Compiled by SEMA Editors

LSI Chemical Adds Thomas Robinson as Business Development and Marketing Manager

LSI Chemical has announced Thomas Robinson as the company’s new business development and marketing manager. The new position was created in March in response to the company’s rapid growth of new international distributors authorized to sell LSI Chemical branded additives and the Hot Shot’s Secret product line overseas. In this position, Robinson will be responsible for the coordination of all LSI Chemical sales activity, partner and customer support, international marketing initiatives and an extensive trade show and conference event schedule. As the first point of contact for both prospects and existing customers, he is dually responsible for developing new business and supporting existing distributors with the collateral, print and digital, and educational marketing support to ensure their success. He will report directly to LSI Chemical President Todd Cawley.

CRC Industries Joins with TechForce to Help Develop Next Generation of Technicians, Acquires Select Assets of Harris International Laboratories Inc.

CRC Industries Inc., a global manufacturer of specialty products and formulations for maintenance and repair professionals and do-it-yourselfers, has partnered with the TechForce Foundation and its industry alliances to help educate, develop and train the next generation of technicians. TechForce aims to address the critical need to build the technician workforce and inspire students to consider skilled trades careers in the transportation industry. In addition, CRC Industries has acquired select assets of Harris International Laboratories Inc., including the Evapo-Rust brand of rust removal products.

R&R Marketing Welcomes Joe Barone as ecommerce Business Analyst

R&R Marketing Consultants Inc. (RRMCI) has announced the recent hire of Joe Barone as ecommerce business analyst. Barone will join the RRMCI Technology Team. Barone began his career in the automotive industry in 2012 as a counterman selling automotive parts in his family’s hardware store. His passion for the aftermarket quickly grew as he then moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2015 to work with Auto-Wares. In 2019, Barone transitioned to the performance side of the industry where he worked at Motovicity until its acquisition by Turn 14 in 2020. Since then, Barone has been fine tuning his skills, creating data for ecommerce and ACES and PIES for manufacturers. 

SuperSprings Announces Changes to Leadership

SuperSprings International has announced the restructuring of its leadership team in response to the growth the company has experienced this year. In 2021, SuperSprings has recorded more than 50% growth domestically and more than 200% internationally, the company said. Adam Weisner, the company’s chief commercial officer, is now leading all sales efforts, including domestic, international and RV OEM sales. Additionally, Weisner will spearhead all marketing, customer service, e-commerce and companywide technical support.

Michael Stickney, who joined the company in 2019 as chief sales officer, will take on a new role as chief operations officer. Stickney will now be responsible for all operations, including e-commerce operations, purchasing, warehouse, engineering, order fulfillment and vendor relationship management. Gerry Lamberti will continue as CEO and visionary for new products. Justin Tevis will continue to lead data management and reporting, with the additional responsibility of overseeing technology for the company. Ryan Dougan will continue to lead finance for the company, as well as human resources.

Old World Industries Taps Automotive Aftermarket Veteran Greg Noethlich as Chief Executive Officer

Old World Industries announced the appointment of automotive industry veteran, Greg Noethlich, as its new CEO, effective April 5. As CEO of one of America's largest privately held automotive aftermarket companies, Noethlich will be responsible for accelerating the growth of Old World Industries with its PEAK, BlueDEF and Final Charge brands. Noethlich comes to Old World Industries after leading several major automotive aftermarket businesses, including FRAM Oil Filters, Prestone Products and, most recently, Champion Laboratories. 

Addman Engineering Group Acquires 3rd Dimension

Addman Engineering Group has announced the acquisition of 3rd Dimension Industrial 3D Printing based in Westfield, Indiana. 3rd Dimension is a provider of metal additive manufacturing and CNC-engineered solutions. With this acquisition, Addman adds a range of metal printing capabilities as well as traditional subtractive processes. The purchase marks Addman’s second additive manufacturing location in the United States, with its headquarters and innovation center based in Bonita Springs, Florida.

Goodguys Announces Next Generation Award for Young Enthusiasts

Goodguys Rod & Custom Association has created The Next Generation Award presented by Goolsby Customs, formerly called the Young Guys/Gals award, to encourage young builders to continue in the industry and to foster a field of talent which will sustain the hobby. The overall winner will receive prime placement in the Goodguys booth at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

A special parking area will be in place for contestants at each Goodguys event. The top two from each event, chosen on Saturday morning from the special parking area, will receive priority placement inside the show, and a winner will be chosen at the end of the event based on a combination of social-media voting and representatives from Goodguys & Goolsby Customs. From those individual event winners, one young builder will be chosen to bring their build to the next SEMA Show, where it will be showcased among the work of the top builders in the world. Builders 25 and under can compete as long as they have performed the majority of the work on their project car or truck.

