Compiled by SEMA Editors

Jeramy Yeagley, an automotive technology student who is anticipated to graduate from UTI in February 2020, was presented with a $2,500 scholarship from Icahn Automotive.

Icahn Automotive Expands Race to 2026 Technician Recruitment Program to Avondale’s Universal Technical Institute Campus

Icahn Automotive Group LLC has announced the addition of Universal Technical Institute’s (UTI) Avondale, Arizona, campus to its Race to 2026 initiative, which encourages more men and women to pursue viable careers in the skilled trades by partnering with technical training schools and offering scholarships, tuition reimbursement, creating apprenticeship and internship programs, job placement and continuing education opportunities. Icahn Automotive, Pep Boys and AAMCO leaders and technicians, and UTI administrators, instructors and students came together in Avondale to unveil classrooms updated with designs that incorporate images of the service brands. To celebrate the partnerships, Jeramy Yeagley, an automotive technology student who is anticipated to graduate from UTI in February 2020, was presented with a $2,500 scholarship from Icahn Automotive. Icahn Automotive has nearly 60 Pep Boys and AAMCO locations in Arizona, and immediate openings for automotive service technicians of all levels. The Avondale campus is one of 12 UTI locations across the nation, and offers a 51-week automotive technology training program, along with advanced and manufacturer-specific training. Icahn Automotive also offers a scholarship program that will soon award 12 scholarships to full- or part-time students enrolled in an automotive technician degree and/or certification program at a high school, college or trade school.

This year’s vehicle wrap competition will run June 3–August 30.

Avery Dennison “Wrap Like a King” 2019 Challenge Opens for Vehicle Wrap Submissions

Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions has announced the opening of its annual Wrap Like A King Challenge. This year’s vehicle wrap competition will run June 3–August 30, and it will again include Regional Wrap Kings, Continental Wrap Kings and the crowning of the “King of the Wrap World.” Wrap installers from 53 countries across the world are invited to submit commercial, full print or color change wrap projects to be judged for the chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes. The prize packages for 2019 are worth a combined total of more than $30,000. Participating nations make up 13 geographic regions across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and South Africa. The 13 Regional Wrap Kings will win nearly $2,000 worth of personalized marketing materials, Avery Dennison product, SEMA Show passes and more. They will then go on to battle for royalty on their continents. The overall winner will be chosen by the judges as the best in show and crowned the “King of the Wrap World” at the 2019 SEMA Show, November 5–8 in Las Vegas.

The 2019 Judges include: Justin Pate, The Wrap Institute, Global; Myles Kovacs, DUB Magazine, USA; Yianni Charalambous, Yiannimize, UK; Eddy Speelman, Speelman Graphic Applications, Europe; Molly Waters, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, North America; Peter Wright, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, Australia/New Zealand; Sarel Krüger, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, South Africa; and Frank Marquart, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, Europe. For more information, visit www.wraplikeaking.com.

(L–R): Dave Schmolke, sales; Randy Hales, sales (senior management); Al Dulas, sales; and Tim Hales, vice president.

Milltronics Names Hales Distributor Exclusive for Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Northwest Wisconsin

Milltronics USA has named Hales Machine Tool Inc. as its exclusive full-service distributor for the states of Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Northwest Wisconsin, effective immediately. Hales will offer sales, service, parts, training and applications support for Milltronics customers in Minnesota. Ten industry veterans within the Hales service, parts and applications team have in-depth knowledge of machining, tooling, programming, fixturing and workholding. The company also has a 13,000-sq.-ft. building in Plymouth with showroom, parts, used machines and offices.

Paul Marks

Stertil-Koni Operations Manager Paul Marks Retires After 21 Years of Service

Stertil-Koni USA has announced that the Paul Marks, operations manager, has retired after 21 years of service with the company. Marks is succeeded by Doug Frakes, who joined Stertil-Koni following 10 years of experience with FedEx Ground. During Marks’ tenure at Stertil-Koni, he played a significant role in helping the company grow more than 50-fold to become a leader in the heavy-duty vehicle lift industry across North America. A retired U.S. Air Force officer with 26 years of service, Marks joined Stertil-Koni in 1998 as one of the company’s first employees. At the time, Stertil-Koni operated out of a small, one-room office in Ellicott City, Maryland, with only two employees—President Dr. Jean DellAmore and Marks. Marks played a substantial role in the company’s development, having overseen Stertil-Koni’s key operations and logistics associated with the delivery, receipt and shipping of its heavy-duty vehicle lifting systems and shop equipment.

Tiffany Dorin

Tiffany Dorin Reelected to SEMA Businesswomen’s Network

Battery-Biz, an employee-owned manufacturer of automotive accessories has is congratulating its national sales manager, Tiffany Dorin, who has been reelected as an official committee member of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN). The organization is a dynamic group of professionals representing the women of SEMA. Dorin was first elected to the committee in July 2015 for a two-year term and then reelected again in 2017. This recent reelection will mark Dorin’s third term and will extend through 2021.

