Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Kooks’ new facility, which opened last fall, features a state-of-the-art R&D shop. |
Kooks’ New Facility Expands Capabilities
Kooks Headers and Exhaust now occupies three buildings, including a new facility in Mooresville, North Carolina. The third facility, which opened last fall, features a state-of-the-art R&D shop. Kooks expanded its variety of production parts in the past year. This includes an increased selection of axle-backs, cat-backs and new applications for Jeep Wranglers, 4x4 trucks, imports and domestics. The company also crafts custom systems not currently in its catalog, particularly ’03-and-earlier street-performance, classic-car, and truck models.
HUBB Appoints National Sales and Marketing as Its Rep Agency for the Performance Channel
HUBB Filters has appointed National Sales and Marketing LLC (NSM) as its manufacturers’ representative agency for the U.S. automotive aftermarket performance channel. Based in Rexburg, Idaho, NSM is a company with more than 30 years of combined experience representing manufacturers in the automotive aftermarket distribution channel. The firm is led by its principals Troy Sakota and Jud Niederer.
Stellar Industries Signs Letter of Intent to Purchase ACI
Stellar Industries Inc. has announced that it has entered into a Letter of Intent to purchase the assets of American Crane Inc. (ACI) and Tire Trucks International (TTI). ACI and TTI are located in Garner, Iowa, and are led by John Collins, president and owner. Collins is a member of the Tire Industry Association (TIA) Hall of Fame; therefore, the acquisition allows Stellar to capitalize on his industry contributions and reputation. Closing and integrating operations is expected to take place within 90 days.
 SpeedVideo’s live automotive broadcasts have reached more than 2 million fans throughout the course of their debut season in 2016. |
SpeedVideo Debut Season Reaches More Than 2 Million Automotive Enthusiasts in 2016
With more than 5 million video views and more than 20 million minutes of viewing time, SpeedVideo’s live automotive broadcasts have reached more than 2 million fans throughout the course of their debut season in 2016. “Outlaw Armageddon” draws thousands of spectators to its home at Thunder Valley Raceway Park in Noble, Oklahoma. With the live stream in 2016, for the first time, “Outlaw Armageddon’s” event was available to anyone in the world. The broadcast brought in 1.5 million views and more than 400,000 online viewers. SpeedVideo’s live broadcast of the 2016 World Cup Finals accumulated more than 1.2 million views and racked up more than 285,000 unique viewers. SpeedVideo’s live drag-racing broadcasts will continue throughout 2017, covering events from the NMRA, PDRA, NMCA, TX2K, Dirty South, Radial Fest, Outlaw Armageddon, Shakedown at the Summit, MIR and more. View past and future events at www.speedvideo.com.
Prestone Celebrates 90th Anniversary With Nationwide Memorabilia Search, New Partnerships
In celebration of its 90th anniversary, Prestone has planned multiple activities throughout the year, including a large-scale, nationwide search for branded memorabilia to uncover previously lost or unknown artifacts from the brand’s past. The company is looking for vintage Prestone signs, cans, bottles, advertisements and any other historical items. Found items will ultimately come to rest in permanent display at the Prestone corporate archives. Noteworthy submissions may also be included in nationwide museum exhibits. Longtime fans and users can learn more about how to participate on the official Prestone Instagram and Facebook pages. Additionally, the brand is engaging in new partnerships this year, including a new deal with Barrett-Jackson. Prestone will also continue its partnership with Ringbrothers, who will build a custom ’72 AMC Javelin AMX in honor of the brand’s anniversary. To celebrate the brand and highlight the build, Prestone will kick-off the 2017 SEMA Show with a rally from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Prestone is also launching a Truck & Trailer Program that features a customized Ford F-750, currently being designed and built by the DieselSellerz. The program will activate at key auto and aftermarket events around the country, including the Hot Rod Power Tour, the SEMA Show, PRI Trade Show and multiple Goodguys Rod & Custom Association events.
 Chris Compton |
Distinctive Industries Names Chris Compton National Sales Manager
Distinctive Industries has announced the appointment of Chris Compton as national sales manager. Compton, a lifelong enthusiast and restoration guru, is responsible for sales and new-business development in the continental United States and for promoting the Distinctive Industries brand. He has more than 29 years’ experience in the automotive aftermarket, including 22 years in the restoration marketplace. After graduating from college, Compton landed his first sales job at Rick’s Camaros, which led to a 17-year career, in numerous management positions, including Camaro brand manager. More recently, he served as sales and new-product coordinator at Camaro Central, where his responsibilities included monitoring e-commerce products and data entry, and spearheading product research and new-product development.
Dee Zee Celebrates 40th Anniversary
Dee Zee Inc. is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a leading manufacturer in the light-truck accessory market. The manufacturer has six production locations, all in central Iowa. Dee Zee began operations in 1977 when the company manufactured its first set of running boards. The initial product line consisted of 12 different running board models, and in just a few years, Dee Zee would turn out more than 1,000 running boards per day, in addition to several related product lines. Today Dee Zee’s business is balanced between OEM business and aftermarket sales. OEM partners include Ford, Nissan, Chevy, GMC and Toyota. The aftermarket business has expanded to include toolboxes, fuel transfer tanks, bed protection and cargo management.
AAM Group Announces “Race 2 Daytona” Contest Winners
The AAM Group has announced that Bruce Baier from Competition Muffler & Shocks in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is the winner of the 2016 Flowmaster “Race 2 Daytona” contest. Baier, who sold the highest dollar amount of Flowmaster product from July 1, 2016–December 31, 2016, will be joined by six guests at the 2017 Daytona 500. All expenses—including travel, lodging, event tickets and official meals—will be covered by Flowmaster.
- Winning Jobber and Guest: Bruce Baier and Tammie Baier (Competition Muffler)
- Winning Jobber’s WD Salespersons: Brennan Clark, William Robertson and Corey Rogers (Dix Performance)
- Winning Jobber’s Biggest Flowmaster Customer and Guest: Bobby Joe Wilson and Deborah Wilson
Stage 8 Launches New Website for 2017
Stage 8 Locking Fasteners has recently launched a new website. Focused on product education, optimized dealer location and captivating visuals, the all-new www.stage8.com is designed to better serve both industrial and recreational customers in the coming years. The website will continue to grow in step with upcoming new-product releases and social media integration.
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