By Ashley Reyes

A new video featuring Bud Brutsman, CEO of BCII, at the 2019 SEMA Show STAGE is now available. In this featured episode, viewers will get to know the executive producer behind some of the industry’s top automotive TV series, including “Rides,” “Overhaulin’” and “SEMA: Battle of the Builders.”

Get to know Brutsman as he shares insights and stories about his first large contract with the History channel, his experience shooting live episodes of “Overhaulin’” at the SEMA Show and his thoughts on how technology is impacting content in the television and cable industry.

“What Netflix and Amazon and the other streamers are proving is that if you have quality custom content, no matter where you’re going to deliver it, people are going to watch,” said Brutsman. “Crafting a story and telling a story is much different than just shooting video. We are all into viral content, and that viral content is amazing.”

Additional highlights include the pros of having a competitive distribution market, the development behind “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” and connecting automotive storytelling to film through art.

Check out Brutsman’s full video and stay tuned to SEMA eNews for additional featured interviews powered by SEMA Education in partnership with the SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC).

For the latest news and updates on the STAGE, follow SEMA Education on Facebook and Instagram.

By Ashley Reyes

A new video featuring Bud Brutsman, CEO of BCII, at the 2019 SEMA Show STAGE is now available. In this featured episode, viewers will get to know the executive producer behind some of the industry’s top automotive TV series, including “Rides,” “Overhaulin’” and “SEMA: Battle of the Builders.”

Get to know Brutsman as he shares insights and stories about his first large contract with the History channel, his experience shooting live episodes of “Overhaulin’” at the SEMA Show and his thoughts on how technology is impacting content in the television and cable industry.

“What Netflix and Amazon and the other streamers are proving is that if you have quality custom content, no matter where you’re going to deliver it, people are going to watch,” said Brutsman. “Crafting a story and telling a story is much different than just shooting video. We are all into viral content, and that viral content is amazing.”

Additional highlights include the pros of having a competitive distribution market, the development behind “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” and connecting automotive storytelling to film through art.

Check out Brutsman’s full video and stay tuned to SEMA eNews for additional featured interviews powered by SEMA Education in partnership with the SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC).

For the latest news and updates on the STAGE, follow SEMA Education on Facebook and Instagram.

By Richard Hail

The latest episode features the beginnings of the Ringbrothers ’72 K5 Blazer that will be entered into the 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

The latest episode of "SEMA Battle of the Builders: Ready for Battle with AJ," brings us to Spring Green, Wisconsin, where Jim and Mike Ring, co-founders of Ringbrothers have established their world-renowned shop. Adrienne “AJ” Janic, co-host of Overhaulin’ and SEMA Battle of the Builders, gets up close and personal with the 2019 Battle of the Builders winners.

Of the two builds they’re bringing to SEMA 2020, you’ll see the beginnings of a ’72 K5 Blazer that will be entered into the Battle of the Builders competition in addition to some more classics that will get your blood pumping. And you don’t want to miss out on the friendly rivalry that the Ring brothers have with Phil and Jeremy at the Roadster Shop.

Over the past decade, Ringbrothers have won numerous awards from GM, Goodguys, Mothers, and more for their custom builds. They also produce an entire line of high-quality billet accessories as well as custom fiberglass and carbon fiber pieces. In between builds, their one-stop-shop also provides collision and repair services for their local community.

Visit the SEMA Show YouTube Channel for more videos and builder interviews, and be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss future episodes leading up to the 2020 SEMA Show. For more details about the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, visit www.semabotb.com.

By Richard Hail

The latest episode features the beginnings of the Ringbrothers ’72 K5 Blazer that will be entered into the 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

The latest episode of "SEMA Battle of the Builders: Ready for Battle with AJ," brings us to Spring Green, Wisconsin, where Jim and Mike Ring, co-founders of Ringbrothers have established their world-renowned shop. Adrienne “AJ” Janic, co-host of Overhaulin’ and SEMA Battle of the Builders, gets up close and personal with the 2019 Battle of the Builders winners.

Of the two builds they’re bringing to SEMA 2020, you’ll see the beginnings of a ’72 K5 Blazer that will be entered into the Battle of the Builders competition in addition to some more classics that will get your blood pumping. And you don’t want to miss out on the friendly rivalry that the Ring brothers have with Phil and Jeremy at the Roadster Shop.

Over the past decade, Ringbrothers have won numerous awards from GM, Goodguys, Mothers, and more for their custom builds. They also produce an entire line of high-quality billet accessories as well as custom fiberglass and carbon fiber pieces. In between builds, their one-stop-shop also provides collision and repair services for their local community.

