By SEMA News Editors
Air Lift Company Acquires Universal Air Suspension
Air Lift Company, a manufacturer of air suspension systems for towing, hauling and performance applications, has completed the acquisition of Universal Air Suspension (UAS), according to published reports.
"There are many synergies between Universal Air and Air Lift across our traditional load support line and our performance lines," said Krista DeJonge, CFO at Air Lift Company. "We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we begin the integration of UAS into the Air Lift family."
As part of the acquisition, Zack Ratcliff, president of Universal Air Suspension, will join the Air Lift team as managing director engineered solutions. In his new role, Ratcliff will focus on developing an engineered solutions division for Air Lift. He will serve as the strategic and technical leader for custom design, engineering and innovation across UAS, Air Lift Performance and Air Lift Suspension, according to the company.
Air Lift will begin integrating UAS's products, people and operations immediately, according to reports.
Allied Wheel Components Acquires Ultra Wheel Brands, Operating Assets
Allied Wheel Components, based in Garden Grove, California, has acquired the assets of Ultra Wheel Company, including Ultra Wheel, Ultra Motorsports, Platinum Wheel and Focal Wheel brands; the companies' wheel designs and related intellectual property; existing inventory; customer relationships; exclusive production rights; websites and domain names; and the related operating assets.
Allied will also continue warehouse operations at Ultra Wheel Company's facility in Fullerton, California, in an effort to ensure a smooth transition for customers, suppliers and business partners.
The acquisition adds Ultra Wheel's established family of brands––including Ultra, Ultra Motorsports, Platinum and Focal––to the Allied Wheel Components portfolio, strengthening the company's position in the truck and off-road segments while expanding its reach in premium passenger vehicle applications.
Allied and its Raceline brand have deep roots in off-road competition, where decades of racing have shaped the design and engineering of wheels known for their strength, performance and durability. Like Raceline, Ultra Wheel traces its roots to founder Jimmy Smith's involvement in desert racing and professional motorsports, including his success in the Baja 1000 and NASCAR Truck racing.
"Ultra Wheel is a natural fit for Allied because our companies were built around many of the same values: performance, durability, innovation and a genuine passion for racing," said Bruce Higginson, founder and president of Allied Wheel Components. "Ultra's brands are highly recognized in the marketplace, and its product lines complement our existing portfolio extremely well. By bringing these brands together, we will have greater scale, a broader range of products and even more resources to serve our customers and pursue new opportunities. This acquisition makes Allied a stronger company."
"I have always believed that success in racing and success in business come from the same place––a commitment to building products people can depend on," said Jimmy Smith, founder of Ultra Wheel Company. "Allied understands that philosophy and shares Ultra Wheel's passion for the automotive industry. I am proud of what our team has built, and I believe joining Allied will create new opportunities for the Ultra, Platinum and Focal brands while carrying their legacy forward."
Allied intends to build upon the heritage and market position of Ultra Wheel's brands while providing additional operational, distribution, product development and marketing resources, according to the company.
For more information, visit alliedwheel.com.
RealTruck Acquires LEER Group
RealTruck has acquired LEER Group from JB Poindexter & Co., the Michigan-based truck accessory manufacturer announced.
The acquisition includes the Leer, SnugTop, Century, Pace Edwards and StateWide Windows brands. No immediate changes to operations or product availability are expected, according to the company.
"This transaction assures Leer Group will be able to improve operational performance and deliver a better experience for consumers, dealers, partners and associates," said Carl-Martin Lindahl, CEO of RealTruck in a statement announcing the acquisition. "Leer Group brings a strong legacy, and we see a clear opportunity to build on that legacy and drive its future growth, including investments in operations and service to better support the consumer and dealer network."
"This is the ideal outcome to grow Leer Group's business, preserve jobs and continue our commitment to American manufacturing," said Alan Farash, president of the LEER Group. "We will work closely with RealTruck's leadership team to ensure a smooth transition and support their desire to build upon Leer's proud history."
For more information, visit realtruck.com.
Universal Technical Institute Opens New Atlanta Campus
Universal Technical Institute (UTI)––the organization focusing on workforce solutions for transportation, skilled trades, healthcare and dental care programs––has announced the opening of UTI-Atlanta, its first campus in Georgia and second new campus this year.
