Dayco, the Troy, Michigan-based engine and drive systems manufacturer and distributor, has expanded its operations in the South East Asian market.

Following the establishment of a new Dayco South East Asian sales office in Singapore and the appointment of Yong Kee Ng as the region’s business development manager in 2017, Dayco has announced the opening of a new warehouse in the country’s Penjuru region.

The new warehouse ensures that automotive repairers in the region have access to the aftermarket range of Dayco V-belts, Poly V-belts, timing belts, tensioners and pulleys for passenger and commercial vehicles.

Dayco also has announced the appointment of Jeannette Loh as head of the customer service operations in the region. Loh brings more than two decades of customer service support experience across several industries to Dayco South East Asia.

“Our new localized warehousing coupled with our experienced local management and customer service appointments ensure that Dayco is responding to the increasing demands of automotive repairers and resellers throughout the region,” said Dayco Asia Pacific Aftermarket Vice President Arnold Mouw.

For additional information, visit dayco.com.

Brake Parts Inc (BPI) has announced that Edward J. West is the brake system components manufacturer and supplier’s new vice president, general counsel and secretary.

“Ed will serve as a legal and business advisor to the BPI and Remy senior leadership teams, advising and influencing the direction and activities of the firm,” said President and CEO David Overbeeke.

Prior to joining BPI, West worked for Archer-Daniels-Midland Company in Chicago, Illinois, as associate general counsel, corporate, securities and mergers and acquisitions. His previous experience also includes senior corporate counsel at Tenneco Inc.

West has over 20 years of legal experience, having spent the majority of his career at Baker McKenzie LLP in both the London, UK, and Chicago offices.

For more information, visit brakepartsinc.com.

Centric Parts has named Kenneth L. Selinger as the company’s new vice president of product management. In his new role, Selinger is responsible for competitive analysis and pricing, market research, new part introduction, cataloging and product life cycle management for Centric Parts and its Qualis Automotive division.

Selinger joins the company after working at Akebono Brake Corp., a manufacturer of brake technology, for 19 years. During his tenure there, Selinger held several executive roles including director of sales, marketing and product development, director of marketing and product development, OEs and aftermarket, and marketing and product development manager.

Prior to his time with Akebono, Selinger spent three years at Federal-Mogul as director of marketing for the global aftermarket. Selinger also helped launched Raybestos’ first ceramic brake pad line while serving as the company’s senior product manager.

For additional information about Centric Parts, visit its website at centricparts.com.

Lincoln Electric Holdings has announced the promotion of David Nangle to executive vice president of Lincoln Electric Holdings. This is in addition to his role as president of The Harris Products Group segment.

 “Dave’s strong leadership has been invaluable in advancing Harris towards commercial and operational excellence,” stated Christopher Mapes, Lincoln Electric’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “[This] announcement recognizes Dave’s successful track record and the value he has created for all of our stakeholders.”

 Nangle joined Cleveland, Ohio-based Lincoln Electric in 1979, and held numerous sales management positions with increasing responsibility. In 1999, he was appointed president of the company’s Harris Calorific subsidiary, and in 2003, was appointed president of the company’s retail subsidiary, WCTA LLC. He was also elected president of J.W. Harris Co. in 2005.

Nangle holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Roanoke College and an MBA from California State University, Fresno.

For more information, visit lincolnelectric.com.

Toyo Tire USA Corp. has announced several changes within the sales department to support the company’s business and dealer network.

Joining as director of sales, national strategic accounts, is Rob Lovi. Lovi has 14 years of tire industry experience including in management at Michelin North America. He served the past 10 years as vice president of sales and marketing for Vector Fleet Management.

Lovi joins Sam Felberbaum, director of sales for the West, and Mike Snyder, director of sales for the East. All report to Randy Gaetz, senior vice president of sales for Toyo Tires.

In the commercial sales division, Mike Graber has been promoted to director of sales, commercial tires. He most recently served as senior product manager for commercial truck tires, and prior to that was a member of the Toyo Tires commercial sales team.

Bill Barfield, former director of sales for commercial tires, has taken on the new role of corporate training manager to support a growing field staff and network of commercial tire dealers.

Both Graber and Barfield also report to Gaetz.
For more information, visit toyotires.com.

Xtreme Diesel Performance, LLC (XDP) has expanded its East Coast distribution operation with the opening of a new facility in Lakewood, New Jersey.

