Every employee is different, and knowing how to motivate and empower them can be challenging. Discover proven strategies and techniques for boosting morale and creating a winning team by attending the new SEMA Virtual Education Team Management Series, powered by SBN, February 11, at 11:00 a.m. (PST).
The first session in the series will focus on how to empower and boost morale with limited resources. Presented by Caliber Collision’s Vice President of Marketing Melissa Brown and Vice President – Human Resources business partner Jen Schmit, the session will help managers avoid the biggest mistakes in coaching, and how to tailor a motivation strategy to individual employees. Participants will also be able to connect with others, build a network and develop an action plan that will work for them.
Submissions are being accepted for SEMA-member companies to participate in the 2021 Ford Project Vehicle Program.
Open to SEMA member company manufacturers, designers and/or retailers dedicated to supporting new product development, companies must be willing to actively promote the vehicle with their products through an established marketing plan and be financially capable of spending promotional dollars.
The Ford booth at the 2021 SEMA Show will highlight the following vehicles in addition to its existing lineup. The provided links below will allow you to research these products as well as find high-resolution images for your proposal rendering.
Feature the vehicle in a booth at the 2021 Las Vegas SEMA Show.
Use Ford accessory products as specified and provided by Ford Motor Company.
Register and keep the vehicle in your company name during the entire contract period.
Purchase and maintain $3 million in general liability Insurance, $3 million in automotive liability insurance, $1 million employer liability and demonstrate workers compensation coverage; an umbrella policy may be used to achieve coverage limits.
Commit to feature the vehicle with the Ford logo intact and visible.
Order a California-certified vehicle if you intend to register or use the vehicle primarily in California or any other state that has adopted California emissions standards. Failure to do so may subject you to a state fine.
Make vehicles available to Ford or its Dealers for display, at the owner’s discretion.
Submit written quarterly status reports for a period of 18 months, as specified in the contract, stating:
Product development.
Modifications to the vehicle.
Events (including dates, location and type of event).
Media exposure (originals or color copies).
Company advertising featuring the vehicle.
Social Media exposure with statistics.
A copy of your current vehicle registration.
Please submit Project Vehicle proposals to:
Ford Motor Company
21175 Oakwood Blvd., PDCDC MD579
Dearborn, MI 48124
Attn: Nick Terzes and Kyle Ebner semainfo@ford.com
eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series to Return in 2021
After a historic debut season that set the high watermark in viewership for televised esports programming, the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series is set to return in 2021. NASCAR and iRacing jointly have announced a new-look Pro Invitational that will see NASCAR Cup Series stars compete virtually in a 10-race schedule. The virtual series will complement NASCAR’s real-life racing schedule, offering fans a new mid-week competition featuring NASCAR’s top drivers. FOX Sports will broadcast the first five races of the series live in primetime on FS1. NBC Sports will air the final five races of the series, with its schedule and details announced later. The series begins on Wednesday, March 24, and will visit a mix of virtual venues, including Bristol Motor Speedway’s new dirt configuration, fan-favorites such as Talladega Superspeedway and Darlington Raceway, and Austin, Texas’ famed Circuit of The Americas.
Rachel Meyer
Rachel Meyer Joins Randy Meyer Racing Team
Rachel Meyer has been named her sister Megan’s replacement on the Randy Meyer Racing team. She will drive the newly rebranded NTK Sensors A/Fuel dragster tuned and owned by her father Randy Meyer. Racing on a part-time basis, Rachel won the 2020 NHRA Central Region championship on the strength of two wins and a runner-up finish. She also reached the semifinals in her second JEGS Allstars appearance. Meyer’s 2021 schedule will be her most ambitious season yet, with 10 national events and six regional races on the itinerary. Meyer, who services the clutch in addition to a number of other driver duties between rounds, will work alongside her dad and the team he’s assembled to work on Randy Meyer Racing’s A/Fuel cars. Megan will also join the team at a few races to handle media duties, while the sisters’ mom Mary helps out as well. Rachel will begin her 2021 season in the NTK Sensors dragster at the NHRA South Central division’s season opener, February 26-27, at No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, Louisiana.
