ARMO News

SEMA has hired industry veteran Mike Spagnola to fill the newly created position of VP, OEM & Product Development Programs, effective today. Spagnola brings with him 40 years of specialty auto parts experience, including more than 20 years of product development and project vehicle work. With a focus on heightening SEMA services to help members develop products quickly and efficiently, Spagnola will collaborate with the SEMA OEM and Vehicle Technology departments while serving as a resource and a liaison for members and automakers.

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, is now accepting nominations for its Hall of Fame at http://fs10.formsite.com/semasource/form652194556/index.html.

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) launched its live production system, and the 300 participating companies are now preparing to migrate into the newly developed Product Information Management System (PIMS). Since the co-op began its beta test phase in April 2012, 170 suppliers and 130 receivers have joined the program.

Dozens of SEMA manufacturing members will gather in Diamond Bar, CA, on February 7, 2013, to learn first-hand how new software, surface scanning tools and related technology are being used to improve the product development process. During the SEMA Product Development Conference: Race to Innovate event, participants will meet with suppliers who will explain how technologies and tools are rapidly changing the way products are conceived and delivered to market. Participants will also have an opportunity to measure the 2013 Ford Ranger T6 and the 2013 Toyota Hilux during the event.

Applications for automotive scholarships are now available through the 2013 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund (SMSF) at www.sema.org/scholarships. Students preparing for careers in the auto or auto parts industries may be eligible for financial awards of up to $5,000.

“The presentation of the awards is still the focal point of the evening,” said ARMO Chairman Alex Tainsh of Parts Unlimited Interiors. “However, we are getting great feedback on our increased emphasis on networking and socializing. Being on Tuesday night, the first night of the Show, it’s the perfect time for folks to sit down, catch up with each other and just relax. We ran out of food, shut the bars down at 7:30 p.m., and folks were still there after we packed up and left. I think they like the new format!”