J-B Weld Acquires Herculiner From Old Worlds Industries

The J-B Weld Company announced its acquisition of the do-it-yourself bed liner brand Herculiner from Old World Industries LLC. Herculiner created the original DIY Truck BedLiner Kit more than 20 years ago. J-B Weld established itself in the DIY market in 1969 with a metal “cold weld” epoxy adhesive that served as an alternative to traditional torch welding and high-strength repair opportunities. Since then, J-B Weld has broadened its product portfolio to meet evolving customer needs, including adhesives for metal, wood, plastic and general-purpose use.

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By Ashley Reyes

Sales of light trucks continue to skyrocket and are expected to reach more than 82% of all new light vehicles purchased by 2028, according to a new 92-page SEMA market research report.

The new “2021 Vehicle Landscape Report” from SEMA Market Research provides a comprehensive overview of vehicle sales and opportunities for the aftermarket. Designed to help SEMA members make informed business decisions, the report is filled with data on driving metrics, detailed analyses of different vehicle segments and forecasts for future sales by powertrain and segment.

“There are more than 281 million passenger vehicles on the road in the United States; that’s a lot of opportunity to install aftermarket parts,,” said SEMA Director of Market Research Gavin Knapp. “The newest SEMA Market Research report includes data to help businesses understand the current vehicle climate, where it’s going, and where the greatest opportunities are across different vehicle segments.”

Key findings from the report include:

• The U.S. vehicle landscape is shifting away from passenger cars to light trucks. By 2028, light trucks are expected to make up 82% of all new light vehicles sold (up from 53% in 2014).
• The growth in light-truck sales is driven primarily by the popularity and growth of CUVs; By 2028, CUVs are expected to make up about half of all new light vehicles sold.
• Even with the shift in sales, passenger cars aren’t going away; there are still 114.8 million passenger cars in operation, and it will take a while for these vehicles to cycle out.
• Electric vehicles are expected to make up 7% of new light vehicle sales by 2025.
• New-vehicle sales dipped in 2020, but are expected to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels within the next two to three years.

To learn more about the current vehicle landscape and what trends are on the horizon, download the “2021 Vehicle Landscape Report” for free today at www.sema.org/market-research.

By Linda Spencer

With a population of 5.5 million, Finland is considered the northern gate between the East and West, and is home to a disproportionate number of motorsports world champions who enjoy strong sup­port from the local enthusiastic fan base. Learn the factors that have led to their global success and opportunities for U.S. suppliers throughout the Nordic region.

Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Denmark are collectively known as the Nordic region, and its population of approximately 27 million citizens is passionate about all forms of wheeled competition, including rally racing, drag racing, drifting and circuit racing. A high standard of living in the Nordic region provides the locals with ample disposable income, and the positive perception of U.S. racing products provides an excellent export opportunity for U.S. motorsports prod­uct suppliers. In addition, the strong English-language skills among the average citizen make it one of the easiest export markets in which to do business.  

Want to enhance your relationships with your existing distributors in the region or line up new resellers? Join SEMA on the first SEMA Nordic trip, August 25–29, in Stockholm, Sweden. Meet pre-vetted buyers and see the market first-hand. U.S. government grants are available to help defray participation costs.  

For more information on the 2021 SEMA Nordic trip, visit www.sema.org/nordic or contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

Read more about this market.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA purchased a 45,000-sq.-ft. building in the Detroit area to be used as a second SEMA Garage where manufacturers will have access to advanced product-development tools and equipment, a state-of-the-art emissions testing lab, an ADAS research and development center and expert technicians who will help bring products to market.

Like the high-tech SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, the Detroit facility will give aftermarket parts manufacturers access to sophisticated resources that are typically accessible only to large-scale manufacturers. In addition to exclusive OEM measuring sessions, scanning services, advanced tools and equipment, a CARB-recognized emissions lab and a modern training center, the Detroit facility will include expanded services and offer new SEMA benefits through the ADAS Research and Development Center. The ADAS Center represents a new venture for SEMA, where manufacturers will be able to obtain static calibration of on-board vehicle ADAS systems (radars and cameras). With access to OEM-quality equipment and procedures, manufacturers will be able to easily troubleshoot software/hardware obstacles, as well as work on dynamic testing in conjunction with local facilities.  

