September 24, 2007 – Aftermarket Digest

Brembo Creates Joint Venture With Another Italian Firm
Brembo SpA, a world manufacturer of high-performance braking systems, and Sabelt SpA, a name in racing seat belts and child safety products, will set up a joint venture company to develop their operations for components and special accessories for motor vehicles and motorcycles.
The agreement for the joint venture company, which will be called Brembo Performance SpA, is expected to be in place and the new company incorporated by the end of this year.
Brembo SpA will hold a 70 percent controlling interest in Brembo Performance, with the remaining 30 percent held by the Marsiaj and d’Ormea families, who own Sabelt shares.
The new company will operate out of sites in Italy, at Moncalieri (Turin) and in Zilina (Slovakia) as well as Brembo factories.
“This new joint venture,” said Alberto Bombassei, chairman of Brembo SpA, “will enable the Brembo Group to significantly expand its product range, widening the scope from active safety components for motor vehicles and motorcycles (braking systems), to include passive safety products (seats and seat belts, protective racing gear, child safety products) and special accessories for cars and bikes generally.”
“In teaming up with Brembo,” added Giorgio ?Marsiaj, president of Sabelt SpA, “we are looking to develop the business worldwide — both by pursuing internal growth and through acquisitions — in the sector of components and special accessories destined for the Original Equipment, tuning (performance upgrade) and racing markets. A great advertisement for Italian industry, this is an initiative that will see two high-profile companies pooling their resources to achieve increased competitiveness in the global market.”
Performance Machine’s New COO Has Diverse Background
Tom Waters, formerly with GM, Toyota and Caterpillar, was named COO of Performance Machine in August.
“I look forward to learning from Perry and his strong team as Performance Machine continues to grow and exceed expectations,” Waters said in a press release.
Waters will guide Performance Machine’s high-tech manufacturing facility.
“Tom is a high-performance enthusiast and recognized a strong brand as well as the excitement of the motorcycle industry and with his expertise we can rise to the next level of manufacturing and delivery,” Performance Machine President and founder Perry Sands said.
Winona Van Norman Launches Redesigned Web Site
Winona Van Norman, headquartered in Wichita, Kan., has updated and launched its Web site, www.winonavannorman.com.
Through this faster and more user-friendly Web site, current and prospective clients can learn about the company and its products, request information and download literature. Updated information and a comprehensive site profile the wide range of equipment including, boring, cleaning, grinding, honing and milling machinery.
“We’ve made it easier to find information,” said Britton Harper, Winona Van Norman’s marketing director, “and simply by creating a user profile, company literature can be downloaded.” Updated photography with a complete line of equipment is now available. Literature will include specifications, features and benefits of the products.
Winona Van Norman is a manufacturer of engine and engine component machining equipment.
For additional information on Winona Van Norman, contact the company at 800/533-8008 or at www.winonavannorman.com.
Simply Wow Releases First Products for Motorcycles
Not new to cleaning products, Source Direct Holdings Inc. now offers a new, green cleaning product for the motorcycle industry: Simply Wow for motorcycles.
Source Direct Holdings is established in the household and automotive cleaning industries for developing and manufacturing non-toxic biodegradable cleaning and appearance products.
Simply Wow is safe for virtually all surfaces, including black chrome and aftermarket window tint.
Source Direct Holdings Inc., headquartered in Idaho Falls, Idaho, with manufacturing in Draper, Utah, is a state-of-the-art cleaning technology company that manufactures and markets a proprietary line of biodegradable cleaning products to the multi-billion dollar consumer household and private label cleaning products industry.
Motion Pro to Sponsor National EnduroCross Series
The promoters of the AMA/Maxxis National EnduroCross Series recently announced that Motion Pro, the manufacturer of aftermarket cables, controls and innovative specialty tools, will sponsor all three rounds of the series.
“Motion Pro has been rock solid in our industry for a lot of years,” said Lance Bryson, director of marketing and sales for the AMA/Maxxis National EnduroCross Series. “To have them join our family of supporters just adds that much more credibility to our events.”
This year marks the first time the Maxxis EnduroCross has become an AMA-sanctioned series. The 2007 AMA/Maxxis National EnduroCross Series starts in Denver on Sept. 29 then moves to Guthrie, Okla., on Oct. 6. psb