Compiled by SEMA Editors
VP Racing Fuels Appoints Anna Crowder as Quality Control Manager
VP Racing Fuels Inc. has announced the appointment of Anna Crowder as quality control manager, reporting to Chris Taylor, director of specialty chemicals. Based at the company’s plant in Elmendorf, Texas, Crowder will be responsible for overseeing the ISO certification for VP’s Texas facility and working on quality assurance for all company divisions and product lines. Along with an M.S. in chemistry, Crowder brings more than 20 years of experience in both the public and private sector. Most recently she taught courses dealing with quality in a laboratory environment at Fort Sam Houston’s Medical Education Training Center in San Antonio, prior to which she was a quality assurance leader working with the FDA on ISO 9001 inspections of the manufacture of over-the-counter drugs. Crowder also spent 10 years as lab director for the City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health Department in addition to 10 years in laboratory management focused on cancer research and reference laboratories.
CURT Manufacturing Acquires Luverne Truck Equipment and its Retrac Mirror Division
CURT Manufacturing LLC has announced the acquisition of Luverne Truck Equipment. Luverne is one of the largest domestic manufacturers of truck accessories, offering a wide selection of front-end protection, side steps, splash guards, mirrors and more. Luverne is headquartered in Brandon, South Dakota, and has been designing and manufacturing American-made truck accessories since 1963.
 Hypotherm’s “Spark Something Great” program aims to ensure the next generation of welders and metal fabricators know how to properly cut and gouge with plasma by making the newest generation of cutting equipment and standardized instruction available to schools. |
Hypertherm Now Accepting 2016 “Spark Something Great” Educational Grant Applications
Hypertherm—a U.S.-based manufacturer of plasma, laser and waterjet cutting systems—is now accepting applications for its “Spark Something Great” educational grant program. Now in its second year, the program aims to ensure the next generation of welders and metal fabricators know how to properly cut and gouge with plasma by making the newest generation of cutting equipment and standardized instruction available to schools. The grant program will award a Powermax45 plasma cutting and gouging system, along with the full “Plasma Cutting Technology: Theory and Practice” curriculum kit to 10 schools in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Applications for 2016 are due on or before April 1 with grant decisions communicated by May 2.
Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels Continues Sponsorship With B.A.S.S.
Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels announced today its continued sponsorship relationship with B.A.S.S. to include a role as supporting sponsor of the Bassmaster Elite Series, as well as Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series, B.A.S.S. Nation and Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops. Along with displaying its products and providing promotional material at B.A.S.S. events, the company will offer the Dick Cepek Rolling Forward Award to Elite Series anglers, and will award $1,000 to the angler who makes the largest gain in Angler of the Year standings from tournament to tournament. Dick Cepek-sponsored Elite Anglers for the season include Clifford Pirch, David Walker, J. Todd Tucker and Justin Lucas.
Champion Oil Celebrates 60th Anniversary
Champion Brands LLC has announced that special pricing, new distribution programs, product specials and a spectacular factory open-house event May 5–6 will be part of its year-long 60th Anniversary celebration. During Champion’s 52-week promotion, which started in January, current and new customers will be eligible for many types of promotions and an opportunity to win Champion Products by registering at events or online. During this 60th year, Champion will sponsor national races, regional events, race teams and drivers.
Rancho “Lift Kit Rewards!” Promotion Available for Sales of Rancho Performance Suspension Systems
The Rancho “Lift Kit Rewards!” promotion—awarding up to $75 for each qualifying lift kit and ride control sale from March 1–June 30, 2016—allows counter professionals to earn Visa Prepaid Card rewards for the sales of Rancho lift kits. To earn a $75 Visa Prepaid Card, counterpeople must sell a qualifying Rancho lift kit and parts invoiced at $1,600 or more. To earn a $50 Visa Prepaid Card, counterpeople must sell a qualifying Rancho lift kit and parts invoiced at $800 to $1,599. Counterpeople will be rewarded with one Visa Prepaid Card at the end of the promotion, equal to all of the rewards for sales sold during the program period. Participants can earn up to $1,500 through this redemption. The Rancho shocks that can be combined with a qualifying lift kit during the promotional period include Rancho RS5000 or RS5000X shocks, RS7000MT shocks or struts and RS9000XL shocks or struts. Parts also can include stabilizers, coil springs, leaf springs, blocks and bolts. A qualifying lift kit must be included on every invoice submitted for the promotion. Contact your Rancho representative to obtain a Rancho “Lift Kit Rewards!” scorecard. Completed scorecards and copies of sales invoices must be postmarked and mailed to Rancho program headquarters by July 31, 2016.
National Performance Warehouse-Sponsored 6th Annual FAST Expo in Miami Keeps Growing
National Performance Warehouse (NPW), with headquarters in Miami, recently brought vendors, jobbers, retailers, installers and enthusiasts together for an educational and fun day of cars, trucks, products and prizes. More than 3,500 people enjoyed a giant car show and laid claim to several hundred door prizes while discovering the latest and greatest in maintaining, accessorizing and repairing vehicles of every make and model. More than 250 guests attended a pre-show award and appreciation dinner where Bumper to Bumper, AAM Parts Pro and Horsepower Sales performance jobbers were presented with Rep of the Year and Supplier of the Year in the performance and traditional categories. In attendance was Eric Sills, who becomes Standard Motor Products’ new CEO this spring. He was awarded the 2015 NPW Person of the Year.
 A brand-new, state-of-the-art video board in the middle of the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, will display the Toyo Tires name during all events. |
Toyo Tires Expands Anaheim Ducks Partnership
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. has announced that after several seasons as a sponsor, the tire company is now the Official Tire of the Anaheim Ducks. The official tire designation comes with an increased presence inside Honda Center—the team’s home arena in Anaheim, California. As a part of the new multi-year agreement, the Toyo Tires name has been added to the marquee directly outside the main entrance of Honda Center on Katella Avenue. This is in addition to the signage already on the marquee next to the 57 freeway. The Toyo Tires name will also be seen inside Honda Center as the logo rotates on two LED rings before and after all events, and on signage around the concourse. A brand-new, state-of-the-art video board in the center of the arena will also display the Toyo Tires name during all Honda Center events.
Prolong Taps Manufacturers’ Reps to Further Expand U.S. Distribution
Prolong Super Lubricants has retained several leading manufacturers’ representative firms to expand its distribution to ensure Prolong products are more easily accessible to customers around the United States. Prolong’s expanded reach into the performance warehouse and traditional warehouse distributor channels is in addition to its current distribution through mass merchants and select auto-parts retail chains. Prolong is now working with West Coast-based Pacific Marketing, SRS Marketing, which will cover the East Coast, and Thomas Sales and Marketing in the Midwest.
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