“The SEMA Garage Detroit facility opens up new doors and opportunities,” said Mike Spagnola, SEMA vice president of OEM relations and product development. “We will be able to take our current offerings to a whole new level by making the services accessible to new members, incorporating new technology, and collaborating with key partners in the area.”

Located in Plymouth, Michigan, less than 30 miles from the heart of Detroit, the SEMA Garage Detroit facility is ideally located near several major automakers and is in close proximity to many Tier-One suppliers, SEMA-member companies, test tracks, automotive technology and aftermarket suppliers. The Detroit facility is three times larger than the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, which opened in 2013 and has provided more than 1,000 SEMA manufacturers exclusive access to new vehicles and CAD files, facilitated rapid prototyping and assisted in obtaining CARB EOs.

SEMA Garage Detroit will undergo extensive facilities improvements and include new equipment, such as emissions and horsepower testing for all-wheel-drive and diesel vehicles, vehicle lifts, full sets of tools, fabrication equipment, an alignment rack, 3-D scanning tools and engineering software. The lab will be purpose-built to accommodate a 48-in. all-wheel-drive chassis dynamometer and include a new emissions test bench. With equipment that meets CARB’s new 1066 testing requirement standards, SEMA Garage Detroit will be able to perform all required CARB and EPA test procedures.

“The SEMA Garage is a game changer for manufacturers,” said Spagnola. “By utilizing the tools and resources in the SEMA Garage, manufacturers no longer rely on trial and error for their product development. They are also able to navigate the complex process of obtaining required certifications and meet compliance.”

Through the SEMA Garage’s resources, manufacturers are often able to develop fully functional prototypes in as little as two weeks, and obtain CARB EOs in as little as 12 weeks. The SEMA Garage Detroit facility is scheduled to be open for members in early 2022. For more information, visit www.semagarage.com.  

This is the F-150 Raptor R. While Ford just recently debuted the third-generation Raptor back in February, they only gave us a look at the tamer version with the 3.5L EcoBoost. These shots show that the Raptor R will have a unique grille and appears to have beefier trailing arms. It’s rumored that the rims are exclusive to the R, and as everyone knows by now, it’ll have the heart and soul of the GT500—the Predator 5.2L supercharged V8.

According to sources, the R will pump out around 725 to 750 hp, probably closer to 750 hp, especially since the GT500 puts out 760 hp. One source said “Honestly, we had to counter Ram once we knew they installed the HellCat in the TRX”. The team is allegedly looking to beat the Ram TRX in every facet of the Raptor R.

The ’21 F-150 Raptor will be assembled at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant, and will be available at dealers this summer. The Raptor R is expected to debut later this year with an on-sale date in 2022.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the F-150 Raptor R. While Ford just recently debuted the third-generation Raptor back in February, they only gave us a look at the tamer version with the 3.5L EcoBoost. These shots show that the Raptor R will have a unique grille and appears to have beefier trailing arms. It’s rumored that the rims are exclusive to the R, and as everyone knows by now, it’ll have the heart and soul of the GT500—the Predator 5.2L supercharged V8.

According to sources, the R will pump out around 725 to 750 hp, probably closer to 750 hp, especially since the GT500 puts out 760 hp. One source said “Honestly, we had to counter Ram once we knew they installed the HellCat in the TRX”. The team is allegedly looking to beat the Ram TRX in every facet of the Raptor R.

The ’21 F-150 Raptor will be assembled at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant, and will be available at dealers this summer. The Raptor R is expected to debut later this year with an on-sale date in 2022.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

The 2021 SEMA Launch Pad is evolving, with eligibility now open to all qualified participants over the age of 18 years, a grand-prize package valued up to $92,000, and promotion for participants’ new products in SEMA websites and social media.

The SEMA Launch Pad, which was introduced in 2013 by the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN), is a program designed to help emerging entrepreneurs and inventors launch new automotive products into the marketplace. Originally created to support young entrepreneurs under the age of 40, this year’s program is open to qualified individuals 18 and over. This year’s SEMA Launch Pad also includes an expanded prize package and cash awarded to the top three finalists, and dozens of other participants featured in video interviews that will air on SEMA’s social media networks.

“I am really excited about the future of SEMA Launch Pad and the entrepreneurship it champions,” said James Lawrence, SEMA chairman-elect. “The automotive aftermarket has always been home to fresh thinking and product innovation, but it’s never had a spotlight like this before. The expansion of the Launch Pad competition will only encourage even more entrepreneurs, inventors and developers to bring new products to the automotive market. I personally can’t wait to see what’s coming for this next SEMA Launch Pad.”

