By SEMA Editors

Roland Hence, founder and director of FrontLane Inc., won the eighth annual SEMA Launch Pad, a program that gives young entrepreneurs age 18–39 an opportunity to launch their products into the automotive aftermarket.

Roland Hence, founder and director of FrontLane Inc., was named winner of the eighth annual SEMA Launch Pad, presented by the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN). The announcement was made Monday, November 2, on SEMA360—the new online trade-only event focused on products for the automotive industry.

With more than 80 applicants, the Launch Pad competition concluded with Hence pitching his invention to a panel of industry experts against the five finalists at the Petersen Automotive Museum. His winning product is a new technology for all vehicles.

“As an entrepreneur, you dream about this moment. I am incredibly proud of my team and grateful to SEMA for the platform to showcase our hard work and life-saving product,” said Hence. “I hope that with this incredible result we can take a meaningful step toward reducing rear-end crashes.”

Hence’s winning product, the Impulse – Emergency Brake Light, is a wireless, battery-powered emergency brake light that reduces rear-end collisions by pulsing eight ultra-bright LEDs under extreme braking situations to alert the following driver up to 50% quicker. Impulse can be installed on any passenger vehicle with a standard back windshield in seconds, and has a four-year battery life.

The premiere young entrepreneur automotive program offers innovators, entrepreneurs and inventors between the ages of 18-39 a platform at the world's largest B2B gathering at the SEMA Show. This year's SEMA Launch Pad competition included more than 80 applicants.

For his efforts, Hence will receive a prize package that includes $10,000 to be used to benefit the business, exposure to elevate their business and product to the next level with marketing opportunities to industry media outlets, turn-key exhibit space at the 2021 SEMA Show, a free advertisement in SEMA News magazine, access to business tools and resources, and more.

By SEMA Editors

Roland Hence, founder and director of FrontLane Inc., won the eighth annual SEMA Launch Pad, a program that gives young entrepreneurs age 18–39 an opportunity to launch their products into the automotive aftermarket.

Roland Hence, founder and director of FrontLane Inc., was named winner of the eighth annual SEMA Launch Pad, presented by the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN). The announcement was made Monday, November 2, on SEMA360—the new online trade-only event focused on products for the automotive industry.

With more than 80 applicants, the Launch Pad competition concluded with Hence pitching his invention to a panel of industry experts against the five finalists at the Petersen Automotive Museum. His winning product is a new technology for all vehicles.

“As an entrepreneur, you dream about this moment. I am incredibly proud of my team and grateful to SEMA for the platform to showcase our hard work and life-saving product,” said Hence. “I hope that with this incredible result we can take a meaningful step toward reducing rear-end crashes.”

Hence’s winning product, the Impulse – Emergency Brake Light, is a wireless, battery-powered emergency brake light that reduces rear-end collisions by pulsing eight ultra-bright LEDs under extreme braking situations to alert the following driver up to 50% quicker. Impulse can be installed on any passenger vehicle with a standard back windshield in seconds, and has a four-year battery life.

The premiere young entrepreneur automotive program offers innovators, entrepreneurs and inventors between the ages of 18-39 a platform at the world's largest B2B gathering at the SEMA Show. This year's SEMA Launch Pad competition included more than 80 applicants.

For his efforts, Hence will receive a prize package that includes $10,000 to be used to benefit the business, exposure to elevate their business and product to the next level with marketing opportunities to industry media outlets, turn-key exhibit space at the 2021 SEMA Show, a free advertisement in SEMA News magazine, access to business tools and resources, and more.

By SEMA Editors

Roland Hence, founder and director of FrontLane Inc., won the eighth annual SEMA Launch Pad, a program that gives young entrepreneurs age 18–39 an opportunity to launch their products into the automotive aftermarket.

Roland Hence, founder and director of FrontLane Inc., was named winner of the eighth annual SEMA Launch Pad, presented by the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN). The announcement was made Monday, November 2, on SEMA360—the new online trade-only event focused on products for the automotive industry.

