By Richard Hail

The latest episode features the beginnings of the Ringbrothers ’72 K5 Blazer that will be entered into the 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

The latest episode of "SEMA Battle of the Builders: Ready for Battle with AJ," brings us to Spring Green, Wisconsin, where Jim and Mike Ring, co-founders of Ringbrothers have established their world-renowned shop. Adrienne “AJ” Janic, co-host of Overhaulin’ and SEMA Battle of the Builders, gets up close and personal with the 2019 Battle of the Builders winners.

Of the two builds they’re bringing to SEMA 2020, you’ll see the beginnings of a ’72 K5 Blazer that will be entered into the Battle of the Builders competition in addition to some more classics that will get your blood pumping. And you don’t want to miss out on the friendly rivalry that the Ring brothers have with Phil and Jeremy at the Roadster Shop.

Over the past decade, Ringbrothers have won numerous awards from GM, Goodguys, Mothers, and more for their custom builds. They also produce an entire line of high-quality billet accessories as well as custom fiberglass and carbon fiber pieces. In between builds, their one-stop-shop also provides collision and repair services for their local community.

Visit the SEMA Show YouTube Channel for more videos and builder interviews, and be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss future episodes leading up to the 2020 SEMA Show. For more details about the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, visit www.semabotb.com.

By Richard Hail

The latest episode features the beginnings of the Ringbrothers ’72 K5 Blazer that will be entered into the 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

The latest episode of "SEMA Battle of the Builders: Ready for Battle with AJ," brings us to Spring Green, Wisconsin, where Jim and Mike Ring, co-founders of Ringbrothers have established their world-renowned shop. Adrienne “AJ” Janic, co-host of Overhaulin’ and SEMA Battle of the Builders, gets up close and personal with the 2019 Battle of the Builders winners.

Of the two builds they’re bringing to SEMA 2020, you’ll see the beginnings of a ’72 K5 Blazer that will be entered into the Battle of the Builders competition in addition to some more classics that will get your blood pumping. And you don’t want to miss out on the friendly rivalry that the Ring brothers have with Phil and Jeremy at the Roadster Shop.

Over the past decade, Ringbrothers have won numerous awards from GM, Goodguys, Mothers, and more for their custom builds. They also produce an entire line of high-quality billet accessories as well as custom fiberglass and carbon fiber pieces. In between builds, their one-stop-shop also provides collision and repair services for their local community.

Visit the SEMA Show YouTube Channel for more videos and builder interviews, and be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss future episodes leading up to the 2020 SEMA Show. For more details about the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, visit www.semabotb.com.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The New Mexico Motorsports Coalition (NMMC)—a group comprised of racing facilities across New Mexico—has submitted a SEMA-supported plan to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that would allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Under Governor Lujan Grisham’s current reopening plan, New Mexicans must travel to neighboring states in order to enjoy racing.

For more information and to contact New Mexico’s leaders in support of NMMC’s proposal, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

The Performance Racing Industry has compiled an up-to-date listing of motorsports’ status in each state.

Discover whether racing venues in your area are ready to drop the green flag.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The New Mexico Motorsports Coalition (NMMC)—a group comprised of racing facilities across New Mexico—has submitted a SEMA-supported plan to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that would allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Under Governor Lujan Grisham’s current reopening plan, New Mexicans must travel to neighboring states in order to enjoy racing.

For more information and to contact New Mexico’s leaders in support of NMMC’s proposal, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

The Performance Racing Industry has compiled an up-to-date listing of motorsports’ status in each state.

Discover whether racing venues in your area are ready to drop the green flag.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The New Mexico Motorsports Coalition (NMMC)—a group comprised of racing facilities across New Mexico—has submitted a SEMA-supported plan to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that would allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Under Governor Lujan Grisham’s current reopening plan, New Mexicans must travel to neighboring states in order to enjoy racing.

For more information and to contact New Mexico’s leaders in support of NMMC’s proposal, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

The Performance Racing Industry has compiled an up-to-date listing of motorsports’ status in each state.

Discover whether racing venues in your area are ready to drop the green flag.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The New Mexico Motorsports Coalition (NMMC)—a group comprised of racing facilities across New Mexico—has submitted a SEMA-supported plan to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that would allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Under Governor Lujan Grisham’s current reopening plan, New Mexicans must travel to neighboring states in order to enjoy racing.

For more information and to contact New Mexico’s leaders in support of NMMC’s proposal, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

The Performance Racing Industry has compiled an up-to-date listing of motorsports’ status in each state.

Discover whether racing venues in your area are ready to drop the green flag.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By Kyle Cheng

From May 20–29, SEMA conducted a survey of more than 1,800 professionals within the specialty-equipment industry. Despite the disruptions over the past few months, manufacturers, distributors and retailers continue to maintain a positive outlook on the situation, and expect business to pick up now that restrictions are easing.

