The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) is kicking off an all-female vehicle build and will modify a Ford Bronco 4-door Wildtrak provided by Bronco Brand—Ford’s outdoor brand of Built Wild and only-4x4 vehicles. The project comes 10 years after SBN led an award-winning all-female Ford Mustang Build, which raised awareness for women working in the automotive industry and brought in dozens of new SBN members.
The SEMA Businesswomen's Network will embark on an all-female vehicle build in partnership with Ford's Bronco Brand, which donated the 4-door Ford Bronco Wildtrak.
The new campaign seeks to highlight successful women in the automotive industry while also attracting and supporting more females to pursue careers in the field.
“We know that automobiles are exciting and that there are countless job opportunities for women in the industry,” said Sara Morosan, SBN chair-elect. “The 2022 SBN All-Female Vehicle Build will again shine the light on this important initiative and help women see what’s possible.”
The project is slated to begin this summer in Southern California. Women will modify all aspects of the car, including the engine, chassis, drivetrain, interior, sound system, exterior and paint. Organizers are currently securing members to assist with assembling a Volunteer Recruitment Team, Events Team, Media/Content Team, Secure Parts & Sponsorship and other committees. Interested volunteers can sign up here.
The completed vehicle build will be displayed at the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.sema.org/sbn or contact Nicole Bradle at nicoleb@sema.org.
To be included in the 2022 SEMA Show Priority Booth Space Selection Process, applications must be received by Monday, April 4. Taking place November 1–4 in Las Vegas, the SEMA Show is the premier automotive trade event in the world.
Manufacturers of automotive parts and accessories exhibit at the SEMA Show to promote new products, increase brand awareness, generate leads for future orders, build and strengthen relationships through in-person networking, and generate media coverage.
“Nothing compares to the SEMA Show. There’s a unique energy and mystique about the Show that makes it the ideal place for manufacturers to promote their products and raise brand awareness,” said SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso. “With buyers and media from all over the world in attendance, exhibitors have unlimited opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations that lead to profitable business partnerships.”
With more than 100,000 professionals in attendance at the 2021 SEMA Show, the event was Las Vegas’ No. 1-attended trade show last year. It also marked the Las Vegas Convention Center’s first full-capacity event since the pandemic. Exhibitors found valuable ROI by participating at the Show, with nearly all participants rating their experience as positive and noting that they plan to return in 2022.
“In-person interactions have greater meaning today than ever before,” said Gattuso. “The ability to communicate face-to-face, witness a live product demonstration, and take a photo with a celebrity is rare. The SEMA Show offers four full days of valuable activity both on and off the Show floor.”
In addition to more than 4.6 million of convention space, the SEMA Show includes interactive experiences, celebrity appearances, unique seminars with dynamic speakers, and unique panel discussions.
Companies may apply for space at the 2022 SEMA Show at www.semashow.com/buyabooth. To be included in the Priority Booth Space Selection Process, applications must be received by Monday, April 4. For more information, visit www.semashow.com.
In partnership with Ford Motor Company, the SEMA Garage will host a Measuring Session for the all-electric ’22 Ford F-150 Lightning. The event will allow SEMA members to have a close-up experience with Ford’s first ever all-electric F-Series truck.
New F-150 Lightning features will include:
SuperCrew Four-Door Cab
Four-Wheel Drive
5.5-Foot Cargo Bed
Extended-Range Battery Option
Standard Ford Co-Pilot360 2.0 Technology (ADAS)
This will be an in-person event at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. In order to comply with state and local health guidelines, this event will require scheduled appointments. Due to high demand, all appointments will be time limited.
The September 2022 issue of SEMA News will highlight rising stars in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2022—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media or distribution—we would like to hear from you.
Many SEMA members are currently working with creative young entrepreneurs and professionals who are already industry trailblazers. They may have played key roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach, improve product development, energize marketing efforts or upgrade customer interaction.
They could also be budding talents at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that might become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed.
SEMA News looks for candidates drawn from diverse industry segments who are already making a significant impact through their leadership within their organizations or businesses. Entrepreneurship, commitment, insight, innovation, integrity, responsibility, demonstrated skill, involvement and success within the marketplace weigh heavily in the decision-making process.
We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.
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.
Shop Technician Northridge 4x4 is hiring a shop technicianresponsible for installing parts and accessories for Jeep customers using quality-control methods to ensure that all builds are complete before the Jeep leaves the shop. Additionally, this position maintains the cleanliness and safety of the shop while working under general direction, and are entrusted to have a high level of independent judgement. Candidates must have a high-school diploma or equivalent, two years’ minimum work-related experience or a combination of education and experience, hands-on mechanical expertise and motor conversion knowledge.
