Thu, 11/08/2018 - 13:21

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Scott Peterson
Scott Peterson

Scott Peterson Named President and COO of Summit Racing Equipment

Summit Racing Equipment has announced that Scott Peterson has been named president and chief operating officer of the company, effective January 1, 2019. Peterson succeeds longtime President Ray Tatko, who is retiring at the end of 2018. Tatko will remain on Summit Racing Equipment’s board of directors, and act as an advisor to company officers. Peterson was hired in 1995 as Summit Racing’s operations manager. He was instrumental in improving the efficiency of the company’s order-fulfillment center, leading to quicker shipping times and order accuracy for its customers even as order volume increased. He was promoted to general manager in 2008. Prior to joining Summit Racing Equipment, Peterson’s professional career included serving as a Marine Corps officer and various management positions with Gander Mountain and FTD.

Philip Warmbier
Philip Warmbier

Chicago Pneumatic Hires Philip Warmbier as Business Line Manager

Chicago Pneumatic has announced that Philip Warmbier has joined the team as business line manager in the company’s Rock Hill, South Carolina, headquarters. Warmbier will direct the Chicago Pneumatic sales teams in the North American territory, which includes the United States, Canada and Mexico. The team services industrial and vehicle service clients.

Directed Canada Announces New Headquarters

Directed has announced that it has relocated its Canadian headquarters to a new facility at 2113 32nd Ave., in Lachine, Quebec, to accommodate expanded company growth. The building will house Directed’s global product development and Canadian sales, distribution and administrative functions. The facility features a modern, open office layout for better communication and collaboration among Directed’s technical and engineering teams and an expansive bay area for validation, engineering and product development.

Carver
Covercraft Industries LLC has acquired Carver Industries, a manufacturer of custom-fit and semi-custom-fit protective covers for the marine industry.

MW Co. Launches, Combines All MOMO and WELD Brands Under Single Entity

MW Co. has been launched, officially combining several aftermarket performance and racing brands under one unified, corporate identity. In 2017, Cisneros Corp., which owned the MOMO brand, purchased WELD Racing and all of its brands to combine them into what is MW Co. today. MW Co., which will stand as an independent organization, will be headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and will be led by Henrique Cisneros, who was named chairman of the board. Cisneros was integral in bringing the MOMO and WELD companies together. The formation of MW Company includes: MOMO, WELD Racing, ADV.1, Driven Motorsports, CCW Forged Performance, Reds, Forgestar, HiPer Technology and Tikore. The company will continue to operate facilities in Anaheim, California, Kansas City and Milan, Italy.

Covercraft Acquires Carver Industries

Covercraft Industries LLC has announced the acquisition of Carver Industries, a manufacturer of custom-fit and semi-custom-fit protective covers for the marine industry. This latest acquisition enhances Covercraft’s pattern library and expands the company’s assortment of custom-fit vehicle protective products. Carver’s products are currently available through local marine dealers and internet retailers with distribution throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Europe. This latest acquisition places Covercraft squarely in the marine industry, leveraging the company’s expansion in the outdoor market with its previous acquisitions of ADCO, GT Covers and Marathon Seat Covers. Carver Industries is the fourth company to join Covercraft’s family of vehicle protection products since Covercraft partnered with Century Park Capital Partners in 2015.

Continental
Allen Selzler

Continental Names Allen Selzler Sales Technical Training Specialist

Continental has named Allen Selzler sales technical training specialist for Continental Automotive’s Interior Division, Commercial Vehicles & Aftermarket (CVAM) Business Unit. In this role, Selzler will be responsible for the organization, coordination and execution of regional presentations and demonstrations with prospective and existing customers. In addition to planning and hosting training events, Selzler will be tasked with supporting sales team personnel, establishing sales leads generated from training sessions, developing installation instructions, and building and maintaining customer relationships. Prior to joining CVAM, Selzler worked for Continental Tires of the Americas, as territory sales manager for Commercial Vehicle Tires (CVT) Business Unit from 2013–2018. In this role, Selzler developed business partnerships with key customer accounts and coordinated sales and training events at the regional level. He also developed training for customer and dealer personnel and conducted one-on-one training on product, selling and inventory management.

