SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

SEMA Hall of Famer Chip Foose and 3M have formed an expanded multi-year partnership.

3M Expands Partnership With Automotive Designer Chip Foose

3M has announced an expanded multi-year partnership with Chip Foose to not only include 3M’s Automotive Aftermarket Division Collision and Repair branches, but also expanding to include products from 3M’s Commercial Solutions Division and Auto Care Business Unit. Through this partnership, Foose will represent and promote a variety of 3M’s automotive repair and maintenance products along with 3M Window Film solutions. The expanded agreement, which began in January 2017, includes joint programs and initiatives with all three divisions including promotions, media outreach and appearances by Foose with 3M customers worldwide. Foose will also continue to support 3M’s joint community and philanthropic events through United Way, Hire Our Heroes Program and others.

Wes-Coast Marketing Inc. to Represent Truck Covers USA Inc., Weigh-Safe

Wes-Coast Marketing Inc. has announced that it has been selected to represent Truck Covers USA Inc. in 13 Western states. Based in San Diego, Truck Covers USA Inc. has manufactured retractable hard tonneau covers and truck bed racks for the past 10 years. In addition, Weigh-Safe—winner of a SEMA Show New Products Award in the Best New Tools and Equipment category—has announced that Wes-Coast Marketing Inc. will represent its line of towing safety products in 13 Western states. Weigh-Safe is a designer and manufacturer of towing hitches, which incorporate a built-in scale that measures tongue weight—a safety feature unique to the hitch market—and a full line of drop hitch receivers.    

Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) strives to introduce kids to an opportunity to showcase workmanship and the awareness of complex mechanisms in a contest that will be featured and hosted as a part of the HROT JR Dragster Series and the Midwest Junior Super Series at nine events all across the central United States in 2017.

Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Junior Engine Challenge a Hit

In order to help fuel the passion for racing and performance, Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) strives to introduce kids to an opportunity to showcase workmanship and the awareness of complex mechanisms in a contest that will be featured and hosted as a part of the HROT JR Dragster Series and the Midwest Junior Super Series at nine events all across the central United States in 2017. The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Junior Engine Challenge presented by Racequip kicked-off February 25–26 at the Race and Performance (RP) Expo in Schaumburg, Illinois. In this contest, a team comprised of two individuals, in which one team member must be between 5–18 years of age, must completely disassemble/reassemble a complete single cylinder OHV engine utilizing only basic hand tools. Contest goals include helping individuals develop communication skills and increasing self-esteem. The contest is designed to help youngsters develop problem-solving skills and an understanding of an internal combustion engine. The next event will be featured as part of the Piston Power show in Cleveland, March 18–19. Students will demo and be trained on the single-cylinder engine. The official kick-off for the 2017 season will be at Gateway Motorsport Park April 7–9, in Madison, Illinois. For more information, view the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Junior Drag Racing schedule.

Chris Baer

VIPAR Heavy Duty Completes Succession Plan; Baer Named CEO

VIPAR Heavy Duty chairman Bill Nolan has announced that the organization has completed its leadership succession plan with the board of directors naming Chris Baer as its new CEO, effective immediately. Baer adds the CEO duties to his responsibilities as president of VIPAR Heavy Duty, a position he assumed in late October 2016. Baer succeeds Steve Crowley, who retained his role as CEO during a transition period. After serving more than 16 years as the organization’s president and CEO, Crowley has now officially retired. In January, Baer introduced a new management structure and new leadership roles to help the company achieve its aggressive growth goals. Before joining VIPAR Heavy Duty in 2002, Baer was with Chicago Rawhide/SKF for 17 years in a variety of sales management roles, including his last role as director of automotive sales. Baer has served as a member of the AWDA Young Executive Society (YES) committee and earned the Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) designation from the University of the Aftermarket. He is a 2014 recipient of the Northwood University Automotive Aftermarket Management Education award, and currently serves on the board for NEXUS North America LLC as vice president.

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.

By Amelia Zwecher

Connecting the automotive specialty-equipment industry with top talent is the Career Center’s primary focus.

The SEMA Career Center’s primary focus is to help automotive specialty-equipment business owners build relationships with higher-education institutions to help funnel top talent into the industry. Automotive aftermarket employers are encouraged to connect with academic institutions to obtain fresh new talent. This week’s spotlight is on Rio Hondo College, located in Whittier, California.

