By Zane Clark

Eric J. Conn	Amanda Strainis-Walker

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has increased enforcement to levels never seen before, from huge increases in the numbers of inspections and citations characterized as "willful" or "repeat" to more criminal referrals. These increased enforcement initiatives are especially targeted on automotive supply manufacturers in the southeast with the potential to expand to other manufacturers across the country. Once OSHA starts an inspection, they are engaging in more aggressive strategies during inspections, creating a minefield for employers, and making it more important than ever for employers to prepare for an OSHA inspection.

Eric J. Conn and Amanda Strainis-Walker, leaders of the national OSHA Practice Group at Epstein Becker Green, will provide an update on the current landscape of OSHA enforcement, review employers' and employees' rights during an OSHA inspection, provide detailed recommendations for actions employers can and should take now and during inspections and discuss strategies to help ensure the best possible outcome from an unexpected visit by OSHA.

This interactive program, to be held Thursday, May 8, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT), is designed for those seeking to reduce costs, maintain operational efficiencies and control union influence in workplace issues.

Topics to be covered will include:

• OSHA's current philosophy of enhanced enforcement
• New enforcement programs, including enterprise-wide enforcement, the Severe Violator Enforcement Program and a campaign of public shaming
• National, regional and local emphasis inspection programs
• Steps employers should take before OSHA begins an inspection
• Employers' and employees' workplace inspection rights
• Stages of OSHA inspections, with tips to manage each stage

This SEI webinar will provide member companies with the information you need, and you don’t even have to leave your desk or office to participate! And remember: SEI webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

By Zane Clark

Eric J. Conn	Amanda Strainis-Walker

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has increased enforcement to levels never seen before, from huge increases in the numbers of inspections and citations characterized as "willful" or "repeat" to more criminal referrals. These increased enforcement initiatives are especially targeted on automotive supply manufacturers in the southeast with the potential to expand to other manufacturers across the country. Once OSHA starts an inspection, they are engaging in more aggressive strategies during inspections, creating a minefield for employers, and making it more important than ever for employers to prepare for an OSHA inspection.

Eric J. Conn and Amanda Strainis-Walker, leaders of the national OSHA Practice Group at Epstein Becker Green, will provide an update on the current landscape of OSHA enforcement, review employers' and employees' rights during an OSHA inspection, provide detailed recommendations for actions employers can and should take now and during inspections and discuss strategies to help ensure the best possible outcome from an unexpected visit by OSHA.

This interactive program, to be held Thursday, May 8, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT), is designed for those seeking to reduce costs, maintain operational efficiencies and control union influence in workplace issues.

Topics to be covered will include:

• OSHA's current philosophy of enhanced enforcement
• New enforcement programs, including enterprise-wide enforcement, the Severe Violator Enforcement Program and a campaign of public shaming
• National, regional and local emphasis inspection programs
• Steps employers should take before OSHA begins an inspection
• Employers' and employees' workplace inspection rights
• Stages of OSHA inspections, with tips to manage each stage

This SEI webinar will provide member companies with the information you need, and you don’t even have to leave your desk or office to participate! And remember: SEI webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

	Kirk Chen

• Form a basic understanding of the R&D tax credit
• How broad in scope the R&D tax credit actually is
• How this credit could potentially benefit you

This SEMA Education Institute (SEI) webinar will provide member companies with the information you need, and you don’t even have to leave your desk or office to participate! And remember: SEI webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

As a specialty business tax consultant, Kirk Chen focuses on consulting his clients with regards to the R&D tax credit. With more than five years of industry experience, he has performed hundreds of R&D tax credit studies for dozens of companies of all sizes throughout a variety of industries all across the United States. His extensive experience in both the technical and legal fields enables him to quickly comprehend his clients’ developmental processes with respect to the tax code, leading to maximizing their tax benefit.

	Kirk Chen

• Form a basic understanding of the R&D tax credit
• How broad in scope the R&D tax credit actually is
• How this credit could potentially benefit you

This SEMA Education Institute (SEI) webinar will provide member companies with the information you need, and you don’t even have to leave your desk or office to participate! And remember: SEI webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

As a specialty business tax consultant, Kirk Chen focuses on consulting his clients with regards to the R&D tax credit. With more than five years of industry experience, he has performed hundreds of R&D tax credit studies for dozens of companies of all sizes throughout a variety of industries all across the United States. His extensive experience in both the technical and legal fields enables him to quickly comprehend his clients’ developmental processes with respect to the tax code, leading to maximizing their tax benefit.

