SEMA 2012: What’s New At Hedman Hedders This Year?

Ron Funfar’s ’64 Ford Falcon Convertible exhibited the wide range of parts and accessories the Hedman Performance Group makes for classic Fords.

Hedman Hedders, and the other members of the Hedman Performance Group, usually bring exciting, ground breaking products to the SEMA show each year. This year was new in a slightly different. but equally exhilarating way. “Over the last 10 to 12 months our company has heavily reinvested in machinery upgrades, as well as, new tooling dies for some of our best selling oil filtration products.” says Hedman’s Marc Lewis. “Although we are always developing new products, “quality of product” trumps “variety of product”, and we felt it important to let our dealers and consumers know that we are committed to offering the best product possible.”

It is important for us to take care of all of our customers by providing top quality parts at affordable prices.
– Marc Lewis

 “Our bank of tube bending machines are the heart of Hedman Hedders. If tubes can’t be bent fast and accurately enough, it isn’t good. To ensure consistent delivery of product to our dealers during the changeover, our plant disassembled one bender at a time, and shipped the chassis to the manufacturer for a complete gutting and makeover. When that machine was returned and back online, the next unit went through the same transformation. Our benders have been run by computer for years, but the brain these new benders use is leaps and bounds above our lest system.” Lewis explained that the new machines will produce perfect bends every time, allow them to perform more complex bends, and be more compatible with 304 stainless steel, which the company has expanded into over the past couple of years.

In addition to the new tube benders and controls Hedman utilizes for its header production, Lewis, discussed the company’s other reinvestment project. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it doesn’t fly in our company,” He said. “We cast and sell thousands of our popular cast aluminum oil filtration parts each year. That’s a good thing. Unfortunately, such usage takes its toll on the casting dies. The parts were reliable, but they just didn’t look as good as they once did.” He handed me a part produced with one of the new dies and said, “This is why we updated our dies. We now have the best quality cast aluminum oil filtration parts a gearhead can slap his hard earned money down on the counter for.

True to Lewis’ words, the cast component he laid in my hand was near CNC quality. Smooth surfaces without an indication of casting flaws. Likewise, headers that were on display in their booth exhibited smooth bends that transitioned into perfectly formed collectors.

A close inspection of cast parts reveals a smooth "CNC-like" surface and a package that indicates the components were manufactured with new tooling.

“Our company will soon celebrate its 60th year in the performance aftermarket, and we’ve succeeded so long because of our reputation for quality and value. That’s what everyone expects from us, and we do all we can as a company to meet those expectations,” Lewis states. “and that’s why we’re always looking for ways to improve the quality, fit and finish of our components to keep our customers satisfied.” 

For the Hedman Performance Group at the SEMA show this year, the best new products turned out to be old favorites with the continuing quality in manufacturing that Hedman Hedders and Trans-Dapt have become so well-known for.

 

 

About the author

Bobby Kimbrough

Bobby grew up in the heart of Illinois, becoming an avid dirt track race fan which has developed into a life long passion. Taking a break from the Midwest dirt tracks to fight evil doers in the world, he completed a full 21 year career in the Marine Corps.
Read My Articles

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