Rio Hondo College recently launched a Bachelor’s of Science degree program in automotive technology. The program was designed to prepare an individual for a wide variety of technology-based careers within the transportation industry sector. This innovative career designation means that the overall knowledge and skills attained by students within the program center on persistent enhancement in post-production support within today’s high-tech automotive technology environment (after-sales automotive technical service and business management and support).

There are two tracks under this program: “Technical Studies” and “Business & Marketing.”

Courses include:

• The Global Development and Advancement of the Automobile
• Principles of Automotive Service Management
• Digital Marketing for the Automotive Industry
• Analyzing Vehicle Fuels, Lubricants and Combustion

Evening courses are available. To learn more about the program, call 562-908-3460, or email CTEDivision@riohondo.edu. For more information, view the college’s flyer.

For assistance with scheduling recruitment and outreach events at higher education institutions nationally, contact Amelia F. Zwecher, PhD, PHR, SEMA manager of career services, at ameliaz@sema.org.

By Amelia Zwecher

Connecting the automotive specialty-equipment industry with top talent is the Career Center’s primary focus.

The SEMA Career Center’s primary focus is to help automotive specialty-equipment business owners build relationships with higher-education institutions to help funnel top talent into the industry. Automotive aftermarket employers are encouraged to connect with academic institutions to obtain fresh new talent. This week’s spotlight is on Rio Hondo College, located in Whittier, California.

Rio Hondo College recently launched a Bachelor’s of Science degree program in automotive technology. The program was designed to prepare an individual for a wide variety of technology-based careers within the transportation industry sector. This innovative career designation means that the overall knowledge and skills attained by students within the program center on persistent enhancement in post-production support within today’s high-tech automotive technology environment (after-sales automotive technical service and business management and support).

There are two tracks under this program: “Technical Studies” and “Business & Marketing.”

Courses include:

• The Global Development and Advancement of the Automobile
• Principles of Automotive Service Management
• Digital Marketing for the Automotive Industry
• Analyzing Vehicle Fuels, Lubricants and Combustion

Evening courses are available. To learn more about the program, call 562-908-3460, or email CTEDivision@riohondo.edu. For more information, view the college’s flyer.

For assistance with scheduling recruitment and outreach events at higher education institutions nationally, contact Amelia F. Zwecher, PhD, PHR, SEMA manager of career services, at ameliaz@sema.org.

By Becca Butler

On the SEMA Battle of the Builders TV special that airs this weekend on the Velocity Network, Chip Foose pays a visit to two of the Young Guns builders who represent the up-and-coming generation of vehicle artisans.

Renowned car builder Chip Foose makes a special guest appearance on SEMA Battle of the Builders—a one-hour TV special that airs this Sunday, March 12, on the Velocity Network. The program takes viewers behind the scenes of the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition as industry experts RJ DeVera, Fred Williams and David Freiburger narrow down the more than 250 entries to an elite 10. The top builders then vote among themselves to determine the winner, which is announced in front of thousands at SEMA Ignited.

Foose pays a visit to two of the Young Guns builders who represent the up-and-coming generation of vehicle artisans. Watch their one-of-a-kind builds and find out how the competition culminates this Sunday, March 12, at 6:00 p.m. (EDT)/3:00 p.m. (PDT) on the Velocity Network.

For more information on SEMA Battle of the Builders and how you can take part in the competition, visit www.SEMAShow.com/botb.

By Becca Butler

On the SEMA Battle of the Builders TV special that airs this weekend on the Velocity Network, Chip Foose pays a visit to two of the Young Guns builders who represent the up-and-coming generation of vehicle artisans.

Renowned car builder Chip Foose makes a special guest appearance on SEMA Battle of the Builders—a one-hour TV special that airs this Sunday, March 12, on the Velocity Network. The program takes viewers behind the scenes of the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition as industry experts RJ DeVera, Fred Williams and David Freiburger narrow down the more than 250 entries to an elite 10. The top builders then vote among themselves to determine the winner, which is announced in front of thousands at SEMA Ignited.

Foose pays a visit to two of the Young Guns builders who represent the up-and-coming generation of vehicle artisans. Watch their one-of-a-kind builds and find out how the competition culminates this Sunday, March 12, at 6:00 p.m. (EDT)/3:00 p.m. (PDT) on the Velocity Network.

