WHEEL MATE PRODUCTS OFFERS A COMPLETE LINE OF VERY DISTINCTIVE RIMS AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR 25TH ANNIVERSARY!

Mackin Industries D/b/a Wheel Mate Products, also known as WMP, serves as an overseas manu-facturer and wholesale dis-tributor of specialty aluminum golf car rims. In addition to golf car rims and wheel accessories, WMP is a proud supplier of a full-line of automotive wheel fasteners and wheel accessories to the trade. This year marks the 25th Year Anniversary for WMP serving a nation-wide network of jobbers, wholesale and retail chain distributors. In 2003, WMP launched a line of specialty aluminum golf car rims. Their first 10 inch rim introduced was called the T-Series and was available in only machine and polish finishes. Although the T was not the first available 10 inch aftermarket aluminum rim to surface in the trade, it quickly received notice due to its inherent lightweight characteristic which translated into a remarkable weight savings of over 20% per unit. Next came the contemporary split spoke E-Series, followed by the legendary 14 spoke P-Series, which incidentally, has become the most popular WMP rim since the collection began. The success of the P is due in large part to its close resemblance to the original turbine wheel cover, which at one time, was clearly the only wheel accessory option in the industry for 8 inch OE wheel assemblies.

Three color accents, black, gold, and silver were originally released to resemble the turbine cover. Due to the growing demand for the P, other finish options debuted to include Chrome and Polish. Currently, the P is available in a wide array of machine color accents to now include blue and red.

At the same time WMP was experiencing increasing popularity for theline, the loss of a primary distributor forced them to revisit their marketing and distribution models. With the help of some key strategic partners, an ever-broadening distributor base was established. In turn, this network of Authorized WMP Distributors serves to provide sales support to dealers within their local territories. This has resulted in increased brand recognition nationwide for WMP among both dealers and end users alike.

As WMP continued to experience an increasing demand for its original design products, a number of 'me-too' copy cat products began to surface and flood the industry. To differentiate themselves from these look-a-like products, WMP quickly adopted a best practice policy of branding all rims and accessories with their exclusive ID mark stamped on the face of the rim. This integrated ID mark clearly communicates to dealers and end users alike that they are buying the genuine product to ensure a guarantee of superior quality. One strategic partner has even created the mantra of 'Quality Creates Its Own Demand' in an effort to further promote and support the importance of brand recognition.

Once the ID mark was implemented, WMP turned their efforts towards building a 12 inch rim since the industry demand for this diameter had become increasingly popular. With the introduction of the F- Series sporting an extreme deep spoke characteristic, it quickly received the attention of both dealers and end users alike. Due to the inherent high offset of all 12 inch rims at that time, the F quickly emerged as one of the preferred rim choices for 'lifted' cart ATV applications. Following the popularity of the ATV assembly, a new tire with a very different look and feel began receiving press. By way of introduction, the first 12 inch low profile tire brought a new trend of accessorizing carts with a direct mount, reduced profile tire assembly. This trend quickly gained increased popularity due to a number of positive advantages. First and foremost was the cost savings of not having to budget the additional expense of parts and labor to install a lift kit. Secondly, the overall diameter of this rim and tire assembly closely approximated that of a 205/50-10 assembly, except that the rim diameter bumped up two inches. what would be commonly called a plus two package in the tire and wheel industry. What resulted was a direct bolt-on replacement assembly without the need to perform additional suspension modifications.

Furthermore, the new low profile tire was less prone to noise as compared to the more aggressive off road ATV tires. Lastly, they were also accepted par for the course since they were not a major contributor to ground erosion along the fairways. As these advantages became more common knowledge, there came a notable shift away from lifted cart assembly applications to one now characterized by a non- lifted, street application by simply mounting this new low profile tire to all available 12 inch rims.

Although this new look was receiving increasing popularity, WMP was still not satisfied with the original low profile tire size. What was called for was an additional tire size that would be both wider and taller. Wider to stretch around the normative 7.0j rim width and taller to help reduce the stiff, harsh ride characteristic of the original low profile tire size. Furthermore, the undersize of the original tire often left a particularly vulnerable front lip exposed which was highly susceptible to curb damage.

In addition to the objective of a new tire size, a more suitable rim offset was also under review. Because of the inherent 'high' offset of most 12 inch rims this would cause the outer portion of the assembly to extend beyond the wheel well. As a result, non-desirable splash characteristics to both the cart and its occupants were common. With the advent of both the 215/35-12 and the WMP 235/30-12 tire sizes, a wider more aggressive look was achieved. The only thing missing now was an additional 12 inch rim with the corrected offset.

With that in mind WMP released its next 12 inch rim called the G- Series, resembling a progressive split spoke design. Having finally addressed the offset issue, the G quickly became known as the one wheel assembly that fit virtually all OE platforms (including the Precedent model) with room to spare. provided of course the G is mounted to either of the two tire sizes sited above. Most notable is the tucked and concealed assembly within the wheel well.not only is this look eye pleasing but, you guessed it, no more water splash.

From there, WMP has created a fresh new innovation in golf car rim design by introduction of the H-Series. This latest generation 12 inch rim has a distinctive Full-Face design with integrated center cap. The unique design characteristic of the rim actually gives the allusion of a larger than life size appearance. The H rim has an aggressive yet refined look and keeps in step with the elegant and luxury forms of the Series. The H is available in Chrome, Black and Silver machine to include the new all Satin Black finish. A long reach hex socket wrench is used to aid in the installation and the removal of lug nuts and is included with each set sold. The one dealer option is the all chrome center cap for the ultimate compliment of 'bling' when ordering the pre-mium chrome finish.

As a passionate leader in rim technologies and wheel accessory design, few manufacturers have carved a reputation for Consistency, Quality, and Excellence including notable design innovations like Wheel Mate Products. With 25 years of solid experience in the Industry, WMP will continue to lead by example, meeting the particular challenges of building superior products to exacting standards, and thus welcoming the special needs of their clients.

Wheel Mate Products would like to thank their good friends at Electric Cart Distributors for offer-ing their support in supplying the car to showcase the new WMP H-Series rim. For more information contact Rick Bailey/Sales Manager @800.821.6025.106 or visit: www.mackinindustries.com/wm.