COVID-19 has changed the face of how all businesses operate. Many companies have adapted to new ways of doing business and the changing environment.
SEMA members are invited to learn business hacks for entrepreneurs and startup companies during a Facebook live chat on August 20, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT). Andrew Johnson, head of product at AutoAnything, will share lessons he’s learned over the years. He has had experience as product marketer for Apple, was founder of a technology startup Wheelwell, and is now head of product for AutoAnything, where he oversees the company’s portfolio of six ecommerce properties.
Johnson is also a consultant for digital product development for Porsche Digital and a number of early-stage companies in various industries. During this live chat, attendees will tap into his expertise as he discusses useful online business tools, startup fundraising and where he sees the future of small businesses and technology going in the next one to five years.
Cybersecurity threats have always been important concerns for businesses. This is especially true as the pandemic redefined how organizations operated—with employees working remotely and utilizing their own devices.
During a live webinar on August 31, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT), aftermarket executives and decision makers will learn everything they need to make educated cybersecurity decisions. Even if not tech savvy, participants will learn how to reduce the threat of hacking and ransoming, discover how to identify key vulnerabilities within their organization and leave with the knowledge necessary to develop strategies and techniques for mitigating security threats.
Targeted specifically to owners and leaders of automotive aftermarket retailers, manufacturers and WDs, this webinar will feature business and cybersecurity experts sharing key strategies on how to reopen businesses without opening doors to disaster.
Learn more and register here for “Preventing Ransomware in the Automotive Aftermarket: What SEMA Retailers, Manufacturers and WDs Can Do to Mitigate Threats.”
Exclusive for SEMA Show 2021 participants, Las Vegas hotels are offering unbeatable nightly rates—but only when you book through the SEMA Show hotel block on www.SEMAShow.com.
SEMA Show management has compared rates against other online travel sites and found that you can save an average of 30% each night on the best available retail rates, and you can still accrue hotel loyalty rewards points.
Hotels That Save You $100 Per Night or More
ARIA
Bellagio
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MGM Grand
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The Palazzo at The Venetian
The Signature at MGM Grand
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
Vdara
Wynn
Hotels That Save You 50% Per Night or More
Bellagio
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Excalibur
Luxor
The Signature at MGM Grand
Vdara
Wynn
Anticipation for the SEMA Show is high. People are eager to reconnect with friends, network with new contacts, get back down to business, and be inspired at the world's leading celebration of product ingenuity, vehicle-performance innovations and the passion for automobiles.
The SEMA Show takes place November 2–5, in Las Vegas. Book your hotel through the SEMA Show hotel block at www.SEMAShow.com.
The press can access the latest exhibitor releases via the Online
Media Center.
Exhibitors are gearing up for the SEMA Show and are sharing their latest announcements. Below are some of the latest exhibitor announcements from the SEMA Show Online Media Center:
Whether it’s a driver, industry icon, TV personality or famous vehicle,
featuring a familiar face or iconic vehicle in your booth provides
buyers with an identifiable, visual connection of the company's target
market.
SEMA Show exhibitors planning to host a special appearance in their booth must submit the Celebrity Appearance Notification form by September 1 to be featured in the SEMA Show’s printed material. Whether it’s a driver, industry icon, TV personality or famous vehicle, featuring a familiar face or iconic vehicle in your booth provides buyers with an identifiable, visual connection of the company’s target market.
Complete the Celebrity Appearance Notification form to have your special attraction publicized with your company name and Show booth number. The information will be included in the Official 2021 SEMA Show Directory and the SEMA Show Daily.
Exhibitors can learn how to get the most out of their 2021 SEMA Show, as well as additional options to reach buyers, by contacting an account rep at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.
Information about the 2021 SEMA Show is available on www.SEMAShow.com.
Click here for a complete listing of 2021 SEMA Show deadlines.
The Young Guns division makes it possible for builders 27
years of age or younger to compete alongside industry
veterans in the SEMA Battle of the Builders.
SEMA Battle of the Builders continues the tradition of encouraging young, upcoming builders with the return of the Young Guns division.
The Young Guns division makes it possible for builders 27 years of age or younger to compete alongside industry veterans in the SEMA Battle of the Builders—a competition that recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of SEMA Show vehicle builders.
SEMA Battle of the Builders is an exclusive and elite competition open only to builders with vehicles at the SEMA Show.
