Compiled by SEMA Editors

Hunter Engineering Company has been awarded the Women in Auto Care 2016 Automotive Communication Award in both the Magazine Article category and the Merchandising category.

Hunter Engineering Wins 2016 Automotive Communication Award

Hunter Engineering Company has been awarded the Women in Auto Care 2016 Automotive Communication Award in both the Magazine Article category and the Merchandising category. The Automotive Communication Award for Magazine Article featured Tire Review’s coverage of Hunter Engineering’s real-world applications of the “Shop of the Future” concept, designed to improve customer satisfaction and boost the service provider’s bottom line. The Automotive Communication Award for Merchandising featured Hunter’s Road Force Counter Display, which assists counter personnel in explaining properly balanced wheels and vehicle vibration. The Automotive Communication Awards are sponsored by Women in Auto Care: A Global Community and supported by the Automotive Communication Council (ACC). The awards recognize companies and agencies that provide automotive information to consumers and the trade professionals who interact with them on a daily basis.

Ed Zinke

Ed Zinke Joins Power Automedia as National Sales Manager

Power Automedia has hired Ed Zinke to lead its sales team as the company’s national sales manager. He will oversee business development and sales leadership for all digital automotive media products, including display advertising, video, SpeedVideo live broadcasts and sponsorships. He will work alongside Power Automedia’s Vice President Jason Snyder. Zinke brings a rich background in the automotive aftermarket, having begun his career in retail sales and marketing before moving into product development and brand marketing at manufacturing firms. He then transitioned to automotive media, contributing nearly 15 years of publishing experience to such brands as Car Craft, Popular Hot Rodding, and Super Chevy. Zinke also led the team responsible for the creation of new brands, including Camaro NOW and Elapsed Times. In addition, he helped lead the efforts on special events that included the Engine Masters Challenge, Suspension & Handling Challenge and Project American Heroes builds with TEN: The Enthusiast Network. Zinke joins Power Automedia directly from his most recent endeavors in broadcast and OTA television with Rev’n TV.

The Award of Distinction was presented to Gerald Wicklund of CARSTAR Wicklunds Collision in Liberty, Missouri.

The Body Shop Image Award, presented to CARSTAR Macon in Georgia.

(L-R) Chuck Sulkala, NABC Executive Director, Kathy Mello, TGIF Body Inc., Elizabeth Clark, NABC VP of Industry Involvement and Marie Peevy, Chair, NABC Awards.

National Auto Body Council Awards Recognize Individuals Who Exemplify Professionalism and Integrity of Collision Industry

Three industry professionals whose exemplary efforts and actions in 2016 best illustrate the vision and mission of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) were recognized recently at the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas with the organization’s Award of Distinction, Body Shop Image Award, and Excellence in Community Service. The goal of the NABC awards is to recognize auto body shops and individuals who exemplify the professionalism and integrity of the collision industry. 

The Award of Distinction, presented to Gerald Wicklund of CARSTAR Wicklunds Collision in Liberty, Missouri, celebrates selfless acts by collision industry professionals who benefit others in their communities. Wickland has spent his entire life in the collision repair industry, and dedicated much of his time giving back to both the industry and his community. For the past 10 years, he has hosted an annual Military Appreciation Celebration.

The Body Shop Image Award, presented to CARSTAR Macon in Georgia highlights facilities that have had a beneficial impact on their communities through building and design improvements. In May, CARSTAR Macon moved into a new state-of-the-art facility and rebranded its business. Formerly known as CARSTAR Preferred Collision, shop owner Walter Lee upgraded from an 8,500-sq.-ft. facility to a modern 23,000-sq.-ft. building that showcases the sophistication of today’s body shops. 

The Excellence in Community Service Award, presented to Kathy Mello of TGIF Body Inc., in Fremont, California, recognizes outstanding charitable efforts and volunteerism. Mello’s past and current volunteerism includes mentoring at-risk youth and disabled adults at Kainos Home Training Center and Bridges Intervention Services, serving on the boards of the Alameda County Work Investment as a volunteer in one of the business seats and the Regional Occupational Centers in Mission Valley, Eden & Alameda College. Her volunteerism extends to the collision repair industry, serving on the Boards of WIN, the California Autobody Association, East Bay Chapter of the California Autobody Association and as a founding member of the Assured Performance Co-op Board.