Résumés typically provide the first impression of your qualifications to a prospective employer. With so many people looking for jobs, it’s important to know how to make your resume stand out. Learn the do’s and don’ts of creating a stand-out résumé by joining the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) for the first session of its “Perfecting Your Job Search” series, powered by SBN, February 23, at 11:00 a.m. (PST).
The one-hour session will feature HR Manager of The Retrofit Source Holly Chun as moderator and SEMA’s Vice President of Human Resources Maru Trevizo as guest speaker. They will share insights and answer questions on what a résumé should focus on, what items to highlight and what to leave out during the interview. Attendees will participate in a breakout session and have the opportunity to network and engage with other peers, and learn tips for getting that call back for the interview.
This new series is designed to enhance the job search and application process to help prospective employees of the automotive aftermarket land better opportunities that match their skills and interests.
Geared toward automotive professionals who have experience in digital marketing and are looking to scale up their efforts, the interactive program includes tangible strategies that participants can apply to their businesses immediately. Led by Jim McKinley of (un)Common Logic, the two-hour program begins with a high-level overview of various theories that serve as the foundation for digital marketing, followed by interactive exercises focused on specific marketing channels and specifics for improving performance on each of those channels.
In addition to having their questions answered, attendees will walk away with new businesses tactics to improve SEO, reach more customers through paid social media and increase sales. Never before has SEMA presented such a detailed session that targets the needs of specialty-equipment individuals and businesses, providing the rare opportunity for those who are already familiar with digital marketing to advance their campaigns.
Details:
How to Take Your Digital Marketing to the Next Level
February 25, 2021, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (PST)
Cost: $25 per person
SEMA Virtual Education continues to provide new live, simu-live, and debut webinars that feature leading experts talking about the industry’s most current topics and trends.
New sessions for February are listed below, with more sessions to be announced throughout the year. The program also includes a comprehensive library of on-demand sessions that members are invited to access anytime, anywhere at www.sema.org/virtual-education.
Tuesday, February 9, 2021 – How to Protect Your Brand’s Online Reputation
Track:Marketing & Sales
Your online reputation can make or break your business. The challenge is that people are more motivated to post online when they’re unhappy than when they’re happy. How should businesses respond when they receive negative feedback? How can you create a process for acquiring more positive reviews? All this and more will be answered in this session.
Tuesday, February 9, 2021 – Facebook Live Chat with Kathryn Reinhardt
Track:Industry Talks
Tune into a Facebook Live Chat with Kathryn Reinhart, SEMA Board of Directors and Senior Marketing Manager at 4 Wheel Parts. Named SEMA Person of the Year in 2015 for her dedication and accomplishments in the industry, Reinhardt will share details about her start in the industry, inspirational stories about women she met along the way, and give advice on knowing what you want and how to ask for it.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 – Replica Car Program Finalized: Everything You Need to Know
Track:Legislative & Regulatory
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has completed a rule that will allow low volume vehicle manufacturers to produce and sell replica cars—vehicles that appear to be at least 25 years old. Join a panel of industry experts as they provide an overview of the new program and practical considerations if selling replica cars, engine packages, or vehicle parts.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 – Facebook Live Chat with Lindsay Hubley
Track:Industry Talks
Hear from Lodestone Events’ managing partner Lindsay Hubley as she talks about challenges in the events industry during Covid-19 and what her company has planned for 2021. Lodestar Events is an event production company that specializes in event planning & logistics, marketing & communications, and sponsorship & exhibitor sales, and oversees the world’s premier overland and adventure travel event, Overland Expo.
Thursday, February 11, 2021 – Empower and Boost Morale With Limited Resources
Series: Team Management Series, powered by SBN
Track:Industry Segments, powered by SEMA Councils and Networks
Giving a raise or a promotion is a great way to motivate employees, but what can managers do when budgets are tight and promotions are not an option? This session will provide managers and supervisors with simple strategies and ideas that will boost a team’s morale, particularly with limited resources. This webinar includes an interactive breakout session that will allow participants to work on a practical action plan that they can implement immediately.