"As AI reshapes the economies of cities across the U.S., meeting the growing demand for the skilled collar workers who build, operate and maintain our infrastructure is critical to prosperity," said Todd Hitchcock, EVP, Strategy, Growth and Operations at UTI. "Universal Technical Institute is perfectly positioned at this intersection of supply and demand, with training programs that prepare students for the ever-evolving workforce. We look forward to working with Atlanta's business community to fill their talent pipelines for jobs ranging from data centers and energy systems to transportation and advanced manufacturing."
UTI-Atlanta will serve 1,500 students at scale in a 117,000 sq.-ft.-facility located at 7100 Highlands Parkway SE in Smyrna. The campus offers multiple training programs, supported by advanced classrooms and specialized labs, including automotive, diesel, aviation, electrical, robotics and automation, HVACR and welding.
UTI's multi-phase North Star strategy, now in Phase II, is focused on the core tenets of growth, diversification and optimization. The company has announced plans to open multiple campuses annually between 2026 and 2029, launch 10-20 new programs annually at existing campus locations and enhance its operations to make the most efficient use of resources.
UTI-Atlanta is expected to serve as a talent pipeline for employers across the region's transportation, aviation, electrical, energy and skilled trades sectors. Many industry brands are helping make that vision a reality, including:
- CarMax
- Continental Tire
- Cox Automotive
- CRC Industries
- Crown Lift Trucks
- Fuji Spray Systems
- Hendrick Automotive Group
- Interstate Batteries
- Klein Tools
- Konecranes
- Lennox National Account Services
- Lincoln Electric
- Lithia & Driveway
- NAPA (Auto Parts & Auto Care)
- Shell-Pennzoil & Shell-Rotella
- Penske Automotive Group
- Premium Guard
- Snap-on Tools
- Sonic Automotive
- Standard Motor Products
- TOPDON
- WD-40
- Yancey Bros. Co.
- Yellow Jacket (Richie Engineering)
For more information, visit investor.uti.edu.
Turn 14 Distribution Announces Winner of the Turn 14 Distribution x Aeromotive Ford Mustang GT Giveaway
Turn 14 Distribution, the Horsham, Pennsylvania-based provider of aftermarket performance parts distribution, has officially concluded the Turn 14 Distribution x Aeromotive Mustang GT Giveaway and announced FunctionWerks as the grand prize winner.
Running from March 1 through June 30, 2026, the promotion rewarded participating dealers with entries based on purchases of select partner brands, including Aeromotive, Air Lift Performance, Liqui Moly, ACT, WELD Racing, Mickey Thompson, Roush Performance, Fluidampr, Disc Brakes Australia (DBA), Mishimoto, Eaton, and Mahle Motorsport.
To create a level playing field for businesses of varying sizes and purchasing habits, participating dealers were divided into eight competitive brackets based on business model, according to Turn 14. Throughout the promotion period, dealers competed against peers with similar business models and purchasing volumes, with the top-performing dealer in each bracket advancing to the final round for an opportunity to win the giveaway vehicle.
The grand prize, a Turn 14 Distribution x Aeromotive Ford Mustang GT, is a purpose-built performance vehicle featuring premium aftermarket products from some of the industry's most respected manufacturers. Originally developed as a Turn 14 Distribution SEMA Show showcase build, the Mustang has appeared at major automotive events nationwide, including Mustang Week, GRIDLIFE and more, demonstrating the capabilities and innovation of today's performance aftermarket.
"Over the course of four months, we saw tremendous engagement from our dealer network and outstanding support for the participating brands," said Kyle Crawford, senior marketing manager at Turn 14 Distribution. "The bracket-style format created an exciting and competitive environment where dealers of all sizes had a legitimate opportunity to compete for an incredible grand prize. Congratulations to FunctionWerks on their victory and thank you to everyone who participated throughout the promotion."
"Our goal was to create a promotion that rewarded dealer engagement while showcasing some of the industry's leading brands and products,” said Magali Tranié, vice president of marketing at Turn 14 Distribution. "The response exceeded expectations, and the excitement generated by the leaderboard competition and live finale made this one of our most successful dealer promotions to date. We are proud to congratulate FunctionWerks and grateful to all participating dealers who helped make this giveaway such a success."
Turn 14 Distribution stated authorized dealers can learn more about future promotions, including the ongoing giveaway of a built Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, by logging into their account at turn14.com.
