People Places & Racing News

Movers & Shakers: A+E Networks and Barrett-Jackson Auctions Enter Programming Agreement; BorgWarner to Buy Delphi for $3.3 Billion

Compiled by SEMA Editors

A+E Networks and Barrett-Jackson Auctions Enter Programming Agreement

A+E Networks and Barrett-Jackson have announced a programming agreement for “Barrett-Jackson Live,” which will air on FYI and HISTORY, beginning with the 18th Annual Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction, April 16–18. Set to debut as part of the networks’ Drive Block, “Barrett-Jackson Live” will offer live programming as well as premieres, short-form and original Barrett-Jackson specials. The programming will air across weekend dayparts on HISTORY and primetime on FYI, as well as non-linear platforms. The content on FYI and HISTORY will be unique compared to other programming for each channel. Barrett-Jackson Live will be distributed globally by A+E International.

BorgWarner to Buy Delphi for $3.3 Billion

Auto parts supplier BorgWarner is acquiring Delphi Technologies in an all-stock deal valued at approximately $3.3 billion, partly to help strengthen its power electronics products. Delphi Technologies PLC shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.4534 shares of BorgWarner stock for each Delphi Technologies share they own. BorgWarner Inc. stockholders are expected to own about 84% of the combined company, with Delphi Technologies shareholders owning approximately 16%. BorgWarner President and CEO Frédéric Lissalde will lead the combined company, which will be based at BorgWarner’s headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The transaction is targeted to close in the second half of the year. It still needs approval from Delphi Technologies shareholders. BorgWarner's stock fell 7.1% in Tuesday premarket trading, while shares of Delphi Technologies soared 60%.

Travis French
Travis French 

Travis French Named Loss Control Consultant With RevPro

Travis French was named loss control consultant with RevPro—a specialty insurance program created by Alliant Insurance Services. He oversees all of the company’s middle-market clients on the West Coast, helping them to maintain OSHA compliance, determining what drives client losses from a workers’ compensation standpoint and assisting them with managing safety programs tailored to their specific needs. He started working with Alliant in December 2017. He was previously safety and risk management director for Universal Waste Systems Inc., where he oversaw the company’s safety department.

Josh Steinmetz
Josh Steinmetz

Lubrication Specialties Inc. Announces Josh Steinmetz as New Digital Marketing Manager

Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI), manufacturer of Hot Shot’s Secret brand of performance additives and oils, has announced Josh Steinmetz as the company’s new digital marketing manager. Steinmetz brings a decade of creative and digital marketing experience to the company’s growing marketing team. With a background in developing marketing strategy, social media, advertising management, creative production, website maintenance, photography and videography, he brings a broad-based skill set to the position. As digital marketing manager, Steinmetz will be responsible for developing the digital strategy, content, analytics and ROI for all Hot Shot’s Secret 35+ products across multiple markets with a goal of ensuring a future-state mindset to emerging industry and consumer digital media trends to build brand awareness and loyalty. Previously, Steinmetz served as the digital communications director for the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) from February 2010 until he came on board with Hot Shot’s Secret in December 2019. His experience with NTPA was instrumental in the development of a robust NPTA sponsorship for Hot Shot’s Secret in 2020 that included promotional activities at all events, addition of banners, decals and PA announcements, inclusion in NTPA’s TV series, exposure at top retail locations and Hot Shot’s Secret research and product testing with top-level drivers.

Larry Magee
Larry Magee

Larry Magee Selected as AACF Board of Trustees Vice President

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) announced the selection of Larry Magee as vice president of the Board of Trustees. Magee has been involved with the AACF for more than 25 years, and currently serves on the Foundation’s Executive Committee, Recipient Review Committee, Strategic Planning Committee and Golf Committee. During his career in the aftermarket Magee held CEO/president positions with several companies, including Bridgestone/Firestone, Heartland Automotive and Magnolia Enterprise Group.

Racing Electronics Selects Guy Gauthier to Lead New Motorsports Technology and Development Division

Racing Electronics has announced Guy Gauthier as director of Motorsports Technology and Development, the newest division within Racing Electronics’ professional services department. The Motorsports Technology and Development department will expand Racing Electronics’ research, development and deployment capabilities for all forms of competitor and spectator communication technology. Gauthier joins Racing Electronics following a 22-year career with Diversified Electronics’ Racing Radios division, where he led the engineering and development of many popular motorsport communications devices for use in NASCAR, IMSA and IndyCar. Gauthier began his technical career as a navigational and meteorological technician for the United States Air Force, stationed in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, before serving in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Brake Parts Inc. Presents Leadership Awards

Brake Parts Inc. (BPI) recently honored five team members with the BPI Leadership Award. The following award recipients were recognized for their performance excellence, dedication and commitment to the success of both BPI and its customers:

  • David Ferretti, vice president, sales – NAPA
  • Kristin Grons, marketing manager – Raybestos
  • Mark Massoth, director of pricing
  • Michael Caruso, vice president, finance and global controller
  • Yu Jun, vice general manager – quality control and engineering, Haimeng, China

The BPI Leadership Awards are presented annually, and nominations are made by members of the BPI Global Leadership Team. Employees nominated for the award must exhibit several of the following leadership qualities, including: strong financial and operational acumen, customer-focused, results-driven, inspirational leadership, ability to build and manage collaborative relationships, entrepreneurship and strong personal development.

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.