With more than 80 applicants, the Launch Pad competition concluded with Hence pitching his invention to a panel of industry experts against the five finalists at the Petersen Automotive Museum. His winning product is a new technology for all vehicles.

“As an entrepreneur, you dream about this moment. I am incredibly proud of my team and grateful to SEMA for the platform to showcase our hard work and life-saving product,” said Hence. “I hope that with this incredible result we can take a meaningful step toward reducing rear-end crashes.”

Hence’s winning product, the Impulse – Emergency Brake Light, is a wireless, battery-powered emergency brake light that reduces rear-end collisions by pulsing eight ultra-bright LEDs under extreme braking situations to alert the following driver up to 50% quicker. Impulse can be installed on any passenger vehicle with a standard back windshield in seconds, and has a four-year battery life.

The premiere young entrepreneur automotive program offers innovators, entrepreneurs and inventors between the ages of 18-39 a platform at the world's largest B2B gathering at the SEMA Show. This year's SEMA Launch Pad competition included more than 80 applicants.

For his efforts, Hence will receive a prize package that includes $10,000 to be used to benefit the business, exposure to elevate their business and product to the next level with marketing opportunities to industry media outlets, turn-key exhibit space at the 2021 SEMA Show, a free advertisement in SEMA News magazine, access to business tools and resources, and more.

By SEMA Editors

Roland Hence, founder and director of FrontLane Inc., won the eighth annual SEMA Launch Pad, a program that gives young entrepreneurs age 18–39 an opportunity to launch their products into the automotive aftermarket.

Roland Hence, founder and director of FrontLane Inc., was named winner of the eighth annual SEMA Launch Pad, presented by the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN). The announcement was made Monday, November 2, on SEMA360—the new online trade-only event focused on products for the automotive industry.

With more than 80 applicants, the Launch Pad competition concluded with Hence pitching his invention to a panel of industry experts against the five finalists at the Petersen Automotive Museum. His winning product is a new technology for all vehicles.

“As an entrepreneur, you dream about this moment. I am incredibly proud of my team and grateful to SEMA for the platform to showcase our hard work and life-saving product,” said Hence. “I hope that with this incredible result we can take a meaningful step toward reducing rear-end crashes.”

Hence’s winning product, the Impulse – Emergency Brake Light, is a wireless, battery-powered emergency brake light that reduces rear-end collisions by pulsing eight ultra-bright LEDs under extreme braking situations to alert the following driver up to 50% quicker. Impulse can be installed on any passenger vehicle with a standard back windshield in seconds, and has a four-year battery life.

The premiere young entrepreneur automotive program offers innovators, entrepreneurs and inventors between the ages of 18-39 a platform at the world's largest B2B gathering at the SEMA Show. This year's SEMA Launch Pad competition included more than 80 applicants.

For his efforts, Hence will receive a prize package that includes $10,000 to be used to benefit the business, exposure to elevate their business and product to the next level with marketing opportunities to industry media outlets, turn-key exhibit space at the 2021 SEMA Show, a free advertisement in SEMA News magazine, access to business tools and resources, and more.

By SEMA Editors

Roland Hence, founder and director of FrontLane Inc., won the eighth annual SEMA Launch Pad, a program that gives young entrepreneurs age 18–39 an opportunity to launch their products into the automotive aftermarket.

Roland Hence, founder and director of FrontLane Inc., was named winner of the eighth annual SEMA Launch Pad, presented by the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN). The announcement was made Monday, November 2, on SEMA360—the new online trade-only event focused on products for the automotive industry.

With more than 80 applicants, the Launch Pad competition concluded with Hence pitching his invention to a panel of industry experts against the five finalists at the Petersen Automotive Museum. His winning product is a new technology for all vehicles.

“As an entrepreneur, you dream about this moment. I am incredibly proud of my team and grateful to SEMA for the platform to showcase our hard work and life-saving product,” said Hence. “I hope that with this incredible result we can take a meaningful step toward reducing rear-end crashes.”

