Kansas has introduced a SEMA-supported resolution (H.R. 6018) reaffirming the state’s commitment to consumer choice and vehicles powered by internal combustion engines.
As other states have begun to ban the sales of new gas- and diesel-powered vehicles starting in 2035, Kansas is declaring freedom from narrow and burdensome energy policies that limit existing, proven technologies. SEMA believes that Kansas residents, not the government, should decide what vehicles are best for them and their families. The resolution awaits consideration by the House.
SEMA encourages its members and enthusiasts in Kansas to contact their lawmakers in support of HR 6018.
For more information, please contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.
The California Senate Environmental Quality Committee unanimously passed SEMA-sponsored legislation (SB 301) to create a financial rebate program for converting gas- and diesel-powered motor vehicles into zero-emissions-vehicles (ZEVs). Authored by California Senator Anthony Portantino, the legislation will allow California to support small businesses and maintain its rich car culture, while assisting consumers that want to convert their vehicles to cleaner engines.
SEMA is sponsoring the legislation, embracing the innovation of the auto industry as it works to make ZEV ownership more accessible following a similar bill introduced last year that passed in the Assembly with zero opposition.
California has multiple programs, including the Clean Vehicle Rebate Program (CVRP) and the Clean Cars for All Program, to promote the purchase of new ZEVs. However, none of these programs assist with ZEV conversions of gas-powered vehicles that started their life with an internal-combustion engine.
SEMA encourages its members and enthusiasts in California to contact their lawmakers in support of SB 301.
For more information, please contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.
The September 2023 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, 2023—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.
The SEMA Show is the ultimate destination for the world’s foremost automotive aftermarket buyers, media and influencers to connect and get business done. Located at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Show sprawls across millions of square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibit space, creating numerous brand presentation opportunities.
Rig Spaces at the SEMA Show are considered sponsorship opportunities. They are available in high-traffic, outside locations. To qualify for any sponsorship at the SEMA Show, a company must first be a qualified exhibitor. Not an exhibitor yet? Reserve your booth here.
The process works as follows:
Rig Space sponsors from the 2022 SEMA Show have first right of refusal for their space and must contract for this space by April 3 to keep it.
SEMA sales will then work with interested exhibitors on the remaining inventory based on the following:
2022 Rig Space sponsors who wish to relocate their Rig Space will have first choice.
The remaining available spaces will be sold with priority based on SEMA Show seniority points.
Cost for a Rig Space is $20,000 for those utilizing the space for a trailer/rig only. Cost to use the space with build-out, including trussing, is $25,000. These exclusive opportunities include additional marketing opportunities designed to help boost ROI, including:
Full-page ad(s) in the October and November editions of SEMA News.
SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) members are invited to a mixer at Jeep Beach Week in Daytona, Florida, Wednesday, April 26, 2023, from 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. (EDT).
Taking place on the third level of the Daytona International Speedway, the mixer is the ideal event for members in the truck and off-road space to learn about what the council is working on. Attendees will engage in fun conversations, discuss new truck and off-road and industry trends and find out what volunteer opportunities are available in the industry.
If you’re a business in the truck and off-road market, register for the mixer now to discover the many benefits that TORA has to offer. TORA select committee leaders will be on site to answer questions.
In conjunction with the SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN), the Southern California Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) is staging an event at both SEMA Garages to connect its students with businesses in the industry.
Taking place March 25 at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, and April 29 at the SEMA Garage in Detroit, the ETTN/SAE Career Fair will include more than 100 university students. Both events take place 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (local time). SEMA-member companies are invited to participate and meet with future automotive engineers at the events.
Participating businesses will have an opportunity to share their expertise with university students who are part of Formula and Baja SAE competition teams, help them explore career opportunities and inspire them in their career paths.
This is a great chance to connect face-to-face with potential candidates, put your company name out in the industry and network with other aftermarket businesses and industry professionals.
Register your company at the SEMA Garage, Diamond Bar, California.
Register your company at the SEMA Garage, Detroit.
SEMA members attending Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, are invited to join the SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) for a trail ride and mixer, Thursday, April 6.
Participants will meet at 9:00 a.m. (MDT) and be educated on proper land use before proceeding on a scenic drive through one of Moab’s backcountry trails. Moab routes offer exciting obstacles and beautiful scenery, while the program includes a stop for lunch in the great outdoors, and will conclude at around 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. (MDT).
Members will reconnect Thursday evening from 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. (MDT) at Grandpa’s Garage for a TORA Mixer hosted in conjunction with the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN). This will be a great time strengthen and build new relationships and share stories from the trail ride earlier in the day.
Manufacturers of automotive restoration products are invited to promote their products to more than 100,000 car enthusiasts who will gather at Spring Carlisle—one of the world’s largest and most prominent consumer collector car events.
Free product exposure. The Showcase is an exclusive no-cost opportunity for ARMO members to display and promote their products to a worldwide audience. Not an ARMO member? Sign up here.
Exposure to 100,000+ consumers. With thousands of automotive hobbyists and restoration enthusiasts on-site, the prime positioning of the Showcase tent gives products superb exposure.
Chance to win a New Product Award. Consumers will vote for their favorite new products inside the Showcase tent. New product award winners are recognized at the SEMA Show in November.
