By Ashley Reyes

Taking place on SEMA360, the Keynote Q&A, powered by OPTIMA Batteries featured Mike Rowe (right), creator and host of the hit TV series “Dirty Jobs,” and Tanner Foust (left), industry celebrity and driver, broadcasting live from their respective locations.

Mike Rowe and Tanner Foust kicked off the inaugural SEMA360 with an inspiring conversation about the automotive industry and the unique passion that the industry shares.

Taking place on SEMA360, the Keynote Q&A, powered by OPTIMA Batteries featured Rowe, creator and host of the hit TV series “Dirty Jobs,” and Foust, industry celebrity and driver, broadcasting live from their respective locations. During the half-hour episode, the two talked about the state of the automotive aftermarket, their passion for the industry and the need to inspire more people to get involved in the aftermarket trade.

Rowe shared his experience and stories behind the success of his show “Dirty Jobs,” how the mikeroweWORKS Foundation came to be and how it evolved from a PR campaign for skilled labor to a scholarship fund for those willing to learn a trade that’s in demand.

“There is a real shortage of skilled technicians across the country, and real opportunities to prosper in those trades,” said Rowe. “My foundation gave away $1 million in work ethic scholarships this year to people who want to learn a trade and help close the skills gap.”

Foust, who was streaming live from OPTIMA’s event Hi-Performance Expo, gave attendees a sneak peak of the track, shared his insight on the diversity of the industry and talked about how the industry is persevering is this unprecedented time of COVID-19 .  

“The enthusiast world and automotive market is healthy,” said Foust. “When you cruise around in SEMA360 and what we’ll do the next couple of days here through this platform, you’ll meet a lot of people who are almost investors. You’ll find people who have innovated. People are tinkering and inventing and putting their passion into physical representation.” 

A re-airing of the Q&A session will take place in SEMA360 to all registered SEMA360 attendees on Wednesday, November 4, at 1:00 p.m. (PST). 

To attend additional SEMA360 Education seminars happening November 2-6, simply visit the “Industry Education” tab on the SEMA360 home page or register for SEMA360 at www.sema360.com.

By Ashley Reyes

Taking place on SEMA360, the Keynote Q&A, powered by OPTIMA Batteries featured Mike Rowe (right), creator and host of the hit TV series “Dirty Jobs,” and Tanner Foust (left), industry celebrity and driver, broadcasting live from their respective locations.

Mike Rowe and Tanner Foust kicked off the inaugural SEMA360 with an inspiring conversation about the automotive industry and the unique passion that the industry shares.

Taking place on SEMA360, the Keynote Q&A, powered by OPTIMA Batteries featured Rowe, creator and host of the hit TV series “Dirty Jobs,” and Foust, industry celebrity and driver, broadcasting live from their respective locations. During the half-hour episode, the two talked about the state of the automotive aftermarket, their passion for the industry and the need to inspire more people to get involved in the aftermarket trade.

Rowe shared his experience and stories behind the success of his show “Dirty Jobs,” how the mikeroweWORKS Foundation came to be and how it evolved from a PR campaign for skilled labor to a scholarship fund for those willing to learn a trade that’s in demand.

“There is a real shortage of skilled technicians across the country, and real opportunities to prosper in those trades,” said Rowe. “My foundation gave away $1 million in work ethic scholarships this year to people who want to learn a trade and help close the skills gap.”

Foust, who was streaming live from OPTIMA’s event Hi-Performance Expo, gave attendees a sneak peak of the track, shared his insight on the diversity of the industry and talked about how the industry is persevering is this unprecedented time of COVID-19 .  

“The enthusiast world and automotive market is healthy,” said Foust. “When you cruise around in SEMA360 and what we’ll do the next couple of days here through this platform, you’ll meet a lot of people who are almost investors. You’ll find people who have innovated. People are tinkering and inventing and putting their passion into physical representation.” 

A re-airing of the Q&A session will take place in SEMA360 to all registered SEMA360 attendees on Wednesday, November 4, at 1:00 p.m. (PST). 

To attend additional SEMA360 Education seminars happening November 2-6, simply visit the “Industry Education” tab on the SEMA360 home page or register for SEMA360 at www.sema360.com.

By Douglas McColloch

It wouldn’t be the SEMA Show without show-stopping builds and customizations, and while there’s no show floor in Las Vegas this year, SEMA360 is no different. More than 300 builders entered some of their latest creations, and you can see them throughout the week at the SEMA360 Builder Showcase page. We’ll be spotlighting five awesome builds each day of the event, starting with the ones you see here.

