Compiled by SEMA Editors
Goodyear Acquires Cooper Tire
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has entered an agreement to acquire Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. in a transaction valued at approximately $2.5 billion. The acquisition will expand Goodyear’s product offering by combining two portfolios of complementary brands. It will also create a stronger U.S.-based manufacturer with an increased presence in distribution and retail channels while combining both companies’ strengths.
Darin Morgan Joins BES Racing Engines
Longtime racing professional Darin Morgan has joined Guilford, Indiana-based BES Racing Engines. Starting March 1, Morgan will be responsible for assisting BES owner Tony Bischoff in several areas, including product development and cylinder head assembly. Morgan, who has 35 years of experience in race-engine building, including more than two decades with Reher-Morrison Racing Engines and, most recently, at Mast Motorsports, will relocate from Nacogdoches, Texas, for the new position. Among the expected benefits, Bischoff anticipates Morgan’s appointment will help the team shorten lead times.
Champion Brands LLC Awarded Renewal for ISO 9001-2015 Certification
Champion Brands LLC has received an official renewal certification for ISO 9001:2015 compliance from DEKRA, its official registrar. The company completed the required audits with zero non-conformities. This re-certified award as an ISO-compliant company is authorized until September, 2022.
Kelford Cams Appoints new Vice President, Business Development
Kelford Cams has appointed Angel Robles as vice president of business development – America’s. According to Managing Director Tony Gault, Robles’ appointment is part of Kelford’s commitment to support its expanding U.S. client base.
“In 2020, we established a U.S. warehouse operation just prior to COVID, and have used the past 12 months ironing out the wrinkles every new operation experiences,” Gault said. “At the same time we have further invested in manufacturing capacity to keep up the ever-increasing demand for our products.”
Robles’ experience in both sport-compact and modern U.S. domestic markets fits with the company’s growth strategy.
Two New Trustees Named to AACF Board
The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) announced the election of Teri Thomas and John Kairys to its Board of Trustees. Thomas is senior marketing manager with Interstate Batteries, National Accounts since 2017 and has more than 20 years of marketing experience in several different industries. Kairys is vice-president, Parts and Service Group for TBC Corporation and has spent 37 years in the Automotive Aftermarket, with names such as Cooper Tires, Big O Tires, NTW Tires, and Pirelli Tire. Thomas will be on the Marketing and Revenue Growth Committee, and Kairys will serve on the Marketing and Golf Committee.
For more information or to get involved, contact Joel Ayres at Joel@aacfi.org.
BorgWarner Agrees to Acquire German Battery Company
BorgWarner Inc. has announced the company has agreed to acquire AKASOL AG—a German developer and manufacturer of high-energy and high-performance lithium-ion battery systems. The move is expected to allow BorgWarner to expand its electrification capabilities. AKASOL has more than 300 full-time employees and has one facility in the U.S. and three in Germany.
LSI Chemical Welcomes Nigerian Distributor Milemaster Integrated Services
LSI Chemical has announced a new international distributor partnership with Milemaster Integrated Services to bring chemical formulations and nano technology to serve multiple markets in Nigeria. Milemaster Integrated is now authorized to sell LSI Chemical oil and fuel additives as well as the full line of Hot Shot’s Secret consumer products to more than 200 million people in Nigeria.
Hot Shot’s Secret Announces Full Donation Match for 2021 Waypoint Vets Adventures GoFundMe Fundraiser
Hot Shot’s Secret has announced plans to fully match donations made to GoFundMe to support five new Waypoint Vets Adventures in 2021. Hot Shot’s Secret founder Chris Gabrelcik became so impressed with Waypoint Vets’ mission of uniting and empowering veterans through their pro-bono adventure trips, he chose to financially sponsor the organization’s first inaugural canyoneering event last October with a $10,000 gift. Upon learning the positive impact it had on the participating veterans, he urged Waypoint’s founder Sarah Lee to start a one month GoFundMe Charity Campaign where Hot Shot’s Secret will fully match all donations made between February 16–March 16 to raise funds for five new veteran adventures. For more information, visit the Waypoint Vets website.
G-Force Racing Gear Announces New Director of Marketing
G-FORCE Racing Gear has announced the hiring of Danilo Oliveira as its new director of marketing. The position had been vacant for some time before the change in ownership at the beginning of 2020. Oliveira comes with a background in sales and marketing, having been in the motorsports industry since 2006. He has worked for well-known companies such as OMP Racing and Adidas Motorsport. Based in Miami, Oliveira will also handle the international sales for G-FORCE Racing Gear.
Myles Kovacs to Present 2021 Big Show Keynote Address
Keystone Automotive Operations announced that 2020 SEMA Person of Year Myles Kovacs will present the Keynote Address to open the 2021 BIG Show, at the Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.
The in-person event will be held March 5-6, followed by a weeklong virtual event, March 15-19. His Keynote Address: “From Street Kid to Success: Navigating the Journey with Myles Kovacs” will inspire attendees to “think differently” as they kick off the two-day industry-only tradeshow.
Born in a tough neighborhood in East Los Angeles, California, the Japanese-Hungarian Kovacs has become a leading, influential figure in the automotive media and wheel industries. Since 1998, Myles and his companies have created entire market segments and spawned brands that defined their genres.
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