By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA is making a live webinar available to its members, free of charge, on how the new tax law will impact small businesses, their owners and employees. It will also identify issues that still need to be clarified or addressed.  

The webinar will be held Tuesday, January 9, at 12:00 p.m. (EST)/9:00 a.m. (PST), and will include a presentation from Paula Calimafde, president and general counsel of the Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC), and Jessica Summers, SBLC’s strategic policy director. The SBLC is a coalition of trade and professional associations, including SEMA, that represent a cross-section of the small-business community, and form a unified voice in helping influence how the nation’s laws are enacted and implemented.

Register for free.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

View a quick but comprehensive overview of the law. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

This is the ’19 RAM 1500 with its face completely revealed before its Detroit debut. Earlier shots offered an almost unobstructed view, but this is the whole enchilada.

Continuing with the steel body for the RAM 1500 is a break from Ford’s pattern for weight savings on a fullsize truck. Apparently, FCA decided that a more traditional, predominantly steel RAM is the right path for its next-generation truck.

Other details of the RAM 1500 have been firmed up ahead of its debut next year. Coil springs with optional air suspension are likely to continue, and will be joined by a larger passenger cab and new tailgate options. A hybrid and turbocharged four-cylinder are possibilities, but a more powerful V8 and Raptor-fighter are also rumored.

Expect the ’19 RAM 1500 to appear at the Detroit Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 RAM 1500 with its face completely revealed before its Detroit debut. Earlier shots offered an almost unobstructed view, but this is the whole enchilada.

Continuing with the steel body for the RAM 1500 is a break from Ford’s pattern for weight savings on a fullsize truck. Apparently, FCA decided that a more traditional, predominantly steel RAM is the right path for its next-generation truck.

Other details of the RAM 1500 have been firmed up ahead of its debut next year. Coil springs with optional air suspension are likely to continue, and will be joined by a larger passenger cab and new tailgate options. A hybrid and turbocharged four-cylinder are possibilities, but a more powerful V8 and Raptor-fighter are also rumored.

Expect the ’19 RAM 1500 to appear at the Detroit Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 RAM 1500 with its face completely revealed before its Detroit debut. Earlier shots offered an almost unobstructed view, but this is the whole enchilada.

Continuing with the steel body for the RAM 1500 is a break from Ford’s pattern for weight savings on a fullsize truck. Apparently, FCA decided that a more traditional, predominantly steel RAM is the right path for its next-generation truck.

Other details of the RAM 1500 have been firmed up ahead of its debut next year. Coil springs with optional air suspension are likely to continue, and will be joined by a larger passenger cab and new tailgate options. A hybrid and turbocharged four-cylinder are possibilities, but a more powerful V8 and Raptor-fighter are also rumored.

Expect the ’19 RAM 1500 to appear at the Detroit Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 RAM 1500 with its face completely revealed before its Detroit debut. Earlier shots offered an almost unobstructed view, but this is the whole enchilada.

Continuing with the steel body for the RAM 1500 is a break from Ford’s pattern for weight savings on a fullsize truck. Apparently, FCA decided that a more traditional, predominantly steel RAM is the right path for its next-generation truck.

Other details of the RAM 1500 have been firmed up ahead of its debut next year. Coil springs with optional air suspension are likely to continue, and will be joined by a larger passenger cab and new tailgate options. A hybrid and turbocharged four-cylinder are possibilities, but a more powerful V8 and Raptor-fighter are also rumored.

Expect the ’19 RAM 1500 to appear at the Detroit Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 RAM 1500 with its face completely revealed before its Detroit debut. Earlier shots offered an almost unobstructed view, but this is the whole enchilada.

Continuing with the steel body for the RAM 1500 is a break from Ford’s pattern for weight savings on a fullsize truck. Apparently, FCA decided that a more traditional, predominantly steel RAM is the right path for its next-generation truck.

Other details of the RAM 1500 have been firmed up ahead of its debut next year. Coil springs with optional air suspension are likely to continue, and will be joined by a larger passenger cab and new tailgate options. A hybrid and turbocharged four-cylinder are possibilities, but a more powerful V8 and Raptor-fighter are also rumored.

