Thu, 08/27/2015 - 10:15

By Jon Wyly

semasearch
Utilizing a custom-built, user-friendly interface, SEMA Search allows product lookups by vehicle, engine, brand, product category or keyword.

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) has launched its online search tool powered by SDC data, featuring more than 270 product brands and more than 2.5 million parts. The powerful online catalog is designed to be a one-stop reference source for sales people in both wholesale and retail environments, as well as being a product detail resource for purchasing departments across the industry. Utilizing a custom-built, user-friendly interface, SEMA Search allows product lookups by vehicle, engine, brand, product category or keyword.

“SEMA Search not only provides a great reference for products in the SEMA marketplace, but it also provides a real-world look at the quality of supplier data sets,” noted Craig Schmutzler, SDC's director of customer support. “As we continue to work with suppliers to improve their data through our data-quality score-carding process, they can see the improvement in a very visual way as soon as the data is loaded.”

The SDC is currently working with more than 410 supplier brands and more are being added every week, making the SDC the largest readily accessible repository of product data in the industry.

“We really have come a long way in a very short time,” said Jon Wyly, SDC CEO, “and we look forward to continued success through the hard work and great service of our team. Nowhere else in the industry can a supplier get the quality tools, technical help and control in data management like they can in the SDC. We are all about enabling suppliers to have complete ownership and control of their data, in the most affordable manner possible.”

The SEMA Search tool is open to all sales and support people in the SEMA marketplace by simply logging on to www.SEMASearch.com and signing up for free login credentials. An easy-to-use feedback button allows anyone to quickly and easily report site issues, suggestions or errors that will go immediately to the SDC development team for evaluation.

The SEMA Data Co-op is an industry-owned and -operated project designed to bring full product data management capabilities to participating suppliers at the lowest possible cost. Features include a secure, industry-standards-based centralized data repository, extensive on-boarding tools, expert live training and technical assistance, and unlimited standard or fully customized data exports. To learn more about the program, visit www.SemaDataCoop.org or contact Jim Graven at JimG@SemaDataCoop.org or call 888-958-6698 ext. 4.

Thu, 08/27/2015 - 10:15

By Jon Wyly

semasearch
Utilizing a custom-built, user-friendly interface, SEMA Search allows product lookups by vehicle, engine, brand, product category or keyword.

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) has launched its online search tool powered by SDC data, featuring more than 270 product brands and more than 2.5 million parts. The powerful online catalog is designed to be a one-stop reference source for sales people in both wholesale and retail environments, as well as being a product detail resource for purchasing departments across the industry. Utilizing a custom-built, user-friendly interface, SEMA Search allows product lookups by vehicle, engine, brand, product category or keyword.

“SEMA Search not only provides a great reference for products in the SEMA marketplace, but it also provides a real-world look at the quality of supplier data sets,” noted Craig Schmutzler, SDC's director of customer support. “As we continue to work with suppliers to improve their data through our data-quality score-carding process, they can see the improvement in a very visual way as soon as the data is loaded.”

The SDC is currently working with more than 410 supplier brands and more are being added every week, making the SDC the largest readily accessible repository of product data in the industry.

“We really have come a long way in a very short time,” said Jon Wyly, SDC CEO, “and we look forward to continued success through the hard work and great service of our team. Nowhere else in the industry can a supplier get the quality tools, technical help and control in data management like they can in the SDC. We are all about enabling suppliers to have complete ownership and control of their data, in the most affordable manner possible.”

The SEMA Search tool is open to all sales and support people in the SEMA marketplace by simply logging on to www.SEMASearch.com and signing up for free login credentials. An easy-to-use feedback button allows anyone to quickly and easily report site issues, suggestions or errors that will go immediately to the SDC development team for evaluation.

The SEMA Data Co-op is an industry-owned and -operated project designed to bring full product data management capabilities to participating suppliers at the lowest possible cost. Features include a secure, industry-standards-based centralized data repository, extensive on-boarding tools, expert live training and technical assistance, and unlimited standard or fully customized data exports. To learn more about the program, visit www.SemaDataCoop.org or contact Jim Graven at JimG@SemaDataCoop.org or call 888-958-6698 ext. 4.

Thu, 08/27/2015 - 10:15

By Jon Wyly

semasearch
Utilizing a custom-built, user-friendly interface, SEMA Search allows product lookups by vehicle, engine, brand, product category or keyword.

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) has launched its online search tool powered by SDC data, featuring more than 270 product brands and more than 2.5 million parts. The powerful online catalog is designed to be a one-stop reference source for sales people in both wholesale and retail environments, as well as being a product detail resource for purchasing departments across the industry. Utilizing a custom-built, user-friendly interface, SEMA Search allows product lookups by vehicle, engine, brand, product category or keyword.

“SEMA Search not only provides a great reference for products in the SEMA marketplace, but it also provides a real-world look at the quality of supplier data sets,” noted Craig Schmutzler, SDC's director of customer support. “As we continue to work with suppliers to improve their data through our data-quality score-carding process, they can see the improvement in a very visual way as soon as the data is loaded.”

