SEMA News—January 2013

INDUSTRY NEWS

Fast Facts

	MagnaFlow added Kathryn Reinhardt to its marketing team as sales merchandising manager.

MagnaFlow added Kathryn Reinhardt to its marketing team as sales merchandising manager. With more than 10 years of experience in the aftermarket industry, Reinhardt joined MagnaFlow after managing the marketing department at Go Rhino! Products and Big Country Truck Accessories for three years. The company reported that Reinhardt’s expertise in marketing, sales, branding, customer co-ops, promotions and customer communications will be a huge asset to its marketing and sales operations. She represents MagnaFlow on SEMA’s Truck and Off-Road Alliance Select Committee as well as in the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network and the Young Executives Network. Magnaflow, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA; 949-858-5900.

DCi Print & Direct Marketing reported that Vern Koch, vice president of marketing, retired at the end of 2012. Koch, who joined DCi in 1995, will help with the transition to Matt Julich, the company’s new vice president of sales and marketing.

Rampage Products announced a territory expansion with Innovative Marketing Services (IMS) into western Canada and the U.S. mountain states region. IMS previously covered only the western coastal region of the United States. “Being that both of our firms are mutually dynamic, and Innovative Marketing services has worked very hard in continuing to expand its sales force and market area coverage at the same time that Rampage Products has done the same, it was a natural fit for our respective companies to work together on this enhanced opportunity,” stated Dave Williams, vice president of sales for Rampage Products. “We look forward to managing and growing our business with IMS in this expanded territory.” Rampage Products, Corona, CA; 951-277-4949.

	At the Nickels Performance Annual Appreciation Day Cookout with Gary “Gearman” Justice

At the Nickels Performance Annual Appreciation Day Cookout, Gary “Gearman” Justice was presented with the Industry Appreciation Award for his 25-plus years in the performance automotive aftermarket. Justice has been a great friend and mentor to racers, jobbers and WDs during his career at Richmond Gear and in recent years at Motive Gear. Nickels Performance, Piney Flats, TN; 800-251-0331.

Steve Garrett joined Design Engineering Inc.’s marketing team as art director and media coordinator. He will serve as a coordinator for all media and PR activities and handle the company’s graphic design for collateral, print and online advertising, packaging and catalogs. Prior to joining DEI, Garrett worked as a graphic design artist for The Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and was responsible for designing all print and online advertising for dealerships in the area as well as product design for special advertising sections. Design Engineering, Avon Lake, OH; 800-264-9472.

Transamerican Auto Parts Co. hired Jim Jackson as international sales manager, a newly created position. According to Transamerican, Jackson is highly regarded in the automotive aftermarket industry, most recently serving as president of ARB USA/Air Locker Inc. for 23 years. Prior to that, Jackson was the international sales manager for six years at Warn International. Although Jackson’s duties will require travel, he is based at Transamerican Auto Parts’ headquarters in Compton, California. Transamerican Autoparts LLC, Compton, CA; 310-900-5000.

	ProMedia announced that Mike Galimi has been named editor of Race Pages, the official magazine of the NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals series

ProMedia announced that Mike Galimi has been named editor of Race Pages, the official magazine of the NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals series and a leading content source for the high-performance Ford community. Galimi has contributed on and off to the title since its inception and is recognized as being part of the original group of contributors. “Mike has been a longtime friend and ambassador to NMRA and Race Pages,” said Steve Wolcott, ProMedia’s chief executive officer. “Bringing him on as the editor is exciting for us because of his rich history in Ford drag racing and vast experience with the NMRA series.” ProMedia, Santa Ana, CA; 714-444-2426.

Brute Industries Inc. promoted James Moberg to chief operating officer (COO). Moberg joined Brute Industries in 2010 as business development manager. In his new capacity as COO, he is in charge of all daily operations within the company and reports directly to owner Richard Heinz. According to Heinz, Moberg has proven himself to be invaluable to the growth of the company. “Jim has decades of experience not only as an accountant but as vice president of operations and as vice president of business administration and finance,” Heinz said. “He has a keen financial sense as well as the leadership and organizational skills needed to oversee our product production, customer service and accounting.” Brute Industries, Escanaba, MI; 866-464-2788.

Bilstein of America aftermarket and motorsports division selected Schiefer Media as the company’s new agency of record. Schiefer will manage Bilstein’s buys in all forms of media as well as its creative and public relations efforts. Bilstein reported that it will count on Schiefer’s comprehensive knowledge of the performance aftermarket industry as well as its expertise in strategic media buying/planning/execution. “We trust that their focus on new media and technologies will allow us to improve development of Bilstein’s brand voice in a crowded industry,” said Steven Beaty, aftermarket and motorsport president of Bilstein. Schiefer Media, Newport Beach, CA; 949-336-1700.

Max-Trac Tire Co. Inc. (dba Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels) has selected Chris Barbara as president. The company announced that Barbara is responsible for driving sales by expanding opportunities to grow the Mickey Thompson business. He will lead and execute a strategic plan that includes traditional and emerging opportunities, such as Internet sales, as well as development of new markets for existing products and product mix opportunities to drive increased profitability. Barbara brings 14 years of experience in the tire industry to his new position. Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels, Stow, OH; 330-928-9092.

Advanced Flow Engineering (aFe) announced the grand opening of the first aFe Power Factory Store, located at 232 Granite St., Corona, CA 92879. Hours of operations are Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (PST). The factory store will include “Power Professionals” to answer technical questions, shop for aFe and Takeda apparel and see what new products are being launched. aFe acquired the building next to aFe headquarters earlier this year for the new research-and-development, shipping and factory location. After several months of planning and construction, the factory store opened to the public on Monday, October 15. aFe, Corona, CA; 951-493-7155.

