DENVER, Colo. – Engine & Performance Warehouse (EPWI) named its 2011 Vendor of the Year and Representative of the Year at an awards dinner held Aug. 9 during EPWI’s annual summer conference in Vail, Colo. 
Engine & Performance Warehouse named Hastings Manufacturing Co. as EPWI’s 2011 Vendor of the Year.
Bob Kollar, Hastings CEO, and Tom DeBlasis, vice president of domestic aftermarket sales, accepted the award for Hastings, a key supplier of replacement and racing piston rings. The annual Vendor of the Year award is presented to a supplier or manufacturer based on performance scores during the prior year in seven categories. Categories include distribution/sales policies, pricing policies, inventory, returns, labor claims, office support and shipping/packaging. Past recipients of this award include S.A. Gear, Total Seal, Pioneer, B&P Rods, COMP Cams, Cylinder Head Center, Clevite Engine Parts, Dura-Bond Bearing Co., Damper Doctor, Melling Engine Parts, Joe Gibbs Racing, Howard Enterprises and SB International.
Engine & Performance Warehouse also named Mike Katz, a manufacturer’s rep for Bob Cook Sales, as EPWI’s 2011 Representative of the Year. 
Katz accepted his award during the Thursday night dinner. He covers southern Texas and Louisiana, and represents many of EPWI’s larger performance manufacturers. The Rep of the Year is selected annually, on a rotating basis by region, using combined votes based on performance scores during the prior year in three categories: sales support, distribution philosophies and timely and accurate follow-through.
Engine & Performance Warehouse is a full-service warehouse distributor specializing in engine kits and parts, high-performance parts, related components and shop supplies. Founded in 1972, EPWI is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. EPWI serves customers from warehouses in Denver, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Anaheim, Oakland, Portland, Ore., Tacoma and Anchorage. EPWI is a member of the Engine Pro distributor network.
