Compiled by SEMA Editors
 |
Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation Welcomes New Aftermarket Awareness Partners
The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) welcomes six aftermarket industry companies to its national Awareness Partner network. 4 Wheel Parts, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Eckler’s Industries, Mighty Auto Parts, Race Winning Brands (RWB) and XL Parts are the newest members of a growing national community of more than 50 AACF Awareness Partners.
“Our Awareness Partner Program was launched to establish and enhance industry relationships, create awareness for AACF services, and help us identify aftermarket individuals and families in need,” said Joel Ayres, executive director. “Awareness Partners receive the resources needed to connect with company employees during tough times, and support them through the steps to apply for help.”
According to industry research, there are more than four million aftermarket industry employees. National research shows about 70% of adult Americans have no savings for emergencies or private long-term disability insurance. The AACF Awareness Partner network includes Bridgestone, CAWA, Dorman Products, Gold Eagle Company, Hennessy, Pep Boys, National Pronto, Omix-ADA, SEMA, Skyjacker Suspensions, Truck Hero and many more.
The free AACF Awareness Partner program provides participating companies with a suite of resources, including printed materials, posters, sample communications, branding assets and more. Download the Awareness Partner kit, or contact Ayres at 916-628-0271 or joel@aftermarketfoundation.org.
 Bill Goldberg (right) will host a new weekly podcast with Matt “The Motorator” D’Andria (left). |
“CarCast” with Adam Carolla and Matt “The Motorator” D’Andria Adds Bill Goldberg as New Co-Host; Adds Second Weekly Episode
“CarCast” has added WWE superstar and car collector Bill Goldberg as its new co-host. Goldberg will host a new weekly podcast with Matt “The Motorator” D’Andria. The weekly show, currently hosted by Adam Carolla and D’Andria, is produced by Carolla Digital and distributed by PodcastOne. The show regularly features guests from the automotive industry and celebrity car enthusiasts. After nearly nine years, “CarCast” is adding a second weekly episode called “CarCast With Goldberg and The Motorator.” The guys will cover the latest trends and technologies, the automotive aftermarket, their personal car projects, today’s car culture and more. The new show, powered by Dodge, will also include a monthly segment featuring a special guest from Edmunds.com to discuss new-car buying tips, vehicle testing and the future of automotive industry. “CarCast With Goldberg and The Motorator” will be available for download every Wednesday. “CarCast” with Adam Carolla will continue to be available every Friday.
Advanced Lighting Systems Earns Earns Three iF Design Awards
Advanced Lighting Systems (ALS), distributed exclusively in North America by JohnDow Industries, has announced three of its LED lighting products have been named iF Design Award recipients. The ALS AUD501H Light, the Articulating Slim Light Series and the UHL 101R Underhood Light were recognized during the iF Design Awards banquet at the BMW Welt in Munich, Germany, March 9.
Design Mark Industries Launches Redesigned Website; Names Beatrice Thouveny Marketing Director
Design Mark Industries has announced the completion of the Design Mark Industries rebranding process, which includes a revised company logo, color scheme and redesigned website. Additionally, Beatrice Thouveny has joined the Design Mark Industries team as marketing director. The rebranding effort was undertaken to help reflect the company’s expanded abilities and services, and reinforce its position as an ISO 9001-2015-certified manufacturer of custom, engineering-based solutions. Specifically targeted to engineers, the website features descriptive outlines of available products, industries served and solutions offered.
Thouveny previously worked as BTB marketing manager and senior product marketing manager for Samsung Electronics, where she defined the company’s global marketing and product-management strategy, focusing specifically on branding and positioning. She also worked as marketing manager for Acer, during which time the company underwent a complete rebranding.
 Chris Okamuro |
Global Shop Solutions Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Chris Okamuro Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary
Global Shop Solutions is celebrating 20 years of technological innovations for ERP Software under the leadership of Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Chris Okamuro. One of his most notable achievements is the creation of Global Shop Solutions’ Global Application Builder (GAB), which allows customers to create customized applications and reports for their manufacturing businesses beyond the scope of the standard ERP applications. To date, there are more than 1,000 applications specifically designed to meet customer needs to maximize productivity and profits.
Rugged Ridge Announces Special Month-Long Consumer Rebate Program; Named Official Sponsor for 11th Annual Go Topless Day
Rugged Ridge has announced rebates on qualifying consumer purchases of Rugged Ridge side steps and bumper packages between March 15–April 15. Consumers who purchase a qualifying Rugged Ridge bumper package during the promotional period are eligible for a $200 rebate from the manufacturer. Additionally, customers who purchase any of the qualifying side steps, running boards, nerf bars or rock slider products from authorized retailers are eligible for a $50 rebate. For a complete list of eligible products, directions for submitting purchases and the rebate form itself, visit Rugged Ridge’s website.