Lucas Oil Center to Provide Free Car Washes for Veterans and Service Personnel Through “Grave for Vets”

This Veteran’s Day, Evansville, Indiana-area veterans and service personnel can have their vehicles washed for free at Lucas Oil Center on N. Green River Rd. through the “Grace for Vets” program—a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor those who have or are currently serving their country by providing free car washes to all service personnel. This is the fifth consecutive year that Lucas Oil Center in Evansville is partnering with Grace for Vets to bring this program to local veterans and service personnel. Area veterans and service members will receive one free “Express Works” car wash November 11, from 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., with a valid Veterans Administration or military ID.

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.

Thu, 11/08/2018 - 13:18

The RPM Act needs your support.

Thu, 11/08/2018 - 13:18

The RPM Act needs your support.

Thu, 11/08/2018 - 13:18

The RPM Act needs your support.

Thu, 11/08/2018 - 13:18

The RPM Act needs your support.

Thu, 11/08/2018 - 13:12
Thu, 11/08/2018 - 13:09

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org.

Thu, 11/08/2018 - 10:59

First-Time Exhibitor Mahindra Talks About The 2018 SEMA Show

Mahindra brought its ROXOR to the 2018 SEMA Show to showcase the off-road potential. ROXOR is a new addition to Mahindra's product line in the Western Hemisphere.


https://youtu.be/I0kSbsyjK1Q

Thu, 11/08/2018 - 10:59

First-Time Exhibitor Mahindra Talks About The 2018 SEMA Show

Mahindra brought its ROXOR to the 2018 SEMA Show to showcase the off-road potential. ROXOR is a new addition to Mahindra's product line in the Western Hemisphere.


https://youtu.be/I0kSbsyjK1Q

Thu, 11/08/2018 - 10:31

By Chad Simon

Banquet Emcees
Jessi Combs and Jarod DeAnda emceed the 2018 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, themed “Success Starts Here.”

Themed “Success Starts Here” the 2018 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, held Thursday, November 1, at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, celebrated the specialty-equipment market’s contributors and innovators. Guided by emcees Jarod DeAnda and Jessi Combs, the evening also featured live music from blues-inspired rock-pop artist ZZ Ward.

About 2,500 automotive aftermarket industry attendees paid tribute to the newest members of the SEMA Hall of Fame—industry pioneers, volunteers and personalities who helped to pave the way and shape a specialty automotive marketplace that is now $43 billion strong. The 2018 Hall of Fame inductees were Donnie Eatherly, Ed Pink and Chris Thomson.

The annual celebration included an awards program in which SEMA's Person of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, GEN-III Innovator of the Year, Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year and Warehouse Distributor of the Year honors were presented. The winners were:

  • Person of the Year – Melanie White – President, Hellwig Suspension Products
  • Manufacturer of the Year – Aeromotive Inc.
  • GEN-III Innovator of the Year – Jon Pulli – CEO, Turn 14 Distribution
  • Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year – Bob Cook Sales
  • Warehouse Distributor of the Year – Turn 14 Distribution

“I’m so honored to be recognized among so many truly outstanding people in our industry, really I just feel incredibly lucky,” White said. “I work in an amazing industry filled with passionate people. I have some outstanding industry friends. And I work daily with amazing people. Above all, I get to carry on the Hellwig tradition that my great grandfather started, and my grandfather and father grew. SEMA does some incredible stuff for their members, and I’m so lucky that I get to be a part of that volunteer network.”

ZZ Ward
Fedora-wearing, blues-inspired rock-pop artist ZZ Ward provided musical entertainment to those in attendance.
Chris Kersting
SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting welcomed guests to the industry-wide gathering.
National Anthem
Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before a packed house.
Wade Kawasaki
SEMA Chairman of the Board Wade Kawasaki addressed this year’s theme, “Success Starts Here.”
Melanie White
Melanie White of Hellwig Suspension Products was honored as the 2018 SEMA Person of the Year.
Jon Pulli
Jon Pulli, CEO of Turn 14 Distribution, accepted the GEN-III Innovator of the Year Award.
Bob Cook Sales
Bob Cook Sales won the Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year award.
Aeromotive
Aeromotive Inc. was named Manufacturer of the Year.
Turn 14 Distribution
Jon Pulli accepted the Warehouse Distributor of the Year award on behalf of Turn 14 Distribution.
Donnie Eatherly
Donnie Eatherly, 2018 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee, was recognized for his volunteerism within SEMA and for championing many important industry initiatives. 


Ed Pink
Ed Pink was inducted into the 2018 SEMA Hall of Fame for building engines that helped legendary racers set records and win championships. 
Chris Thomson
Chris Thomson was inducted into the 2018 SEMA Hall of Fame for his selfless dedication as a mentor and an advocate for the automotive specialty-equipment industry.