Territory Salesperson Bedrock Truck Beds is hiring a territory salespersonresponsible for generating and increasing sales of Bedrock Truck Beds and other manufactured products in the assigned region. The ideal candidate will have a lean business background and be focused on safety, quality, delivery, productivity and costs while simultaneously acquiring and maintaining an in-depth knowledge of products and services offered by company, and an in-depth knowledge of the industry, including the competitors in the truck-bed space. Candidates must have an undergraduate degree, more than three years’ experience in b2b sales experience and be currently established in the designated territory.
Counter/Phone Salesperson SoCal SuperTrucks is hiring a full-time customer service/sales associate responsible for walk-in, phone and eCommerce sales inquiries as well as outgoing calls and emails to current and potential wholesale clients. Knowledge of trucks, Jeeps and off-road vehicles is a must.
Showgoers booking through onPeak—the SEMA Show housing partner—receive guaranteed low rates on a wide range of hotel properties at locations on and off the Las Vegas Strip.
onPeak not only offers discounted nightly rates for SEMA Show participants, but also offers reduced resort fees so you can save even more on your stay.
onPeak not only offers discounted nightly rates for SEMA Show participants, but also offers reduced resort fees so you can save even more on your stay.
When making your hotel reservations through the SEMA Show Travel & Lodging page, you are receiving the most affordable and convenient hotel options through our partnership with onPeak—the only official hotel provider for the 2021 SEMA Show. All negotiated rates provided by onPeak include resort fees and will allow you to change or cancel your reservation without any financial penalties.
More information about the 2022 SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, is available on www.SEMAShow.com.
This wild Ford Bronco was built by Ford Performance from the OEM suppliers catalog.
The Ford Performance Bronco is a four-door Bronco built to the gills with exterior and mechanical upgrades galore. The Bronco appears to be somewhat of a tribute to early ’90’s Rough Rider’s Off-Road Racing Team. Its bright blue livery and branding is enough to attract attention, but the tall and wide stance makes it a real head turner.
Ford is expected to showcase the Bronco at upcoming events and auto shows.
Dave Cole Sells Ultra4, Retains King of the Hammers
King of the Hammers (KOH) co-founder Dave Cole has sold the Ultra4 Regional Series to Jason and Gayla Robinett, owners of MidAmerica Outdoors—a riding and racing park in Jay, Oklahoma. Cole will retain ownership of Hammerking Productions, which includes King of the Hammers, Ultra4 Europe and Great American Shortcourse.
“This is a transitional process as we separate assets and they take ownership of the Ultra4 brand and the Ultra4 Racing TV channel on Vimeo,” Cole stated in an open letter. “I am excited to see what the Robinett’s and their team can bring to the series. They have incredible plans for the future and have already built a world-class facility in Oklahoma.”
“KOH will always be the first race of the Ultra4 Series and KOH Racers will continue to qualify at Ultra4 Races. I am restructuring Hammerking Productions around King of the Hammers and a new project, UltraTours, that allows me to spend a lot more time wheeling,” Cole said.
PRI to Sponsor Three-Day Race Track Safety Program by ICMS
The International Council of Motorsport Sciences (ICMS), which hosts its Annual Congress at the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis each December, will host its Race Track Safety Program (RTSP) at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Brownsburg, Indiana, from March 31–April 2. Sessions for the event, which is supported by PRI, include certified medical and fire rescue, drag-racing track prep, and EV emergencies, plus an online didactic session and test. In addition to PRI, the event is also supported by AMR, ESI Equipment and Hazard Control Technologies. To purchase tickets, visit the event page. For more information, visit icmsmotorsportsafety.org.
SCE Gaskets Named Official Gaskets of NMRA/NMCA
“NMRA and NMCA are proud to have SCE Gaskets as the Official Gasket of both series,” said Steve Wolcott, co-founder and CEO of ProMedia Events & Publishing—the parent company of the NMRA Ford Nationals and NMCA Muscle Car Nationals. “Many of our series’ leading engine builders rely on SCE Gaskets for their extreme high performance and reliability, especially in high boost applications. SCE Gaskets is committed to working with our championship NMRA and NMCA racers and will have a big on-site presence during our 2022 events."
Now celebrating its 32nd year of “delivering horsepower,” SCE’s new 250-page catalog details the company’s gasket designs for every engine used by NMRA/NMCA racers.