It’s worry free! Your product is set-up by ARMO staff. Simply ship your product with a return label, or drop off the product on-site and ARMO takes care of the rest.
Submit up to four products. Display, not one, not two, but up to four of your hottest and most sought-after restoration products.
Register your products here or contact ARMO Director Marcy Yanus at marcy@sema.org with your questions.
SEMA members who are interested in supporting industry youth by volunteering as a SEMA scholarship judge have until tomorrow, March 24, to submit their applications.
More than 450 applications have been received for the 2023–2024 SEMA Scholarship Program. The program issues funds to students and recent graduates who aspire to lead the industry. Volunteers are needed to assist with reviewing applications and selecting winners.
Becoming a SEMA scholarship judge is a fantastic volunteer opportunity to give back to the industry and connect to the next generation of up-and-coming automotive talent. The entire evaluation process is online and easy to use. There is great flexibility and a variety of time commitment options, so volunteers can create a schedule that works best for them.
Ford has chosen John Dion to join the company as chief transformation officer, effective April 3, reporting to Ford CEO Jim Farley. Dion will oversee global deployment of methodologies and tools based on lean manufacturing and related concepts, capabilities that are central to realizing the value-creation and growth potential of the company’s Ford+ plan.
Dion has extensive background in successful large-company implementations of lean systems and teaching those approaches to others. He’s held management and P&L positions in disciplines spanning research and development, operations, customer satisfaction and loyalty, and business acquisitions and integrations.
Dion comes from ESAB Corp., a Maryland-based company involved in fabrication and specialty gas-control technology, where he most recently was vice president, business excellence. ESAB has roots that reach back to Sweden nearly 120 years ago, but was spun off in 2022 as an independent, publicly traded company. Dion led its industrial and cultural remaking.
He was with Danaher Corp. for 24 years until 2021, holding progressive leadership roles at six of its operating companies and Danaher Life Sciences. Dion led the integrations and transitions of several Danaher acquisitions, including the two largest: the $13 billion purchase of Pall Corp. and $21 billion acquisition of GE BioPharma, subsequently renamed Cytiva.
In those and other positions, Dion directed application of kaizen-based, lean manufacturing and transactional systems that prioritized exceptional people and plans and repeatable processes, leading to superior execution and performance.
Meyer Distributing Inc. has announced the addition of its Hanover, Maryland, crossdock. The crossdock will have a direct feed from Meyer’s Pennsylvania distribution hub, which houses one of the largest inventories of automotive accessories, crash parts, and RV parts in the region.
“We are investing heavily in the Northeast as our focal point for 2023,” stated Jeff Braun, Meyer CEO. “We have increased our Northeast warehousing footprint from 180,000 to 425,000 sq. ft. in the past four months with plans to add substantially more soon. We will be opening a host of new sites to significantly improve delivery service, and we’re looking forward to getting all these improvements in place and settled in.”
Meyer Distributing has numerous strategically positioned warehousing facilities and serves thousands of customers nationwide via Meyer Logistics direct ship.
New Heise Connect App Goes Live for Smart Devices
Heise LED by Metra Electronics has designed an all-new Heise Connect app that is now available for download on smartphones and tablets. The app allows users to remotely control Heise LED automotive lighting accessories from the palm of their hand. This app works cohesively with all Heise LED lighting, which will now be known as the Heise Connect Universe (HCU) of products. An intuitive user interface automatically connects via Bluetooth and detects the type of control box connected to the app; RGB, RGBW or Chasing. Groups of all products can be used and controlled within the same mobile app, including three new Heise Connect controllers that debuted at the SEMA Show: the HE-RGB-CB, HE-RGBW-CB and HE-CHASE-CB.
App features include a selectable color wheel, which lets users choose from 16 million RGB color options, and a true white light color option is available with RGBW products. Users can also select from 24 pre-programmed patterns for RGB and RGBW and 170+ pre-programmed moving patterns for Chasing. A DIY pattern option can be chosen for Chasing products that allows for selecting up to 16 colors and three motion effects. The app also features independent left and right turn signal triggers, a brake trigger and a music sync function.
More information about the Heise Connect app and the Heise Connect Universe is available at HeiseLED.com.
Universal Technical Institute Announces Purchase of Primary Buildings at Orlando Campus
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) has announced the purchase of the three buildings it fully occupies at its Orlando, Florida, campus, which offers technician training programs in automotive, diesel, motorcycle and marine. In February 2022, UTI completed the consolidation of its UTI-Orlando and MMI-Orlando campuses into the current location, which includes the three buildings being purchased and subleased space in a fourth building.
The purchase of the buildings, which total 154,300 sq. ft., as well as the 20 acres of associated land, was sold for $26 million and will be funded from cash on hand, which includes funds from the company's November 2022 revolving credit facility draw. The expected annual adjusted EBITDA benefit is approximately $2 million and after-tax cash savings are approximately $500 thousand.
The campus, which opened in 2004, has more than 1,300 students currently and offers the company’s core automotive and diesel programs, along with the motorcycle and marine technician training programs with Harley-Davidson, BMW, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Mercury Marine and Volvo. The campus also has several auto and diesel Manufacturer Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) programs, including Ford, BMW and Daimler Trucks.
Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA News. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.
Kansas has introduced a SEMA-supported resolution (H.R. 6018) reaffirming the state’s commitment to consumer choice and vehicles powered by internal combustion engines.
