCEL, Superchips, Edge, Racepak, Mallory, Hays, QuickTime and Lakewood.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to combine the awesome legacies of these companies,” said Holley President and CEO Tom Tomlinson. “The combination of these brands will provide our customers with the most complete offering of performance products in the industry. We are aggressively developing innovative new products at Holley, and we’re going to continue to build upon the fine job the MSD Group is already doing with new products.”
 Jayme Farina | |
Jayme Farina Joins AP Exhaust Technologies as Vice President of Sales
AP Exhaust Technologies LLC has announced Jayme Farina as its new vice president sales of traditional markets, effective September 2015. Farina joins AP Exhaust with more than 20 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket industry. Most recently, he was vice president of sales with Gates Corp.—a manufacturer of power transmission belts and fluid power products. Prior to Gates, he was with CARDONE Industries where he spent a majority of his career rising through the sales organization to channel vice president of traditional markets. Farina will be focused on AP Exhaust’s traditional markets, reporting directly to Dan Billie, AP Exhaust’s executive vice president of sales and marketing.
VHD Equipment Network to Merge into Power Heavy Duty in 2016
VIPAR Heavy Duty has announced that its VHD Equipment Network of distributors will transition into the Power Heavy Duty LLC network, effective January 1, 2016. VHD Equipment Network was established in 2008 to offer membership to commercial vehicle truck-mounted equipment distributors in a national marketing group. VIPAR Heavy Duty acquired the Power Heavy Duty organization in late December 2013, and as a result, Power Heavy Duty became part of the growing VIPAR Heavy Duty family of companies. The combination of the two groups into one will allow the organization to maximize efficiencies while focusing on growing business with members, supplier partners and their collective customers. The combined group will represent more than 140 distributor companies with more than 210 locations coast to coast and more than 175 existing supplier and business service programs.
 Rugged Ridge’s 53-ft. trailer features an end-to-end vinyl wrap showcasing the brand’s Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, “Mango.” Photo Credit: Rugged Ridge | |
Rugged Ridge Hits the Road With All-New Custom 53-ft. Trailer
Rugged Ridge has announced that it is hitting the road with a custom-designed trailer to raise the bar on their show efforts at Jeep and off-road events in 2016. Featuring Rugged Ridge’s orange Jeep Wrangler (JK) Unlimited known as “Mango,” the 53-ft. tri-axle gooseneck trailer showcases a vivid mountainous scene. The company’s slogan, “We Make Jeeps Rock,” is printed across the trailer.
Rancho Offers “Shocktober” Performance Shocks and Struts Promotion
The Rancho “Shocktober” promotion, available at participating retailers and vehicle service provider locations nationwide between September 1–October 31, 2015, will provide off-road enthusiasts driving trucks, SUVs, Jeeps or other custom off-road rigs with a chance to save on the fourth unit in a four-corner sale. The offer enables consumers to get four qualifying Rancho shocks or struts for the price of three through a participating vehicle service provider or parts store. Consumers who qualify for the rebate will receive by mail a Visa Prepaid Card equal to the lowest priced unit, up to the current suggested list price. Rancho products included in the offer are Rancho RS9000 XL shocks, Rancho quickLIFT Loaded units, Rancho RS7000 MT monotube shocks, and RS5000 X shocks and struts. For a complete list of qualifying Rancho products, visit www.GoRancho.com after September 1, 2015. Entries must be postmarked by November 30, 2015.
 Jay Van Hooten from Mars Automotive Reconditioning Center of Boise, Idaho, is the winner of this year’s second annual Cleo Award for his reconditioning of a ’54 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith. | |
2015 Cleo Award Winner Announced
ColorBond has announced that Jay Van Hooten from Mars Automotive Reconditioning Center of Boise, Idaho, is the winner of this year’s second annual Cleo Award for his reconditioning of a ’54 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith. The award will be presented at the 2015 SEMA Show, Wednesday, November 4, at 10:30 a.m. in the ColorBond booth # 23793. A press conference will follow. The Cleo crystal trophy and $500 is awarded to the individual who has shown excellence in utilizing ColorBond finishes to restore the interior of any type of automobile, including trucks, musclecars, classics, hot rods and antiques. Last year’s winner was Ken Bolen, who restored a ’69 20-ft.-long Cadillac Deville. The Cleo award was established in 2014 to honor Leo Kagan—a SEMA Hall of Famer who was responsible for moving the SEMA Show from Anaheim, California, to its current location in Las Vegas in 1977. Kagan will turn 99 years old and continues to work in the ColorBond booth at the SEMA Show. He will be celebrating his 50th year as a SEMA member.
The Buzz Maker! Public Relations Celebrates 10 Years, Launches New Mobile-Friendly Website
The Buzz Maker! Public Relations (TBM) has launched a new mobile-friendly website as part of the company’s 10-year milestone anniversary. Visitors will find information about the team on “The Hive” page, and details about company philosophy and service offerings on “The Deets” page. Site navigation and connection to social channels is available on any device, including smartphones and tablets.
Edelbrock’s “Top It Off” Promotion Is Back
Edelbrock has announced its Top It Off consumer promotion in which participating consumers can get a free Performer Series or Thunder Series AVS Carburetor when they purchase a new Power Package Top End Kit between October 1–December 31, 2015. Eligible purchases include any new Power Package Top End Kit. Consumers can choose a standard satin-finished Performers Series or Thunder Series AVS Carburetor to top off their engine. For a complete list of eligible purchases by part number, complete promotion details and to download a redemption form, visit the official promotional website.
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