Tuesday, February 16, 2021 – Classic Cars, Modern Markets
Series: SEMA Industry Insight Series
Track:Trends & Research
Classic cars and trucks represent a $890 million market. Find out how you may be able to capitalize on this market by learning about new research that shows what types of parts are bought for classic vehicles, what the vehicles are primarily used for and the behaviors of the vehicle owners. Presented by SEMA Market Research, the information represents new data and findings that will help you better understand the opportunities available.
February 17, 2021 – Shop & Financial Management: Stocking Strategies
Series: Wheel and Tire Industry Insights, powered by WTC
Track:Industry Segments, powered by SEMA Councils and Networks
With so many wheel and tire brands, sizes, treads and weights, having the right inventory and distribution can be challenging. As consumer driving habits evolve and ecommerce continues to impact purchasing behavior, businesses must evaluate their inventory strategies and supply chain management in order to succeed and stay profitable. Learn how to maintain the right products in stock and find out what you can do to keep products moving.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 – Résumé Do’s and Don’ts
Series: Perfecting Your Job Search Series, powered by SBN
Track:Industry Segments, powered by SEMA Councils and Networks
Résumés typically provide the first impression of your qualifications to a prospective employer. With so many people looking for jobs, it’s important to know how to make your resume stand out. Learn the do’s and don’ts of creating a stand-out résumé—including what to focus on, items to highlight and what to leave out during the interview to make sure you get that call back.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 – The Customer Journey: From Digital Onlooker to Repeat Buyer
Track:Marketing & Sales
Today’s customer journey is an ongoing blend of online and offline interactions. In this one-of-a-kind session, you’ll receive practical strategies on how to seamlessly navigate the entire sales process and walk away knowing how to attract customers through a 5-Star digital experience that matches the experience offered in your brick-and-mortar location.
Thursday, February 25, 2021 – How To Take Your Digital Marketing to the Next Level
Track: Marketing & Sales
Geared toward automotive professionals who have some experience in digital marketing and are looking to scale up their efforts and learn new strategies, this two-hour workshop will include group exercises and leave participants with specific tangible strategies that can be applied to their businesses immediately. Attendees will walk away with new businesses tactics to improve SEO, reach more customers and increase sales.
Friday, February 26, 2021 – New Policy on Tampering and Defeat Devices Explained
Track:Legislative & Regulatory
Released in December, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new Tampering Policy replaces Mobile Source Enforcement Memo 1A (1974) and addresses civil enforcement of the Clean Air Act’s prohibitions on tampering and aftermarket defeat devices. SEMA members are invited to join a webinar as industry experts and an EPA representative provide an overview of the new Policy, and cover key issues on testing and policy benefits.
Edelbrock’s administrative offices will be moved to a 300,000-sq.-ft.
facility in Olive Branch, Mississippi, while most manufacturing
processes will be transferred to its San Jacinto, California, plant.
Edelbrock Moving HQ to Mississippi, Announces Expansion
Edelbrock is closing its Torrance, California, headquarters and manufacturing plant and shifting its operations to separate facilities in-state and across the country. Edelbrock’s administrative offices will be moved to a 300,000-sq.-ft. facility in Olive Branch, Mississippi, while most manufacturing processes will be transferred to its San Jacinto, California, plant, located about 95 miles east of Torrance.
When asked about the move, Edelbrock Group Chief Commercial Officer Chris Douglas cited the company’s merger with COMP Performance Group in early 2020 as a primary factor. “We had seven campuses between us across the country,” he explained, “so it made a lot of business sense to sit down and ask, ‘What skill sets do we have at these various locations, and where can we make our organization stronger and combine efficiency?’
“Unfortunately, the decision-making process did impact Torrance, but it’s part of building a foundation and future expansion for our company,” he continued. “It’s bittersweet. Torrance has been the home for Edelbrock for many, many years, and we fully acknowledge that it may be difficult for the market to understand. But it is critical to fuel future growth.”