Hence’s winning product, the Impulse – Emergency Brake Light, is a wireless, battery-powered emergency brake light that reduces rear-end collisions by pulsing eight ultra-bright LEDs under extreme braking situations to alert the following driver up to 50% quicker. Impulse can be installed on any passenger vehicle with a standard back windshield in seconds, and has a four-year battery life.

The premiere young entrepreneur automotive program offers innovators, entrepreneurs and inventors between the ages of 18-39 a platform at the world's largest B2B gathering at the SEMA Show. This year's SEMA Launch Pad competition included more than 80 applicants.

For his efforts, Hence will receive a prize package that includes $10,000 to be used to benefit the business, exposure to elevate their business and product to the next level with marketing opportunities to industry media outlets, turn-key exhibit space at the 2021 SEMA Show, a free advertisement in SEMA News magazine, access to business tools and resources, and more.

By Douglas McColloch

The SEMA Data Co-op’s new PIMS user interface, which was reviewed today at SEMA360, is designed to help member manufacturers manage and maintain their product data more easily and to enable resellers to maximize online sales.

Last September, the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) announced that it had acquired PartsHub, a cloud-based product-data management company that offers catalog management solutions designed to enhance a manufacturer’s ability to create and update industry-standardized product information, regardless of their product data knowledge or expertise. The PartsHub acquisition was intended to make the SDC’s Product Information Management System (PIMS) simpler, more accessible and more user-friendly for SDC member companies.

On Day 1 of SEMA360, the SDC reviewed a brand-new user interface for its redesigned online PIM system. It’s intended to fully integrate data from both organizations, intuitive in design, and easier to navigate than the previous version. The SDC management team gave viewers a digital walk-through of the new system, along with explaining how it can help resellers “sell smarter” and maximize online profits. The walk-through took place part during a seminar that can be viewed at the SEMA360 Industry Education page. Among the features of the new interface are enhanced search functions, an option for resellers to view recommended brands based on their type of business, and new plug-ins allowing SDC resellers greater download access to WooCommerce and Shopify. A demo version of the new interface is online at demo.semadatacoop.org.

The SEMA Data Co-op is the largest aftermarket industry data resource—representing more than 500 brands with a collective inventory of more than 4.5 million parts—and its unique approach to data management and file transfer can make exports available in any format a member requires. Whether the need is for complete PIES & ACES XML files or a custom-designed spreadsheet, SDC can provide it. For more information on the new PIM system, visit www.semadatacoop.org.

By Douglas McColloch

The SEMA Data Co-op’s new PIMS user interface, which was reviewed today at SEMA360, is designed to help member manufacturers manage and maintain their product data more easily and to enable resellers to maximize online sales.

Last September, the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) announced that it had acquired PartsHub, a cloud-based product-data management company that offers catalog management solutions designed to enhance a manufacturer’s ability to create and update industry-standardized product information, regardless of their product data knowledge or expertise. The PartsHub acquisition was intended to make the SDC’s Product Information Management System (PIMS) simpler, more accessible and more user-friendly for SDC member companies.

On Day 1 of SEMA360, the SDC reviewed a brand-new user interface for its redesigned online PIM system. It’s intended to fully integrate data from both organizations, intuitive in design, and easier to navigate than the previous version. The SDC management team gave viewers a digital walk-through of the new system, along with explaining how it can help resellers “sell smarter” and maximize online profits. The walk-through took place part during a seminar that can be viewed at the SEMA360 Industry Education page. Among the features of the new interface are enhanced search functions, an option for resellers to view recommended brands based on their type of business, and new plug-ins allowing SDC resellers greater download access to WooCommerce and Shopify. A demo version of the new interface is online at demo.semadatacoop.org.