While the beginning of April saw 17% of manufacturers, distributors and retailers reporting “mostly business as usual,” that jumped to more than 30% by the end of May. Nearly 90% currently say they are “mostly business as usual” or “impacted short-term, but will get through it.”

Our industry utilizes a number of different channels to sell products. Retailers predominantly sell in-store, while manufacturers and distributors sell mostly through wholesale. Many manufacturers also use their company website for direct sales.

Over the last few months, sales across the industry have been impacted. Because of stay-in-place restrictions, in-person transactions were limited. Consequently, our industry has seen some uptick in online sales. As restrictions ease, however, customers are likely return to shopping in-store and in-person.

Overall, the industry is fairly optimistic about sales for the rest of the year. More than half of all manufacturers, distributors and retailers think their Q4 sales will be better or at least the same as last year.

Many companies expect to recover quickly and finish the year strong. By the end of 2020, 45% of manufacturers, 39% of distributors and 42% of retailers expect their sales to end up being better than or similar to their 2019 sales.

By Kyle Cheng

From May 20–29, SEMA conducted a survey of more than 1,800 professionals within the specialty-equipment industry. Despite the disruptions over the past few months, manufacturers, distributors and retailers continue to maintain a positive outlook on the situation, and expect business to pick up now that restrictions are easing.

While the beginning of April saw 17% of manufacturers, distributors and retailers reporting “mostly business as usual,” that jumped to more than 30% by the end of May. Nearly 90% currently say they are “mostly business as usual” or “impacted short-term, but will get through it.”

Our industry utilizes a number of different channels to sell products. Retailers predominantly sell in-store, while manufacturers and distributors sell mostly through wholesale. Many manufacturers also use their company website for direct sales.

Over the last few months, sales across the industry have been impacted. Because of stay-in-place restrictions, in-person transactions were limited. Consequently, our industry has seen some uptick in online sales. As restrictions ease, however, customers are likely return to shopping in-store and in-person.

Overall, the industry is fairly optimistic about sales for the rest of the year. More than half of all manufacturers, distributors and retailers think their Q4 sales will be better or at least the same as last year.

Many companies expect to recover quickly and finish the year strong. By the end of 2020, 45% of manufacturers, 39% of distributors and 42% of retailers expect their sales to end up being better than or similar to their 2019 sales.

By Kyle Cheng

From May 20–29, SEMA conducted a survey of more than 1,800 professionals within the specialty-equipment industry. Despite the disruptions over the past few months, manufacturers, distributors and retailers continue to maintain a positive outlook on the situation, and expect business to pick up now that restrictions are easing.

While the beginning of April saw 17% of manufacturers, distributors and retailers reporting “mostly business as usual,” that jumped to more than 30% by the end of May. Nearly 90% currently say they are “mostly business as usual” or “impacted short-term, but will get through it.”

Our industry utilizes a number of different channels to sell products. Retailers predominantly sell in-store, while manufacturers and distributors sell mostly through wholesale. Many manufacturers also use their company website for direct sales.

Over the last few months, sales across the industry have been impacted. Because of stay-in-place restrictions, in-person transactions were limited. Consequently, our industry has seen some uptick in online sales. As restrictions ease, however, customers are likely return to shopping in-store and in-person.

Overall, the industry is fairly optimistic about sales for the rest of the year. More than half of all manufacturers, distributors and retailers think their Q4 sales will be better or at least the same as last year.

Many companies expect to recover quickly and finish the year strong. By the end of 2020, 45% of manufacturers, 39% of distributors and 42% of retailers expect their sales to end up being better than or similar to their 2019 sales.

By SEMA Editors

The annual SEMA Installation Gala is the mid-year gathering and annual celebration of the specialty-equipment industry. The event features recognition of incoming and outgoing board members as well as the induction of new Hall of Fame honorees.

In light of uncertainty due to social distancing restrictions in California, this year’s event has been moved to Las Vegas, where recognition ceremonies and an industry reception will be held the evening of Tuesday, August 25th, immediately following the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit.  SEMA is working closely with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and local health officials to insure that association events are compliant with the latest health and safety protocols.

Established in 1969, the SEMA Hall of Fame is the industry’s highest honor, celebrating individuals’ dedication, service and devotion to their businesses and the industry. This year’s SEMA Hall of Fame inductees include Richard Barsamian, (Advanced Clutch Technology Inc.), Jack Chisenhall (Vintage Air Inc.), John Gaines (G&M Performance Parts), and Joe St. Lawrence (RTM Studios).

“Future generations of our industry stand on the shoulders of those who have pioneered the road before them,” said SEMA president and CEO Chris Kersting. “The SEMA Installation Gala is a unique opportunity to honor legends who are part of the Hall of Fame, as well as thank our volunteer leadership for guiding the association.”

SEMA will live stream the awards and recognition in order to make the celebration more accessible to the entire industry. For additional information, contact Jamie Eriksen at JamieE@sema.org.