The Lakewood distribution center features new inventory management software, order picking equipment, and conveyor systems allowing for an estimated 85 percent increase in daily shipping volume. In addition, the new facility houses XDP’s manufacturing division, XDP MFG. The new manufacturing area includes added space for additional CNC equipment and quality control personnel.

Founded in 2003, Wall Township, New Jersey-based XDP has grown to become one of North America’s largest suppliers of diesel performance products.

NASCAR Vice Chairman and Executive VP Jim France has assumed the role of interim chairman and CEO following the arrest in early August of previous chairman and CEO Brian France for allegedly driving while intoxicated and possessing a controlled substance. A statement from Brian France following his arrest in Sag Harbor, New York, indicated he is “taking an indefinite leave of absence from my position to focus on my personal affairs.”

Cloyes Gear & Products, Inc. has named John Bohenick as CEO, along with new additions to the management team.

Bohenick joins the Fort Smith, Arkansas-based manufacturer with over 30 years of auto industry experience. He most recently held the position of CEO at Dayco.

In related news, Cloyes recently named Tim Murphy as vice president of sales. In his new role, Murphy is responsible for developing and implementing strategic sales plans that promote sales growth and customer satisfaction for the organization.

Brian Wheeler also joins Cloyes as director of business development. In this role, Wheeler will identify and develop new business opportunities while expanding the presence of Cloyes and its brands via marketing and communications.

Race Winning Brands (RWB) has enlisted longtime industry executive Ross Berlanga to lead its promotional efforts, naming him the company’s new director of advertising.

Berlanga comes to RWB with over two decades of marketing, agency, advertising and graphic design experience. He will lead advertising efforts for all brands under the RWB umbrella, including JE Pistons, K1 Technologies, ProX Racing Parts, Wiseco Performance Products and others. Additionally, Berlanga will be responsible for brand messaging, trade show management and promotional activities.

Berlanga’s tenure in the automotive industry began in 1998. He’s worked at McMullen-Argus as a graphic designer for publications like Hot Bike, Sport Compact Car, and Custom Rodder. Later, he spent time at Edelbrock, KTC Media Group, MagnaFlow, Motorsport Aftermarket Group (MAG) and K&N Engineering. Berlanga also worked on the marketing team at JE Pistons, from 2000–2002.

In related news, Mark Gearhart will transition from his role as senior content marketing manager to the newly created role of director of content, where he will lead the content team and manage all sponsorship-related initiatives.

For more information on Mentor, Ohio-based RWB, visit racewinningbrands.eu.

Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show attendees and exhibitors will discover the latest solutions for motor-sports facility operations, management and more at this year’s Race Track Business Conference (RTBC) in Indianapolis.

The day-long conference on Wednesday, December 5, at the Indiana Convention Center (ICC), provides a unique opportunity for industry leaders to collaborate, analyze, and conceptualize around the business of motorsports. A series of breakout sessions and keynote luncheon will cover a range of topics relevant to operators of race tracks spanning all types and sizes.

Details for this year’s conference—including track topics and speakers—are still being finalized, but will be revealed in the coming weeks. Last year’s conference featured industry leaders such as IndyCar President of Competition & Operations Jay Frye, Summit Motorsports Park Owner Bill Bader III, and Tailgating Sports Marketing Sales & Media Director Jenn Piokowski, among others, discussing topics ranging from race track management to the importance of technology in motorsports to the value in understanding the relationship between an event, the venue and spectators.

The RTBC also introduces attendees to new vendors and invites participants to learn about innovative products and services that can be utilized in their tracks and series while picking up valuable insight on current economic challenges and winning strategies from experts and industry leaders.

“As a track operator I’m interested in learning how I can improve my business,” said Randy Peters, owner of Crossroads Dragway in Terre Haute, Indiana. “I’m always looking for ideas to better improve what I’m doing and my bottom line.”

Now in its sixth year, the Race Track Business Conference is among the dozens of motorsports-related conferences, seminars, and special events—in and around the ICC—held in the days leading up to and including the PRI Show, which will feature over 1100 companies exhibiting in more than 3300 booths, showcasing the latest developments in auto racing technology. Tens of thousands of buyers from all 50 states and 70 countries will be on hand for the three biggest business days in racing.

There is a fee to attend the Race Track Business Conference, which includes lunch and program materials. To register or for more information, visit racetrackbusinessconference.com or call 847/853-0294.