The SEMA Data Co-op is the largest aftermarket industry data resource—representing more than 500 brands with a collective inventory of more than 4.5 million parts—and its unique approach to data management and file transfer can make exports available in any format a member requires. Whether the need is for complete PIES & ACES XML files or a custom-designed spreadsheet, SDC can provide it. For more information on the new PIM system, visit www.semadatacoop.org.

By Douglas McColloch

The SEMA Data Co-op’s new PIMS user interface, which was reviewed today at SEMA360, is designed to help member manufacturers manage and maintain their product data more easily and to enable resellers to maximize online sales.

Last September, the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) announced that it had acquired PartsHub, a cloud-based product-data management company that offers catalog management solutions designed to enhance a manufacturer’s ability to create and update industry-standardized product information, regardless of their product data knowledge or expertise. The PartsHub acquisition was intended to make the SDC’s Product Information Management System (PIMS) simpler, more accessible and more user-friendly for SDC member companies.

On Day 1 of SEMA360, the SDC reviewed a brand-new user interface for its redesigned online PIM system. It’s intended to fully integrate data from both organizations, intuitive in design, and easier to navigate than the previous version. The SDC management team gave viewers a digital walk-through of the new system, along with explaining how it can help resellers “sell smarter” and maximize online profits. The walk-through took place part during a seminar that can be viewed at the SEMA360 Industry Education page. Among the features of the new interface are enhanced search functions, an option for resellers to view recommended brands based on their type of business, and new plug-ins allowing SDC resellers greater download access to WooCommerce and Shopify. A demo version of the new interface is online at demo.semadatacoop.org.

The SEMA Data Co-op is the largest aftermarket industry data resource—representing more than 500 brands with a collective inventory of more than 4.5 million parts—and its unique approach to data management and file transfer can make exports available in any format a member requires. Whether the need is for complete PIES & ACES XML files or a custom-designed spreadsheet, SDC can provide it. For more information on the new PIM system, visit www.semadatacoop.org.

By Juan Torres

Thousands of industry professionals logged onto www.sema360.com on November 2, to take part in the first day of SEMA360, a five-day online trade-only event where attendees from throughout the world can interact with automotive parts manufacturers, see new trends and products, network, and hear from leaders and experts in the specialty equipment aftermarket industry.

Following a live Keynote Q&A powered by OPTIMA Batteries and featuring Mike Rowe and Tanner Foust on Monday morning, SEMA360 officially opened for attendees who were looking to connect with the more than 650 manufacturers that are headlining the event, November 2-6.

“Keystone Automotive Operations has a long history with SEMA, going all the way back to the early days, and we are excited to be a part of SEMA360, which goes a long way to helping us stay connected in this evolving space,” said Andrew Morgan, Keystone Automotive operations category director – Truck & Off-Road. “In these challenging times, we have to be flexible and adapt, and we are very thankful SEMA found a way to help bring the industry together.”

Amy Fitzgerald, owner of Cool Hand Customs, also was looking forward to connecting with the industry on SEMA360. “The ability to connect with others in the industry this year is more important than it has ever been,” she said. “With the education seminars and all the virtual opportunities it offers, SEMA360 is an invaluable resource this year for all of us who make not only our careers but our lives in this industry.”

Likewise, manufacturers were excited to nurture existing business relationships and forge new ones during SEMA360. Programs like the New Products Showcase and Builders Showcase provide companies additional opportunities to highlight their parts and services.

“We are featuring several new products that we have just released as well as a preview of what we’ll be introducing the weeks to come. Our goal is educate SEMA360 attendees on how we’re innovating and get our new products into distribution with our channel partners,” said Russell Stephens, PerTronix Performance Brands vice president of sales and marketing. “We are excited to be part of this inaugural virtual experience and see it as a valuable platform to reach people who may not always be able to attend the live event.”

Rob Anderson, Maxxsonics marketing and creative director, added, “Since in-person trade shows aren’t possible this year, SEMA360 provides the community with a perfect solution to take all of the excitement and business opportunities and bring it all to a virtual platform experience. Our goal for this week is to showcase our new product offerings for 2021, be able to network and connect with established and new business contacts, provide an opportunity for roundtable discussions for our audio products, and showcase some awesome custom vehicle builds.”

