Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Jim Chick |
Daystar Products International Names Jim Chick Chief Operating Officer; Acquires BumperSuperstore.com
Daystar Products International has named Jim Chick the company’s new chief operating officer. Chick caught the automotive bug as an enthusiast and racer before his career in the aftermarket. He brought his off-road DNA to the enterprises that followed, with a trajectory that led him through high-level management at several manufacturers, including Mr. Gasket, Mickey Thompson, Trailmaster, Smittybilt, Mastercraft Safety and most recently, Bestop. His service on the SEMA Board of Directors, Off-Road Business Association Board of Directors and Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame speaks to his dedication for the specialty and off-road market and to all who share the same passion.
In addition, Daystar has acquired the assets of e-commerce company BumperSuperstore.com, which offers a wide selection of aftermarket bumpers from more than two dozen manufacturers for most models of trucks and Jeeps. The company also offers winches, grille guards, fog lights and light bars, running boards and tonneau covers.
 Erika Marquez |
Warn Industries Names TORA Chair-Elect Erika Marquez International Sales Manager
Warn Industries has named Erika Marquez its international sales manager, dedicated to Latin America with customers in Mexico, Central and South America. For more than 12 years, Marquez has worked in the automotive aftermarket industry, most recently as national sales manager for BOLT Locks, and currently serves as SEMA’s Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) chair-elect. In 2014, Marquez was recognized by SEMA’s Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN) by receiving the STAR award, which is presented to the most outstanding manufacturer’s sales team.
Nominations Now Open for National Auto Body Council Awards
The National Auto Body Council (NABC) has announced online nominations are now open for its annual awards program, which recognizes individuals and businesses whose actions and contributions have positively impacted their community and demonstrated the professionalism and integrity of collision industry professionals. Winners of the NABC awards will be announced at the Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Breakfast during the 2018 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Nominations are being accepted in two award categories: the Award of Distinction and the Body Shop Image Award. Online nominations and more information for both awards are available at www.nationalautobodycouncil.org.
Schwartz Advisors Oversees SCA Performance Sale to Kinderhook
Schwartz Advisors (SA) has announced that it has acted as the exclusive sell-side advisor to SCA Performance in its successful sale to Kinderhook Industries LLC. SCA Performance, owned by the McSweeney family and headquartered in Trussville, Alabama, is an OEM authorized specialty vehicle manufacturer for light-duty trucks. Kinderhook Industries is a private-equity firm that focuses on middle-market companies in a variety of industries. The SA team assisting SCA was led by Managing Partner Keith Zar, along with Managing Partners Rick Schwartz and Curtis Draper and Partner Rick Guirlinger.
 Kirstin Stone |
Radians Inc. Names Kirstin Stone Digital Marketing Analyst
Radians Inc. has hired Kirstin Stone as a digital marketing analyst. In her new role, she will oversee all digital marketing efforts for the company while growing the brand in the enthusiast and hardware channels. With more than a decade of experience in sales and marketing within the aftermarket, Stone will help Radians to expand and grow in this new market. Prior to the move, Stone was a marketing coordinator for the COMP Performance Group.
DENSO Products and Services Americas Announces Senior Management Promotions
DENSO Products and Services Americas Inc. has announced promotions to its senior management team. Steve Corey has been promoted to director of independent aftermarket sales. He most recently served as senior manager of national accounts – commercial group. David Keller has been promoted to senior manager of commercial and industrial sales – heat management and automatic data capture (ADC). Keller most recently served as manager of the heat management and ADC sales group. Peter Cavallo has been promoted to senior manager of commercial and industrial sales – robotics. He most recently served as manager of the robotics group. Hiroshi Yanone has been promoted to senior manager of connected services. Yanone most recently served as manager of the connected services group. Reggie Cruz has been promoted to senior manager of independent aftermarket sales – product development. Cruz most recently served as manager of the product development group. Jose Ramirez has been promoted to senior manager of independent aftermarket sales. Ramirez most recently served as manager of the independent aftermarket sales group. Yasodara Grijalva has been promoted to senior manager of Murrieta operations. Grijalva most recently served as operations manager of the Murrieta facility. Corey, Keller, Cavallo, Yanone, Cruz and Ramirez are based in Long Beach, California, where DENSO Products and Services Americas is headquartered. Grijalva is based in Murrieta, California, where DENSO’s remanufacturing operations are located.
 Team Hurst from Sequoyah High School #1 in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, finished in first place with a time of 23:54. | ||
Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Reaches Halfway Point of the Season
The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) Engine Challenge has reached the halfway point of its season with the seventh event, held April 14 at the Chattanooga Cruise-in in Tennessee. A total of seven schools from Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee participated, fielding 15 teams, of which five new teams qualified. Teams must finish disassembling and reassembling a small-block Chevrolet engine in less than 33 minutes, including penalties, to qualify.
Chattanooga Cruise-in Qualifiers:
- Team Hurst – Sequoyah High School #1, Soddy Daisy, Tennessee: 23:54
- Team Performance Quotient – Gordon Central High School #1, Calhoun, Georgia: 26:14
- Team Taylor Cable – Sequoyah High School #1, Canton Georgia: 27:34
- Team Energy Suspension – Forsyth Central High School, Cumming, Georgia: 29:48 time.
- Team Parts Pro – Effingham College & Career Academy, Rincon, Georgia: 30:26
A total of 26 teams have qualified for the Dual National Championship, to be held later this year at the SEMA Show and PRI Trade Show. For more information, visit www.hotroddersoftomorrow.com.
Forbes Magazine Names Hypertherm One of “America’s Best Employers” in New 2018 Ranking
Hypertherm has announced its selection as a Forbes Magazine “America’s Best Employers” honoree, earning the number 30 spot on its list of the “500 Best Midsize Employers” and the number-two spot among Engineering and Manufacturing companies. Forbes teamed up with market research company Statista to pinpoint the companies liked best by employees. The rankings are divided into two lists: one for large companies with more than 5,000 employees, and another for midsize companies, such as Hypertherm, who employ between 1,000 and 5,000 people. To create the list, Statista surveyed 30,000 Americans working for both large and midsize employers.
Brake Parts Inc. Recognized as 2017 GM Supplier of the Year
Brake Parts Inc. (BPI) was named a 2017 GM Supplier of the Year by General Motors during its 26th annual Supplier of the Year awards ceremony in Orlando, Florida.
GM recognized 132 of its best suppliers from 17 countries who have consistently exceeded GM’s expectations, created outstanding value, or brought new innovations to the company. The announcement represented the most suppliers GM has recognized since debuting the Supplier of the Year event in 1992. This is the second time Brake Parts Inc. has received the award.
GM’s Supplier of the Year award honors companies for meeting performance metrics for quality, execution, innovation and total enterprise cost. Award winners represent companies who provide products and services to General Motors in the areas of vehicle components, supply chain and logistics, customer care and aftersales and indirect services.
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