Liz White

Liz White Joins Covercraft as ADCO National Sales Manager

Covercraft Industries has announced the addition of sales professional Liz White as the new ADCO national sales manager. White will work with dealers and distributors across the country to strengthen ADCO’s position as a market leader in the recreational vehicle protective cover marketplace. Additionally, White will manage ADCO’s Premier Dealer network.

CRC Industries Awarded Patent for GDI Cleaning Technology

CRC Industries Inc. has announced the issuance of US Patent No. 10,267,227 for its CRC GDI IVD intake valve and turbo cleaner. The patented technology includes systems for the reduction or elimination of intake valve deposits in gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines and related methods, including the delivery device, conduit and actuator.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By Carr Winn

The Jeep brand is synonymous with being “capable” of handling almost anything, and the new Jeep Gladiator falls right in line with the family. Recently, FCA invited SEMA News to join other journalists for a ride and drive in Southern California to get some seat-time in the new model. While many touch points across the exterior and interior feel very familiar to the Wrangler, the addition of a pickup bed means you can now haul 1,600 lbs. or tow 7,650 lbs almost anywhere. FCA Jeep Brand Director Scott Tallon, talked to SEMA News about the new Gladiator and its aftermarket potential.  

As Tallon mentions, the Gladiator is now arriving in dealerships across the country. The units are actually built in Toledo, Ohio, where Jeep vehicles have rolled off the assembly line since 1941. The new truck will make its production home in the south plant of the Toledo Assembly Complex, where the Jeep Wrangler JK was built until April 2018.

Powering the new Gladiator is the proven 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine at launch with a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine being offered in 2020. On the inside, enthusiasts can load up the vehicle with more than 80 available active and passive safety/security accessories including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross path detection, forward-facing off-road camera, adaptive cruise control and electronic stability control with electronic roll mitigation.

The first Jeep pickup was manufactured in 1947 and the new Jeep Gladiator continues to add to that heritage. For more information on all things Jeep, visit Jeep.com.

https://www.sema.org/icc

The Industry Cup Challenge features SEMA-member companies in five divisions competing against the clock to an all-out race to No. 1.

https://www.sema.org/icc

The Industry Cup Challenge features SEMA-member companies in five divisions competing against the clock to an all-out race to No. 1.

https://www.sema.org/icc

The Industry Cup Challenge features SEMA-member companies in five divisions competing against the clock to an all-out race to No. 1.

By Matt Kennedy

The first step in any successful sales or product strategy is understanding your market opportunity. How well do you know yours?

SEMA has partnered with Experian Automotive to provide members with custom-built reports on the number of vehicles currently on the road. Each report is tailored to your specific needs, helping you to evaluate new product or promotional opportunities.

Examples of business questions that the SEMA Member VIO program can help answer include:

• “We’re a performance parts and accessory retailer, and we’re looking to open a new store in Virginia or North Carolina. Which location has more potential customers who own late-model Camaros?”
• “We’re focused on the truck and off-road market, and we’re gearing up for a new marketing campaign for our Jeep Wrangler products. In which states should we focus our efforts?”
• “We manufacture turbochargers for late-model Subarus, but we’ve gotten a number of requests from customers for older models. Are there enough pre-’00 WRXs on the road to justify investing in development?”

Since the program has launched, SEMA Member VIO has helped answer hundreds of questions like these from companies like yours. And the best part? It’s free to eligible SEMA members.

For more information, or to submit a request, visit www.sema.org/vio today.

By Matt Kennedy

The first step in any successful sales or product strategy is understanding your market opportunity. How well do you know yours?

SEMA has partnered with Experian Automotive to provide members with custom-built reports on the number of vehicles currently on the road. Each report is tailored to your specific needs, helping you to evaluate new product or promotional opportunities.

Examples of business questions that the SEMA Member VIO program can help answer include:

• “We’re a performance parts and accessory retailer, and we’re looking to open a new store in Virginia or North Carolina. Which location has more potential customers who own late-model Camaros?”
• “We’re focused on the truck and off-road market, and we’re gearing up for a new marketing campaign for our Jeep Wrangler products. In which states should we focus our efforts?”
• “We manufacture turbochargers for late-model Subarus, but we’ve gotten a number of requests from customers for older models. Are there enough pre-’00 WRXs on the road to justify investing in development?”

Since the program has launched, SEMA Member VIO has helped answer hundreds of questions like these from companies like yours. And the best part? It’s free to eligible SEMA members.

For more information, or to submit a request, visit www.sema.org/vio today.

By Matt Kennedy

The first step in any successful sales or product strategy is understanding your market opportunity. How well do you know yours?