Builders who are 27 years of age or younger may compete, even if they do not currently have a vehicle scheduled to be on display at the SEMA Show.
Through partnerships with regional events, young builders can compete for a “Golden Ticket” prize package that includes transportation and accommodations to the 2021 SEMA Show for the winning builder and their vehicle. This year, the SEMA Young Guns Regional Qualifiers will be held exclusively online with three events: Eastern States Virtual Corral on August 14, Midwest States Virtual Corral on August 21, and Western States Virtual Corral on August 28.
The Virtual Corrals will be held via Zoom with judging handled by professional builders from the pro division categories of Battle of the Builders. Young Builders will have 10 minutes to pitch their skills and highlight their current build. One winner from each virtual corral will be awarded a Golden Ticket to SEMA.
For more information on Battle of the Builders Young Guns or to apply for a Virtual Corral, visit www.semayoungguns.com.
Entering at least one product in the New Products Showcase puts
your latest products in front of thousands of qualified buyers from
every segment of the specialty-equipment industry.
New for this year, the New Products Showcase will be located in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Upper South Hall in booth #31255. In addition, buyers and media can now use the Show app on their mobile device to scan and save products and provide step-by-step directions to the exhibitors that submitted each product.
Exhibiting at the SEMA Show and entering at least one product in the New Products Showcase puts your latest products in front of thousands of qualified buyers from every segment of the specialty-equipment industry. The best part: the first product you enter is free!
Entry Fees:
The first product entered in one category in the New Products Showcase is FREE!
Additional $75 per product category before October 8.
After October 8, the cost is $150 per entry.
No refunds provided after October 8.
Entries submitted on-site will be accepted on a space availability basis.
The 2021 SEMA Show will be held November 2–5 in Las Vegas.
The 2021 SEMA Show is about 12 weeks away. Here’s a rundown of key deadlines, including early-bird and advance rates available for several booth services, as well as checklists to keep you on track and on budget.
The Deadlines Checklist provides a breakdown of all of the deadlines for booth orders, rentals, booth vehicle applications, celebrity appearance notifications and much more.
The budget checklist form allows you to keep track of all your costs and ensures that you are adequately prepared for your experience at the SEMA Show.
Warn Industries announced the acquisition of substantially all
of the business and assets of Fab Fours Inc., a leading
manufacturer of fabricated mounting solutions for trucks and
Jeeps.
Warn Industries Acquires Fab Fours
Warn Industries announced the acquisition of substantially all of the business and assets of Fab Fours Inc., a leading manufacturer of fabricated mounting solutions for trucks and jeeps.
Fab Fours’ product offering includes various metal-fabricated truck and Jeep bumper and accessory options. The company was founded in 2004 and is known for its vision, innovation, and willingness to take risks by developing polarizing concept.
Kyle Shiminski, vice president and general manager of Warn Industries, stated, “With last year’s acquisition of Factor 55, the recent acquisition of Fabtech, and now Fab Fours, Warn continues its strategy of aligning around premium brands while focusing on operational excellence. We are humbled by our customers’ loyalty and dedication to each of our brands and we are proud to continue our focus on designing and manufacturing in the United States. We have such a talented team that collaboratively works to enhance our offerings across each of our brands. We have long admired the Fab Fours brand and the growth and recognition that Greg and his team have achieved. We are excited to welcome Greg and the entire Fab Fours team to the Warn family.”
Fab Fours will operate as a division of Warn Industries. Fab Fours’ products are designed, tested, and manufactured in South Carolina. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Greg Higgs, owner and CEO of Fab Fours Inc., commented, “We are truly excited to bring Fab Fours into the Warn family. We have built a loyal customer base around great products and now we can combine them with Warn’s offerings. Our products complement each other and our talented resources across the businesses do as well. Aligning our businesses will help us all grow stronger together, and we look forward to introducing innovative new products to our customer base.”
2021 AACF Bob Schoeberl Memorial Golf Tournament to be Held November 1
The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) has announced that the annual AACF Bob Schoeberl Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at Spanish Trail Country Club in Las Vegas, Monday, November 1, at 6:30 a.m. An industry cocktail reception will be held Sunday, October 31, at 5:30 p.m. Participants have the opportunity to win prizes, including golf clubs, balls and gloves, $500 Bridgestone/Firestone gift cards, an all-expense paid trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (sponsored by Acel LLC) and more. Full information about the tournament is available on AACF’s website.
