Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Neal L. Williams |
Memorial Fund Established for Neal L. Williams
N.A. Williams Company, in conjunction with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, has established the Neal L. Williams Memorial Fund to honor its former chairman who passed away one year ago at the age of 78. Donations made in Williams’ memory will be used to help educate the next generation of auto care industry professionals.
Neal L. Williams joined N.A. Williams Company in 1959—the firm founded by his father in 1934, after attending the University of Georgia and serving in the United States Army. During a long, successful career that spanned over 50 years, he led the company to become one of the top manufacturers’ representative firms in North America. Widely respected for his integrity, fairness and achievement, Williams was a renowned figure in the automotive aftermarket. He was presented with the Martin Fromm Lifetime Achievement award in 2009 and the Northwood University Outstanding Business Leader award in 2012. Active in both industry and civic causes, Williams served on the board of governors and manufacturers’ council of Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA). With this donation to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, N.A. Williams Company will become a lifetime trustee of the foundation.
To make a donation in memory of Neal L. Williams, send a check, made payable to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation/Neal L. Williams Memorial, 7101 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1300, Bethesda, MD 20814. For more information, contact Barbara Cunningham at 816-584-0511 or cunningham8095@yahoo.com.
Mishimoto Raises More Than $19,000 for the American Cancer Society
Through its Chilly Cares program, Mishimoto raised more than $19,000 to the American Cancer Society in 2015. For every product that's included in the Chilly Cares program, a portion of the sales are donated to the American Cancer Society!
 Toyo Tires is the official tire sponsor of the Tough Mudder obstacle course challenge. |
Toyo Tires Teams Up with Tough Mudder Again as Official Tire Sponsor
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp has added official tire of Tough Mudder to the brand’s résumé last year. This week, the company has extended the partnership with Tough Mudder and will continue to have Toyo Tires branding on the courses across America. Tough Mudder is a team-oriented 10–12-mile obstacle course challenge designed to test physical strength, stamina and mental grit. The events are untimed, and teamwork and camaraderie are considered above all else. Participants are encouraged to work together to overcome obstacles and push themselves to physical and mental boundaries. Tough Mudder participants face Toyo Tires Skidmarked—a 10-ft. wall angled toward Mudders. Teammates must work together to get on top of the wall, and then navigate down the face of it past a row of Toyo tires. Toyo Tires is also the Official Tire of Mudderella—a five- to seven-mile obstacle course challenge designed by women for women.
Husky Corp. Acquires S.U.R.&R.
Husky Corp. has completed the asset acquisition of S.U.R.&R. of Akron, Ohio—a supplier of fuel, brake, air conditioning and transmission fluid line repair kits, along with specialty tools used within the automotive aftermarket industry. The acquisition is part of Husky Corp.’s strategy as an industry leader in petroleum dispensing nozzles and related equipment to serve customer needs in the broader transportation sector.
THE SHOP Magazine Joins Champion Oil 60th Anniversary
Champion Brands has announced that National Business Media (NBM) and THE SHOP magazine will be the official national print and digital business media sponsor for Champion’s 60th Anniversary Celebrations.
Phillips 66 Lubricants Consolidates Brand Portfolio
Phillips 66 Lubricants announced that the company will consolidate its Lubricants portfolio into two brands, Phillips 66 and Kendall Motor Oil, beginning July 1. According to the company, transitioning away from a tri-branded strategy will help to elevate the profile of Phillips 66 Lubricants as a national lubricants supplier and better position it for the future. As a result of the consolidation, Phillips 66 Lubricants will optimize its product portfolio mix and develop a full line of lubricants products for every need under the Phillips 66 brand. The consolidation affects only Phillips 66 Lubricants business; Phillips 66, Conoco and 76 fuel brands will remain intact.
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