Women in Auto Care Presents Annual Awards

Women in Auto Care, a community within the Auto Car Association (ACA), has announced the recipients of the 2019 Women of the Year Awards. The Women of the Year awards include the Auto Care Woman of the Year, Auto Care Woman of Excellence and Female Shop Owner of the Year. The awards are presented annually to recognize the outstanding female contributors making a difference in the automotive industry.

The three honorees will be recognized at the Women in Auto Care awards reception on Tuesday, November 5, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, during the AAPEX Show. The recipients include:

• Auto Care Woman of the Year Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation and America’s Trust.
• Auto Care Woman of Excellence: Cindy Frasca, CEO, Kukui
• Female Shop Owner of the Year: Jamie Carlson, owner, Ervine’s Auto Repair and Grand Rapids Hybrid

“The Women of the Year awards honor three outstanding female leaders who have made significant contributions to the auto care community,” said Tammy Tecklenburg, president of Women in Auto Care. “This is the 16^th annual presentation of the Auto Care Women of the Year awards, and we are honored to be able to continue to shine a light on the tremendous value women are bringing to our industry.”

Winners of the 2019 Women of the Year awards, presented by Women in Auto Care, will be honored during a ceremony on November 5. This year’s winners are (top left) Jamie Carlson, (top right) Cindy Frasca and Jennifer Maher.

National Auto Body Council Teams With State Farm, Caliber Collision To Donate Refurbished Vehicle

Thanks to the National Auto Body Council™ Recycled Rides® program, and NABC’s partners—State Farm, Caliber Collision and the CIECA Connex Conference—a deserving Spotsylvania,  Virginia, Gold Star family has received a refurbished 2012 Toyota Camry. The vehicle was presented to Doris and Sam Robinson, who were nominated by the nonprofit Tuesday’s Children. Additional partners include 1-800 Charity Cars, Battlefield Toyota, Fisher Auto Parts, Napa Auto Parts, Fixley Automotive, Outlaw Motor Sports and Wheels on Site.

The Robinson’s late son, Stacy, served 17 years in the Navy, during which time he received numerous awards, including a Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Services Medal, Coast Guard SOS Ribbon, Navy Achievement Medal, Sailor of the Year award and many others. His parents currently rely on their children, who work full time, for transportation to medical visits and everyday needs. Through the generosity of the NABC Recycled Rides, the Robinsons will regain their independence.

The NABC Recycled Rides is a unique program in which businesses representing all facets of the collision-repair industry team up to repair and donate refurbished vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation. Since its inception in 2007, members of the NABC have donated more than 2,200 vehicles valued at more than $36 million. www.nationalautobodycouncil.org.

The National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides program donates refurbished vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation.

Bestop Partners With Buy It Installed To Provide Home Installation

Truck-accessory manufacturer Bestop has partnered with Buy It Installed, which leverages technology that enables consumers to simultaneously purchase product and home installation. Installation is provided by a certified member of Craftsman Republic, a national network of professional installers and a subsidiary of Buy It Installed.

Under the new program, a customer simply adds the “Buy It Installed” option to the shopping cart on Bestop.com.  Upon completion of the purchase, an independent contractor from Craftsman Republic will reach out by phone to set up an appointment. The Buy It Installed capability is now up and running on the Bestop website. www.bestop.com.

Tint World Automotive Styling Centers Recognized By Franchise Times

Tint World has been named to Franchise Times Top 200+ list for 2019. This marks the seventh year the company has been recognized as a top-performing U.S.-based franchise brand. Tint World currently has 75 locations in four countries, with more stores set to open in late 2019.

The Franchise Times Top 200+ list is an annual ranking of the 500 largest franchise systems in the United States by global system-wide sales, based on the previous year’s performance. The project is the result of a five-month research and reporting effort each year that results in the most credible land objective franchise ranking available.

“To receive this type of recognition again is gratifying, but honors like this wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and determination of every member of the Tint World organization,” said company President and CEO Charles J. Bonfiglio. “Our franchise owners and corporate staff are passionate and driven. They truly live the Tint World culture.” www.tintworld.com.

Air Design Rolls Out Ranger Accessory Package

Air Design has developed an array of custom accessories for the 2019 Ford Ranger. The award-winning off-road vehicle was featured in the Ford exhibit at the 2018 SEMA Show.