The SDC is currently working with more than 410 supplier brands and more are being added every week, making the SDC the largest readily accessible repository of product data in the industry.

“We really have come a long way in a very short time,” said Jon Wyly, SDC CEO, “and we look forward to continued success through the hard work and great service of our team. Nowhere else in the industry can a supplier get the quality tools, technical help and control in data management like they can in the SDC. We are all about enabling suppliers to have complete ownership and control of their data, in the most affordable manner possible.”

The SEMA Search tool is open to all sales and support people in the SEMA marketplace by simply logging on to www.SEMASearch.com and signing up for free login credentials. An easy-to-use feedback button allows anyone to quickly and easily report site issues, suggestions or errors that will go immediately to the SDC development team for evaluation.

The SEMA Data Co-op is an industry-owned and -operated project designed to bring full product data management capabilities to participating suppliers at the lowest possible cost. Features include a secure, industry-standards-based centralized data repository, extensive on-boarding tools, expert live training and technical assistance, and unlimited standard or fully customized data exports. To learn more about the program, visit www.SemaDataCoop.org or contact Jim Graven at JimG@SemaDataCoop.org or call 888-958-6698 ext. 4.

Thu, 08/27/2015 - 10:11

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to amend the California law governing “Made in U.S.A.” labeling has been passed by the state legislature and sent to Governor Brown for his signature and enactment into law. California prohibits labeling a product as “Made in U.S.A.” unless the product and its subcomponents have been manufactured in the United States. 

The California standard has been interpreted as more onerous than the federal standard, which requires products labeled “Made in U.S.A.” to be “all or virtually all” made in the United States, without reference to subcomponents. The bill seeks to close the gap by allowing the “Made in U.S.A.” label to be used on products sold in California if the product is made in the United States and all its subcomponents that are sourced from outside the United States constitute no more than 5% of the final value of the manufactured product. 

Manufacturers of products made in the United States using subcomponents sourced from outside the United States may also use the “Made in U.S.A.” label on products sold in California if the subcomponents cannot be obtained in the United States and all subcomponents sourced from outside the United States make up no more than 10% of the final wholesale value of the manufactured product. 

For more information, contact Ashley Ailsworth at ashleya@sema.org.

Thu, 08/27/2015 - 10:11

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to amend the California law governing “Made in U.S.A.” labeling has been passed by the state legislature and sent to Governor Brown for his signature and enactment into law. California prohibits labeling a product as “Made in U.S.A.” unless the product and its subcomponents have been manufactured in the United States. 

The California standard has been interpreted as more onerous than the federal standard, which requires products labeled “Made in U.S.A.” to be “all or virtually all” made in the United States, without reference to subcomponents. The bill seeks to close the gap by allowing the “Made in U.S.A.” label to be used on products sold in California if the product is made in the United States and all its subcomponents that are sourced from outside the United States constitute no more than 5% of the final value of the manufactured product. 

Manufacturers of products made in the United States using subcomponents sourced from outside the United States may also use the “Made in U.S.A.” label on products sold in California if the subcomponents cannot be obtained in the United States and all subcomponents sourced from outside the United States make up no more than 10% of the final wholesale value of the manufactured product. 

For more information, contact Ashley Ailsworth at ashleya@sema.org.

Thu, 08/27/2015 - 10:11

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to amend the California law governing “Made in U.S.A.” labeling has been passed by the state legislature and sent to Governor Brown for his signature and enactment into law. California prohibits labeling a product as “Made in U.S.A.” unless the product and its subcomponents have been manufactured in the United States. 

The California standard has been interpreted as more onerous than the federal standard, which requires products labeled “Made in U.S.A.” to be “all or virtually all” made in the United States, without reference to subcomponents. The bill seeks to close the gap by allowing the “Made in U.S.A.” label to be used on products sold in California if the product is made in the United States and all its subcomponents that are sourced from outside the United States constitute no more than 5% of the final value of the manufactured product. 

Manufacturers of products made in the United States using subcomponents sourced from outside the United States may also use the “Made in U.S.A.” label on products sold in California if the subcomponents cannot be obtained in the United States and all subcomponents sourced from outside the United States make up no more than 10% of the final wholesale value of the manufactured product. 

For more information, contact Ashley Ailsworth at ashleya@sema.org.

Thu, 08/27/2015 - 10:07

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Responding to comments submitted by SEMA to a proposed motor-vehicle equipment rule, the Washington State Patrol opted to retain the current maximum bumper height for passenger vehicles and the minimum height requirement for windshields.