In addition to connecting with reps from the hundreds of manufacturers that are headlining the event, attendees can view more than 2,200 products in the New Products Showcase, see over 300 custom vehicle builds, and take part in more than 30 industry-specific education sessions throughout the week. Each SEMA360 day is full of exclusive seminars and events, including winner announcements of the SEMA Launch Pad program and the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

“Our industry is resilient, and it's making history by coming together to conduct business through the online platform,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “We were unable to have an in-person event this year, and the industry was able to pivot and find a way to conduct much-needed business in preparation for a successful 2021. We are looking forward to seeing even more activity in SEMA360 as the week continues.”

Buyers, distributors, and resellers who would like to participate in SEMA360 can register online at www.sema360.com, or contact info@sema360.com.

By Juan Torres

Thousands of industry professionals logged onto www.sema360.com on November 2, to take part in the first day of SEMA360, a five-day online trade-only event where attendees from throughout the world can interact with automotive parts manufacturers, see new trends and products, network, and hear from leaders and experts in the specialty equipment aftermarket industry.

Following a live Keynote Q&A powered by OPTIMA Batteries and featuring Mike Rowe and Tanner Foust on Monday morning, SEMA360 officially opened for attendees who were looking to connect with the more than 650 manufacturers that are headlining the event, November 2-6.

“Keystone Automotive Operations has a long history with SEMA, going all the way back to the early days, and we are excited to be a part of SEMA360, which goes a long way to helping us stay connected in this evolving space,” said Andrew Morgan, Keystone Automotive operations category director – Truck & Off-Road. “In these challenging times, we have to be flexible and adapt, and we are very thankful SEMA found a way to help bring the industry together.”

Amy Fitzgerald, owner of Cool Hand Customs, also was looking forward to connecting with the industry on SEMA360. “The ability to connect with others in the industry this year is more important than it has ever been,” she said. “With the education seminars and all the virtual opportunities it offers, SEMA360 is an invaluable resource this year for all of us who make not only our careers but our lives in this industry.”

Likewise, manufacturers were excited to nurture existing business relationships and forge new ones during SEMA360. Programs like the New Products Showcase and Builders Showcase provide companies additional opportunities to highlight their parts and services.

“We are featuring several new products that we have just released as well as a preview of what we’ll be introducing the weeks to come. Our goal is educate SEMA360 attendees on how we’re innovating and get our new products into distribution with our channel partners,” said Russell Stephens, PerTronix Performance Brands vice president of sales and marketing. “We are excited to be part of this inaugural virtual experience and see it as a valuable platform to reach people who may not always be able to attend the live event.”

Rob Anderson, Maxxsonics marketing and creative director, added, “Since in-person trade shows aren’t possible this year, SEMA360 provides the community with a perfect solution to take all of the excitement and business opportunities and bring it all to a virtual platform experience. Our goal for this week is to showcase our new product offerings for 2021, be able to network and connect with established and new business contacts, provide an opportunity for roundtable discussions for our audio products, and showcase some awesome custom vehicle builds.”

In addition to connecting with reps from the hundreds of manufacturers that are headlining the event, attendees can view more than 2,200 products in the New Products Showcase, see over 300 custom vehicle builds, and take part in more than 30 industry-specific education sessions throughout the week. Each SEMA360 day is full of exclusive seminars and events, including winner announcements of the SEMA Launch Pad program and the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

“Our industry is resilient, and it's making history by coming together to conduct business through the online platform,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “We were unable to have an in-person event this year, and the industry was able to pivot and find a way to conduct much-needed business in preparation for a successful 2021. We are looking forward to seeing even more activity in SEMA360 as the week continues.”

Buyers, distributors, and resellers who would like to participate in SEMA360 can register online at www.sema360.com, or contact info@sema360.com.