The complete Air Design body system features a front lower bar with a skid plate and integrated DRL lights, fender flares, hood scoop, fender vents, door rocker panels, cab spoiler, tailgate spoiler and appliqué, and floor liners. Other upgrades include Fuel 20×29-inch rims, Nitto Ridge Grappler 30×12.50-inch tires, DBS upper control arms, Fox coil-overs and Fox rear shocks, as well as Sherman Williams custom white and black paint. For information on Air Design accessories, visit www.airdesignusa.com.

• 

• 

The smoking hot 2019 Ford Ranger sports a bevy of custom-tailored accessories from Air Design.

Distinctive Industries Celebrates Five Decades Of Innovation

The year was 1969. The New York Mets won the World Series, astronaut Neil Armstrong and crew landed on the moon and Mario Puzzo’s “The Godfather” was published. And in Los Angeles, an entrepreneurial father-and-son team launched a manufacturing business that would revolutionize the automotive aftermarket upholstery industry.

Founded by John Forrister and his son, Dwight, Distinctive Industries began producing and selling custom-crafted restoration interiors for Volkswagens and Ford Mustangs of the era. Having begun his automotive career providing drivetrain services and restoration interiors for local customers, John Forrister drew on his lifetime of experience to jump-start the world’s first mass-manufactured restoration interiors.

“The establishment of Distinctive Industries not only marked a turning point in the production of restoration interiors. The Forristers’ vision, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit has also had a profound impact on the aftermarket interiors industry, paving the way for others who followed and creating an industry. We are proud to celebrate 50 years and thankful for our heritage,” stated Dave Edmondson, senior vice president of Roadwire Inc. and its subsidiaries Distinctive Industries, Roadwire Leather, Classic Soft Trim and Signature Sunroofs.

In 1976 Distinctive Industries pioneered original-style aftermarket upholstery for early-years Mustangs. To accommodate the company’s rapid growth, the corporate headquarters were relocated to Austin, Texas, in the 1980s.

In 1986, the company became the first seat cover manufacturer to produce, sell and install leather upholstery upgrades for new-car dealerships, a breakthrough that transformed the industry and opened new doors of opportunity for upholstery shops and restylers nationwide.

That same year, Dwight Forrister founded Classic Soft Trim, establishing the aftermarket industry’s first nationwide network of company-owned restyling centers. In response to the growing interest in customization, and profit for automotive dealerships, Classic Soft Trim became the first American supplier to provide domestic and import automakers with custom and OEM-matching leather interiors.

Following in his family’s pioneering footsteps, third-generation Aaron Forrister founded Roadwire

LLC to supply precision-crafted leather interiors and accessories to Classic Soft Trim and other restyling professionals, establishing a nationwide network of authorized installers.

Over the years, the company has continued to innovate, becoming the first to utilize digital patterning and cutting technology, the first to develop and validate interiors for side airbag and occupant classification systems, and the first to develop OEM, dealership, port and online programs.

Not content to rest on the company’s laurels, in 2008 Aaron Forrister acquired Signature Sunroofs, formerly known as Inalfa Sunroofs. And in 2013, Distinctive Industries, Roadwire Leather, Classic Soft Trim and Signature Sunroofs were consolidated under Roadwire Inc., now headed by Aaron Forrister who serves as president and CEO.  Dwight Forrister now serves as chairman of the board for Roadwire Inc.

“To celebrate our rich heritage, Roadwire Leather Interiors and Distinctive Industries will each have a Ford Mustang in their booth at the SEMA Show: Roadwire with a 1,100 HP 2019 Mustang and Distinctive Industries with an original 1964-1/2 Mustang,” noted Edmondson. “We invite everyone to join us in celebrating 50 years of industry innovation.” For more information, visit www.Roadwire.com, or call 877.ROADWIRE.

Distinctive Industries pioneered original-style aftermarket upholstery for early-years Mustangs. Shown here, the 1965 – ’66 Mustang Pony interior.

In support of the 2013 Win the Mustangs Dream Giveaway, Roadwire Leather, Distinctive Industries and Classic Soft Trim teamed up to equip a modified 2013 Shelby Mustang GT500 (shown at right) with a vintage-style leather interior. A third affiliate company, Signature Sunroofs, supplied the sunroof for the 2013 model.