For more information on SEMA Battle of the Builders and how you can take part in the competition, visit www.SEMAShow.com/botb.

By Becca Butler

On the SEMA Battle of the Builders TV special that airs this weekend on the Velocity Network, Chip Foose pays a visit to two of the Young Guns builders who represent the up-and-coming generation of vehicle artisans.

Renowned car builder Chip Foose makes a special guest appearance on SEMA Battle of the Builders—a one-hour TV special that airs this Sunday, March 12, on the Velocity Network. The program takes viewers behind the scenes of the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition as industry experts RJ DeVera, Fred Williams and David Freiburger narrow down the more than 250 entries to an elite 10. The top builders then vote among themselves to determine the winner, which is announced in front of thousands at SEMA Ignited.

Foose pays a visit to two of the Young Guns builders who represent the up-and-coming generation of vehicle artisans. Watch their one-of-a-kind builds and find out how the competition culminates this Sunday, March 12, at 6:00 p.m. (EDT)/3:00 p.m. (PDT) on the Velocity Network.

For more information on SEMA Battle of the Builders and how you can take part in the competition, visit www.SEMAShow.com/botb.

By Becca Butler

On the SEMA Battle of the Builders TV special that airs this weekend on the Velocity Network, Chip Foose pays a visit to two of the Young Guns builders who represent the up-and-coming generation of vehicle artisans.

Renowned car builder Chip Foose makes a special guest appearance on SEMA Battle of the Builders—a one-hour TV special that airs this Sunday, March 12, on the Velocity Network. The program takes viewers behind the scenes of the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition as industry experts RJ DeVera, Fred Williams and David Freiburger narrow down the more than 250 entries to an elite 10. The top builders then vote among themselves to determine the winner, which is announced in front of thousands at SEMA Ignited.

Foose pays a visit to two of the Young Guns builders who represent the up-and-coming generation of vehicle artisans. Watch their one-of-a-kind builds and find out how the competition culminates this Sunday, March 12, at 6:00 p.m. (EDT)/3:00 p.m. (PDT) on the Velocity Network.

For more information on SEMA Battle of the Builders and how you can take part in the competition, visit www.SEMAShow.com/botb.

By Becca Butler

On the SEMA Battle of the Builders TV special that airs this weekend on the Velocity Network, Chip Foose pays a visit to two of the Young Guns builders who represent the up-and-coming generation of vehicle artisans.

Renowned car builder Chip Foose makes a special guest appearance on SEMA Battle of the Builders—a one-hour TV special that airs this Sunday, March 12, on the Velocity Network. The program takes viewers behind the scenes of the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition as industry experts RJ DeVera, Fred Williams and David Freiburger narrow down the more than 250 entries to an elite 10. The top builders then vote among themselves to determine the winner, which is announced in front of thousands at SEMA Ignited.

Foose pays a visit to two of the Young Guns builders who represent the up-and-coming generation of vehicle artisans. Watch their one-of-a-kind builds and find out how the competition culminates this Sunday, March 12, at 6:00 p.m. (EDT)/3:00 p.m. (PDT) on the Velocity Network.

For more information on SEMA Battle of the Builders and how you can take part in the competition, visit www.SEMAShow.com/botb.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Two U.S. House of Representatives committees with jurisdiction over healthcare legislation have approved a bill to repeal, replace and amend much of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), more commonly referred to as Obamacare. Considered the first phase of reforming the ACA, the House Ways and Means and Energy & Commerce Committees took up their respective portions of the legislation, titled the American Health Care Act (AHCA).   

SEMA is in the process of analyzing the reform proposal and the amendments being made by the committees. The bill repeals the ACA’s tax provisions, including tax penalties for individuals and employers, provides tax credits to individuals to purchase health insurance, expands Health Savings Accounts, provides money to states to manage a safety net fund and phases out the ACA’s expansion of Medicaid. The bill has been billed as the first phase of a plan to replace the ACA. Due to the expedited procedure being used to pass the AHCA, Congress will have to take up separate bills under traditional rules to address items, such as interstate shopping for health care, creation of nationwide health insurance buying pools and medical liability reform.

While the bill now proceeds to the Budget Committee and House floor, it still faces many challenges. It has not yet received a cost estimate by the Congressional Budget Office and faces opposition in the Senate. 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.