Demonstrating the value of the remarketing industry to not only the auto sector, but also the local economy, one Manheim auction in California played host to a congressman looking to learn.

Manheim Riverside hosted U.S. Rep. Mark Takano of California on Tuesday for a tour of a fast-paced sale, highlighting the work done to maximize vehicle values, and the employees who bring it all together.

During the tour, Takano visited with Manheim Riverside general manager Christopher Brown, Southern California market vice president Scott Hurst and senior director of government affairs Karyn Wrye.

He also toured the auction’s reconditioning center, body shop, detail area and VCI/Audi Tech Ops Center. The visit marked Takano’s final stop on his “100 Businesses” tour, which began last year. 

“Manheim Riverside was honored to host Congressman Takano,” said Christopher Brown, general manager at Manheim Riverside. “We are excited that the congressman selected Manheim Riverside as the final stop of his ‘100 business’ tour.”

Takano, via a press release, noted that the tour “allowed me to talk directly with the business owners and their employees and learn what Congress can do to accelerate the area’s economic recovery.”

Ride Across America

In upcoming events for Manheim, the company has announced its role as presenting sponsor of the 20^th anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America.

The coast-to-coast motorcycle tour is set for May 3-10, and serves as a fundraiser for Victory Junction, a camp created to enrich the lives of children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

“Manheim is a proud sponsor of The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America,” said Janet Barnard, Manheim executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Our company takes pride in sponsoring this event that allows us to help children who are dealing with serious illnesses and medical conditions. 

“I was fortunate enough to be able to ride last year, and it was amazing to see all of the children and families who came to support the ride,” Barnard said. “It's truly meaningful to sponsor such a worthwhile cause that is making differences in the lives of children and their families."

Among the more than 175 riders expected to participate in the event are four from Manheim: Barnard; Nick Peluso, president of Global RMS; William Weston, senior director of customer management and shared services; and Butch Herdegen, general manager of Manheim Orlando and Manheim Central Florida.

The riders will travel more than 2,800 miles during the week-long ride, which Manheim sponsored last year as well.

“What began as just a few friends having a good time riding track to track has turned into what we have today, which is an incredible event that provides thousands of life-changing experiences for children,” said Petty, a former NASCAR driver and racing analyst.

“This is the first year we’ve traveled straight from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, and I’m looking forward to experiencing it with friends, while meeting our fans and generous supporters along the way,” he said.   

The ride begins on May 3 in Carlsbad, Calif., and ends May 10 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

This year, the Manheim group will be joined by NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time champion Richard Petty, who is Kyle Petty’s father; NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth; former NASCAR driver and Bo-Dyn Olympic bobsled founder Geoff Bodine; NASCAR legends Harry Gant and Donnie Allison; former NFL great Herschel Walker; Fox News contributor and former U.S. Rep. Col. Allen West; and co-host of History Channel’s “Top Gear America” and NASCAR personality Rutledge Wood.

To follow the riders live, visit www.facebook.com/KPCharityRide.

Manheim Honors

Finally in Manheim news, the company announced that Manheim Pennsylvania has been honored for its energy-efficient parking facility.

As part of the U.S. Energy Department’s commitment to helping businesses save money by saving energy, the department’s Better Buildings Alliance is supporting the Lighting Energy Efficiency in Parking campaign. More than 100 U.S. businesses and organizations have participated by planning or installing energy-efficient lighting in their parking lots and garages.

On April 15, Manheim Pennsylvania vice president and general manager Julie Picard accepted the Highest Absolute Annual Energy Savings in a Retrofit at a Single Parking Area award given to Cox Enterprises for the Manheim Pennsylvania project. As a Cox Enterprises subsidiary, Manheim participates in the company’s national sustainability program.

Manheim Pennsylvania has decreased energy use in its 13.5 million-square-foot parking lot by switching to reduced wattage lamps and a wireless control system. This new project cut the auction's energy use by 50 percent.