April 24, 2006 – Distributor Report

MSD purchases Edge Products
MSD Performance Group has acquired Edge Products, a manufacturer of diesel performance modules and controllers.
The MSD Performance Group of aftermarket and performance electronic companies includes MSD Ignition, Superchips and Racepak. Terms of the purchase were not revealed.
“With Edge Products joining the MSD Performance Group, we will be able to accelerate technology development for each brand,” MSD Performance CEO Dan Gresham said. “From the market perspective, this significantly increases MSD’s ability to service critical segments of the performance market.”
“Everyone at Edge is excited to take advantage of all the new opportunities created by this acquisition,” said Paul Lehman, CEO of Edge Products. “From a distribution, customer service and product development standpoint, being part of the MSD Performance Group will take Edge to the next level.”
ITW Fastex Acquires Plastisonics Visu-Filter
ITW Fastex, a supplier of outdoor power equipment components and a division of Illinois Tool Works, Inc., has announced the acquisition of the Plastisonics Visu-Filter product line from Newo Plastics, Chicago, Ill. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Officials at Des Plaines, Ill.-based ITW Fastex say the addition of fuel filters to ITW Fastex’s existing product lines positions Fastex as a premier supplier of inline fuel-related components to the powersports industry.
“The acquisition of Plastisonics and the Visu-Filter product line is a significant step in ITW’s strategy of expanding our business in the area of safety-related components for the outdoor power equipment industry,” said Tim Stark, business unit manager, ITW Fastex.
Cooper Tire Rolls into China
Cooper Tire, the fourth largest tire manufacturer in North America and the eighth largest worldwide, recently acquired majority ownership of Shandong Chengshan Tire Company, China’s third largest domestic producer.
The facilities of the newly acquired company will produce premium Cooper-branded tires for the Chinese market.
“We have great respect and high expectations for China and this country will be very important to our future plans,” said Thomas A. Dattilo, chairman, president and CEO of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company.
Cooper’s manufacturing and technical facilities are spread across three continents: North America, Europe and now Asia. Dattilo said Cooper is designing a complete line of Cooper brand tires designed especially for the Chinese market. The lines will be tested in a few markets this year with a full launch in early 2007.
Cooper also has a plant under construction as part of a joint venture with Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd. That plant is located in Jiangsu Province. Production is expected to begin in the third quarter with annual capacity of 10-12 million radial passenger and light truck tires for export to Cooper customers in North America and Europe.
Industrial Metal Supply Co. Opens in Riverside
Officials at metal service center Industrial Metal Supply Company (IMS) say they plan to open a new facility in Riverside, Calif.
Industrial Metal Supply Company (IMS) serves the Southwest with almost half a million square feet of warehouse and retail space in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Inland Empire and Arizona. IMS stocks steel, aluminum, stainless, tool steel, brass, copper, silicon-bronze in various shapes and sizes.
With more than 70,000 square feet of space, the new facility — the company’s fifth — will provide a variety of metal services, including precision non-ferrous sawing, production cutting, shearing and state-of-the-art high definition plasma cutting.
“We’ve been serving customers in Riverside and the surrounding area for many years, so this new branch is a natural move for us,” said IMS President Eric Steinhauer. “This facility will enable us to give those customers even better service, which in turn will help give them a competitive edge in their markets.”
For more information, visit www.industrialmetalsupply.com or call 800/350-6768.
NGK Names New vice president for Sales and Marketing
NGK Spark Plugs (USA), Inc. announced the promotion of Richard Sullivan to the position of vice president of sales and marketing.
Sullivan, a 28-year veteran in the aftermarket industry, has been with NGK since 1985 and previously served as general manager and director of sales and marketing.
In his new role, Sullivan will oversee sales and marketing functions for NGK OEM, OES, Aftermarket and NTK Cutting Tool divisions. He replaces Hideyuki Koiso, who is returning to Japan to assume the position of general manager-overseas sales and marketing. Sullivan represents NGK in MEMA segment associations AASA and OESA and is a member of the Automotive Sales Council.
NGK Spark Plugs (USA), Inc. is headquartered in Wixom, Mich.
Staff Changes at Big Bike Parts
Big Bike Parts, Rice Lake, Wis., reported two changes to its office staff.
Five-year Regional Sales Representative Brandon Westphal has been promoted to sales manager, responsible for the Show Chrome Accessories, UltraGard, Hopnel, Prairie Dog brands, and John Snelgrove has been hired to manage, market and grow the brands.
Snelgrove joins Big Bike Parts after serving the past six years as vice president of sales and marketing for Willie & Max Saddlebags.
CycleTrader.com names new Marketing Manager
CycleTrader.com, a provider of classified vehicle ads within the powersports industry, has named Eric Zborowski marketing manager for CycleTrader.com and ATVTraderOnline.com.
Under Zborowski’s leadership, CycleTrader.com plans to expand its reach in the motorcycle and powersports industries by building stronger relationships with dealers, associations, manufacturers and enthusiasts.
Zborowski joined CycleTrader.com as a national accounts manager. He previously worked as operations manager at the American Watercraft Association.
CycleTrader.com is part of the Dominion Enterprises network, a leading network of Web sites serving buyers and sellers in the new and used vehicle marketplace. Categories include boat, RV, collector and specialty vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs, equipment and general merchandise. CycleTrader.com is an operating unit of the Electronic Media division of Landmark Communications. Dominion Enterprises motorcycle and power sports publications include Cycle Trader and Walnecks.
S&S, MAC Tools create limited-edition toolbox
S&S Cycle, La Crosse, Wis., and MAC Tools, Westerville, Ohio, have teamed up to create a limited edition toolbox complete with 187 tools.
The toolbox has four drawers, gas-shocks on the lid, roller-bearings in the drawer slides and heavy-duty side lift handles. The toolset is packaged in four separate foam inserts that fit in the drawers. The tools are finished in black nickel chrome and laser-etched with their size. An array of sockets, ratchets, extensions, swivels combined with a selection of open and box-end wrenches, Alle wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers are included in the kit.
The toolbox and toolset only will be available through authorized S&S dealers and MAC Tools distributors.
EagleRider Opens first Location in pacific northwest
Positioned strategically on Highway 97, the major arterial through Central Oregon, EagleRider Bend is EagleRider’s first rental location in the Pacific Northwest.
Offering for rent a full fleet of Harley-Davison motorcycles and Polaris ATVs, EagleRider Bend is owned by Steve and Laurie Wilkes, and operated by Doug Kirkland and Jeff Maurizio. All previously worked in Harley-Davidson and EagleRider stores.
Founded in 1992, EagleRider offers powersports vehicles from Harley-Davidson, Honda, BMW and Polaris. EagleRider’s expansion of its franchise rental facilities targets global tourist destinations, and the company currently offers adventure travel enthusiasts opportunities in the United States, Mexico, Spain, and France. psb