Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Vern Kaufman |
Hellwig Suspension Products Hires Vern Kaufman as Sales and Business Development Manager
Hellwig Suspension Products has announced that Vern Kaufman will join the Hellwig team as its new sales and business development manager, bringing his 34 years of sales and marketing experience to the Hellwig sales department. In his new position, Kaufman will seek to expand the sales department in the automotive and light-truck industries as it moves into new markets while also further strengthening distributor relationships. Kaufman previously worked for Westin Automotive, holding several evolving sales roles during his tenure. He then began working for Lund International as its sales director for the Lund and AVS brands before working as the North American aftermarket and fleet sales manager for Thule. Most recently, Kaufman was the western director of sales for Truck Hero where he established and executed commercial business strategies for several brands under the Truck Hero name.
Westin Acquires Superwinch
Westin has announced it has added Superwinch to its family of automotive products. Westin plans to expand upon the current Superwinch product offerings, with new designs in the future while providing distributors with additional added value through its line of winch-capable products. In the coming weeks, Westin will work on new Superwinch product programs, availability and marketing materials.
Competition Specialties Announces Two Employee Promotions
Competition Specialties (CSI) has announced the promotion of Jon Butler to outside sales representative in the company’s Central and Southern Oregon territory, and the promotion of Randy Williamson from inside/phone sales representative to inside/phone sales manager. Prior to joining CSI, Butler’s employment with CSI began in 2011 as a member of the inside sales team. In August 2015, he was promoted to phone room manager. Williamson, an employee of six years, joined CSI after a brief career in the insurance industry as a customer service application developer.
 Will Cherry |
SSV Works Appoints Will Cherry to Sales Director
SSV Works has announced that it has named industry veteran Will Cherry to the position of sales director. For the past 15 years, Cherry has worked with Scosche Industries and Battery-Biz, holding domestic and international sales and business development managerial titles.
4 Wheel Parts Launches North American Workshops to Support Women in Off-Road
4 Wheel Parts has announced a partnership with the Ladies Offroad Network for their 2019 Trail Training Tour, a nationwide series of workshops aimed at teaching women beginner-to-advanced-level skills in off-road repair and recovery. Each five-hour class will focus on the skills required to be self-sufficient in common recovery situations. Classes will be taught by Charlene Bower, a lifelong off-roader with extensive experience in Jeeps, 4x4s, UTVS and dirt bikes. Voted by her peers as an Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame Industry Rising Star in 2016 and ORMHOF Advocate in 2018, Bower is certified by the International 4 Wheel Drive Training Association (I4WDTA), whose mission is to promote environmentally responsible, safe and skilled off-road use.
The 2019 Trail Training Tour is broken up into five segments: Arizona (May 3–5), West (June 6–July 1), East 1 (August 7–23), East 2 (September 3–22) and California (November 13–25). Classes will be held in the vehicle bays of 66 4WP stores in 33 states and Canadian provinces. Registration information can be found online. In addition, between May 3–November 25, 4WP sales associates will ask customers if they would be willing to round-up their store purchases to the dollar. All proceeds will go to five non-profit charities: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Warfighter Made (veterans), Provision Project (breast cancer), Post Wildfire OHV Recovery Alliance and Arizona Trail Project.
Elgin Industries Earns Top Supplier Recognition From General Motors
Elgin Industries has again earned Platinum Supplier status from the General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales organization. Platinum status, GM’s top supplier level, is awarded only to manufacturers that have maintained 100% on-time delivery over the course of a year. In announcing the award, GM representatives applauded Elgin for its “dedication and commitment to consistently perform above expectations.”
Battery-Biz Hires Automotive Industry Expert Tiffany Dorin as National Sales Manager
Battery-Biz has added industry expert Tiffany Dorin to the organization as national sales manager, and will be primarily focused on selling Battery-Biz’s Duracell and Goodyear product lines to national retailers. She joins the company with 14 years of experience selling aftermarket automotive parts and accessories. She began her career selling performance accessories and upgrades at a small performance retail shop. She then joined Keystone Automotive Operations. Most recently, Dorin sold exhaust systems and converters for MagnaFlow to national automotive retailers, wholesale distributors and e-commerce accounts. She has also been an elected member of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) since 2016 and was named one of SEMA News’ “35 under 35” in 2014.
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