Malco Automotive Named Primary Sponsor for Scott Heckert and BJMM’s No. 5 for the Pit Boss 250 at Circuit of the Americas
Malco Products Inc. and B.J. McLeod Motorsports (BJMM) have announced that Connecticut driver Scott Heckert will be behind the wheel of the stock car No. 5 Chevrolet this Saturday, March 26, for the NASCAR Xfinity series race, Pit Boss 250, at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Heckert’s primary sponsor for the race is Malco Automotive Products—the official detailing sponsor of B.J. McLeod Motorsports.
NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports Announce Le Mans Entry
NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports have announced their intention to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as the special Garage 56 entry in 2023. The entry will be a modified version of the Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 race car and is a collaboration of NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, IMSA and Goodyear. Further details, including technical elements of the car and the team’s driver lineup, will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit nascar.com or hendrickmotorsports.com.
Seattle-Based Faster Than Cancer Electric Dragster Racing Team Sets New World Speed Record
Team Carrell, Huff & Barger took the Faster Than Cancer electric dragster to Orlando Speed World Dragway with the intent to increase the electric speed record and become the fastest electric vehicle in the quarter-mile—a feat completed shortly at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15 (EDT).
Team Carrell, Huff & Barger became the world’s fastest electric vehicle in the quarter-mile, setting the record at 202.52 mph at Orlando Speed World Dragway during a private test session on March 15. This is an increase of the record originally set by Steve Huff in May 2020, when the electric dragster became the first to 200 mph in the quarter-mile beating out Don ‘Big Daddy’ Garlits to the record.
Huff designed and built the electric dragster starting in 2017 as part of the “Quest for 200 mph”. Shortly after accomplishing this goal of being the first to 200 mph in an electric drag car in the ¼-mile, Huff was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic upper tract urothelial cancer that had spread to his spine with a tumor bundle in his L3. Through cancer treatment and subsequent immunotherapy at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Fred Hutch Cancer Research and UW Medical Center, Huff continues to pursue his passion for racing with his Pro-Lite hydroplane, electric dragster and motorcycle racing teams. After appearing with Garlits on Fox Sports NHRA Gatornationals as a Pep Boys exhibition, Team Carrell, Huff & Barger took the Faster Than Cancer electric dragster to Orlando Speed World Dragway with the intent to increase the electric speed record and become the fastest electric vehicle in the quarter-mile—a feat completed shortly at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15 (EDT).
Quadratec Names Crown Automotive as First-Ever Vendor of the Year
Quadratec Inc. has named New England-based manufacturer Crown Automotive as its 2021 Vendor of the Year. Crown was chosen following an extensive search across Quadratec's entire vendor lineup, which features more than 500 of the Jeep aftermarket industry's biggest and most known manufacturers.
“Crown exemplifies what we expect from our vendors as a business partner as part of their everyday business practices,” said Quadratec Director of Category Management Phil Rees.
Crown Automotive fully embraced Quadratec’s customer-focused initiatives, provided a constant product supply to achieve superior order fill rates, fulfilled profitability expectations and assisted with numerous marketing efforts over Quadratec’s retail and wholesale sales channels.
“Crown supports our wholesale initiatives with competitive pricing, marketing support and jobber-based sales support,” said Quadratec Wholesale Manager Ray Weaver.
Meyer Distributing Announces Northwest Megahub
Meyer Distributing Inc. has announced the addition of its Hermiston, Oregon, megahub. The 170,000-sq.-ft. facility will be expandable in four phases to 728,000 sq. ft. The inventory hub will contain full coverage of automotive, RV and marine accessories and replacement parts as well as outdoor lifestyle, janitorial/sanitation and industrial products to all Northwest population centers in addition to Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton in Canada.
“The Northwest has always been a difficult market for us to reach,” says Cody Ziegler, director of sales for Meyer. “With this new inventory hub, we look forward to improving next day delivery service to Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and Utah. We appreciate customers that have supported us in the last few years as we’re newer to the region. This is an opportunity for Meyer to say thanks by reinvesting everything back into infrastructure that will in turn help these customers provide faster service, more reliable delivery, and more cost-effective products to those they serve.”
“Minimizing the impact of the mountains and I-84, especially in the winter, will be a huge help,” states Jeff Braun, CEO of Meyer. “Starting the inventory in the Northwest and combining that with 2-day service from both our Kingman and Denver hubs will dramatically improve service levels throughout the Northwest. We will go from around $10 million to $40 million of inventory in less than three years, so we’re definitely putting every dollar and then some back in to higher quality of service we’re more accustomed to providing in other parts of the country where we’re most established.”
MAHLE Motorsport has announced that its division, comprised of 125 employees, was able to achieve a five-year manufacturing record with zero lost-time accidents. This sought-after work safety achievement was met March 14, 2022—a full 1,827 total days since the last recordable injury, and was reported by Brad Green, MAHLE Motorsport’s general manager.
