Features

May 12, 2008 – Aftermarket Digest

SuperTrapp Names Marketing Manager

SuperTrapp Industries, a manufacturer of comprehensive performance exhaust systems for a variety of motor vehicle applications, has welcomed back Gina Pastuszynski as its marketing manager.
Pastuszynski previously held the position of marketing manager of SuperTrapp from October 2006-November 2007 and recently held the position of director of marketing for Real Living Realty One.
Pastuszynski will coordinate and implement overall marketing initiatives while promoting SuperTrapp’s brand and products.
Pastuszynski has a marketing and communications degree from the University of Akron. Her previous experience includes working with consumer-oriented direct marketing and aftermarket commercial marketing internationally.
Pastuszynski can be reached at GinaP@SuperTrapp.com.

New Singapore Show Attracts 20,000 in First Year

BikeAsia, the bicycle and motorcycle show of Southeast Asia, held April 10-13 in Singapore attracted 20,000 visitors during the two days the show was open to the public.
The event also drew 79 journalists and more than 1,300 trade operators from the ASEAN countries as well as India, Australia and Japan.
The second edition of BikeAsia will be held on a different date: Feb. 27, 2009-March 1, 2009. The duration of the show will be reduced from four to three days, with the first day dedicated to trade.

Spectro Oils Names New Executives

Ken Coleman has been appointed executive vice president of Spectro Oils of America and Rollin Karoll has been named vice president of sales for the company.
“Both of these executives were selected for their proven abilities to develop and implement successful new strategies and direction within the related industries, and we are looking with them to forge dynamic, aggressive growth at Spectro,” said Dave Miller, company president.
Coleman has an extensive background in marketing and general management in the sports equipment industry, including serving as president of bicycle and auto racing groups of Bell Sports, chairman of Savage Arms and director and advisor to several other sports industry companies.
Karoll comes to Spectro from Mustang Motorcycle Products, where he was national sales manager. Prior to Mustang, Rollin managed technical service operations for Comcast Cable and A-Copy/IKON Office Solutions.
Spectro brands are manufactured and marketed by Intercontinental Lubricants Corp. of Brookfield, Conn. For more information on Spectro Oils, please visit www.spectro-oils.com.

Channel Blade Names New Vice President of Operations

Channel Blade, provider of online marketing and management and sales education for the powersports industry, announced Tom Heron as the new vice president of operations, according to a Channel Blade press release.
Heron will be responsible for leading the operational and customer support functions, which include product development, process redesign, production management and customer satisfaction.
He has 25 years of experience in finance, operations, engineering and marketing in the publishing and financial services industries.
“Tom’s wealth of diversified experience and stellar track record will be invaluable as he focuses on building a world-class cutomer experience through high-quality support, product delivery and process consistency,” said Chuck Lewis, co-founder and managing partner of Channel Blade. “Our continued investment in recruiting executive talent is a testament to our commitment to growing both our business and our clients’ businesses.”

Dealership University Introduces New Program

Dealership University introduced its Quick Start program, a two-week online sales training class monitored by the company’s instructors. It’s designed to help powersports sales associates with their sales skills and increase customer satisfaction.
Throughout the program, participants must complete the required lesson assignments and pass each lesson quiz and the final exam by the designated completion dates in order to receive a Quick Start Sales Certificate of Achievement.
Each lesson takes between 5-15 minutes to complete and consists of videos and a quiz. Participants also will receive a workbook that complements the online material.
Enrollment is currently open for the first two Quick Start classes, which are scheduled to start May 6 and May 27. Deadlines to register are April 29 and May 20. The classes will be limited to 25 participants per class, and cost is $329 per student.
Students can enroll at http://quicktakes.dulms.net or by calling 877/242-4472.