	Kirk Chen

• Form a basic understanding of the R&D tax credit
• How broad in scope the R&D tax credit actually is
• How this credit could potentially benefit you

This SEMA Education Institute (SEI) webinar will provide member companies with the information you need, and you don’t even have to leave your desk or office to participate! And remember: SEI webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

As a specialty business tax consultant, Kirk Chen focuses on consulting his clients with regards to the R&D tax credit. With more than five years of industry experience, he has performed hundreds of R&D tax credit studies for dozens of companies of all sizes throughout a variety of industries all across the United States. His extensive experience in both the technical and legal fields enables him to quickly comprehend his clients’ developmental processes with respect to the tax code, leading to maximizing their tax benefit.

GM is testing prototypes for its diesel-powered Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon alongside Volkswagen's Amarok pickup on the streets of Milford, Michigan.

The revived Colorado and Canyon will use GM's 2.8L Duramax Turbodiesel, which should give GM's new pickups a strong standing in the midsize truck market. These latest prototypes provide the best look at the Colorado diesel's venturi exhaust tip, which is likely to be the final production exhaust specification for the oil burners, which are due to join the Colorado's engine lineup in 2015.

The presence of the Amarok testing with GM's new, U.S.-spec midsize pickups is interesting. Such testing will help GM see how they compare with the Amarok for global markets, but VW has also been discussing the possibility entering the U.S. truck market in the future. It's highly unlikely that the current Amarok will see U.S. showrooms, as it is deemed too small for the North American market. VW's entry into the U.S. truck market will likely come with the next-generation Amarok model—expected to be upsized for the U.S. market—which would likely be an eventual competitor for the Colorado and Canyon.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

GM is testing prototypes for its diesel-powered Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon alongside Volkswagen's Amarok pickup on the streets of Milford, Michigan.

The revived Colorado and Canyon will use GM's 2.8L Duramax Turbodiesel, which should give GM's new pickups a strong standing in the midsize truck market. These latest prototypes provide the best look at the Colorado diesel's venturi exhaust tip, which is likely to be the final production exhaust specification for the oil burners, which are due to join the Colorado's engine lineup in 2015.

The presence of the Amarok testing with GM's new, U.S.-spec midsize pickups is interesting. Such testing will help GM see how they compare with the Amarok for global markets, but VW has also been discussing the possibility entering the U.S. truck market in the future. It's highly unlikely that the current Amarok will see U.S. showrooms, as it is deemed too small for the North American market. VW's entry into the U.S. truck market will likely come with the next-generation Amarok model—expected to be upsized for the U.S. market—which would likely be an eventual competitor for the Colorado and Canyon.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

GM is testing prototypes for its diesel-powered Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon alongside Volkswagen's Amarok pickup on the streets of Milford, Michigan.

The revived Colorado and Canyon will use GM's 2.8L Duramax Turbodiesel, which should give GM's new pickups a strong standing in the midsize truck market. These latest prototypes provide the best look at the Colorado diesel's venturi exhaust tip, which is likely to be the final production exhaust specification for the oil burners, which are due to join the Colorado's engine lineup in 2015.

The presence of the Amarok testing with GM's new, U.S.-spec midsize pickups is interesting. Such testing will help GM see how they compare with the Amarok for global markets, but VW has also been discussing the possibility entering the U.S. truck market in the future. It's highly unlikely that the current Amarok will see U.S. showrooms, as it is deemed too small for the North American market. VW's entry into the U.S. truck market will likely come with the next-generation Amarok model—expected to be upsized for the U.S. market—which would likely be an eventual competitor for the Colorado and Canyon.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

By SEMA Editors

MSD's Atomic EFI Receives Distinctive CARB Exemption Status

	MSD Performance's Atomic Fuel Injection System.

MSD Performance's Atomic Fuel Injection System was granted an Executive Order Number from the California Air Resources Board. The E.O. Number signifies that the Atomic aftermarket EFI system is legal on ’87-and-older GM vehicles in California.

The Atomic EFI system received E.O. Number D-722 which permits the system to be installed in place of the factory carburetor on ’87-and-older GM passenger cars and trucks originally powered by a V8 engine. This Executive Order also means the Atomic EFI system provides "reasonable basis" for satisfying the anti-tampering requirements of the Federal Clean Air Act, thus allowing its use in all other states.

During thorough testing it was confirmed that the Atomic system did not reduce the effectiveness of the applicable vehicle pollution control systems and therefore was granted an exemption from the prohibitions of Section 27156 of the California Vehicle Code for ’87-and-older General Motors passenger cars and pickups originally equipped with a V8 engine and carburetor. MSD will supply an information label with the E.O. Number and details that must be affixed on the vehicle for inspection purposes.

Black Book to Provide Vehicle Valuation Services for Cars.com

Black Book, a division of Hearst Business Media Corp., announced a partnership with Chicago-based Cars.com to become the company’s official vehicle valuation service. Black Book vehicle values have been used for more than 55 years throughout the automotive industry in every facet of a vehicle’s lifecycle. Through the partnership, Cars.com customers will now have the benefit of leveraging the same Black Book valuation used by car dealers nationwide when pricing their vehicles.

