Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Early this year, BendPak opened a new 100,000‐square‐foot distribution center near Mobile, Alabama. |
BendPak Expands on Both Coasts
Less than six months after opening a 100,000‐sq.‐ft. distribution center near Mobile, Alabama, to better serve customers on the East Coast, BendPak is building a new 70,000‐sq.‐ft. warehouse next door. At the same time, a 50,000‐sq.‐ft. expansion of the manufacturer’s Santa Paula, California, headquarters is on track for completion this month. BendPak’s West Coast headquarters in Santa Paula underwent a 70,000 sq.‐ft. expansion in 2017, bringing its current footprint to more than 350,000 sq. ft. The new shipping and receiving facility will take that total to more than 400,000 sq. ft. later this month. Just 30 days after opening its new Alabama distribution center this spring, BendPak purchased the adjoining property so it could further expand its presence in the eastern half of the United States. Demolition of an existing office building and warehouse on the Alabama property is complete, and construction on the new facility is about to begin. The new building will feature four dock doors, a ramp with super‐wide door, warehouse space and an additional 13,000 sq. ft. of covered flatbed staging and loading area. Administrative offices, a conference room and call center are also planned to facilitate further growth.
EnerSys Appointed to Approved Vendor Status for the Automotive Parts Services Group
EnerSys was recently appointed Approved Vendor Status for the Automotive Parts Services Group—a “best-in-class” distribution network developed in collaboration with Federated Auto Parts and the National Pronto Association. Utilizing the services and affiliations of both organizations, The Group was created to foster a culture of growth and success. As a newly appointed member partner, EnerSys reportedly will be able to offer its portfolio of ODYSSEY batteries to customers in more than 5,000 locations across North America.
 Nick Caloroso |
Nick Caloroso Joins The Retrofit Source as National Sales Manager
The Retrofit Source (TRS) has announced that Nick Caloroso has joined the company as national sales manager. Caloroso earned a bachelors degree in business administration from Truman State University and previously served as the sales manager for Diode Dynamics for the last seven years. Caloroso is an experienced manager in developing successful B2B sales channels. He also serves the automotive industry through his role as chair-elect for SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN). He will lead an expanding team of specialized account managers charged with building the TRS B2B distribution network.
Holley Launches New, Motor Life Digital Magazine
Holley has published a brand-new editorial hub for all things automotive. Motor Life, Holley’s new digital magazine, will deliver in-depth, tech and how-to content, car features, videos and breaking event news and coverage. Motor Life’s editorial is crafted by veteran automotive journalists and photographers including Jeff Smith, Richard Holdener, Larry Chen and Wes Duenkel, and its staff is composed of former HOT ROD Editor-in-Chief Evan Perkins and staff/technical writer Skylar Drake. Enthusiasts can expect to find daily event coverage, photo galleries and race results from LS Fest 2020. The first-ever Moparty event, and subsequent Ford Festival, will also be covered in Motor Life. To see all of Motor Life’s content and fresh event coverage, visit www.motorlife.com.
LIQUI MOLY and Noelle Performance Form Technical Partnership
LIQUI MOLY USA/Canada and Noelle Performance have announced a technical partnership between the two automotive companies, effective September 15. This technical partnership makes it possible for Noelle Performance and the oil and additive specialist LIQUI MOLY to continue collaboratively testing their products and prove quality.
LSI Chemical Joins Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA)
LSI Chemical has announced acceptance into the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA)—the primary professional association formed to improve laws and influence public policy, share the latest research and technical information and promote commerce for the automotive and industrial lubricant and metalworking fluid industry.
 CRC Industries new marketing personnel appointments include Marcy Parker, director of marketing for the Americas region; John Rauch, product manager, automotive/consumer; and John Rarick, product manager, industrial. |
CRC Industries Announces Expansion of Marketing Department
CRC Industries Inc. has announced three new personnel appointments to its marketing department to support the company’s continued growth through innovation.
Marcy Parker MBA has been appointed director of marketing for the Americas region. Parker will lead the department’s key branding, product and digital marketing initiatives. She brings more than 20 years of experience as a sales, marketing and analytics professional and has served as market insights and analytics consultant for CRC since 2014. Prior to joining CRC, Parker held sales leadership and category management roles at Procter & Gamble Co. and The Clorox Company.
Jonah Rauch has joined CRC as product manager for the automotive and consumer product lines and will drive the go-to-market strategies for CRC Brakleen. Rauch brings 13 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket at Dorman Products Inc., with more than 10 years of product management expertise.
John Rarick has been appointed product manager for CRC’s industrial product lines and will lead the company’s cleaning and degreasing strategies. Rarick has more than 30 years of product management experience in both traditional CPG and industrial spaces, most recently at Zep Inc. Prior to Zep, Rarick led segmentation and rebranding efforts at The Sherwin-Williams Company, General Electric and Armstrong World Industries.
APACE Holding Company LLC to Acquire APC Automotive Technologies’ AP Emissions Business
APC Automotive Technologies LLC (APC) and APACE Holding Company LLC (APACE) have announced that APACE has acquired APC’s emissions business unit (AP Emissions). Following a comprehensive strategic analysis, APC’s Board of Directors concluded that this transaction maximizes the value of the AP Emissions business and will enable further growth and innovation into the future for the benefit of employees and the wider industry. Led by Vange Proimos, APACE is an ideal strategic acquirer for AP Emissions, which will continue to operate under its current name. Proimos’ customer relationships and proven management expertise, including as past owner, CEO and executive chairman of AP Emissions, will further enhance AP Emissions’ position and growth in the aftermarket space. Proimos has served AP Emissions as an active board member since Audax’s acquisition of the business in 2014. He continued his service to the business following the acquisition of Eastern Catalytic in 2015 and the formation of APC Automotive Technologies in May 2017 under the combined ownership of Audax and Harvest Partners. Going forward, Centric Parts will operate as APC’s public-facing brand under Tribby Warfield’s leadership. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
 Don Orrell |
PFC Brakes Adds Don Orrell
Performance Friction Corporation (PFC) Brakes has announced that Don Orrell has joined the company as the vice president of sales and marketing. In his new position, Orrell will lead the PFC Sales and marketing departments to pursue the growth goals set out in the PFC strategic plan. With more than 35 years of sales expertise in the light and heavy-duty aftermarket, as well as OES and OEM channels, Orrell has a proven track record of launching new programs, as well as experience in marketing, communications, team development and maintaining strong customer relationships, according to PFC Brakes.
University of the Aftermarket Foundation Welcomes GCommerce as New Lifetime Trustee
The University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF) welcomes GCommerce Inc. as a new lifetime trustee. GCommerce CEO Steve Smith will serve as the company’s representative on the UAF board of trustees. The University of the Aftermarket Foundation lifetime trustee designation is reserved for exceptional donors who support the UAF mission of providing scholarships and educational opportunities for the next generation of aftermarket professionals. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
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