By Ashley Reyes

Using 3-D tools for prototyping is a smart way to save time and money while also expanding design possibilities. It also allows companies to physically conceptualize designs and ideas quickly and at a low cost.

During the Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) Facebook Live Chat on Thursday, July 15, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT), founder and president of BuiltRight Industries Matt Beenen will share his expertise on 3-D tools and rapid prototyping in the aftermarket space.

As designers and manufacturers of organization and gear-mounting solutions for trucks and SUVs, Beenen and the BuiltRight Industries team have developed and launched more than 80 unique products since 2017. Tune in to the Live Chat to ask him questions live and learn how small businesses can use rapid prototyping and 3-D tools to compete against larger manufacturers, and how using 3-D scanning, 3-D printing and AR/VR can shorten iterative design cycles and encourage innovation.

Location: ETTN Facebook page.

By Ashley Reyes

Register now for the following upcoming live webinars and stay tuned to SEMA eNews as additional sessions are announced throughout the year. For a comprehensive library of upcoming live and on-demand sessions that members can access anytime, visit www.sema.org/virtual-education.

Wednesday, July 14 – ADAS Technologies: How to Navigate Product Development
Series: ADAS Webinar Series

Hear about real-world situations and case studies from leading aftermarket manufacturers that have successfully developed and launched products for ADAS-equipped vehicles. Participants will learn the steps companies have taken to understand ADAS and how to design compatible parts and validate the functionality of all OEM features. This is a great opportunity to learn from companies that have firsthand ADAS experience.

Register here.

Newly Added: Thursday, July 15 – ETTN Live Chat Featuring Matt Beenen
Track: Industry Talks

Since 2017, Matt Beenen and his BuiltRight Industries team have developed and launched more than 80 unique aftermarket products. During this Facebook Live Chat, attendees will hear how Beenen has firsthand experience using rapid prototyping and 3-D tools to develop products. The affordability of the technology has leveled the playing field for small businesses, and Beenen can share how using 3-D scanning, 3-D printing and AR/VR has shorten the iterative design cycle and encouraged innovation.

Location: ETTN Facebook page

Tuesday, July 20 – 2021 SEMA Market Report Webinar
Series: SEMA Industry Insights Series

During this live webinar, the SEMA Market Research team will present highlights from the recently released “2021 SEMA Market Report.” Filled with updated stats from the 2020 calendar year, the report includes key trends and insights on industry sales, consumer behavior, trends and more. Researchers will explain what the data means and help businesses understand how 2020 affected the industry and where the current opportunities are.

Register here.

Wednesday, July 21 – YEN Live Chat Featuring Jim Liaw
Track: Industry Talks

Here’s your chance to chat with Jim Liaw, co-founder of Formula DRIFT. During this Live Chat presented by the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN), attendees will be able to ask about how the premier United States drifting series came to be, what other motorsports events he’s helped organize, and what he was thinking when the first Formula DRIFT event debuted to a sell-out crowd of 10,000 in 2003—causing traffic jams on the streets outside the track and culture shock to those in the stands. You’ll also be able to find out what he has planned for 2021 and why he supports the RPM Act.

Location: YEN Facebook page  

Thursday, July 22 – How to Keep Productivity at a Maximum
Series: Team Management Series, Powered by SBN
Track: Industry Segments, Powered by SEMA Councils and Networks

Having a long to-do list can feel overwhelming, and oftentimes, it can be a struggle to even know where to start. During this webinar presented by the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), managers and supervisors will learn solid tips and habits for increasing productivity throughout the day, how to identify and avoid challenges that impede productivity and various goal-setting methods for effectively managing time.

Register here.

Tuesday, July 27 – Effectively Managing Conflict
Series: Sharpen Your Soft Skills, Powered by SBN
Track: Industry Segments, Powered by SEMA Councils and Networks

Knowing how to manage conflict can save a team from unnecessary work disruptions, decreased productivity, project failure and even termination. During this webinar presented by the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), employees and managers will learn common methods for how to manage challenging situations, whether it be manager to employee, employee to employee, manager to manager or manager to supervisor.

Register here.

By Ashley Reyes

It takes dedication, hard work and drive to build and grow an automotive specialty-equipment business. Even more so to grow an entire industry.  

The SEMA Industry Awards are among the trade association’s highest honors and recognize the recipient’s outstanding contributions to the specialty-equipment industry over a year-long period. Nominations are open now in the following categories:  

• Person of the Year
• Manufacturer of the Year
• Warehouse Distributor of the Year
• Gen-III Innovator of the Year

For consideration, an honoree must exhibit professionalism, service, integrity and ethics that help propel the industry forward. To nominate an honoree and learn more about the criteria for each award, visit www.sema.org/awards or contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org.