With the news, the company announced the expansion of its San Jacinto facility, which currently houses foundry and casting processes for its aluminum products. Douglas also revealed plans to open a new technical center in Cerritos, California, which is set to be fully operational by the time the Torrance facility officially shuts down on March 31. The Edelbrock Southern California Tech Center will house approximately 15 engineering and compliance employees to oversee some development and testing efforts, he said. Edelbrock has offered to relocate many of its 270 Torrance-based employees to either Olive Branch, Cerritos or San Jacinto. The shift in operations is not expected to affect production or shipping times for most of its core products.
VP Racing Fuels Makes Business Development Move
VP Racing Fuels Inc. has announced the appointment of James McVey to business development to focus on the OEM business. McVey earned a bachelor of multidisciplinary science degree at Texas Tech University. He served as vice president of sales and marketing at GreenStar LED, where he led the conversion of high-pressure sodium street lights to smart city LEDs in San Antonio, Texas, and other cities in North America and overseas.
Alex George
Air Flow Research Adds to Marketing Team
Air Flow Research (AFR) has announced that Alex George has joined its team. George will be responsible for growing the company’s online presence and overall customer engagement in his new position. He brings more than six years of automotive aftermarket experience, holding positions in sales, marketing and operations. George will also play an instrumental role in AFR’s marketing communication strategy.
MAHLE Completes Keihin Acquisition
MAHLE has taken over the air conditioning business in Japan, Thailand and the United States from the former Keihin Corp. (now Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.). The antitrust authorities have given their approval. Four production sites and one development center are now being integrated into the MAHLE Group. With this acquisition, MAHLE is strengthening its position in the field of air conditioning systems. This is one of the strategic future fields of the group. A total of around 1,700 people are employed at the new locations.
Competition Specialties to Host 2021 Mega Show in Virtual Format
The 49th consecutive jobber-only MEGA SHOW brought to you by Westin and Superwinch will be a virtual extravaganza of new products, special virtual deals, and familiar cash drawings and prizes over one full week: March 3-10.
Plus, tradition prevails with Profit Paks, Plan-O-Grams, Counter Displays, and of course unlimited opportunities to earn drawing tickets for the chance to win Thousands of Dollars in Cash! Logging into Competition Specialties Inc.’s (CSI) new secure MEGA SHOW website, customers’ virtual experience may include the opportunity of extended terms up to 120 days. CSI will offer the year’s best pricing and deepest discounts available making MEGA SHOW 2021 the must attend virtual event for every successful jobber.
Keystone Automotive Operations to Host Big Show in Texas
Keystone Automotive Operations will host the 2021 BIG Show in Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, March 5-6, followed by a virtual event from March 15-19, 2021. The world-class facilities of Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center hosted the 2019 BIG Show and attendees will once again be treated to special programs and events, show vehicles, product education, significant show-only sales and promotions along with the opportunity to network over the course of the two-day event.
The BIG Show will be limited to a specific number of customers, exhibitors and staff in order to facilitate the recommended spacing and other protocols that will be in place in this special year. The event will however, host the major manufactures that our customer partners have come to expect, as well as the other key show elements that have helped the BIG Show become a major industry attraction.
Nick Bublitz has been named Sonoma Raceway’s drag strip manager, and will manage the raceway’s 1/4-mile drag strip and drag-racing programs. In his new role, Bublitz will be responsible for the drag strip’s day-to-day operations, including the weekly Wednesday Night Drags program, which is set to kick off on March 17. Bublitz takes over for Kyle Seipel, who has been the drag-racing manager at Sonoma Raceway since 2017, after stepping in for his mother, Georgia, upon her retirement after 30 years at the raceway. Bublitz, 29, began drag racing at the Northern California track 10 years ago when he attended Sonoma State University. He has earned six Wally trophies from Summit ET Series bracket drag-racing events and was the 2015 Division 7 ET Challenge Sportsman Champion. Bublitz is also currently the track announcer and race director at Redding Drag Strip.
Jason Bowling Promoted at Speedway Motorsports
Speedway Motorsports has promoted Jason Bowling to the position of senior vice president of ticket and marketing Information. In his new role, Bowling will oversee all consumer experience platforms for the company, including CRM, ticketing, email and mobile applications for Speedway Motorsports facilities. Bowling holds more than two decades of experience with Speedway Motorsports, having joined its facility Texas Motor Speedway as its credential coordinator in 1999. He later spent a decade as the director of tickets at the race track before being named Speedway Motorsports’ vice president of ticket and marketing information in 2014.