Visit the SEMA Show YouTube Channel for more videos and builder interviews, and be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss future episodes leading up to the 2020 SEMA Show. For more details about the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, visit www.semabotb.com.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The New Mexico Motorsports Coalition (NMMC)—a group comprised of racing facilities across New Mexico—has submitted a SEMA-supported plan to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that would allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Under Governor Lujan Grisham’s current reopening plan, New Mexicans must travel to neighboring states in order to enjoy racing.

For more information and to contact New Mexico’s leaders in support of NMMC’s proposal, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

The Performance Racing Industry has compiled an up-to-date listing of motorsports’ status in each state.

Discover whether racing venues in your area are ready to drop the green flag.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The New Mexico Motorsports Coalition (NMMC)—a group comprised of racing facilities across New Mexico—has submitted a SEMA-supported plan to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that would allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Under Governor Lujan Grisham’s current reopening plan, New Mexicans must travel to neighboring states in order to enjoy racing.

For more information and to contact New Mexico’s leaders in support of NMMC’s proposal, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

The Performance Racing Industry has compiled an up-to-date listing of motorsports’ status in each state.

Discover whether racing venues in your area are ready to drop the green flag.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The New Mexico Motorsports Coalition (NMMC)—a group comprised of racing facilities across New Mexico—has submitted a SEMA-supported plan to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that would allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Under Governor Lujan Grisham’s current reopening plan, New Mexicans must travel to neighboring states in order to enjoy racing.

For more information and to contact New Mexico’s leaders in support of NMMC’s proposal, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

The Performance Racing Industry has compiled an up-to-date listing of motorsports’ status in each state.

Discover whether racing venues in your area are ready to drop the green flag.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The New Mexico Motorsports Coalition (NMMC)—a group comprised of racing facilities across New Mexico—has submitted a SEMA-supported plan to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that would allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Under Governor Lujan Grisham’s current reopening plan, New Mexicans must travel to neighboring states in order to enjoy racing.

For more information and to contact New Mexico’s leaders in support of NMMC’s proposal, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

The Performance Racing Industry has compiled an up-to-date listing of motorsports’ status in each state.

Discover whether racing venues in your area are ready to drop the green flag.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By Kyle Cheng

From May 20–29, SEMA conducted a survey of more than 1,800 professionals within the specialty-equipment industry. Despite the disruptions over the past few months, manufacturers, distributors and retailers continue to maintain a positive outlook on the situation, and expect business to pick up now that restrictions are easing.

While the beginning of April saw 17% of manufacturers, distributors and retailers reporting “mostly business as usual,” that jumped to more than 30% by the end of May. Nearly 90% currently say they are “mostly business as usual” or “impacted short-term, but will get through it.”

Our industry utilizes a number of different channels to sell products. Retailers predominantly sell in-store, while manufacturers and distributors sell mostly through wholesale. Many manufacturers also use their company website for direct sales.

Over the last few months, sales across the industry have been impacted. Because of stay-in-place restrictions, in-person transactions were limited. Consequently, our industry has seen some uptick in online sales. As restrictions ease, however, customers are likely return to shopping in-store and in-person.

Overall, the industry is fairly optimistic about sales for the rest of the year. More than half of all manufacturers, distributors and retailers think their Q4 sales will be better or at least the same as last year.

Many companies expect to recover quickly and finish the year strong. By the end of 2020, 45% of manufacturers, 39% of distributors and 42% of retailers expect their sales to end up being better than or similar to their 2019 sales.

By Kyle Cheng

From May 20–29, SEMA conducted a survey of more than 1,800 professionals within the specialty-equipment industry. Despite the disruptions over the past few months, manufacturers, distributors and retailers continue to maintain a positive outlook on the situation, and expect business to pick up now that restrictions are easing.

While the beginning of April saw 17% of manufacturers, distributors and retailers reporting “mostly business as usual,” that jumped to more than 30% by the end of May. Nearly 90% currently say they are “mostly business as usual” or “impacted short-term, but will get through it.”

Our industry utilizes a number of different channels to sell products. Retailers predominantly sell in-store, while manufacturers and distributors sell mostly through wholesale. Many manufacturers also use their company website for direct sales.

Over the last few months, sales across the industry have been impacted. Because of stay-in-place restrictions, in-person transactions were limited. Consequently, our industry has seen some uptick in online sales. As restrictions ease, however, customers are likely return to shopping in-store and in-person.

Overall, the industry is fairly optimistic about sales for the rest of the year. More than half of all manufacturers, distributors and retailers think their Q4 sales will be better or at least the same as last year.

Many companies expect to recover quickly and finish the year strong. By the end of 2020, 45% of manufacturers, 39% of distributors and 42% of retailers expect their sales to end up being better than or similar to their 2019 sales.