Lou Lobsinger
Torqued Distribution Hires Lou Lobsinger as Head of Sales and Marketing
Torqued Distribution has announced Lou Lobsinger as the company’s new head of sales and marketing. he joins the Torqued team with more than 20 years of automotive experience in marketing, sales and product development as the former national sales manager at Specialty Auto Parts USA/PROFORM and as co-founder of Detroit Muscle Apparel Inc. He will be responsible for the global sales and marketing teams, team leadership, driving revenue across all channels, contributing to product and vendor selection and general management responsibilities.
LSI Chemical Announces Indonesian Distributor
LSI Chemical has announced the addition of PT Papasari to the company’s growing roster of international distributors of both LSI Chemical and Hot Shot’s Secret products. PT Papasari, headquartered in Cakung, East Jakarta, and with offices and distribution facilities in Pontianak, West Kalimantan and Pegangsaan, North Jakarta, recently signed to market and distribute the full line of LSI Chemical fuel and oil additives, as well as Hot Shot’s Secret fuel and oil additives and specialty oils for aftermarket retail. Ivan Prasodjo will be the main contact at PT Papasari for sales of both LSI Chemical and Hot Shot’s Secret products.
The Wharton Automotive Group Acquires Silver Sport Transmissions
The Wharton Automotive Group has acquired Silver Sport Transmissions. Consisting of McLeod Racing and FTI Performance, The Wharton Automotive Group is owned by NHRA Nitro Funny Car driver and businessman Paul Lee, who closed the deal on Silver Sport Transmissions (SST) July 30. Lee continues to grow this sector of the driveline market. In 2019, Lee purchased FTI Performance, and now continues to grow his business strategy with the acquisition of Silver Sport Transmissions, which will continue to operate in its Rockford, Tennessee location.
Micah Anderson
Micah Anderson Joins Power Automedia as Editor Of Off Road Xtreme
Power Automedia has hired Micah Anderson as editor of the digital automotive title Off Road Xtreme. Anderson is a 20-year authority in the off-road industry with extensive experience founded on marketing, events and racing. Prior to joining Power Automedia, Anderson was a co-founding partner for the grassroots off-road action festival The Jump Champs. Embedded with the founders, Anderson was critically involved in all aspects from planning to promotions, and operations to business development. Alongside his work with the Jump Champs, Anderson worked extensively in the automotive aftermarket space as a photographer and brand manager. Before that, he had worked in off-road desert and short-course racing motorsports.
Radflo Suspension Technology Inc. Relocates to Larger Facility
Radflo Suspension Technology Inc., manufacturer of high-performance off-road and OE replacement shocks, is moving to a new, larger facility. According to the company, it is more than doubling its footprint to accommodate the increased demand from its customers. Effective immediately, Radflo’s new address is: 10840 Talbert Ave., Fountain Valley, CA 92708.
Bridgestone’s 68,000-sq.-ft. expansion aims to meet the
demand for the company’s air springs products driven by the
growing electric vehicle (EV) sector.
Bridgestone Breaks Ground on $51 Million Expansion of Air Springs Plant
Bridgestone Americas has broken ground on a $51 million expansion of its Firestone Industrial Products’ (FSIP) air springs production facility in Williamsburg, Kentucky. According to Bridgestone, the 68,000-sq.-ft. expansion aims to meet the demand for the company’s air springs products driven by the growing electric vehicle (EV) sector. The expansion, expected to be completed by December 2022, will add 250 new jobs, a nearly 50% increase from the more than 500 employees working today at the facility.
Williamsburg Plant employees and Bridgestone leadership were joined in the celebration by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, US Congressman Hal Rogers, State Senator Robert Stivers, State Representative Regina Huff, Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr., and Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison.
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.
The Stratasys Mobile Showroom is making a stop at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, Friday, August 27, between 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., to meet with our technical experts about the benefits of additive manufacturing.
Attendees will get a first-hand look at the new Origin One and F770 printers as well as the J55, F370 and Makerbot series, along with dozens of interesting sample parts. After visiting the truck, grab some refreshments and catch a tour of the SEMA Garage.
This is a free event and it is open to all SEMA members.
Cybersecurity threats have always been important concerns for businesses. This is especially true as the pandemic redefined how organizations operated—with employees working remotely and utilizing their own devices.
Exclusive for SEMA Show 2021 participants, Las Vegas hotels are offering unbeatable nightly rates—but only when you book through the SEMA Show hotel block on 