Rugged Ridge has also announced its sponsorship of All Things Jeep’s 11th Annual Go Topless Day, to be held worldwide, May 19. Started in May 2008 by Massachusetts Jeep retailer All Things Jeep, Go Topless Day is a date set aside to celebrate the return of warm weather and the spirit of freedom and adventure associated with driving a Jeep. Enthusiasts around the world are encouraged to join in the unified movement by removing their Jeep’s top on May 19, and enjoy a day of open-air driving. Go Topless Day extends its reach with more than 150 sanctioned events scheduled across the country and around the world, including Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. From trail rides to car shows, Jeep clubs and organizations can create their own local events and register their celebrations on the All Things Jeep website to be recognized as an official Go Topless Day event.
National Performance Warehouse Companies Announces Store Expansion in Alabama
National Performance Warehouse Companies (NPW) has announced it has acquired CP Auto Parts, located in Rainsville, Alabama, bringing the total number of the Southeast auto-parts chain to 11. The Southeast auto stores are supported by NPW’s Associate Jobbers Warehouse (AJW) in Boaz, Alabama. With this acquisition, NPW has tapped the talent and experience of CP Auto Parts Donna Harris, who assumes the role of regional store manager for the Southeast auto-parts chain. She will maintain an office in the AJW offices.
Motovicity Selects Key Supply Chain Planning Software
Motovicity has announced its selection of Blue Ridge technology services and software to further optimize Motovicity’s supply-chain management performance and drive organizational goals. As a result of its most recent software addition, the company is able to better anticipate the demand from automotive shops and retailers, and match that demand with ready-to-ship inventory, spread across 185 brands. The new technology will allow Motovicity to analyze market trends and stock changes every four weeks in addition to daily reviews so they can react more rapidly to market changes. Blue Ridge’s proprietary, cloud-based software and algorithms will aid in preventing stockouts and overall internal efficiency.
 Scott Son |
HUBB Filters Inc. Welcomes Scott Son as CFO
HUBB Filters has announced the appointment of Scott Son as the company’s chief financial officer. Son has more than 30 years of professional experience that includes leadership and C-level finance roles over the past 12 years in the clean-tech and renewable energy industries with Sunverge Energy, NRG Energy and Suntech. Son’s career includes work in capital markets, finance, private equity and M&A with companies such as GE Capital, Platinum Equity and BMO Capital. Early in his career, Son earned the certified public accountant designation when he worked in accounting and as an auditor.
Fel-Pro Gaskets Brand Celebrates 100 Years
Fel-Pro Gaskets, a brand of Federal-Mogul Motorparts, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The celebration will span an extensive schedule of customer-focused activities culminating in an industry and community open house, July 21, 2018, at the Fel-Pro engineering, manufacturing and distribution complex in Skokie, Illinois. Fel-Pro was founded July 5, 1918, in Chicago. The company became an innovator in the sealing category beginning with felt-based seals for the Ford Model T. Fel-Pro was acquired in 1998 by Federal-Mogul, which over the past 20 years, has invested in new R&D and manufacturing resources to position the brand for leadership in an era of lighter-weight, higher-output, harder-to-seal engines. The brand is committed to U.S.-based engineering and manufacturing. The more-than-1,300 employees at the 1-million-plus-sq.-ft. Fel-Pro complex in Skokie each day produce more than 325,000 gaskets, seals and other products, and ship more than 120,000 complete, vehicle- and/or engine-specific sealing repair sets.
AirPro Diagnostics Named Preferred Provider for Maaco Auto Painting and Collision Repair and CARSTAR North America
AirPro Diagnostics has announced that Maaco Auto Painting and Collision Repair and CARSTAR North America in the United States and Canada has named AirPro Diagnostics preferred provider for pre-and post-repair scan services. The AirPro Diagnostics tool was developed to ensure that the safety systems of every collision-damaged vehicle is diagnosed and recalibrated to OEM specifications.
Turn 14 Distribution Adds Roll-N-Lock, Auto Ventshade, Bushwacker to Line Card
Turn 14 Distribution has added Roll-N-Lock’s retractable tonneau covers and cargo-management products, Auto Ventshade’s functional window deflectors and Bushwacker’s thermoformed truck accessories to its line card.
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.