Way back when, Bobby Alloway saw the need to produce hot rods that met his level of perfection and taste. That’s when he decided to go full throttle and open up Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop, based in Louisville, Tennessee. Since then, Alloway and his crew have been turning out award-winning hot rods for discriminating customers who want to be a step above the rest of field.

Many of those hot rods built by Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop have won awards and become recognizable icons within the automotive aftermarket industry. In 2014, that list included its ’37 Chevy Coupe, which was named a Top-10 finalist in SEMA’s first Battle of the Builders competition during the 2014 SEMA Ignited event.

“It was an honor to be a part of the inaugural Battle of the Builders,” said Alloway. “We're like a family and know each other real well and the rivalry is intense but friendly.”

Alloway’s ’37 Chevy Coupe has been completely modified, from its McLaren Chevrolet big-block engine with stack injection that echoes the infamous Can-Am racing series of the late ’60s and early ’70s, to its modern Art Morrison chassis, Corvette-styled interior and customized billet wheels. The result is a classic pre-war Chevrolet that has the looks and the muscle to stand away from the pack, which is exactly what Alloway sets out to do every time he begins a new project. SEMA’s Battle of the Builders was simply the latest challenge—one he is always willing to accept at full-throttle.

To learn more about SEMA Battle of the Builders and to find out how you can be a part of the 2015 competition, visit www.semaignited.com.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

THI Corp. Acquires A.R.E. Accessories

Tectum Holdings Inc. (THI) has announced the acquisition of A.R.E. Accessories LLC, making it the eighth acquisition on the THI platform. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, THI is a supplier of branded light-duty truck accessories for pickup bed applications. Since its formation, the company has grown organically and via acquisition from two tonneau brands to seven major tonneau brands and a bedliner brand. A.R.E. Accessories, which manufactures custom-made fiberglass and aluminum truck caps and tonneau covers, operates from three manufacturing locations in Ohio and a distribution center in Nevada. 

	Ed Powderly

BettsHD Names Ed Powderly Vice President of Sales

BettsHD has announced the appointment of Ed Powderly as vice president of sales. Most recently, Powderly was business development manager, aftermarket, for Hendrickson USA LLC, based in Itasca, Illinois. Powderly will report to Betts Co. President and COO Bill Betts, responsible for all sales activities at BettsHD.

Since 2011, Powderly was responsible for the aftermarket sales organization, which represents all Hendrickson product lines, including truck, trailer and auxiliary axle parts, springs and bumper products. He joined Hendrickson in 2004 as a key member/leader of the truck aftermarket marketing team. Prior to Hendrickson, Powderly worked for Old World Industries, where he served as a brand manager for PEAK antifreeze. He began his career at Tenneco Automotive as a product manager in the company’s aftermarket performance group.

Meyer Distributing Announces Salt Lake City Location

Meyer Distributing Inc. has added a Salt Lake City, Utah, location that will have a direct feed from the company’s Denver, Colorado. distribution hub, which houses one of the largest inventories of automotive accessories in the mountain states.

“We will improve frequency and time of delivery to our customers with this crossdock,” says Nick Gramelspacher, VP of Sales and Marketing for Meyer. “Cities in UT such as Provo, Salt Lake City, Layton, and Logan and cities in ID such as Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Rexburg, Twin Falls, and Boise will receive enhanced service via Meyer Logistics.”

Escort Inc. Names John Malone Sr. Vice President of Sales

John Malone

Radar and laser detector manufacturer ESCORT Inc. has named John A. Malone senior vice president of sales. Malone will directly oversee all sales related business units, including retail sales, direct to consumer sales, consumer service and sales support. He will report directly to ESCORT's President and CEO, David Thornhill.

"The addition of John will greatly add to our momentum in executing our determined market expansion," said Thornhill.  "His experience in national product distribution and sales, along with his demonstrated leadership skills, are the perfect fit to help direct the ongoing strategy of aggressively growing the ESCORT family of detector brands."

Reporting to Malone will be all sales and sales administration, national account and territory managers, and regional international sales.

WELD Announces “Sizzling Summer Rebate” Promotion

WELD kicks off its “Sizzling Summer Rebate” promotion May 1, offering customers rebates from $50 to $200 for purchasing its products. The promotion concludes July 31, 2015. Customers who purchase WELD Street & Strip RT-S wheels and all REKON off-road wheels (XT, HD and LT) between May 1, 2015–July 31, 2015, will be offered rebates at four different tiers, which include:

• Buy $1,000 to $1,999.99 worth of WELD product, get a $50 rebate.
• Buy $2,000 to $2,999.99 worth of WELD product, get a $100 rebate.
• Buy $3,000 to $3,999.99 worth of WELD product, get a $150 rebate.
• Buy $4,000 or more worth of WELD product, get a $200 rebate.