To qualify, applicants must be a business owner, company leading executive (president, CEO, CFO, COO), or vice president of a company and must offer a product or service that is a functioning prototype, functioning concept or currently for sale.

Fifteen semi-finalists will be selected in June to attend the 2021 SEMA Show in November. The top five finalists will pitch their products to a panel of industry judges at the SEMA Show, be recognized at the industry’s premier celebration—the SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet—and be featured on SEMA publications, websites and social media.

Applications to participate in SEMA Launch Pad must be submitted online at www.sema.org/launchpad by May 30, 2021.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibit at the 2021 SEMA Show and shine the spotlight on your company in front of tens of thousands of qualified buyers looking for the best that the automotive specialty-equipment market has to offer.

In addition to buyers, the Show also attracts thousands of traditional media and social-media influencers ready to let the rest of the world know about your products and applications, opening up even more sales opportunities well after the Show concludes.

Access SEMA's worldwide network and create more opportunities to sell. Be there to reconnect at the 2021 SEMA Show, Tuesday-Friday, November 2-5, Las Vegas.

Reserve your spot for 2021 at www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

Below are key dates that SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to mark on their calendars.

• The Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM) will be live in May. The ESM contains all of the forms and applications required to prepare for the Show: feature vehicles, new products, booth vehicles, celebrity appearances, etc.
• The Exhibit Space Rental Application and deposit are due May 7.
• Dates for the SEMA Show Space Selection: June 7-23

For additional information about exhibiting at the SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com/exhibitor.

By SEMA Editors

The following candidates are vying for a seat on the SEMA Board of Directors:

Chairman-elect (one open seat)

• Kyle Fickler – (Incumbent) Director, Driven Racing Oil
• Les Rudd – (Incumbent) President, Bob Cook Sales

Distributors/Retailers (two open seats):

• Larry Montante – Vice President, Keystone Automotive Operations
• Brian Rowland – GM, Parts & Accessories, Walmart
• Steve Whipple – (Incumbent) Director, Jegs High Performance

Manufacturers (two open seats):

• Ian Lehn – Founder, BOOSTane
• Kim Pendergast – (Incumbent) CEO/Owner, Magnuson Superchargers
• Brian Reese – President/CEO, The Retrofit Source

Service (one open seat):

• Lindsay Hubley – Managing Partner, Lodestone Events
• Jim Liaw – President/Co-Founder, Formula Drift Holdings

Voting will take place online between May 11–25, and is open to current SEMA-member companies. Votes must be cast by each company’s primary contact. Details on the upcoming election will be sent to the member company’s designated primary contact beginning April 30. Winners will be announced by May 28.

By Della Domingo

The city of Las Vegas continues to move toward reopening, with Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak recently announcing plans for the city to be at 100% capacity by June 1. In a recent article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Sisolak announced that the state is on track to meet the goal of reopening “at 100% capacity across Nevada by June 1."

The news comes on the heels of several other milestones signaling the imminent reopening of the city. Earlier this week, The Boring Company gave media an exclusive first look at its $52.5 million people-mover system that will transport Las Vegas Convention Center visitors between South, Central and West Halls. The World Market Center in downtown Las Vegas celebrated the grand re-opening of a new convention center by hosting about 10,000 individuals for a five-day trade show for the home and gift industry.

Closer to the SEMA Show, the World of Concrete will host tens of thousands of individuals in June at the Las Vegas Convention Center’s new West Hall.

“Great news continues to come out of Las Vegas,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “This November, Las Vegas is going to be ultimate gathering for the automotive industry. After being separated for nearly two years, businesses are eager to reconnect at the Show and preparing to feature the innovations they’ve been working on.”

More than 1,200 manufacturers have already confirmed their participation at the 2021 SEMA Show, with many companies planning break-out exhibits and securing larger booths than the previous Show. With the opening of the Las Vegas Convention Center’s new 1.4 million square feet West Hall, the entire SEMA Show floor will also be optimized to allow for more new features and attractions throughout the event.

“There are a lot of exciting plans coming together for this year’s event,” said Gattuso. “The 2021 SEMA Show is going to be the best in our 50-plus year history, and we can’t wait to see everyone in November.”

Key SEMA Show Dates

• The Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM) will be live in May. The ESM contains all of the forms and applications required to prepare for the Show: feature vehicles, new products, booth vehicles, celebrity appearances, etc.
• Deadline to submit Exhibit Space Rental Application and deposit is May 7.
• SEMA Show Space Selection: June 7–June 23.

Reserve booth space for the 2021 SEMA Show at www.SEMAshow.com/exhibitor.

For complete information about the 2021 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.