It was a really exciting month for The Hog Ring community. We covered upcoming events, job opportunities, interior builds and more. Here’s a look back at February 2026.
Italian Leather Maker Dani Closing Car Interior Plant
Italian leather manufacturer Dani is set to close its Slovenian subsidiary, Dani AFC.
Trimmer Duane R. Cline Dies at 83
Trimmer Duane R. Cline of Madison, Wisconsin, has died at age 83.
Leather or Not, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Still Costs the Same
For the first time in Mercedes-Benz history, you can order an S-Class with or without leather.
Automotive Foam Market to Reach $82 Billion by 2030
The global automotive foam market is expected to grow significantly over the next five years.
Ben Hermance Headlines MasterTech Expo’s Design Session
MasterTech Expo is adding another heavy hitter to its 2026 education lineup: Ben Hermance.
Jason Bowen Built a Successful Auto Trim Shop. Now He’s Building a Community.
He didn’t grow up dreaming of running an auto upholstery shop, but he was built for it.
Keyston Bros Brings the Distressed Leather Look to It’s New Vinyl Collection
Keyston Bros is leaning into the appeal of distressed leather with its Showdown II vinyl collection.
Trimmer Evan James Benedict Dies at 68
Trimmer Evan James Benedict of Youngstown, Ohio, has died at age 68.
Who Wants to Apprentice for Bentley Motors?
Bentley Motors has announced plans to hire 25 apprentices this year, including trimmers.
What’s Inside the President’s Limo?
The U.S. President’s Cadillac limousine is one of America’s most highly guarded secrets.
Trimmer Rebecca A. Steele Dies at 78
Trimmer Rebecca A. Steele of Marquand, Missouri, has died at age 78.
Free Webinar: How Tariffs are Impacting the Automotive Aftermarket
SEMA is hosting a free webinar on how tariffs are impacting the automotive aftermarket.
You’ll Never Guess Where Corinthian Leather Comes From
We’ve all heard of Corinthian leather. But do you know where it comes from?
Trimmer Thomas J. Aikens Dies at 88
Trimmer Thomas J. “Tom” Aikens of Arnold, Pennsylvania, has died at age 88.
Kia’s Design Boss is Tired of Neutral Interiors
Tired of beige, gray, or black interiors? So is Tom Kearns — and he’s doing something about it.
Can’t Miss Social Media Tips from Rug Worx on NC Shop Talk!
Tune in to NC Shop Talk to hear Miranda Gwilliam of Rug Worx share social media tips.
Automotive Interiors Expo, Europe is Back!
Automotive Interiors Expo, Europe is returning to Stuttgart, Germany on June 23–25, 2026.
Trimmer Charleen Griffeth Carey Dies at 80
Trimmer Charleen Griffeth Carey of Bethlehem, Georgia, has died at age 80.
MasterTech Expo Announces 2026 Industry Awards
The Industry Awards will shine a spotlight on the people and builds pushing the industry forward.
That’s not all! Visit our Facebook and Instagram pages to see what other trimmers are up to. You can also join in the latest industry discussions by registering for our Auto Upholstery Forum. And don’t forget to subscribe to our FREE newsletter!
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