SEMA’s Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) has named Superior Autoworks as the council's newest spotlight member. Get to know the company’s story in the SEMA News interview with Superior Autoworks' builder and owner Edward Denkenberger below.
SEMA News: Tell us the story of your business. How did you start?
Edward Denkenberger: Superior Autoworks was founded in 1996. I did not begin with an established mentor; I started my business from scratch, studied, worked hard and built my reputation one vehicle at a time. I have, long-since my formative days as a welder and fabricator, captured my dream and mastered my trade of creating top-tier custom vehicles, and recreating concours classics to their original or better-than original state. My shop is most frequently staffed solely by myself, although I have been fortunate from time to time to have had the assistance of quality people.
Read more on the Superior Autoworks Website.
SN: What is your goal this year?
ED: Our goal for this year is to keep focusing on current projects to ensure we stay on target, as well as making more show appearances. We have evolved and we now have an in-house CAD designer. We also offer 3D scanning services and 3D printed prototyping.
SN: What do you see as a challenge in the industry?
ED: Even in today's economic times, this industry remains strong. There does seem to be a shortage of skilled craftsmen willing to do this work in all areas of this industry. This tends to make it hard to set, and keep, deadlines. In my opinion, the costs of building cars to higher levels have become very expensive. With prices the way they are, I feel the average car guy looking to get into the hobby is being pushed away.
SN: What is something people don’t know about Superior Autoworks?
ED: Something that most people do not know about Superior Autoworks that is interesting is that I offer consultation services in regard to how to build an award-winning show car as well as the basics of restoration. I also have a passion for restoring antique fire trucks to concours levels.
SN: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive restoration segment?
ED: Stay focused, stay honest and make sure to keep communications open (follow up with customers and vendors, return phone calls, etc.) This industry demands everything that you have. To become a successful professional builder, determination is everything.
Fill out an HRIA-member spotlight form to highlight how your company is contributing to the hot-rod industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on HRIA's social media, SEMA News and future HRIA-member updates.