Monique Radersma
DENSO Engineer Wins STEP AHEAD Award
Monique Radersma, a former director of Engineering at DENSO’s thermal manufacturing facility in Guelph, Ontario, has won a STEP Ahead Award from The Manufacturing Institute. The STEP Ahead Awards annually honor women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory floor to the C-suite.
Radersma, who retired at the end of last year, began her career at DENSO in 2005. She soon took roles of increasing responsibility and was later promoted to director of Engineering. In this position, she developed a quality management system that helped secure business with a major North American automaker, generating millions in sales. Radersma also helped pioneer the Women in Engineering business resource group at DENSO’s Guelph location and developed programs to grow female team members’ skills.
Outside of work, Radersma continues to advocate for women in STEM, speaking at conferences, mentoring students and supporting education initiatives that encourage young women to explore the sciences.
Now entering its 10th year, the STEP Ahead Awards have celebrated and supported the accomplishments of more than 1,000 outstanding women in manufacturing. On April 28, The Manufacturing Institute—the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers—will recognize Radersma along with 130 other women at a gala event in Washington, D.C.
Atturo Tire Donates $10,000 to 'Keeping Families Covered'
To kick off 2022, Atturo Tire has committed to donating $10,000 to Keeping Families Covered, to help provide basic needs to families in the greater Lake County, Illinois, area. Keeping Families covered is based out of Waukegan, Illinois, and is located next door to Atturo Tires.
Atturo Leadership recently presented their donation to Keeping Families Covered as part of a combined charity event where Atturo Employees assisted in wrapping, packaging and preparing donations to be distributed at an upcoming diaper drive. Atturo has also committed to continue to support Keeping Families Coveredthrough 2022 as a Diamond sponsor of their new “Changing Table” Program.
Brass Knuckle Releases New Catalog
Brass Knuckle’s new catalog showcases gear that stands up to the biggest challenges while maintaining ultimate wearability and style.
Brass Knuckle hand, eye and ergo protection are hard-working tools that can help save a finger, increase productivity, reduce replacement costs and more.
The new catalog is packed with information about each product to make it easier to specify the right one for the task. Everything is covered, from the coatings and base fiber blends of gloves to lens coatings, gaskets, and comfort features of eyewear, and beyond.
Check out what’s new in the Brass Knuckle line, including the wave-making Vader Combo with its superior goggles and integral face shield that moves with the face, not a helmet! Also, a new lineup of great-looking BK-Anti-Fog glasses that feature the strictest anti-fog protection in the world, but still look sleek and fashionable.
R&R Marketing Partners With Klean Freak in Nationwide Promotions
Klean Freak has chosen R&R Marketing Consultants Inc. (RRMCI) to promote its products across North America.
“Not often does a product come along that has a potential sale to every human on the planet,” stated Chuck Lenhart, COO, RRMCI. “The R&R team is extremely excited to help tell the world just how great the Klean Freak personal body wipe product line is. The partnership between RRMCI and Klean Freak could not be better as we all work hard and play hard, and Klean Freak is there to make us look and smell as good as new.”
RANDYS Worldwide Announces New Employee Ownership Program
RANDYS Worldwide Automotive, the parent company of Yukon Gear & Axle, has announced the Team Ownership Program (TOP), designed to give its employees ownership in the company. All RANDYS full-time employees (after 30 days with the company) will receive a grant valued at $10,000. The grants only have cash value at a liquidity event; i.e., company sale or distribution payout. The award grant’s share value will be updated quarterly. Shares are not transferable or saleable and are valid only if the employee is on active status. For more information, visit randysworldwide.com.
Continental Retools REDI-Sensor Website to Deliver More Robust TPMS Training and Education
Continental has launched a redesigned website for its REDI-Sensor Multi-Application TPMS Sensor program. The new website at REDI-Sensor.com, features a wide range of TPMS training and educational resources for professional technicians and shops. It also introduces and showcases the next generation of REDI-Sensor TPMS sensors, which can replace more than 290 different OE sensors and provide coverage for more than 150 million VIO with only four sensors.
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.
To be included in the 2022 SEMA Show Priority Booth Space Selection Process, 
PRI to Sponsor Three-Day Race Track Safety Program by ICMS
Malco Automotive Named Primary Sponsor for Scott Heckert and BJMM’s No. 5 for the Pit Boss 250 at Circuit of the Americas
Brass Knuckle Releases New Catalog
R&R Marketing Partners With Klean Freak in Nationwide Promotions