Ryan Hunter, founder and president of SCE Gaskets, has announced he will be retiring and stepping away from the business. He penned a letter outlining additional details of the decision. He spent 33 years running SCE.
“Born from a desire to fund a family racing hobby, I started a tiny business in 1990 in my mom and dad’s garage in Southern California,” Hunter wrote. “At the time, we were selling copper head gaskets made by a contract supplier in El Segundo. Three years later, I quit my job in construction management to work full-time at the new business and began to acquire the equipment needed to produce the bulk of our products. In 1998, we incorporated as SCE Gaskets, Inc. and by that time our racing and performance gasket offering was gaining distribution across the US, Canada and Australia.
“Votes of confidence by several key people propelled the brand in its early days. In 1993, Brian Robbins presented the line to George Lane and soon, Motor State Distributing was stocking our products. That same year, Jim (JT) Turney of Summit Racing Equipment invited me to speak at their newly opened Tallmadge, OH headquarters. There, I met Paul Sergi who welcomed us into the Summit family of suppliers. Over the years, I’ve visited with countless engine builders across North America, learning from each one how to solve their toughest engine sealing issues. I have been fortunate to count many icons of racing and the performance automotive aftermarket as my friends and mentors.
“Aaron, my son, is now president and his wife Ashley is director of marketing for the brand. Together with their partners at Athena S.p.A. they have placed the company on a solid footing for continued success. The SCE Gaskets brand is adding new and innovative gasket solutions and the private brand manufacturing portfolio is steadily growing as well.
“I have been incredibly blessed to work with my family from the beginning, including my late father Dan, and mother Dee Hunter. Janice, my wife, managed our offices until just last month and all three of our children, Caleb, Sarah and Aaron, have been vital to our success.
“I have a few projects that have been waiting for my time to complete and occasionally I’ll contribute technical content for SCE Gaskets. March 31, 2023 will mark 33 years and my last day at SCE Gaskets. It has been a wonderful journey and I thank each of you for being a part of it.”
Warmest regards, Ryan D. Hunter