Submitted by: Jared Grossman Vehicle: ’19 Ram 1500 Sport This Ram rides on a Superlift suspension that clears a set of 20-in. Rebel Racing Off Road wheels and 38-in. Atturo Trail Blade Boss tires that are halted by an R1 Concepts brake kit. Beefy Magnum bumpers ride at both ends of the truck, with Grote lightbars and custom Hercule LED headlights providing illumination. The truck is covered in a Radioactive Green vinyl wrap from Avery-Dennison, and other sources for the build include Rhino Linings, Tonno  Pro, Billet Badges, Katzkin and QuietRide Solutions.
Submitted by: Murray Pfaff Vehicle: ’20 Jeep Gladiator The JT is already a capable vehicle, but a few add-ons can improve power and performance, as “Outkast” shows. The Magnuson supercharger helps the 3.6L to make an estimated 440 hp and 380 lb.-ft. of torque, and the engine gets additional help from an MRT Performance cat-back exhaust. The suspension was replaced by an Eaton Detroit Spring lowered setup, which gets an assist from Hellwig swaybars and Bilstein shocks. Baer brakes bring the Jeep to a stop, and KC HiLites provide illumination. Axiom Graphics designed the wrap and signage, and inside, Katzskin leather trim provides comfort.
Submitted by: Paul Jurewicz Vehicle: ’57 Studebaker Roadster A Hot Wheels Legends Tour winner last year, this roadster is truly a “hybrid” car. Its body work is a composite that incorporates a ’60 Pontiac nose section and a ’59 Thunderbird hood. Rear sheetmetal was taken from a ’63 Corvair, the trunk uses parts sourced from a ’88 Quattro wagon, and the headlights are courtesy of Harley-Davidson. (The Studebaker windshield was retained, however.) House of Kolor Sunrise Pearl paint provides visual dazzle, and other components found in the build come from MSD, Ron Francis Wiring, Diamondback Tires, Griffin, Weld, and Wilwood.
Submitted by: Zip Simons Vehicle: ’63 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova This silver and matte grey ’63 runs a Dart Industries 427 stroker that’s outfitted with Brodix heads and a Eddie Motorsports serpentine drive belt, and it’s backed by a Tremec T56 transmission that send power to the Michelin tires wrapped around Forgeline wheels. Suspension is courtesy of TCI Engineering with the aid of QA1 coilover shocks. Inside, Vintage Air keeps passengers cool on hot days, and Dakota Digital gauges keep and eye on underhood activity. The exterior has a number of nice touches, including door hinges from Ringbrothers.
Submitted by: Cary Kissner Vehicle: ’70 Chevrolet Chevelle This ’70 packs a punch underhood, starting with the Borowski Race Engines LS7 sporting All Pro heads and a custom billet serpentine system. It’s topped by a Whipple 2.9 supercharger and backed by a Hughes Custom 4L80E transmission that sends power to a Dana 60 rear that’s equipped with a Positraction limited-slip. The vehicle rides on a custom powdercoated Art Morrison chassis that’s outfitted with a JRI coilover suspension. Chip Foose rims and Hankook tires comprise rolling stock. Inside, components from Alpine, Dakota Digital and Vintage Air are on hand, as is pushbutton start and keyless entry.

By Douglas McColloch

It wouldn’t be the SEMA Show without show-stopping builds and customizations, and while there’s no show floor in Las Vegas this year, SEMA360 is no different. More than 300 builders entered some of their latest creations, and you can see them throughout the week at the SEMA360 Builder Showcase page. We’ll be spotlighting five awesome builds each day of the event, starting with the ones you see here.

Submitted by: Jared Grossman Vehicle: ’19 Ram 1500 Sport This Ram rides on a Superlift suspension that clears a set of 20-in. Rebel Racing Off Road wheels and 38-in. Atturo Trail Blade Boss tires that are halted by an R1 Concepts brake kit. Beefy Magnum bumpers ride at both ends of the truck, with Grote lightbars and custom Hercule LED headlights providing illumination. The truck is covered in a Radioactive Green vinyl wrap from Avery-Dennison, and other sources for the build include Rhino Linings, Tonno  Pro, Billet Badges, Katzkin and QuietRide Solutions.
Submitted by: Murray Pfaff Vehicle: ’20 Jeep Gladiator The JT is already a capable vehicle, but a few add-ons can improve power and performance, as “Outkast” shows. The Magnuson supercharger helps the 3.6L to make an estimated 440 hp and 380 lb.-ft. of torque, and the engine gets additional help from an MRT Performance cat-back exhaust. The suspension was replaced by an Eaton Detroit Spring lowered setup, which gets an assist from Hellwig swaybars and Bilstein shocks. Baer brakes bring the Jeep to a stop, and KC HiLites provide illumination. Axiom Graphics designed the wrap and signage, and inside, Katzskin leather trim provides comfort.
Submitted by: Paul Jurewicz Vehicle: ’57 Studebaker Roadster A Hot Wheels Legends Tour winner last year, this roadster is truly a “hybrid” car. Its body work is a composite that incorporates a ’60 Pontiac nose section and a ’59 Thunderbird hood. Rear sheetmetal was taken from a ’63 Corvair, the trunk uses parts sourced from a ’88 Quattro wagon, and the headlights are courtesy of Harley-Davidson. (The Studebaker windshield was retained, however.) House of Kolor Sunrise Pearl paint provides visual dazzle, and other components found in the build come from MSD, Ron Francis Wiring, Diamondback Tires, Griffin, Weld, and Wilwood.
Submitted by: Zip Simons Vehicle: ’63 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova This silver and matte grey ’63 runs a Dart Industries 427 stroker that’s outfitted with Brodix heads and a Eddie Motorsports serpentine drive belt, and it’s backed by a Tremec T56 transmission that send power to the Michelin tires wrapped around Forgeline wheels. Suspension is courtesy of TCI Engineering with the aid of QA1 coilover shocks. Inside, Vintage Air keeps passengers cool on hot days, and Dakota Digital gauges keep and eye on underhood activity. The exterior has a number of nice touches, including door hinges from Ringbrothers.
Submitted by: Cary Kissner Vehicle: ’70 Chevrolet Chevelle This ’70 packs a punch underhood, starting with the Borowski Race Engines LS7 sporting All Pro heads and a custom billet serpentine system. It’s topped by a Whipple 2.9 supercharger and backed by a Hughes Custom 4L80E transmission that sends power to a Dana 60 rear that’s equipped with a Positraction limited-slip. The vehicle rides on a custom powdercoated Art Morrison chassis that’s outfitted with a JRI coilover suspension. Chip Foose rims and Hankook tires comprise rolling stock. Inside, components from Alpine, Dakota Digital and Vintage Air are on hand, as is pushbutton start and keyless entry.

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.