Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week wrapped up Thursday in Orlando, Fla., with an awards luncheon honoring the industry's top heavy duty distributors, an outstanding technician and the best new aftermarket products.


Jim Burke, the late CEO of Drive Train Industries, was honored posthumously with induction into the Heavy Duty Distributor Hall of Fame. The award was accepted by his son, Jim Burke, who spoke of his father's love and passion for his business, his wife, running and golf in a touching and funny acceptance speech. Presented by RL Polk and Co., this award recognizes individuals,
companies, or organizations that have made a significant contribution to the industry. The criteria used are length of service in the industry, significant impact on the industry, commitment to industry participation, and thought leadership.

David Bryan Lewis was the 2008 Technician of the Year. Lewis is a lead technician and supervisor for Wal-Mart Transportation's fleet maintenance facility in Sutherland, Va., where he has served for more than 16 years. Lewis has achieved many successes during his 25 years of service to the heavy duty industry. He is an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Truck Technician with T2-T8 certifications, and is L-2 certified in Advanced Medium/Heavy Duty Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnostics. He's a member of the American Trucking Association's Technology and Maintenance Council, and has participated in all four TMC SuperTech competitions, leading his team to three top-five finishes. Lewis is the only technician in competition history to be awarded the competition's highest honor, "Overall Grand Champion," back-to-back. In May 2008, Lewis graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors from Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC), receiving degrees in both Automotive and Diesel Technology.

Heavy Duty Aftermarket Journal's Top 5 2009 Aftermarket Products were:
* ArvinMeritor has added a lining wear sensor and stamped spider design for 16.5" x 5" front brakes that will become popular with the upcoming NHTSA mandate for shorter stopping distances.
* Donaldson Diesel Particulate Filter Pulse Cleaner. Donaldson was one of the first to develop a machine to perform the safe cleaning of these diesel filters that can cost as much as $5,000. The DPF Pulse Cleaner is fully automatic, easy to learn and easy to operate and will clean virtually every make and size of diesel particulate filter element.
* Nexiq Technologies Pro-Link iQ is a hand-held scan tool for commercial vehicle repair, maintenance and information that represents the next generation in handheld diagnostic tools for heavy-duty truck maintenance.
* OTC's 5195 Wheel Stud Remover/Installer Kit, designed to allow shop technicians to quickly remove and install wheel studs, calipers or axles on virtually any Class 7 or 8 vehicle wheel hub.
* Penray's reformulated its Winter Pow-R Plus Biodiesel Fuel Treatment, with additives to help improve cetane, lubricity and fuel economy, as well as reduce emissions. Winter Pow-R Plus Biodiesel Fuel Treatment is ULSD compliant and ready for use in biodiesel blends from B2 to B20.

Mike Betts, owner of Betts Truck Parts and Service in San Leandro, Calif., was named Truck Parts & Service magazine's 2008 Distributor of the Year. Betts was selected through votes cast by aftermarket representatives from peer distributors, suppliers and industry organizations. Betts Truck Parts and Service was founded in 1976 and has nine locations in Arizona, California and Oregon. Its parent company, Betts Spring Co., has a nearly 150-year history manufacturing a wide lineup of springs. Betts Truck Parts and Service was created when customers urged the parent company to install springs, in addition to making them. The company opened its first distribution branch focusing exclusively on suspension parts in 1988 in San Leandro at its manufacturing location. Other finalists were:
* Frank Camerota, Steven Camerota and Salvatore Camerota, Camerota Truck Parts, Enfield, Conn.
* Dennis Webster, Potter Webster Company, Portland, Ore.
* Jerry Weis and Christopher Sweet, Ott's Friction Supply, Portland, Ore.
* Charles and Paula Weston, Westpac Heavy Duty Truck Parts, Phoenix.

D. Mike Pennington, senior marketing director, Global Marketing Communications, for ArvinMeritor, was also honored by HDAW organizers for all his volunteer work with the show. I Jery Weiss, who presented the award, explained, "I believe there are three levels of participation in an event like HDAW - the benchwarmers, the players and the MVPs. Mike Pennington is one of those MVP volunteers that are curcial to the success of HDAW and its rise as an industry event. Mike has been, is today, and always will be one of my heroes."