Mustang Unveils New Product for 2008 Suzuki M50

Mustang Motorcycle Products has new seats for the 2008 Suzuki Boulevard M50.
The 15.5-inch wide, deeply pocketed front bucket is angled to sit the driver as far back into the M50 as possible and keep him from sliding forward. The optional driver backrest is fully adjustable and offers support and flexibility, and can be fully adjusted while seated. The backrest folds flat for ease of getting on the motorcycle and removes easily without tools.
The entire 11.5-inch width of the comfortable passenger seat is supported by Mustang’s unique internal steel support wings, which hold up the full width of the foam. This means no more sagging at the edges and no more passenger complaints. The rear seat can be quickly detached without removing the solo for one-up riding. Handcrafted in the U.S., both seats are built on marine-grade fiberglass baseplates.
Mustang’s two-piece Wide Studded Touring Seat sells for $719 retail, including the optional, removable driver backrest. Seats also are available without studs or conchos. A matching sissy bar pad or tank and fender bibs complete the custom look.
Visit MustangDealer.com to view its catalogs and request your complete dealer package or call Mustang Seats at 800/243-1392.

Green Marine Cleaners Take it on the Road This Summer

Bio-Kleen Products, based out of Kalamazoo, Mich., will be trekking across the country this summer to show off a brand new boat and help spread its message about helping keep boats and waterways clean.
This series of trips, labeled the Bio-Kleen Boat Tour, will stretch more than 7,000 miles during a period of five months.
The Bio-Kleen Boat Tour kicked off at the Desert Storm Poker Run in Lake Havasu, Ariz., and will be traveling to 10 locations in seven states and will even be crossing the border into Canada. The purpose of the tour is to give Bio-Kleen the opportunity to connect with boaters in different areas of the country, find out what type of cleaning issues plague their area and help them solve those issues with biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products that are safe for all aquatic plant and animal life, not to mention the person using it.

ITP Releases SS212 Wheel

ITP has added to its ever-growing SS Alloy wheel line with the Indy introduction of the new SS212.
This one-piece wheel, with a distinctively muscular style, is available in three finish options: bright, diamond-cut machined with black accents (topped with a tough clear coat), a matte black and chrome. As with all of ITP’s SS Alloy wheels, a custom SS wheel cap is included.
They’re available in a 12 by 7 size, as well as unique 14 by 6 and 14 by 8 sizes designed specifically for front and rear applications, respectively. These dedicated sizes provide more precise fitment and make the most of 26- and 27-inch radial tire performance.
Like its predecessors, the SS212 is manufactured through ITP’s high-tech Advancecast process, resulting in a strong yet light final product. ITP is so confident of the SS212’s durability that it is covered by a lifetime structural warranty.
The ITP SS212 wheel is available for most late-model 4 by 4 sport/utility ATVs as well as many UTV applications. The 14-inch models are an option for UTVs, as they carry an 800-pound load rating (12-inch ATV models are rated at 700 pounds). ITP is also making the SS Alloy line available in convenient, pre-mounted tire/wheel kits, using ITP’s popular Mud Lite XL, Mud Lite XTR and TerraCross R/T tires.
For more information, visit ITP’s Web site at www.itptires.com.

Wolverine Announces New Chief financial officer

Wolverine World Wide, a marketer of branded footwear and apparel, recently announced the appointment of Don Grimes to the positions of senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer.
Grimes will join the company at the end of May and will report directly to Blake Krueger, CEO and president of Wolverine.
Grimes, 45, was most recently the executive vice president and CFO for Keystone Automotive Operations, North America’s leading marketer and distributor of automotive aftermarket accessories and equipment.?
“Don’s financial and operational expertise and extensive experience with strong multi-brand, global organizations matches up extremely well with Wolverine and our plans for continued growth,” Krueger said in a press release.
Wolverine is the exclusive footwear licensee of popular brands, including Harley-Davidson and Patagonia.

INTERMOT to Showcase New Drive Technologies

Alternative drive technologies and innovative concepts will be in the spotlight at the Innovation Centre special show, which will be held at INTERMOT Cologne 2008 from Oct. 8-12.
The center will provide interested trade visitors and motorcycle enthusiasts with information on new approaches being taken in two-wheeled mobility. The show will feature alternative-drive bikes that are already available on the market, as well as prototypes and pioneering products in the area of parts, accessories and clothing.
The companies taking part in this year’s INTERMOT Cologne Innovation Centre in Hall 4.1 will include Vectrix, E-Max and IO, who will be showing electric-drive vehicles. At a separate exhibition area, the top names will present their alternative systems and concepts, including a natural-gas-powered Suzuki and the MP3 hybrid from Piaggio.
In addition, visitors to INTERMOT Cologne will be able to try out selected models at the electric test track in the outdoor area. psb

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