To qualify for the WELD Sizzling Summer Rebate program, wheels only have to be purchased during the designated time period. Rebates are not based upon when wheels are delivered. A $1,000 minimum purchase is required to be eligible for the promotion and the rebate is based on the total amount purchased and not per wheel. WELD Racing wheels are not included in the rebate offer. For complete details on the promotion and a rebate form, visit WELD’s website.

	The 2015 Ride and Drive Dealer Training Program is designed to educate Yokohama’s dealers throughout the country about its tire lineup.

Yokohama Tire Corp.’s 2015 Dealer Ride and Drive Training Program Kicks Off in Texas

Yokohama Tire Corp.’s (YTC) 2015 Ride and Drive Dealer Training Program began in Houston this week and will visit 10 markets within the next five months. The annual program is designed to educate YTC dealers throughout the country about its tire lineup. Dealers will be able to test drive the ’15 Mustang equipped with Yokohama’s ADVAN Sport A/S, AVID ENVigor, S.drive and ADVAN Neova AD08R tires on specially designed courses during the training program, which will be held in the following cities:

April 27–30: Houston
May 12–15: Salem/Roanoke, Virginia
May 19–20: Milwaukee
May 27–29: Chicago
June 9–11: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
June 16–18: Seekonk, Massachusetts
June 30–July 2: Lee, New Hampshire
July 28–31: St. Louis
August 25–28: Denver
September 22–24: Pleasanton, California

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.

The shooters at KGP Photography caught this Mustang Shelby GT350R prototype looking very menacing in red, testing on the streets of Dearborn, Michigan.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

The shooters at KGP Photography caught this Mustang Shelby GT350R prototype looking very menacing in red, testing on the streets of Dearborn, Michigan.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

The shooters at KGP Photography caught this Mustang Shelby GT350R prototype looking very menacing in red, testing on the streets of Dearborn, Michigan.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

By SEMA Editors

	The early-bird deadline for Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino and Paris Las Vegas is July 6.

Travel Planners—the Official Housing Service of the SEMA Show—has provided a list of early-bird deadlines that expire today for two hotel properties. Showgoers are encouraged to visit the Travel & Lodging page on www.SEMAShow.com to lock in a guaranteed low rate.

Early-Bird Deadlines

April 30

• Elara, Hilton Grand Vacations
• Hilton Grand Vacations on the Strip

To help ensure that SEMA Showgoers get the best deal on hotel rooms, Travel Planners provides a lowest-rate guarantee on all contracts. Even if reservations have been made, Travel Planners will lower your rate automatically and confirm your savings by email. If you find a lower rate, simply contact Travel Planners. As long as the rate is for all of the dates of your stay, you’ll receive a price that’s as good or better.

By SEMA Editors

	The early-bird deadline for Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino and Paris Las Vegas is July 6.

Travel Planners—the Official Housing Service of the SEMA Show—has provided a list of early-bird deadlines that expire today for two hotel properties. Showgoers are encouraged to visit the Travel & Lodging page on www.SEMAShow.com to lock in a guaranteed low rate.

Early-Bird Deadlines

April 30

• Elara, Hilton Grand Vacations
• Hilton Grand Vacations on the Strip

To help ensure that SEMA Showgoers get the best deal on hotel rooms, Travel Planners provides a lowest-rate guarantee on all contracts. Even if reservations have been made, Travel Planners will lower your rate automatically and confirm your savings by email. If you find a lower rate, simply contact Travel Planners. As long as the rate is for all of the dates of your stay, you’ll receive a price that’s as good or better.

Dave Freiburger of The Enthusiast Network visits SEMA Central at the 2014 SEMA Show to discuss Hotrod.com, as well as “Hot Rod Garage” and “Roadkill.”

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, drawing the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the AAIW, the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports, and RV markets. SEMA Show 2014 drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers. The 2015 SEMA Show is scheduled for November 3–November 6.

Dave Freiburger of The Enthusiast Network visits SEMA Central at the 2014 SEMA Show to discuss Hotrod.com, as well as “Hot Rod Garage” and “Roadkill.”

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, drawing the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the AAIW, the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports, and RV markets. SEMA Show 2014 drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers. The 2015 SEMA Show is scheduled for November 3–November 6.

Dave Freiburger of The Enthusiast Network visits SEMA Central at the 2014 SEMA Show to discuss Hotrod.com, as well as “Hot Rod Garage” and “Roadkill.”

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, drawing the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the AAIW, the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports, and RV markets. SEMA Show 2014 drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers. The 2015 SEMA Show is scheduled for November 3–November 6.