Nominations close July 23.

Here’s another look at the all-new ’23 Ford Ranger Raptor, this time though with the addition of a Ranger Wildtrak-esque rollbar.

Overall, the next-gen Ranger Raptor looks more substantial than the current model, with bolder proportions and stance. The front fascia will maintain the bold “FORD” lettering across the grille accompanied by a set of intricate C-shaped headlamps.

The cab and bed appear to be carryovers from the current model, which has been on sale in global markets since 2011. The prototype rides on a set of black wheels that appear to be fairly similar to the current design. A dual-exhaust setup can be seen at the rear, along with a camo’d rear suspension that hides a coil spring setup similar to the F-150 Raptor.

The ’23 Ranger is expected to launch near the end of the ’22 model year and will serve as the basis for an upcoming Volkswagen midsize pickup as a result of a collaboration agreement between Ford and VW announced in 2020.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s another look at the all-new ’23 Ford Ranger Raptor, this time though with the addition of a Ranger Wildtrak-esque rollbar.

Overall, the next-gen Ranger Raptor looks more substantial than the current model, with bolder proportions and stance. The front fascia will maintain the bold “FORD” lettering across the grille accompanied by a set of intricate C-shaped headlamps.

The cab and bed appear to be carryovers from the current model, which has been on sale in global markets since 2011. The prototype rides on a set of black wheels that appear to be fairly similar to the current design. A dual-exhaust setup can be seen at the rear, along with a camo’d rear suspension that hides a coil spring setup similar to the F-150 Raptor.

The ’23 Ranger is expected to launch near the end of the ’22 model year and will serve as the basis for an upcoming Volkswagen midsize pickup as a result of a collaboration agreement between Ford and VW announced in 2020.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By Jason Catullo

The 2021 SEMA Space Allocation process was completed in late-June, with more than 1,700 companies selecting their booth locations at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). The LVCC's halls are nearly full of exhibits, but booth space is still being reserved, and more exhibitors are expected to secure space until the Show opens on November 2.

Attendees planning on joining the industry at the 2021 SEMA Show can see who's exhibiting and where through the updated floorplan. If you have not yet registered for the SEMA Show, taking place Tuesday-Friday, November 2-5, visit www.SEMAShow.com/attendee to register.

For 2021, the Show will include exhibit space in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s newly constructed West Hall, a 1.4-million-sq.-ft. facility completed in January. The new facility includes exhibitors from the Restyling & Car Care Accessories, Powersports & Utility Vehicles, and Truck, SUV & Off-Road sections.

Earlier in June, the visitors of the World of Concrete convention were the first to use the new hall, and the event marked the first large-scale convention and tradeshow to be held in Las Vegas in 15 months.

In addition to the new hall, the newly constructed Loop—a high-speed, people-mover system that runs 40 ft. under the LVCC—will transport visitors between South, Central and West Halls. The World of Concrete successfully used the system to shuttle visitors through the 200-acre convention center.

For more information on the 2021 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

The 2021 SEMA Show Space Allocation process wrapped up earlier this week, and more than more than 1,700 companies are confirmed to exhibit, and many more are expected before the event takes place in November.

The SEMA Show floorplan is live, and buyers are currently examining the event's layout to see who will be there for 2021.

Companies that would like to exhibit at this year's SEMA Show to reconnect with customers and generate new business, can get started at www.SEMAShow.com.

Exhibiting at the SEMA Show puts your latest products in front of thousands of qualified buyers from every segment of the specialty-equipment industry, including buyers looking for your products. This year's Show offers even more opportunities for exhibitors reach new buyers. SEMA Show management recently announced that buyer registration for the Show has started at the fastest pace they have seen in the event's 54-year history.  

SEMA Show exhibitor Cometic Gaskets is ready to reunite with customers in person, and reach out to more buyers outside of the company's local region.

“We are most looking forward to face-to-face conversations and reconnecting with our customers old and new. Cometic is located in the midwest, and exhibiting at SEMA allows us to connect with our West Coast customers and industry segments, such as desert racing.”

Registration for the 2021 SEMA Show is offered in three categories—attendee, exhibitor, and media—and everyone must qualify to receive a badge and attend.

Reserve your booth now!

