2025 NSRA Manufacturer of the Year Powermaster Performance
E very year the NSRA recog- nizes a “Manufacturer of the Year” from the hundreds of companies that have supported this industry/hobby we all love so much. For well over 50 years large companies and many mom- and-pop shops have received this honor because they’ve all lent something of importance to the rodding experience and in 2025 Powermaster Performance and its owner, John Babcock received the “2025 NSRA Manufacturer of the Year” award. The great thing about today’s automotive after- market is the dedication and pas- sion that is poured into the prod- ucts we use. Every component you can imagine has been updat- ed and adapted for every use imaginable. If you review Powermaster Performance’s 150- page online catalog, you’ll be blown away at how many varia- tions and adaptations are avail- able for just two products. John has a background work- ing at SKF Bearings and Facet Starter Drives in New York before moving to Illinois and working
for the parent company, Machinery Components, Inc. It was a “startup” business in 1981 located in 2,500-square-feet of manufacturing, building new starters and alternators for the ‘daily driver’ market with three partners and two employees. Eventually John bought them out and remained the sole owner. A good relationship with Ford Motor Co. earned the company “Tier One Supplier” status and MCI was also involved with numerous other “outsource proj- ects” into the aftermarket supply- ing starters, alternators and wind- shield wipers. In 2010 the Powermaster brand name was purchased, and they began manufacturing new starters and alternators for the performance market. It was a per- fect fit because John has always been about quality, and he knew high performance would be required. Alternators deliver- ing 120 to 350 amps, starters that can handle 18:1 compres- sion with up to 260 ft/lb of torque, all in a compact design
require the highest quality. Today the manufacturing facili- ty is in West Chicago, Illinois, in a 140,000-square-foot building with 100-plus employees. Many of them have been with the com- pany for 20-40 years as very dedi- cated and loyal people. Because they have been with the compa- ny so long, they are all empow- ered to cover everything from production schedules to quality control and then some. John Babcock’s compassion for these employees is the same as if they were family and he knows every- one by their first name. As an ex-marine from the Vietnam War, John leads his life as the marines have always done— “No man left behind.” Every cus- tomer that needs starting and charging system help receives per- sonal attention, no matter what reason they might be calling. To further prove this philosophy their free starting and charging system test services were available at this year’s Nationals for the 17th year in a row and they were once again conveniently located next to the Rod Repair Shop. Anytime the company tries to help some- one the conversation ends with “You’re in the Powermaster Family.” Each year the National Street Rod Association calls back ‘semi- retired’ Event Director Jerry Kennedy, a friend to the entire industry, and he gladly returns each year to help and see old friends. Jerry proudly awarded John Babcock and his Powermaster Performance Family as the “2025 NSRA Manufacturer of the Year.”
14 OCTOBER 2025
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