Eric Durrant is Promoted to National Sales Manager, Aeroquip Performance. Eric Durrant has been named to the position of National Sales Manager, Aeroquip Performance Products. In this key role Eric will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives to grow the Aeroquip Performance Products business. Eric has been with Eaton since 2002 and has held several positions within the Hydraulics Fluid Conveyance Group. Eric’s strengths in both engineering and product development combined with sales experience should assist him in this new role.  He also has a Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering degree and his MBA from the University of Toledo. www.eaton.com/aeroquipperformance  (GJ)

Butch Madigan joins Bestop Sales Team. Bestop, the leading manufacturer of Jeep, Truck and UTV accessories,  is pleased to announce Butch Madigan to the Bestop Sales team as Regional Sales Manager.  Madigan, an industry veteran with over 20 years in automotive aftermarket, brings a wealth of experience and relationships at every level – from consumer selling to chain retailers and mass merchants. In his new role with Bestop, Madigan will be manage all Bestop sales on the West Coast and other areas throughout the US. www.bestop.com  (GJ)

Industrial Opportunity Partners Invests in the Edelbrock Corporation. On behalf of the employees, management team and ownership of Edelbrock LLC and its affiliates, Edelbrock is pleased to announce that Industrial Opportunity Partners (“IOP”), a Chicago-based private equity firm, has made an investment in Edelbrock.  “This new partnership comes at a time in the automotive industry that puts Edelbrock in a prime position to capitalize on the ever-strengthening economy”, stated Edelbrock Chairman, Vic Edelbrock. Edelbrock President, John Colaianne, shared - “IOP and its partners are excited to join hands with the Edelbrock organization. We feel this company has all the intangibles – a strong brand, healthy infrastructure and dedicated employees - that not only makes it the leader in the performance automotive aftermarket, but also prime for growth.”  The Edelbrock management team led by Vic Edelbrock, Chairman, and John Colaianne, President, will continue to manage the Company.  Their management team and company personnel are extremely enthusiastic about continuing to provide their customers with professional and dedicated customer service and high quality products, as they have since 1938. www.edelbrock.com  (GJ)

Extang, Truxedo, Bedrug and UnderCover Join Forces. THI, the parent company of Extang Corporation, Truxedo, Inc. and BedRug, Inc., is pleased to announce its combination with E.D. Industries, Inc (UnderCover). “A combination with UnderCover was the next logical step for THI”, said Tom Tuttle, Managing Director of Kinderhook Industries. “UnderCover is a dominant manufacturer of high quality, innovative one-piece ABS composite tonneau covers world-wide. Since inception in 1999, UnderCover has set the industry standard in hard truck bed covers. The UnderCover name is synonymous with excellence and is one of the most recognized brands in the truck aftermarket. This brand equity combined with a history of innovation provides a perfect complement to THI’s strategy of building market leaders in the truck aftermarket.” UnderCover will join THI under the leadership of THI CEO Bill Reminder. “UnderCover is a great addition to our family of brands. UnderCover’s experience and proven track record in the truck aftermarket will help THI expand and accelerate its own strategic initiatives,” said Bill Reminder. THI will leverage the best practices and operational strengths of all companies under the THI umbrella, while retaining the creativity, innovation and commitment to quality that these well respected brands were built on. THI is the holding company for Extang (www.extang.com) and TruXedo (www.truxedo.com), a leading manufacturer of soft tonneau covers for light duty trucks in the U.S. and BedRug (www.bedrug.com), a pioneer in the development of bed liners. (GJ)

Search on PRW’s site nets customized tool for ASU students. The request to mount a General Motors engine on one of PRW Industries engine test stands started a quest for Jim Contes, a retired General Motors engineer and automotive lecturer in the College of Technology and Innovation at Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus since 2009. Before retiring from GM, Contes was able to have several engines donated to the university for teaching purposes. Then when Contes was teaching his powertrains class, he wanted to mount one of the engines on a test stand as a student project. “A colleague in the department found the engine test stand on PRW’s Web site, and asked if it was possible to mount a GM engine,” says Contes. “Of course I accepted the challenge, even though my class was halfway into the semester. “I split my students up into teams of two to tackle the project,” says Contes. “The teams took a 6.0L Hummer II engine and integrated all the systems needed to run the engine on the PRW engine test stand.  I then divided the project into six parts, as we would do in the automotive work place, to focus on basic mechanical; the cooling, fuel, exhaust and air intake systems; and electrical.” The automotive concentration of ASU’s mechanical engineering technology degree, which started in the fall of 2006 with just 12 students, has proven to be very popular. Today, 85 students from across the nation are enrolled in the automotive concentration. For more information about the program at Arizona State University, visit http://technology.asu.edu.  (GJ)

Redhorse Performance TEAMS with the CONTINGENCY CONNECTION. REDHORSE PERFORMANCE has partnered with the Contingency Connection to enhance brand awareness, brand identity and demand for its hoses and fittings in the grassroots racing industry. Redhorse Performance (RHP) will be taking this basic weekly contingency program ONE step further with the 2010-2012 REDHORSE PERFORMANCE CHAMPIONS CUP whereby ONE track champion from each Contingency Connection track/series will win 2011 “Team Sponsorship” compliments of Redhorse Performance Hoses and Fittings! The package will include cash, apparel, product, and other prestigious awards. In order to celebrate the launch of this sponsorship announcement--Redhorse Performance will offer 4th of July Race Winners from each Contingency Connection track and series A Redhorse Cup 4TH of July Bonus Prize package”! Bill Chamberlain, lead executive of Redhorse Performance explained “The Contingency Connection is a direct and cost-effective means to get our name and line of plumbing products more widely recognized among the grassroots weekly racing market." Chamberlain continued, “Redhorse produces certified air craft quality fittings and hoses at a cost savings for budget racers with quick delivery guaranteed!” Now-Redhorse Performance is stepping up with a NATIONAL awards program designed specifically to reward the masses of grass-roots WEEKLY racers. “The Redhorse Performance commitment to our 18,000+ racers per week makes our partnership a natural fit and provides a perfect opportunity for them to build brand identity with this target market.”
REDHORSE is headquartered in Troy, MI. www.redhorseperformance.com  (GJ)

Wes-Coast Marketing, Inc. has teamed up with Power Tank (Advanced Air Systems) to represent them in the 13 Western States and Western Canada. Power Tank, the Original High Performance C02 Air System that is designed for Off-Road, 4x4, Desert and Sand use. It is the ultimate on board air system for performance, reliability and your source for all air related accessories. Power Tank offers smart design, high performance, guaranteed reliability, and the best warranty in the industry.  (GJ)