SEMA has partnered with Experian Automotive to provide members with custom-built reports on the number of vehicles currently on the road. Each report is tailored to your specific needs, helping you to evaluate new product or promotional opportunities.

Examples of business questions that the SEMA Member VIO program can help answer include:

• “We’re a performance parts and accessory retailer, and we’re looking to open a new store in Virginia or North Carolina. Which location has more potential customers who own late-model Camaros?”
• “We’re focused on the truck and off-road market, and we’re gearing up for a new marketing campaign for our Jeep Wrangler products. In which states should we focus our efforts?”
• “We manufacture turbochargers for late-model Subarus, but we’ve gotten a number of requests from customers for older models. Are there enough pre-’00 WRXs on the road to justify investing in development?”

Since the program has launched, SEMA Member VIO has helped answer hundreds of questions like these from companies like yours. And the best part? It’s free to eligible SEMA members.

For more information, or to submit a request, visit www.sema.org/vio today.

By Linda Spencer

Nissan Patrol Y61 4x4

Ford Ranger double-cab 4x4

For the past nine years since its inception, the SEMA International Vehicle Measuring Program’s (IVMP) goal has been to make it easier for members to access popular international vehicles not sold in the United States. SEMA members are now invited to measure two vehicles—a Nissan Patrol Y61 and ’16 Australian-spec Ford Ranger 4x4 double-cab. With the Ford Ranger’s entrance into the U.S. market this year, members have an opportunity to view the multiple differences between the Rest of the World (RoW) Ranger and the model sold in the United States. 

Schedule a time to measure one or both vehicles at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. The trucks can also be transported to your facility, if needed. These are the sixth and seventh vehicles made available through this program, which SEMA launched in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce. There is no charge for members to measure the vehicles.

Nissan Patrol Y61 4x4

Now in its fifth generation, this left-hand-drive truck was built in Japan for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market. It is spec’d with a five-speed manual transmission and a 4.8L petrol six-cylinder engine. This vehicle is currently sold in the Middle East, South Africa, certain Central American countries and the Philippines, among others. There is also a large pool of Y61s in Australia and New Zealand, though sales in these markets stopped in 2016.

Ford Ranger Double-Cab 4x4

SEMA has on hand an Australian-spec, 3.2L diesel-powered, right-hand-drive ’16 Ford Ranger. The global accessory-friendly RoW Ranger has been enjoying strong sales abroad, achieving top ranking in diverse markets, such as Europe (where the Ranger is the best-selling pickup) as well as a market leader in Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Philippines and Thailand. This vehicle has also resonated with buyers in Latin America and Saudi Arabia. Under U.S. government temporary import terms, the Ranger will only be available through the end of the summer.  

To reserve a truck, contact Stephanie Martinez. For more information about SEMA’s international programs or to suggest a new overseas venue or international vehicle to include in the lending program, contact Linda Spencer.

By Linda Spencer

Nissan Patrol Y61 4x4

Ford Ranger double-cab 4x4

For the past nine years since its inception, the SEMA International Vehicle Measuring Program’s (IVMP) goal has been to make it easier for members to access popular international vehicles not sold in the United States. SEMA members are now invited to measure two vehicles—a Nissan Patrol Y61 and ’16 Australian-spec Ford Ranger 4x4 double-cab. With the Ford Ranger’s entrance into the U.S. market this year, members have an opportunity to view the multiple differences between the Rest of the World (RoW) Ranger and the model sold in the United States. 

Schedule a time to measure one or both vehicles at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. The trucks can also be transported to your facility, if needed. These are the sixth and seventh vehicles made available through this program, which SEMA launched in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce. There is no charge for members to measure the vehicles.

Nissan Patrol Y61 4x4

Now in its fifth generation, this left-hand-drive truck was built in Japan for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market. It is spec’d with a five-speed manual transmission and a 4.8L petrol six-cylinder engine. This vehicle is currently sold in the Middle East, South Africa, certain Central American countries and the Philippines, among others. There is also a large pool of Y61s in Australia and New Zealand, though sales in these markets stopped in 2016.

Ford Ranger Double-Cab 4x4

SEMA has on hand an Australian-spec, 3.2L diesel-powered, right-hand-drive ’16 Ford Ranger. The global accessory-friendly RoW Ranger has been enjoying strong sales abroad, achieving top ranking in diverse markets, such as Europe (where the Ranger is the best-selling pickup) as well as a market leader in Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Philippines and Thailand. This vehicle has also resonated with buyers in Latin America and Saudi Arabia. Under U.S. government temporary import terms, the Ranger will only be available through the end of the summer.  

To reserve a truck, contact Stephanie Martinez. For more information about SEMA’s international programs or to suggest a new overseas venue or international vehicle to include in the lending program, contact Linda Spencer.