Fitze Engineers, a precision CNC machining manufacturer, today announces an associate sponsorship of the No. 9 Patrón Highcroft Racing Acura ARX-02a in the American Le Mans Series, launching their re-branding to Acero Precision.
The marketing partnership with Patrón Highcroft Racing is the first in several phases of process to re-brand the company. Acero Precision branding will appear on the LMP1 class Patron Highcroft Racing Acura on the front dive planes and rear wing elements.
Acero Precision has a long history with Patrón Highcroft Racing under its original moniker of Fitze Engineers as a supplier of numerous precision made components. This year marks the first of a relationship that moves from vendor to marketing partner wherein Patrón Highcroft Racing will feature as a key content figure in the re-branding and promotion of the company.
Acero Precision is no stranger to motorsports, supplying precision made parts to leading teams in Formula 1, NASCAR and the Indy Racing League. The company is also a leading provider of machined components for the medical and computer hardware industries.
"Patrón Highcroft Racing is proud to welcome Acero Precision as a valuable partner in our effort to capture a championship in American Le Mans Series," says team principal Duncan Dayton.
"This is a sport where even the smallest part on the racecar can make or break you. We know we can rely on the superior manufacturing of parts that are produced for us at Acero Precision."
Founded over 25 years ago as Fitze Engineers, the company remains today under its original private ownership having grown into a leading maker of precision made parts for companies including Agilent Technologies, Penske Racing Shocks and Theken. The development of the new brand is conceived to communicate the company's growth, looking ahead to build on its successes with more advanced capability and expanded capacity.
"The process to re-brand this company was not taken lightly. A life's work has been put into building a service and reputation for highly precise and dependable machined components and we felt that we had outgrown our original name. We wanted something that is 21st Century and conveys strength," says company founder President and CEO Michael Fitzgerald.
"Acero is derived from Latin for steel, not only a material we use extensively, but also one that symbolizes strength and versatility across a wide array of uses."
"We are thrilled to formalize a long relationship with Highcroft Racing," Fitzgerald said. "Since they embody all the attributes of strength, precision, commitment and panache that we see in ourselves"
The re-branding of Acero Precision includes new identity marks and a website [www.aceroprecision.com] along with the new name. All the re-branding work is expected to be completed by May 1 of this year.
Patrón Highcroft Racing returns to the track this weekend for the second round of the American Le Mans Series - the Acura Sports Car Challenge of St Petersburg. Saturday's race will be shown live on ABC from 1:30pm