Hellwig Products Hires Will Rowe for East Coast

Will Rowe.

Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association Rebrands to Auto Care Association

The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association has officially change the organization's name to the Auto Care Association. The association began its rebranding initiative more than 18 months ago and culminated in the name change, as well as a new direction to redefine the aftermarket industry as the auto care industry in all communications. The Auto Care Association based both decisions on feedback from research findings, focus groups, industry leaders, media and consumers.

“The launch of the new brand comes at a key moment for the auto care industry, and we aim to use the momentum generated by the rebrand to build on our work across the industry,” said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. “Our new brand will better enable us to champion for the auto care industry with state and national policymakers since it articulates upfront the scope and value of the work we deliver.

Marx Group to Celebrate 30 Years With Historical Videos, Articles 

	The Marx Group will recognize its 30-year anniversary with short excerpts of the company's history through articles and videos.

To commemorate its 30 year anniversary, The Marx Group will release short excerpts of the company's history through articles and videos, from now until December. All of the information and materials will be available through the company's webpage dedicated to its anniversary, www.themarxgroup.com/30Years.

School of Automotive Machinists Announces High School Summer Series

The Auto Club Dragway announced a partnership with the School of Automotive Machinists (SAM) for the High School Summer Series contest, as well as the Inaugural Southern California High School Drag Challenge, presented by SAM. The program kicks off Saturday, May 3, at the dragway with the drag challenge, where high school students and alumni will bring their vehicles to the dragstrip and compete in one-quarter-mile drag racing, while earning points for their respective high schools. John Force, 16-time NHRA World Champion, will serve as the event's Grand Marshal, sign autographs and even race one lucky contest winner.

The High School Summer Series consists of four races throughout the summer, exclusively for high school students who graduate in 2014 or after. The series offers drag racers who meet the criteria a chance to earn individual points based on their performances at the four Summer Series events, in a quest to crown a Summer Series individual high school Grand Champion. The first Summer Series event date is just one week following the High School Drag Challenge on May 10, the other three Summer Series dates are June 28, July 26 and August 23.

The overall Grand Champion of the Summer Series will be eligible to win a full scholarship to SAM’s Block or Head program, with a potential value of more than $16,000, contingent on the fact that they have no moving violations throughout the series. For more information on the on the upcoming Southern California High School Drags Challenge, call 949-888-6878.

Dan Teitscheid Joins MAVTV

Dan Teitscheid, a 30-year veteran of the TV industry, has joined the MAVTV network as vice president of content distribution and partner marketing.

Dan Teitscheid has joined the MAVTV network as vice president of content distribution and partner marketing. A 30-year veteran of the TV industry, Teitscheid spent 16 years with Viacom, rising to vice president of affiliate sales and marketing at MTV Networks before joining Disney and ESPN Media Networks in May 2008. During his career, Teitscheid has been involved in the introduction, launch and brand development of more than 25 cable TV networks.

Fidanza Names Don Baker Sales Manager

Don Baker has joined Fidanza Performance key account sales team as sales manager. He brings to the company more than 20 years of automotive parts and service experience, which includes 12 years of experience in sales, account management and sales management with SPX Service Solutions. Baker will oversee all national and international accounts, along with outside rep groups, for Fidanza Performance.

“Having a lifelong interest in cars, automobile repair and automotive performance, as well as, a family background in true car appreciation, Don will be a real asset to our company and our customers,” said Jeff Jenkins, owner and president of Fidanza Performance.

Grote's Robert "Bob" Dobrow Passes Away

Grote Industries announced the passing of Robert “Bob” Hugh Dobrow, one of the company's longest service employees. Dobrow died April 12, 2014, at the age of 69, after a battle with cancer. Most of Dobrow’s career was spent with Grote Industries. He joined the company in 1982 as an OEM sales specialist, rising to the position of director of OEM Sales. Dobrow helped Grote establish itself as a predominant leader in the OE segment of commercial vehicle truck lighting. During the mid-’80s and ’90s, he teamed with Vic Mastis, developing and establishing The Ultra-Blue Modular Wiring System for semi-trailers and building the Grote brand in HD lighting and safety systems.

After a short sabbatical, Dobrow returned to Grote, as harness business development manager, continuing to build the Grote Ultra Blue Seal harness system into the leading lighting and harness system it is today. “Bob’s intuitive mechanical abilities and his excellent communication skills allowed Bob to quickly identify and convey solutions for our customers. His passion for both our industry and the people he worked with will leave a lasting impression on all of us. We will miss Bob dearly.” said Bill Grote, chairman. Dobrow is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jean Dobrow as well as his two sons, Jeffery and Arron.

