Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Classic Instruments is helping support the efforts of businesses and people in Northern Michigan in the quest to fight COVID-19. |
Classic Instruments Supports Efforts in Northern Michigan to Fight COVID-19
Classic Instruments is helping support the efforts of businesses and people in Northern Michigan in the quest to fight COVID-19. Mayfair Plastics in Gaylord, Michigan, designed and is producing protective face shields for hospitals and first responders. With material from Alro Plastics, Classic Instruments has been laser cutting out the shields and providing 3D printing assistance for the team at Mayfair to assemble and ship the shields. Additionally, Classic Instruments has lended support to two local Boyne City businesses—Shaggy’s and 1-800-Stencil—in the parts production for two additional styles of shields. Classic Instruments completed a prototype to Shaggy’s and 1-800-Stencil’s design specs and a final tool for production use was made in less than one week. They are providing the plastic molded headbands to Shaggy’s and 1-800-Stencil for assembly.
 Visteon is producing and donating medical equipment to front-line nurses and doctors around the world who are battling the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and providing critical care for COVID-19 patients. |
Visteon Helps Protect Front-Line Medical Teams Battle Against Coronavirus
Visteon is leveraging its global capabilities in engineering, design and manufacturing to produce and donate much-needed medical equipment to front-line nurses and doctors around the world who are battling the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and providing critical care for COVID-19 patients. The company is using production lines at its Palmela manufacturing facility in Portugal—usually dedicated to automotive cockpit electronics—to produce protective face shields that will initially be donated to local medical facilities. The process will be replicated by Visteon facilities in India, Brazil and Mexico. In total, the company hopes to deliver up to 50,000 protective face shields, personal protective equipment (PPE) medical staff require to stay healthy while they treat and save people who are sick with COVID-19 and other illnesses.
Rigid Industries to Donate 5% of Each Purchase to United Food Bank to Help COVID-19 Victims
Through the end of May, Rigid Industries is offering 10% off all purchases at www.rigidindustries.com and free shipping in the United States. In addition, Rigid will donate 5% of each purchase to the @unitedfoodbank to help those in need due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
How It Works:
- Create an account at www.rigidindustries.com.
- Find the items you want and add them to your cart. Proceed to checkout when ready.
- Enter the code “Community” in the Promo Code box at checkout to redeem.
- Rigid will donate 5% of all sales using this code to the United Food Bank.
A minimum purchase of $99 is required for free shipping in the United States. Outlet and sale items are already deeply discounted and are not eligible for additional discounts. Free shipping is not applicable outside of the United States.
 Oracle Lighting CEO Tiffanie Hartenstein and Director of Development Justin Hartenstein outside their Metaire, Louisiana, company headquarters with 1,000 N95 respirator masks and nearly 500 surgical masks that they recently donated to the Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans to help its staff battle COVID-19. |
Oracle Lighting Donates Personal Protective Equipment to Tulane Medical Center
Oracle Lighting has made a donation of 1,000 N95 respirator masks and nearly 500 surgical masks to the Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans to help its staff battle COVID-19 in Louisiana where Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is much needed. Suppliers are now helping out by including procured PPE in Oracle Lighting’s inbound shipments so that Oracle Lighting can donate to places in need. After procuring the PPE supplies, Oracle was able to donate the masks to Tulane Medical Center through Supplies for Saints, a group that is managing the collection of PPE for local hospitals.
XS Power Batteries Acquires Ultracapacitor Manufacturer Ioxus
XS Power Batteries has announced its acquisition of all of the assets of New York-based ultracapacitor manufacturer Ioxus Inc. Ioxus will continue to manufacture the same products through Systematic Power Manufacturing LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Systematic Power Solutions LLC, dba XS Power Batteries. Existing customer orders will continue to ship on schedule with no foreseeable delays in the manufacturing and delivery process.
Champion Brands to Manufacture Products to Help Combat COVID-19
Champion Brands LLC has announced that the company has started preparing to manufacture critically needed alcohol hand sanitizer and isopropyl alcohol disinfectant. Champion’s plan is to supply local senior homes, hospitals, medical-related businesses, food shelves and local government agencies.
Nexen Tire Adds New Distribution Center in Lockbourne, Ohio
Nexen Tire America Inc. has announced a new distribution center located at 2190 Creekside Pkwy in Lockbourne, Ohio. The new Ohio distribution center marks the third addition to its list of U.S. distribution facilities, joining the existing two located in California and Georgia. Ohio was strategically chosen for its centralized location in the U.S. allowing Nexen to increase efficiency. With three distribution centers triangulating most of the U.S., customers can now expect shorter delivery times and lower costs, according to the company.