	Keystone Automotive and Lund International teamed up to offer one lucky Keystone customer a chance to win a customized ’12 Chevrolet Silverado

Keystone Automotive and Lund International teamed up to offer one lucky Keystone customer a chance to win a customized ’12 Chevrolet Silverado for supporting and promoting the Lund International family of products. The contest, which began March 3 and ended October 1, was open to customers purchasing Lund and AVS products, earning entries to become one of the five finalists with a chance at picking the key to the giveaway vehicle. The five finalists were flown into Las Vegas for a three-night stay and VIP Tour of the 2012 SEMA Show. The final event—the grand prize drawing—took place in Las Vegas, at the SW Steakhouse at the Wynn Hotel on October 31, 2012, and Gary Disher was the grand-prize winner of the customized Silverado. Lund International, Buford, GA; 888-588-6049.

Meyer Distributing Inc. has added a new distribution hub in East Hanover, New Jersey. The new facility will directly feed the Northeast with next-day delivery and house one of the largest inventories of automotive accessories in the region, according on the company. “The strategic positioning of the East Hanover, New Jersey, distribution hub allows Meyer to vastly improve service frequency and delivery times to the entire Northeast,” said Nick Gramelspacher, vice president of sales and marketing. “We are also establishing service to many regions, such as Long Island, Binghamton, Albany, New Hampshire and Vermont to benefit our 3PL customers, our snow and ice equipment customers and the automotive accessory division of Meyer Distributing.” Meyer Distributing, Jasper, IN; 800-MEYERUSA.

Marx Group Advisors named John Nodson as the company’s vice president. He will be responsible for providing hands-on experience as an analyst and dealmaker for acquisitions and divestitures. Nodson is also an advisory board member of Marx Group Advisors. Nodson was previously with Standard Motor Products for 35 years, most recently as director of marketing, where he provided leadership for business units building and managing multiple brands and full lines of engine management, brake products and retail accessories. Since 2009, Nodson has been the vice president of research for The Marx Group, an allied organization of Marx Group Advisors that specializes in marketing communications in the automotive and commercial vehicle aftermarket. In that role, he had been managing the market research department, including primary and secondary research, focus groups and online studies.

	ACAT Global hired automotive industry veteran Jeff Gammons as vice president of sales and marketing.

ACAT Global hired automotive industry veteran Jeff Gammons as vice president of sales and marketing. Gammons will oversee the ACAT brand in the heavy-duty and commercial vehicle, marine, locomotive, military, power generation and industrial industries and more. He joined ACAT after stints at Federal Mogul Corp. as senior manager in global aftermarket product marketing and Meritor as manager of marketing and communications. He also worked with Siegel-Robert Inc., a plastic injection molding company, and spent 10 years with Dana Corp., holding positions in external communications, marketing and sales. ACAT Global, Charlevoix, MI; 231-330-2553.

The trade association Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) named Simpson Communications LLC as its public relations agency of record. Simpson Communications will promote the organization’s lift certification and safety messages to the vehicle-service industry. “With the recent introduction of our Lift Inspector Certification Program, we’ve expanded our mission to include vehicle lift inspection in addition to our traditional activities designed to help promote a stronger automotive lift safety environment,” said ALI President R.W. “Bob” O’Gorman. The Lift Inspector Certification Program was created to provide third-party qualification of vehicle-lift inspectors and to certify those who pass tests and practical-experience requirements, demonstrating that they are qualified to properly inspect vehicle lifts in accordance with ANSI standards and in support of OSHA’s General Duty Clause and provincial requirements in Canada. Automotive Lift Institute Inc., Cortland, NY; 607-756-7775.

Source Interlink Media announced that Motor Trend has selected the ’13 Tesla Model S as its 2013 Car of the Year, marking the first time that a vehicle not powered by an internal-combustion engine has been selected during the award’s 64-year history. The announcement was made after a diverse group of 25 contenders were put through a series of tests by Motor Trend to examine nearly every aspect of each vehicle. When it was all over, a panel of 11 judges voted unanimously for the Tesla Model S. Source Interlink Media, El Segundo, CA; 310-531-9900.

	Dodge and the UFC launched the “Fight for Your Dart” contest—hosted on the Dodge Facebook page—beginning July 20 and concluding July 24.

Dodge and the UFC launched the “Fight for Your Dart” contest—hosted on the Dodge Facebook page—beginning July 20 and concluding July 24. The contest challenged two participants to pick one of two UFC fighters—either Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson or Joseph Benavidez. Whichever fighter won, so did his Facebook fan. Partnered with Johnson, Stephen Seipel became the owner of the custom-designed ’13 Dodge Dart Limited. Seipel was officially presented with the keys to the Dart from Kelderman Air Suspension Systems Vice President Jeff Kelderman and Demetrious Johnson at the 2012 SEMA Show. The ’13 Dodge Dart Limited was customized by Kelderman, designed by Johnson and tricked-out in Matte Gecko Green paint and custom vinyl graphics, accessorized with Katzkin Leather seats, JL Audio speakers, amplifier and subwoofer, Magnaflow exhaust, American Racing wheels and
Toyo tires.

Ingersoll Rand announced the winners of the Extreme Toolbox Overhaul Contest held at the 2012 SEMA Show. The grand-prize winner was Conner Jex from Spanish Fork, Utah. Jex was randomly drawn to win a custom-designed toolbox, the complete line of IQ(V20)-series cordless tools and select pneumatic Max-series tools from Ingersoll Rand. Alan Buebar, the runner-up from Dalhart, Texas, received the newest addition to the IQ(V20)-series cordless tool line—the 3/8-in. W5130 mid-torque cordless impact tool. Ingersoll Rand, Annandale, NJ; 908-238-7000.