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Movers & Shakers: Thermo-Tec Automotive Partners With Bone Shaker Jet Truck; JEGS Acquired by Private Equity Firm

Thermo-Tec Automotive Partners With Bone Shaker Jet Truck

Thermo-Tec

Thermo-Tec Automotive Inc. has partnered in sponsorship with Bone Shaker Jet Truck, a custom-built ’81 International Transtar 4300 race truck, boasting 18,000 hp with 12,000 lbs. of thrust from a J79 General Electric Turbo Jet Engine.

Thermo-Tec Automotive Inc. has partnered in sponsorship with Bone Shaker Jet Truck, a custom-built ’81 International Transtar 4300 race truck, boasting 18,000 hp with 12,000 lbs. of thrust from a J79 General Electric Turbo Jet Engine. The J79 GE is an Axial-flow turbo jet built for use in a variety of fighter and bomber aircraft. Some of the major applications include the Convair B-58 Hustler, the LOCKHEED F-104 Star Fighter, and the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom, to name a few. Visit  www.BoneShakerJetTruck.com for the 2022 schedule of events.

JEGS Acquired by Private Equity Firm

Greenbriar Equity Group, a middle-market private equity firm, has acquired a majority position in JEGS Automotive, the national retailer and distributor of high-performance aftermarket auto parts and accessories based in Delaware, Ohio. JEGS, founded in 1960 by the Coughlin family, offers more than two million product SKUs from more than 800 vendors through its website and fulfillment center. The Coughlin family will retain minority ownership. For more information, visit jegs.com.

MidwayPlus Launches Patent-Pending, B2B Portal for Automotive Aftermarket Brands

MidwayPlus—a patent-pending, B2B software solution that enables automotive brands with the ability to service direct resellers in one easy-to-use platform—is going live with its new B2B software platform. It features a robust transaction engine, a brand-to-reseller social feed and a marketplace where brands manage every client interaction on the platform. MidwayPlus allows brands the ability to easily navigate territorial product restrictions. The MidwayPlus team is made up of software development, operations, logistics, sales and marketing experts with more than 20 years of experience in the automotive Industry.  

The B2B Portal is the backbone of the platform. Brands have access to a transaction engine with the ability to serve thousands of direct accounts. Conversely, resellers can access the portal and engage with multiple brands from one account. The MidwayPlus Feed is the platform’s social-media tool. Automotive brands can market directly to their resellers in a B2B context. This allows for the easy distribution of technical data, sales initiatives or product-related news, all the messaging that is intended for a “wholesale-only” audience. The MidwayPlus Marketplace is the brand’s business-development tool. Brands can opt in to the Marketplace and have the ability to discover and connect with high performing resellers. They connect only with the partners they approve of, and can begin to transact almost immediately.  

MidwayPlus software highlights include:

  • B2B Portal that give brands the ability to identify, verify and quickly onboard prospective accounts.
  • Brands have the ability to manage backorders, pre-orders and open-box items with ease.
  • B2B social media that offers a direct line of communication between brands and resellers.
  • Access to metrics/benchmarking data that assists brands with their decision-making.
  • Brand-controlled marketplace that allows each company to manage its own channel.
  • U.S.A. tax compliance for all orders placed with brands on the platform.

Manufacturers can take advantage of Midway Plus’ limited-time introductory licensing fees and free onboarding of their brands. For more information, call 248-955-9002 or email info@midwayplus.com.

Tenneco to be Acquired By Apollo Funds

Tenneco has entered an agreement to be acquired by Apollo Funds, a private asset management company, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $7.1 billion. When the transaction is completed, Tenneco will become a private company whose shares will no longer trade on the New York Stock Exchange. The company will continue to operate under the Tenneco name and brand, however. Tenneco is the parent company of DRiV, which includes more than 30 aftermarket brands covering shocks and struts, steering and suspension, braking, sealing, engine, emissions, and maintenance. Brands include Öhlins, Champion, Moog, QuickSteer, Wagner, Fel-Pro and more. For more information, visit tenneco.com.

Rudy'sRudy’s Tires Wins RimText Contest Benefiting American Cancer Society

After receiving its half-millionth RimText message, 1-800EveryRim OEM Wheels announced the winner of its contest. By being the 500,000th messager, Terry Rutenbeck of Rudy’s Tires of Wiggins, Colorado, will receive a $1,000 cash prize and chose the American Cancer Society as the recipient of an added $1,000 which 1-800EveryRim will donate in the company’s name.

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