 Michael Park |
Idemitsu Lubricants America Names Michael Park Senior Director for Aftermarket Sales and Operations, North America
Idemitsu Lubricants America has announced the appointment of Michael Park as senior director for aftermarket sales and operations, North America. Park has more than 30 years' experience and proven leadership in the automotive aftermarket, including sales, logistics/distribution, wholesale and retail parts. He has been with Idemitsu for almost nine years, and most recently managed the company's largest division, growing it from just a handful of employees.
Mahindra Automotive North America (MANA) Supports COVID-19 Fight
Mahindra Automotive North America (MANA) is marshaling resources and people to help fight COVID-19. The company is announcing several actions it is planning and executing from its Auburn Hills, Michigan, headquarters and manufacturing facility. These include the following initiatives:
- Re-tooling manufacturing facility to produce an aspiration box with an ease-of-use design and face shields and masks to local frontline healthcare workers and first responders. Additional products will be identified through coordination between the state of Michigan and National Association of Manufacturers.
- Mahindra food truck to distribute free meals to Oakland County healthcare workers and first-responders.
- Launching the “ROXOR Delivers” program that supports ROXOR dealers across the country who have had to close due to state mandates and consumers who are unable or unwilling to leave their homes. The program will deliver ROXORs right to consumers’ doors, limiting social interaction.
MANA will continue to work closely with the state of Michigan, its congressional delegation, National Association of Manufacturers, Michigan Manufacturer’s Association, Oakland County and others to continually evaluate what it can do to contribute to the COVID-19 fight. If you're an essential business in need of PPE products during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit www.mahindraautomotivena.com/response to inquire about quantities and availability.
 Mike Sinoway |
Aftermarket Performance Group Names Mike Sinoway Chief Executive Officer
The Aftermarket Performance Group (APG), a holding company of automotive performance aftermarket companies in the wholesale, retail, eCommerce and manufacturing segments, has announced that it has named Mike Sinoway as the company’s chief executive officer, effective immediately. Prior to APG, Sinoway served as CEO at MaritzCX, a global provider of customer experience, data analytics and artificial intelligence that directly supports 19 out of 20 of the world’s largest automotive companies. Sinoway also has more than 30 years of experience in distribution, manufacturing, eCommerce and technology. He will also immediately focus on the health and safety of employees, vendors and the community while still serving customers during COVID-19.
 Lubrication Specialties is now selling hand sanitizer to businesses and individuals. |
Lubrication Specialties Hand Sanitizer Now Available for Purchase
Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI), manufacturer of Hot Shot’s Secret performance oils and additives and other specialty lubrication products, recently announced the production of alcohol-based hand sanitizer at its Mt Gilead, Ohio, manufacturing facility to assist with preventative care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, LSI began offering 4 oz. bottles of Hot Shot’s Secret hand sanitizer for free to its local hospital and healthcare workers, nursing homes and to truckers transporting essential supplies. According to the company, due to an overwhelming response from businesses and individuals seeking to also purchase hand sanitizer, LSI has ramped up production to sell hand sanitizer to businesses and individuals in larger bottles and quantities, including bulk under the company’s LSI Chemical brand. LSI Chemical hand sanitizer is now available for purchase in multiple bottle sizes, including 16-oz., 32-oz., 64-oz., 1-gallon, 5-gallon and bulk sizes, including 55-gallon and 330-gallon. Using the formulation recommended by the World Health Organization, the formulas are 80% Alcohol by volume.
Sparta Evolution to Manufacture Medical Equipment
Mark Joseph, COO of Sparta Evolution, has confirmed that he is repurposing several CNC machines to manufacture components for various medical equipment, such as life support ventilators, respirators and other instruments. Along with CNC machines, Sparta Evolution maintains commercial equipment, such as 3D printers and laser etchers. Staff members have reached out to several medical suppliers offering the services of its manufacturing facility. As of now, there has been an interest in Sparta Evolution to be an “overflow manufacturer," which enables the company to be a resource for manufacturers that are currently at capacity. To inquire about its new manufacturing assistance, contact info@spartaevo.com or 425-298-0617, ext. 101. For more information, visit www.spartaevo.com.
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