Air Lift Company Honored as One of the Top 100 Workplaces in Michigan by the Detroit Free Press

Air Lift Company has been selected as one of the 100 best places to work in the Midwest by the Detroit Free Press in a special edition of the newspaper on Sunday, November 20. The list features companies of all sizes from Michigan and the Midwest region, including New York, Illinois and other surrounding states. The companies recognized on the list were selected by WorkplaceDynamics LLC—a research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement through the results of an employee survey. This survey measured important aspects of each company, including leadership practices and managerial skills, inside communication, potential career growth, the work environment and overall pay and benefits satisfaction.

Air Lift Company was an early SEMA manufacturer-member, and embraced the two-step, warehouse distribution system as a means to efficiently get its products to the consumer enthusiast. Today, Air Lift operates from a state-of-the-art facility in Lansing, which houses computer-based engineering, research and development and data-driven product quality control, in addition to manufacturing, assembly and shipping. This is Air Lift Company’s first time being included on the Detroit Free Press Top 100 Workplaces list. 

Baer Brakes has compiled a top 10 list of the best builds from the 2016 SEMA Show featuring its products.

Baer Announces Its Top 10 SEMA Show Stoppers

Baer Brakes has announced its choices for the Top 10 awards given out to vehicles/builders that featured Baer Brakes from the 2016 SEMA Show:

• Danny Popp – OUSCI 1st Place Winner
• Detroit Speed, ’41 Willy’s – SEMA BOTB Top 3
• U3/Sung Kang/Shell, ’72 Ford Maverick – Ford Design Award
• Ringbrothers, ’69 Camaro – SEMA Battle of the Builders Top 10
• Roadster Shop, Inferno ’69 Camaro – Mother’s Shine Award Top 10
• Ringbrothers, ’69 Camaro and GAP Racing, ’71 Camaro – Chevrolet Design Award
• Goolsby Customs, ’69 Mustang – BASF Best Paint Award
• SpeedKore, ’17 Mustang GT Fastback – Ford Best of Show
• Roadster Shop, Vapor ’65 Mustang – Ford Design Award, Special Recognition
• PCHRods, 50/Fifty Camaro – Golden Ticket Invite to Optima Invitational

Baer also recognized Tjin Edition and the WD-40 ’67 Chevy Camaro located in the WD-40 Garage at the SEMA Show. The Camaro will be auctioned in 2017 to benefit Childhelp—an organization that provides services to abused and neglected children—and the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to students entering the automotive aftermarket.

RIGID Industries Debuts Three-Award Winning Products at the 2016 SEMA Show

During the 2016 SEMA Show, three new RIGID products were awarded for their quality, innovation and appeal by members of the media and industry experts. The RIGID Chase—a multi-function LED light specifically designed for side-by-sides and other powersports applications—won a New Product Award for Best New Powersports Product. Diesel Tech magazine recognized the RIGID Adapt and honored it with one of its Show Stopper Awards. The Adapt is a light bar that can automatically adjust to changing conditions, gradually transforming from a broad flood beam to a highly focused spot beam according to vehicle speed. During the Global Media Awards, Editor Perry Mack of 4WDrive Magazine Canada recognized the new RIGID Dually Side Shooter for off-road applications.

Westin Automotive Accepts Vendor Of The Year Award From RealTruck.com

Realtruck.com has announced its yearly SEMA Vendor Award winners. Westin Automotive was a finalist in 2015 and 2016 for the “Data Geek Award,” and was the recipient of the “Vendor of the Year Award” for 2016. The 2016 Vendor Award winners are:

• Rookie of the Year: DECKED
• Customer Service: Covercraft
• Data Geek: Curt
• Vendor of the Year: Westin

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.

This is a mule for the upcoming ’18 RAM 1500 in Mega Cab format with a new tailgate. Interestingly though, it looks quite different from the leaked dealer images seen all over the web.

FCA is working overtime to get the next-generation RAM out, predicting a big sales bump for truck-hungry consumers. It will come to market with further innovations and refinements that have helped the current truck stand out.

The wheelbase on this model gives a preview into a vastly roomier model, and therefore, more space inside for passengers and cargo. Chrysler is expected to upgrade the interior, especially on popular top-tier models, with the latest UConnect systems and other technologies previewed in the ’17 Pacifica minivan.

The new RAM should also have an innovative split tailgate as an option, based on the new tailgate seen here.

Expect to see the RAM 1500 as early as fall 2017, going on sale in early 2018.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is a mule for the upcoming ’18 RAM 1500 in Mega Cab format with a new tailgate. Interestingly though, it looks quite different from the leaked dealer images seen all over the web.