Expect the ’19 RAM 1500 to appear at the Detroit Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 RAM 1500 with its face completely revealed before its Detroit debut. Earlier shots offered an almost unobstructed view, but this is the whole enchilada.

Continuing with the steel body for the RAM 1500 is a break from Ford’s pattern for weight savings on a fullsize truck. Apparently, FCA decided that a more traditional, predominantly steel RAM is the right path for its next-generation truck.

Other details of the RAM 1500 have been firmed up ahead of its debut next year. Coil springs with optional air suspension are likely to continue, and will be joined by a larger passenger cab and new tailgate options. A hybrid and turbocharged four-cylinder are possibilities, but a more powerful V8 and Raptor-fighter are also rumored.

Expect the ’19 RAM 1500 to appear at the Detroit Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Hastings Manufacturing Merges With Piston Rings Komarov

Hastings Manufacturing Company and Piston Rings Komarov have announced a merger. According to the companies, by joining forces, both can leverage technology, a larger footprint and a greater reputation to add value to customers around the world. Current and new customers will benefit from an expanded product offering, lower lead times, competitive pricing and a regional infrastructure, including R&D, manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, sales and customer service support. Petr Masek will continue to lead the Piston Rings Komarov manufacturing organization and report to Ken Holbrook, CEO and president.

Dave Illes

Lumileds Appoints Dave Illes as Director of Aftermarket Sales

Lumileds has appointed Dave Illes as director of sales for the North American automotive aftermarket. He will be responsible for all sales channels and customers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Illes has more than 25 years of automotive aftermarket executive sales and account management experience. Prior to joining the company, he held a variety of sales management positions during his 17 years at Tenneco Inc. From 2010–2017, Illes was Tenneco’s director of national sales – Canada before moving to director of strategic accounts for the North American aftermarket. He was also regional sales manager from 1999–2010. In between his time at Tenneco, Illes served Philips Automotive Lighting from 2009–2010 as its senior sales manager for the North American automotive aftermarket.

Larry Pacey (right) of National Performance Warehouse (NPW) holds up a check for $3,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

National Performance Warehouse Holds 28th Annual Vendor-Customer Golf Outing Benefiting Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

For the 28th year, National Performance Warehouse (NPW) attracted golfers from NPW’s customers and vendor partners for a day on the links to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Following the tournament, an event was held at the original Shula’s Steak House, founded by Don Shula, the legendary coach of the Miami Dolphins. Following cocktails and dinner, awards, recognition and door prizes were presented. The team from WAI (Doug, Seth and Ryan Moul, and Patrick Nichol) won the event with a score of 61. In addition, NPW recently announced its third acquisition of 2017—Associate Jobbers Warehouse in Boaz, Alabama—bringing the number of locations to 15.

AirPro Diagnostics Names Michael Quinn to Business Development Post

AirPro Diagnostics has announced the appointment of Michael Quinn as senior vice president of business development. With more than 35 years of experience, Quinn is a technician at heart, a former regional multi-shop owner/operator, past chairman of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and Hall of Eagles inductee.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By Jenny Galvan

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) invites members who are in town for the Media Trade Conference or the Grand National Roadster Show to its open meeting, to be held Friday, January 26, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel and Conference Center in Pomona, California, from 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

This is a great opportunity to learn about the council’s latest initiatives and find out how to get more involved with the council and the hot-rod industry at large. HRIA select committee members, along with SEMA staff, will be on hand to answer questions for those interested in joining HRIA. A continental breakfast will be provided.  

For more information, contact SEMA Council Director Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690, or via email at jimsk@sema.org.

Register now!

By Jenny Galvan

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) invites members who are in town for the Media Trade Conference or the Grand National Roadster Show to its open meeting, to be held Friday, January 26, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel and Conference Center in Pomona, California, from 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

This is a great opportunity to learn about the council’s latest initiatives and find out how to get more involved with the council and the hot-rod industry at large. HRIA select committee members, along with SEMA staff, will be on hand to answer questions for those interested in joining HRIA. A continental breakfast will be provided.  

For more information, contact SEMA Council Director Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690, or via email at jimsk@sema.org.

Register now!