By SEMA Editors

SEMA eNews highlights SEMA-member companies’ websites weekly through the Hot Links to Cool Sites section. SEMA members: To be included in Hot Links to Cool Sites, email your company name and website to enews@sema.org. Note: Make sure to include “Hot Links” in the subject line of the email.

• Aeromotive
• BOLT
• Continental
• FAST
• Go Rhino
• HushMat
• JMS
• MagnaFlow
• Steele Rubber Products
• Zycoat

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

Senior SEO Specialist
JEGS is hiring a senior SEO specialist to create and deliver insights by being the go-to person for Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager operations. This is a new position where you will help provide data-based decisions from the insights you find in the various channels and help implement any new actions that are required. Candidates must have two to three years of hands-on experience in Google Analytics 360 and Google Tag Manager. Google Analytics certification is preferred.

Product Specialist
ECU Tuning is hiring a product specialist to develop and maintain a high-traffic web catalog of BMW OEM, aftermarket and performance products. This position is responsible for the company’s catalog of products for BMW cars and will provide product support to customer-facing teams. He or she will be responsible for gathering customer insights, needs and desires by talking to customers, conducting surveys, talking to sales reps and gathering insights from social sites and forums to offer new products and optimize the shopping experience for existing products.

Executive Assistant to CEO
Coker Tire Company is hiring an executive assistant to the CEO to serve as the administrative point person for the president to ensure smooth functioning of activities in multiple lines of business. The person in this position must be a highly motivated self-starter, multi-tasker, detail-oriented professional, capable of efficiently managing their time, workload and prioritizing tasks in a fast paced/high volume executive office. Full-time availability with flexible hours is required as is absolute confidentiality regarding company, employee-specific and industry information.

By Juan Torres

Performance Racing Industry (PRI), producer of world-class trade events and media, is launching the racing industry’s first-of-its-kind Membership program on July 13. This will make it possible for racers and enthusiasts to join racing businesses in a groundbreaking movement to protect and grow the industry.

PRI Membership allows the racing community to showcase their passion and pride for the industry. By uniting the industry, PRI is actively working to address challenges and needs, such as providing support for racetracks to prevent them from closing, advocacy for the racing community against current legal threats and educational programs that help businesses and racers succeed.

“Now more than ever, it is critical that the racing community unite to protect our businesses and racing rights,” said PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer. “PRI‘s Membership program now allows individuals to join the movement to push back against challenges facing our industry and continue to support motorsports.”

More than 300 businesses in the racing industry have already joined the groundbreaking Membership program since it was first offered to PRI Trade Show exhibitors in March. Several companies have also extended their commitment to support the racing industry for a minimum of 10 years by becoming PRI Founding Members. Now, individual racers, enthusiasts and fans are invited to join the PRI Membership to become part of the community, and receive a range of exclusive benefits.

PRI Membership offers different levels of benefits and starts at only $40 per year for a Pro membership. Features and benefits include:

• Entrance to PRI Show for Qualified Attendees.
• Save Our Racecars Advocacy: Contribute to the fight to protect the racing community, and ensure racing continues and grows in the United States and internationally.
• Inclusion in the Performance Racing Political Action Committee.
• 10% Discount on PRI Merchandise.
• 12 Issues of PRI Magazine Digital Edition.
• Subscription to the PRI eNewsletter.
• Posting Access on the PRI Jobs Board.
• Membership Card and Welcome Packet.
• PRI Stickers.

The Membership program is a major part of PRI’s mission to build, promote and protect the racing community. Alongside efforts like the PRI Road Tour, PRI Ambassador Program, and the world’s premier auto-racing trade show—the PRI Trade Show—PRI ensures that the industry continues to grow and succeed.

“We're continuously identifying ways to support the interests of the racing community,” said Meyer. “The Membership program enables us to continue our advocacy efforts at the local, state and federal levels, and provide the industry with legal support, education, research and world-class events and programs.”

By joining the PRI Membership, individuals not only become part of the community to protect racing and gain a suite of benefits, but they also join forces with the newly formed Political Action Committee called the Performance Racing PAC. This new organization under PRI was recently established as a direct way to influence lawmakers and to protect the interests of the racing community. Now more than ever, racing and motorsports face challenges that must be addressed in a united effort to protect the rights of racers, racing businesses and the entire community.

“The racing industry is joining forces like never before, and we invite everyone—racers, enthusiasts, builders, track operators, sanctioning bodies and businesses—to be a part of this movement,” said Meyer. “This is the time to come together and unite.”

Enrollment in PRI Membership will launch alongside attendee registration for the 2021 PRI Show. For more information, visit PerformanceRacing.com.