Cloyes Gear & Products Hires Troy Angst as CFO
Cloyes Gear & Products Inc., backed by Hidden Harbor Capital Partners, has hired Troy Angst as chief financial officer. Angst brings 30 years of experience to his new position, joining Cloyes most recently from Sharp Tooling Solutions in Romeo, Michigan, where he served as chief financial officer. Before this, Angst served as chief financial officer for Tritec Performance Solutions in Fenton, Michigan.
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.
Industry experts will share insight and tips to help wheel and tire distributors and retailers precision-tune their inventory strategies during Part Four of the Wheel & Tire Councils (WTC) Webinar Series “Wheel and Tire Industry Insights, powered by the WTC.”
Taking place February 17, at 12:00 p.m. (PST), the webinar, entitled “Shop & Financial Management: Stocking Strategies,” will feature WTC Chair Tyson Boyer as he moderates a live discussion with Mark Smith, owner/operator of five Midas Auto Service & Tires; Josh Baughman, owner/operator of eight Van’s Tire Pros; and John Healey, managing director of equity research analyst at North Coast Research.
During this 45-minute session, Smith, Baughman and Healey will discuss and answer questions about tuning your inventory strategies and harnessing creativity in order to conquer today’s extraordinary challenges.
Discussion topics:
Rules to managing and maintaining a successful inventory.
Fundamental guiding factors when selecting tire distribution partners or sources.
What functionality is vital for inventorying tires and wheels.
Updates on supply-chain innovation.
Supply-chain strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The webinar is the fourth installment of the WTC’s Webinar Series “Wheel and Tire Industry Insights, powered by the WTC.” The first three sessions can be viewed on-demand by visiting www.sema.org/virtual-education.
Register now for “Shop & Financial Management: Stocking Strategies,” taking place February 17.
When Ford switched to aluminum body panels with the ’15 F-150, it brought along an unwanted side effect of the new material: owners were no longer able to place magnetic signs on the truck. It now appears that Ford will change that.
We spotted a series of Ford prototypes wearing placeholder signage on the front doors as well as the tailgate. It’s unclear how the signs are placed on the prototype, but it’s possible that the automaker is using magnetic paint on its new truck to make the magnetic signs “stick.”
From the looks of it, the project could be nearing completion, and Ford will likely announce it as a feature any day now.
When Ford switched to aluminum body panels with the ’15 F-150, it brought along an unwanted side effect of the new material: owners were no longer able to place magnetic signs on the truck. It now appears that Ford will change that.
We spotted a series of Ford prototypes wearing placeholder signage on the front doors as well as the tailgate. It’s unclear how the signs are placed on the prototype, but it’s possible that the automaker is using magnetic paint on its new truck to make the magnetic signs “stick.”
From the looks of it, the project could be nearing completion, and Ford will likely announce it as a feature any day now.
Every employee is different, and knowing how to motivate and empower them can be challenging. Discover proven strategies and techniques for boosting morale and creating a winning team by attending the new SEMA Virtual Education Team Management Series, powered by SBN, February 11, at 11:00 a.m. (PST).
Submissions are being accepted for SEMA-member companies to participate in the 2021 Ford Project Vehicle Program.
Résumés typically provide the first impression of your qualifications to a prospective employer. With so many people looking for jobs, it’s important to know how to make your resume stand out. Learn the do’s and don’ts of creating a stand-out résumé by joining the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) for the first session of its “Perfecting Your Job Search” series, powered by SBN, February 23, at 11:00 a.m. (PST).
SEMA Virtual Education continues to provide new live, simu-live, and debut webinars that feature leading experts talking about the industry’s most current topics and trends.
Industry experts will share insight and tips to help wheel and tire distributors and retailers precision-tune their inventory strategies during Part Four of the Wheel & Tire Councils (WTC) Webinar Series “Wheel and Tire Industry Insights, powered by the WTC.”