FCA is working overtime to get the next-generation RAM out, predicting a big sales bump for truck-hungry consumers. It will come to market with further innovations and refinements that have helped the current truck stand out.

The wheelbase on this model gives a preview into a vastly roomier model, and therefore, more space inside for passengers and cargo. Chrysler is expected to upgrade the interior, especially on popular top-tier models, with the latest UConnect systems and other technologies previewed in the ’17 Pacifica minivan.

The new RAM should also have an innovative split tailgate as an option, based on the new tailgate seen here.

Expect to see the RAM 1500 as early as fall 2017, going on sale in early 2018.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is a mule for the upcoming ’18 RAM 1500 in Mega Cab format with a new tailgate. Interestingly though, it looks quite different from the leaked dealer images seen all over the web.

FCA is working overtime to get the next-generation RAM out, predicting a big sales bump for truck-hungry consumers. It will come to market with further innovations and refinements that have helped the current truck stand out.

The wheelbase on this model gives a preview into a vastly roomier model, and therefore, more space inside for passengers and cargo. Chrysler is expected to upgrade the interior, especially on popular top-tier models, with the latest UConnect systems and other technologies previewed in the ’17 Pacifica minivan.

The new RAM should also have an innovative split tailgate as an option, based on the new tailgate seen here.

Expect to see the RAM 1500 as early as fall 2017, going on sale in early 2018.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is a mule for the upcoming ’18 RAM 1500 in Mega Cab format with a new tailgate. Interestingly though, it looks quite different from the leaked dealer images seen all over the web.

FCA is working overtime to get the next-generation RAM out, predicting a big sales bump for truck-hungry consumers. It will come to market with further innovations and refinements that have helped the current truck stand out.

The wheelbase on this model gives a preview into a vastly roomier model, and therefore, more space inside for passengers and cargo. Chrysler is expected to upgrade the interior, especially on popular top-tier models, with the latest UConnect systems and other technologies previewed in the ’17 Pacifica minivan.

The new RAM should also have an innovative split tailgate as an option, based on the new tailgate seen here.

Expect to see the RAM 1500 as early as fall 2017, going on sale in early 2018.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is a mule for the upcoming ’18 RAM 1500 in Mega Cab format with a new tailgate. Interestingly though, it looks quite different from the leaked dealer images seen all over the web.

FCA is working overtime to get the next-generation RAM out, predicting a big sales bump for truck-hungry consumers. It will come to market with further innovations and refinements that have helped the current truck stand out.

The wheelbase on this model gives a preview into a vastly roomier model, and therefore, more space inside for passengers and cargo. Chrysler is expected to upgrade the interior, especially on popular top-tier models, with the latest UConnect systems and other technologies previewed in the ’17 Pacifica minivan.

The new RAM should also have an innovative split tailgate as an option, based on the new tailgate seen here.

Expect to see the RAM 1500 as early as fall 2017, going on sale in early 2018.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is a mule for the upcoming ’18 RAM 1500 in Mega Cab format with a new tailgate. Interestingly though, it looks quite different from the leaked dealer images seen all over the web.

FCA is working overtime to get the next-generation RAM out, predicting a big sales bump for truck-hungry consumers. It will come to market with further innovations and refinements that have helped the current truck stand out.

The wheelbase on this model gives a preview into a vastly roomier model, and therefore, more space inside for passengers and cargo. Chrysler is expected to upgrade the interior, especially on popular top-tier models, with the latest UConnect systems and other technologies previewed in the ’17 Pacifica minivan.

The new RAM should also have an innovative split tailgate as an option, based on the new tailgate seen here.

Expect to see the RAM 1500 as early as fall 2017, going on sale in early 2018.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is a mule for the upcoming ’18 RAM 1500 in Mega Cab format with a new tailgate. Interestingly though, it looks quite different from the leaked dealer images seen all over the web.

FCA is working overtime to get the next-generation RAM out, predicting a big sales bump for truck-hungry consumers. It will come to market with further innovations and refinements that have helped the current truck stand out.

The wheelbase on this model gives a preview into a vastly roomier model, and therefore, more space inside for passengers and cargo. Chrysler is expected to upgrade the interior, especially on popular top-tier models, with the latest UConnect systems and other technologies previewed in the ’17 Pacifica minivan.

The new RAM should also have an innovative split tailgate as an option, based on the new tailgate seen here.

Expect to see the RAM 1500 as early as fall 2017, going on sale in early 2018.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

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 classifieds posted to the website.