SEMA had opposed efforts by the agency to modify the regulations by lowering the maximum bumper height requirement for passenger vehicles from 22 in. to 20 in. The association also opposed a change to the current regulations that would remove the 6-in. minimum height requirement for windshields and replace it with a vague, subjective standard. SEMA contended that with regard to incompatible bumper heights, regulations more stringent than the current standard in Washington would not solve this difference among vehicles in the national vehicle fleet. Vehicles of vastly differing bumper heights—from sports cars to stock pickups, to tractor trailers and school busses—come off the assembly lines each year. 

The proposal also required that windshields “be of sufficient dimensions to protect the driver and occupants from insects, other airborne objects and highway surface water and debris when the motor vehicle is moving forward, or as originally equipped by a recognized manufacturer.” This proposed change removed an objective requirement that the vertical height of the windshield be at least 6 in. and replaced it with language that relied on the subjective interpretation of the individual inspector or law-enforcement authority, rendering the vehicle owner without clear direction as to lawful modifications. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Thu, 08/27/2015 - 10:07

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Responding to comments submitted by SEMA to a proposed motor-vehicle equipment rule, the Washington State Patrol opted to retain the current maximum bumper height for passenger vehicles and the minimum height requirement for windshields.

SEMA had opposed efforts by the agency to modify the regulations by lowering the maximum bumper height requirement for passenger vehicles from 22 in. to 20 in. The association also opposed a change to the current regulations that would remove the 6-in. minimum height requirement for windshields and replace it with a vague, subjective standard. SEMA contended that with regard to incompatible bumper heights, regulations more stringent than the current standard in Washington would not solve this difference among vehicles in the national vehicle fleet. Vehicles of vastly differing bumper heights—from sports cars to stock pickups, to tractor trailers and school busses—come off the assembly lines each year. 

The proposal also required that windshields “be of sufficient dimensions to protect the driver and occupants from insects, other airborne objects and highway surface water and debris when the motor vehicle is moving forward, or as originally equipped by a recognized manufacturer.” This proposed change removed an objective requirement that the vertical height of the windshield be at least 6 in. and replaced it with language that relied on the subjective interpretation of the individual inspector or law-enforcement authority, rendering the vehicle owner without clear direction as to lawful modifications. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Thu, 08/27/2015 - 10:07

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Responding to comments submitted by SEMA to a proposed motor-vehicle equipment rule, the Washington State Patrol opted to retain the current maximum bumper height for passenger vehicles and the minimum height requirement for windshields.

SEMA had opposed efforts by the agency to modify the regulations by lowering the maximum bumper height requirement for passenger vehicles from 22 in. to 20 in. The association also opposed a change to the current regulations that would remove the 6-in. minimum height requirement for windshields and replace it with a vague, subjective standard. SEMA contended that with regard to incompatible bumper heights, regulations more stringent than the current standard in Washington would not solve this difference among vehicles in the national vehicle fleet. Vehicles of vastly differing bumper heights—from sports cars to stock pickups, to tractor trailers and school busses—come off the assembly lines each year. 

The proposal also required that windshields “be of sufficient dimensions to protect the driver and occupants from insects, other airborne objects and highway surface water and debris when the motor vehicle is moving forward, or as originally equipped by a recognized manufacturer.” This proposed change removed an objective requirement that the vertical height of the windshield be at least 6 in. and replaced it with language that relied on the subjective interpretation of the individual inspector or law-enforcement authority, rendering the vehicle owner without clear direction as to lawful modifications. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Thu, 08/27/2015 - 09:12

By Clayton Drescher

  councils
Anyone interested in contributing to the strategic goals of SEMA may consider serving as an elected select committee volunteer of a council or network.
  
For more than 50 years, SEMA has been a volunteer-focused organization. In fact, the association would not have been founded were it not for the volunteer efforts of leaders in the automotive aftermarket banding together to both protect and promote their common interests. In the early ’60s, before SEMA itself even existed, many of the founding companies we all know and recognize joined forces to clarify specifications for performance parts and negotiate brand licensing for toys and models.

That volunteering tradition continues through SEMA’s 10 councils and networks that represent nearly every niche present in our industry. Over the years, members have created a variety of valuable benefits and tools for their peers to use to strengthen their businesses, hone their skills and grow their knowledge base. These benefits and programs exist because passionate industry professionals stepped up, volunteered and got things done.

Volunteering for a SEMA council or network does not mean you have to take on the equivalent of a second job. You can engage by volunteering a few hours at SEMA Show events, contributing to open membership meetings or working on a short-term task force. Anyone interested in contributing to the strategic goals of SEMA may consider serving as an elected select committee volunteer of a council or network.

An online resource has been created to introduce potential volunteers to the work the various groups are doing. You can learn more about each of the 10 groups through an easy-to-understand summary. Veteran SEMA volunteers share their experiences in a series of interviews that describe the value they see in giving back to the industry—and how they’ve benefitted personally and professionally from their volunteer work.

The leadership of SEMA’s councils and networks are inviting you to get more involved, to give back and to contribute to the future of your industry. For more information on the councils and network and to fill out a volunteer profile that will help you find a way to get engaged, visit www.SEMA.org/councils.