Every so often, our editorial staff selects one aftermarket-industry professional to get to know a little better. Participants are asked to respond to a series of questions that can be answered in about the same amount of time you might spend chatting at the office coffee pot or waiting for an elevator. In this installment of “5 Minutes With,” we get to know a little more about Andy Castleman, director of product and marketing with KYB Americas.
A global manufacturer of shocks and struts, KYB says it is the world’s largest supplier of these components for OEs and the aftermarket. With its aftermarket headquarters in Franklin, Indiana, the company has 32 facilities in 21 countries and 15 manufacturing plants in Asia, the United States and Europe.
Castleman started in the automotive industry in marketing for different racing teams and events. In the early 2000s, he worked as director of marketing for the Champ Car World Series and after joined Andretti Autosport as its marketing manager for business development. Before joining KYB, he worked for a sports marketing agency, planning events and campaigns for the likes Continental Tire, Nissan Motorsports and others. Castleman joined the KYB team in December 2020 and enjoys the challenge of marketing automotive parts.
What do you like best about your current position?
To be honest, most aftermarket parts are not thought of until they break or wear out. I greatly enjoy the challenge of positioning shocks and struts as maintenance components that are critical to the safety, performance and handling of a vehicle. Through education of consumers, service technicians and parts pros, we are working to take the “shock” (pun intended) out of the recommendation that a vehicle’s shocks and struts need replaced.
Did you initially intend to pursue a career in the aftermarket?
I actually spent more than 20 years in the motorsports marketing industry, working primarily in the IndyCar and IMSA series, as well as some off-road and desert racing. COVID put a stop to a lot of that, and I decided it was a good time to get off the road and spend some time at home. I was very familiar with the KYB brand through past experience with their motorcycle products and was lucky enough to be brought on board. The high regard for the KYB brand in the industry and the people on the KYB team all contribute to the fact that I plan to stay here until they make me retire! I started here in 2020 and was promoted earlier this year to director of product and marketing.
What do you do when not at work?
I love spending time with my wife and dog. When I’m not doing that, I race shifter karts, ride dirt bikes, mountain and road cycle and play guitar, keyboards and percussion in a funk/rock band. You might say I stay pretty busy.
What one word best sums up your personality?
Adrenaline-junkie!! (is that one word??)
What was your first car?
I bought a 1963 Chevy Belair for $125 when I was 15 years old. The engine was so weak that you literally had to “Flintstone” the car to get it moving by opening the driver’s door and using your leg to give it a bit of a push!