CAD Designer/Engineer: Artec Industries is hiring a CAD designer/engineer to manage the company’s R&D department. The successful candidate must have 2–3+ years of daily Solidworks experience and off-road parts design and CNC machining experience.

Automotive Leather Upholsterer: Rau Automotive Woodwork is hiring an automotive leather upholsterer with experience working on steering wheels. This position will require restitching leather on customized steering wheels, changing the stitching and re-leathering an entire wheel and/or performing other modifications.

National Sales Manager: E&G Corp. is hiring a national sales manager with a demonstrated ability to establish business in new and diverse sales channels and develop a sales and distribution plan on a national scale. The successful candidate will have 2 to 3 years of demonstrated experience using strategic approaches to business; an analytical aptitude toward production, P&L reviews and basic financial aspects of business; and experience in delivering professional business presentations. Travel is necessary to develop customer relationships and provide in-person support to distributors.

Off-Road Mechanic/Installer: LGE*CTS Motorsports is hiring an off-road mechanic/installer to properly install replacement parts on customer vehicles, remove and reinstall damaged and repaired vehicle components, and store and reinstall all parts and fasteners removed during component/part removal. The successful candidate must have a high school diploma, experience in installing automotive parts, a valid driver's license and safe driving record, and a mechanical aptitude with knowledge of bodywork, frame damage and minor mechanical repairs.

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, trucks or wheels and tires—there’s a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit MPMC’s website.

The Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) is gearing up to host four industry events at the PRI Trade Show in December. MPMC is dedicated to the growth and prosperity of motorsports parts manufacturers by providing meaningful solutions to industry-specific issues and challenges. All MPMC members as well as prospective members are encouraged to attend the events during the PRI Trade Show.

MPMC General Membership Meeting

A general membership meeting will be held Wednesday, December 7, from 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m, at the Indiana Convention Center in room 243 to update MPMC members on the most current and ongoing council initiatives. The meeting will serve as a great opportunity to meet the select committee and learn how to become more involved. The event will feature a presentation entitled “Marketing in 2016 and Beyond: It’s Different, But Here’s How to Succeed,” by Brian Lohnes of Bangshift.com, and Zan Martin and Jeff Lee from Martin & Company Advertising. From this open discussion, attendees will take away tools for maximizing exposure for their companies.

Sanctioning Body Discussion

Issues, challenges and opportunities between motorsports manufacturers and sanctioning bodies will be addressed at an open discussion between manufacturers and a panel of representatives from several motorsports sanctioning bodies. This valuable discussion will take place Thursday, December 8, from 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m., at the Indiana Convention Center in room 242. Scheduled to participate are representatives from ARCA, NASCAR, ProMedia (NMCA/NMRA) and Formula Drift. This session is open to manufacturers only.

Preparing a Sponsorship Proposal

When motorsports companies begin their strategic marketing forecasts for the year, event sponsorships are a large factor. Companies may ask themselves: “Which events should we be part of? What opportunities should we jump on? How do we negotiate maximum exposure within our budget?” In a session to take place Friday, December 9, from 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m., in the Indiana Convention Center in room 242, Alex Striler, director of sales and marketing for Team Lucas, will help attendees navigate these tough questions. Striler is also the author of Motorsports Marketing and Sponsorships and X Play Nation of Action Sports.

Over the Road Rules for Motorsports Haulers Part 3

MPMC continues its interactive discussion on laws that affect racers and manufacturers alike for the third year in a row. Not a rehash of previous seminars, this 2016 edition will pick up where last year’s session ended. There are numerous state and federal regulations that apply to the operation of anyone hauling a race car to or from an event in order to distinguish between a hobby or a taxable, fee-paying business. Guest speakers will share their extensive experience navigating the myriad regulations of hauling race cars and equipment. This popular discussion takes place Friday, December 9, from 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m., at the Indiana Convention Center in room 242.

Hall of Fame Industry Reception

Join MPMC as it honors and immortalizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the motorsports industry through their life’s work by inducting them into the MPMC Hall of Fame—the most prestigious award the council presents. The reception serves as a wonderful opportunity to close out the PRI Show with an evening of networking with industry friends and colleagues. Enjoy hot hors d’oeuvres and drinks while mingling with the MPMC select committee and this year’s Hall of Fame inductees. The reception will take place Friday, December 9, from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., at the Indiana Convention Center in rooms 208 and 209.

Register now for these events.

If you have any questions regarding these events or MPMC, contact Director of Councils Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690 or jimsk@sema.org.

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