Compiled by SEMA Editors
 QA1 won in the manufacturing category for its nanosilica-infused resin for use in performance automotive carbon-fiber driveshafts. |
QA1 Carbon-Fiber Driveshafts Win Award for Composites Excellence
QA1 won the Materials and Process Innovation Award from the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) during the 2015 Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX) in Dallas. CAMX, produced by ACMA and the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE), is a conference for composite material products, solutions, networking, business and advanced industry thinking. During CAMX, ACMA presents its Awards for Composites Excellence (ACE) to companies that implement innovation in three categories: composites design, manufacturing or market growth. QA1 won in the manufacturing category for its nanosilica-infused resin for use in performance automotive carbon-fiber driveshafts. They partnered with 3M to develop their Matrix Resin, which allows for redesign of composite structures, eliminating weight while improving strength and stiffness, according to QA1.
PopUp Towing Products Signs a National Sponsorship with the National High School Rodeo Association
PopUp Towing Products has signed an agreement with the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) to be the official towing product of the NHSRA. PopUp Towing Products commitment to the NHSRA includes not only association support but also support in scholarships to junior-high and high-school rodeo athletes.
eTool Developers Launches New Website
 eTool Developers has launched a new website at www.eToolDevelopers.com. |
eTool Developers, an online-solutions company specializing web development, information management, and Internet commerce systems, has launched a new website at www.eToolDevelopers.com.
“As a company that builds unique websites and other digital solutions for the aftermarket industry, we want our website to be representative of our work, our creativity and our versatility,” stated Luanne Brown, company owner and founder. “The website helps showcase the unique ways we help our customers save time, energy, and money by providing solution-driven technology and user-friendly digital tools.”
WELD Will Hold Technical Seminar During 2015 PRI Show
WELD will present a free technical seminar on “Modern Wheel Design and Process” during the 2015 PRI Show in Indianapolis. The December 10 event will take place from 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. at the Indiana Convention Center, Room 114.
“Our seminar will help race builders and tuners understand the wide range of materials, designs and styles available as they go about the challenging job of choosing the right wheel for their performance needs,” said Chris Bovis, vice president of marketing for WELD. “There is definitely a science behind wheel technology, and our goal is to inform participants about all the criteria they should consider to make the best selection.”
Bovis says the components of wheel technology to be covered include weight, strength, quality and total value received over the life of the wheel. The seminar will be led by Keith Kern, general manager of WELD’s CCW Forged Performance division, with additional industry experts. Pirelli World Challenge racer Shea Holbrook, WELD brand ambassador and co-owner of Shea Racing, will host the seminar and take questions from the audience. The WELD PRI Booth #1139 will include several race car displays featuring the company’s ultra-high-performance forged wheels.
 L-R: Mike Braun, Thom Bernheisel, Nick Gramelspacher, Greg Bernheisel, Cody Ziegler and Jim Considine. | |
Considine Sales & Marketing Receives Rep of the Year Award From Meyer Distributing
Considine Sales & Marketing has received the Rep of the Year Award from Meyer Distributing. Located in the Midwest, Considine Sales & Marketing is a manufacturing representative firm that has been in business for more than 44 years, providing sales, service, product placement, jobber calls and training to the automotive aftermarket. Criteria for the award includes jobber calls; communication between manufacturers and Meyer; sales visits with Meyer inside sales reps; participation in vendor days, marketing and promotions; and overall support of Meyer and efforts to increase sales.
Anell Lynn Completes Guinness World Record Attempt
After travelling more than 53,000 miles across the country in one year, motorcyclist Danell Lynn has completed her Guinness World Record-breaking attempt on Avon tires. When she set out on her ’06 Triumph Bonneville for a trip she dubbed, “One Woman, One Bike, One Year,” September 19, 2014, Lynn knew this would be a life-changing journey. Lynn’s Guinness World Record attempt—in the category of “longest journey by motorcycle in a single country”—was achieved by riding through the 48 contiguous United States. The most recent Guinness World Record in this category was set in 2014—a 23,760-mile run. Lynn’s trip totaled 53,800 miles and has now been submitted to Guinness World Records for confirmation of the new record.
 Lou Lobsinger Jr. |
Lou Lobsinger Jr. Joins Al Serra Automotive
Serra Automotive has announced the appointment of Lou Lobsinger Jr. as the company’s new OEM and aftermarket accessories specialist. Lobsinger will work with all of the brands on the Al Serra Auto Plaza to launch a new accessories program.
“I’m elated to be a part of such a well-known and reputable company,” Lobsinger says. “Once we’ve dialed in the metrics and really studied the numbers, we’ll be more aggressively marketing accessories to new and used car buyers,” he adds.
Lobsinger joins Serra Automotive after 13 years with Specialty Auto Parts USA Inc. in Warren, Michigan, and most recently with NEXT Advisory Group Inc. He currently writes for several automotive magazines, including Performance Business, and is the automotive correspondent for “NBC 25 Today.”
CTDA/1-800EveryRim New Year Luncheon
The California Tire Dealers Association (CTDA), with 1-800Everyrim – OEM Wheels as event host, will hold its fourth annual luncheon (CTDA/1-800EveryRim New Year Luncheon), January 21, 2015, at The Dal Rae Restaurant in Pico Rivera, California. The Tire Industry Association (TIA) will be represented by Vice President Tom Formanek of Stellar Industries. SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC) Chairman Joe Findeis of The Ultimate Wheel & Tire Plus Sizing Guide will also speak, and CTDA President Carol Dellabalma will serve as emcee. Yokohama Tire and Federated Insurance are committed as Gold sponsors with Pirelli as a Silver sponsor.
“Our generous sponsors help allow for our luncheon to get better every year, and it’s so cool that for the third year in a row we will have both TIA and SEMA represented!” said CTDA board member and event host Billy Eordekian.
Prior to the luncheon, attendees will be able to tour the 1-800EveryRim – OEM Wheels warehouse. The event is free to all tire-related industry vendors and tire dealers. Those interested in attending or sponsoring should contact Eordekian.
Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.