People Places & Racing News

Movers & Shakers: Lubrication Specialties Inc. Promotes Todd Cawley to President, LSI Chemical

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Todd Cawley
Todd Cawley

Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI) Announces Promotion of Todd Cawley to President, LSI Chemical

Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI) initially hired Todd Cawley as LSI vice president of global sales to head a new initiative to capture market share in the lubricant and additive market abroad. LSI has since announced the immediate promotion of Cawley to president to head a new company division—LSI Chemical. Cawley, with a strong sales and technical background in the oil, fuel and lubricant business, contributed to the decision to develop an all-new division that will operate as a stand-alone business unit with a focus of developing products utilizing LSI’s nano technology for new markets. A full announcement about LSI Chemical is expected soon.

Idea Ranch Named North American Agency Partner by REDARC Electronics

Idea Ranch has announced North American agency partnership with Australia-based REDARC Electronics. REDARC has more than 40 years’ experience developing a range of electronics for on- and off-road adventures, such as voltage converters and inverters, 12V-to-12V battery chargers, power management systems and brake controllers. REDARC Electronics adds to Idea Ranch’s growing portfolio in the outdoor vehicle and adventure sector market, joining Toyota, Yakima and B&W, among others.

David Page
David Page

Edelbrock Hires Industry Veteran for Newly Created Position of Product Manager for Forced Induction Products

Edelbrock has appointed David Page as its new product manager for Forced Induction Products. In his new position, Page will coordinate the efforts of the Edelbrock team and its resources to grow the presence of the Edelbrock brand in the forced induction market. This will include casting a vision for the product line, helping identify opportunities for new products, represent the group at trade shows and more. Page brings more than three decades of hands-on and professional experience in the performance automotive aftermarket component industry starting from age 14 when he raced go-karts. His experience includes building Drag and Dirt Street Stock cars, tuning Land Speed/Standing Mile record holders with both Turbo Charged and Nitrous power adders, Off Road Rock Bouncers, Ultra 4 Off Road buggies, boats, drag cars and show/street cars. Page has spent the last 15 years with COMP Performance Group holding several tech and sales positions, including technical training director, which he held prior to taking the new product manager position. Before coming to COMP, Page owned his own performance automotive shop and construction company.

National Auto Parts Warehouse Completes Acquisition of All Auto Plus Assets in Washington and Oregon From Icahn Automotive Group

National Auto Parts Warehouse (NPW), a family-owned automotive aftermarket parts distributor with a nationwide presence, and Icahn Automotive Group LLC (IAG), which owns and operates Auto Plus and Pep Boys automotive retail and service locations, have announced they have completed NPW’s acquisition of substantially all Auto Plus assets in Washington state and Oregon. The transaction includes two Pep Boys Parts retail store locations in Seattle, and excludes Pep Boys automotive service centers. National Auto Parts Warehouse will convert and rebrand the acquired Auto Plus and Pep Boys Parts retail locations as Auto Value parts stores. Icahn Automotive will continue to own and operate all of its service centers under the Pep Boys brand in Washington state and Oregon and focus on serving the growing demands of do-it-for-me (DIFM) customers and rapidly growing fleets.

Automotive Parts Services Group Honors Top Supplier Partners

The Automotive Parts Services Group (The Group) announced its “Vendor of the Year” awards during its virtual national conference and expo. The Group recognized supplier partners for exceptional support in key categories important to its membership as well as the Outstanding Vendor of the Year award. Members of Federated Auto Parts and National Pronto Association cast votes for the top supplier in each category.

'The Group' Top Supplier Partner Awards

  • Outstanding Vendor of the Year – APC/AP Centric
  • Sales Support Vendor of the Year – Gates Corporation
  • Marketing Excellence Vendor of the Year – KYB Americas Corporation
  • Excellence in Education & Training Vendor of the Year – The Timken Company
  • Service Level Excellence Vendor of the Year – FCS Automotive
  • Catalog & Product Data Excellence Vendor of the Year – Standard Motor Products

15 Automotive Teachers, Teacher Teams Named Finalists for Harbor Freight $1 Million Prize

Fifteen automotive teachers and teacher teams from across the country were named finalists for the 2020 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. The teachers and their high school skilled trades programs are in the running for a share of $1 million in total cash awards.

The automotive teachers make up nearly one third oft he 50 skilled trades teachers named finalists for the prize, representing more than any other trade. The 50 finalists hail form 23 states and specialize in welding, construction, agriculture mechanics and technical theater. View the full list of finalists.

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.