Roadwire Partners With eBay Motors to Launch Online Store

Roadwire Automotive Innovation has announced the launch of an all-inclusive eBay store offering consumers the ability to purchase aftermarket leather interiors and seat heaters online, and have the products installed through an experienced and trained installer network.

“By including installation in the sale, the consumer is treated to a professional experience from start to finish through a nationwide network of professional installers, provided by InstallerNet,” stated Roadwire Vice President Dave Edmondson.

InstallerNet is an installation-solutions provider for the consumer electronics industry, which delivers technology, services and logistics to consumer electronics retailers, manufacturers and installers. The company specializes in merchandising and coordinating consumer electronics installation services through the nation’s largest network of independently owned mobile- and home-electronics installers.

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. 

NHRA News

BROWN TAKES OVER TOP FUEL POINTS LEAD WITH HOUSTON WIN: Antron Brown raced to his third win of the season at the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals and takes over the points lead from Doug Kalitta. Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) and Robert Hight (Funny Car) also took home wins in the Lone Star state. Brown defeated Pomona winner Khalid alBalooshi for his second win at Royal Purple Raceway in Houston.

"We have a lot of respect for the Al-Anabi guys," said Brown. "You have to beat them to contend for the championship because it goes through them. We get up for that challenge whenever we race them. Any time we beat them, it’s like hitting the jackpot. There are a lot of good teams out here, and we don’t take anybody lightly."

For more on the story visit www.NHRA.com.

ENDERS-STEVENS WINS 99TH NATIONAL EVENT BY A FEMALE RACER: With her victory in her hometown of Houston, Erica Enders-Stevens notched the 99th victory by a female in the history of the NHRA. The 100th victory is an important milestone in the sport and Enders-Stevens hopes to capture the historic victory.

“The ball’s in our court,” Enders-Stevens said. “We’ve got to carry the momentum. That’s important in this game, and I know I keep saying that, but it’s huge, and we’re going to keep carrying it as long as we can. Pro Stock really goes in cycles, so I’m really hoping this is our cycle, and we’re going to keep fighting for it.”

The march to 100 has also garnered media coverage for Enders-Stevens and all the women in the NHRA. Stories on the NHRA can be found on the clip section of www.NHRA.com.

LUCAS OIL EXTENDS MULTI-LEVEL PARTNERSHIP WITH NHRA: Lucas Oil Products signed a multi-year extension with the NHRA to remain one of the drag-racing sanctioning body’s cornerstone sponsors. The all-encompassing partnership includes series sponsorship of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, title rights sponsorship of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota, naming rights at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis and designation as the Official Oil of NHRA.

“With our long-time involvement in the NHRA with the sportsman series sponsorship, drag racing has been a significant part of our lives,” said Forrest Lucas, CEO of Lucas Oil Products. “From the grassroots level of the sport, all the way up to the Top Fuel dragsters, for almost two decades, we at Lucas Oil have proudly supported numerous forms of motorsports to demonstrate the quality of our products under extreme racing conditions. From the very beginning, our participation in these events has given us the opportunity to interact with the very people who purchase and use our products. The Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series is extremely effective in helping us achieve our goals.”

For more on the story visit www.NHRA.com.

He Said, She Said

"I think it’s a terrific thing. A lot of ladies played a big part in getting to 100 wins and it’s good for the sport. Anything that shows women can be competitive with men and come out on top, it’s a good thing. There are a lot of cars capable of getting that 100th win."

—Historic racer Shirley Muldowney on women accounting for 99 wins in the history of the NHRA. The 100th win could come at the upcoming event—the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. For more on this story visit, www.NHRA.com.

Inside the Numbers

13: Number of consecutive Funny Car final rounds dating to the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in September of 2013 that has featured at least one Funny Car from John Force Racing. JFR drivers have won nine of those final rounds, the most recent by Robert Hight in Houston. Hight has five wins in that stretch with John Force accounting for four victories. Hight has also raced to five of six final-round appearances to start the 2014 season.

"When you win one of these races, it’s an accomplishment. To have this as my third win of the year, just shows how steady my team is," Hight said. "Truthfully, that just puts more pressure on me because when that car goes up there and runs like it does, a bracket car, all I can do is screw it up. I have got to do my job."

Did You Know

JOHNSON NOTCHES FIRST NO. 1 QUALIFYING POSITION OF THE SEASON: Allen Johnson, the 2012 Pro Stock world champion, garnered his first No. 1 qualifying season in Houston with his run of 6.555 seconds at 211.63. It also marked the first time he had a No. 1 qualifier since the St. Louis event in 2013. This was the first time that Johnson raced his new Dodge Dart to the top of the charts to lead the category into eliminations on Sunday. With his runner-up finish he moves to second in points, 77 behind Enders-Stevens.

View the complete 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.