By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) has named Riggs Fabrication as this week’s council spotlight member. In HRIA’s recent interview with company owner Jay Riggs, Riggs shares his memorable story of how his business began, the importance of having passion for each project and what changes he is seeing is the industry—including the role technicians play as skilled craftsman and artists for business.  

SEMA: Tell us the story of your shop? How did you start?

Jay Riggs: I started building a ’29 Model A in my garage about 13-14 years ago. As a kid, I always played with Hot Wheels and glued together models. In the early 2000s, a friend let me ride with him in his hot rod to a car show. I quickly saw how much more fun the guys with cars were having, and I wanted to be a part of it. I decided to build my first car in my garage around the 2007–2008 timeframe.

I worked in the corporate world and built my car on nights and weekends. I found out I loved to shape metal and found buddies who were good at engines and power, so we could trade. A friend asked if I wanted to chop a 49 shoebox in my garage, and this was my first chop. In 2012, I became unemployed, with two chops lined up in my garage. In late 2012, we opened up for business in a 1,200-sq.-ft. shop. The first day in the new shop, the electric company had us under the incorrect address, so they didn’t turn on my power. I borrowed a portable generator and got to work chopping the top on a ’54 Plymouth. That was a memorable start to my business.

Riggs Fabrication currently occupies a 15,000-sq.-ft. facility in Justin, Texas.

SEMA: What was your breakthrough moment?   

JR: I can’t really identify with a single moment. I kept my head down and worked hard. Within the first year, we were able to move into a 2,000-sq.-ft. shop on the same property. I was able to hire an employee and add equipment. By year three, we moved into a 3,000-sq.-ft. shop. We kept working hard, reinvesting in the business. As of April 2020, we now occupy a 15,000-sq.-ft. facility. In the beginning, we focused on metal fabrication only. I was doing subcontract sheet metal and chassis fab work for other shops. Now we have three really talented mechanics. We added paint and body in January 2020, and now have a five-man paint and body team.  

SEMA: Who helped you along the way?  

JR: I had a cousin with a hot-rod shop in New Braunfels, Texas, who helped me navigate some hurdles and give me confidence to get started and keep going. I also had a couple of local established shops that wanted to see me make it. They were always available for advice on the business side.

SEMA: What cool projects are you working on in 2020? What new and exciting projects do you foresee in the future?   

JR: We are doing a ’36 Ford pickup in a mild gasser-style build, House of Kolor violet pearl, crazy twisted headers—It is going to be wild. Being in Texas, we have always had a lot of pickups. We have a ’29 Ford truck, a ’36 Ford, a ’41 Chevy truck and a pair of F1s that will hit the street this year.

In the shop today, we have a ’29 Model A pickup, ’50 Ford F1, ’57 Dodge Power wagon, ‘51 Ford pickup, ’75 Ford 4x4, ’50 Mercury and a ’76 Dino Ferrari.

SEMA: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket?  

JR: We have done a lot of work with Lincoln Tech and local high school programs. I have been able to hire students from the schools. We work with the local high school automotive program. We employed a recent graduate from the automotive program.  

My advice is to look at what you are passionate about. This industry has a lot of history, so you are dealing with family history and stories behind the cars. There is a lot of passion in each project, including the owner’s dreams and excitement. Be passionate about what you do. You can become a craftsman and have the ability to contribute to the industry.

SEMA: What changes are you seeing in the industry?    

JR: We see more innovations, part availability and greater technology. Hot-rod technicians are no longer the guys that did not make it at the dealership. They are skilled craftsman. Good technicians are tremendously valuable. They are artists, craftsmen and incredibly talented. They are setting the bar in our industry higher and higher with each build. These technicians are now earning their value with higher wages.   

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) has named Riggs Fabrication as this week’s council spotlight member. In HRIA’s recent interview with company owner Jay Riggs, Riggs shares his memorable story of how his business began, the importance of having passion for each project and what changes he is seeing is the industry—including the role technicians play as skilled craftsman and artists for business.  

SEMA: Tell us the story of your shop? How did you start?

Jay Riggs: I started building a ’29 Model A in my garage about 13-14 years ago. As a kid, I always played with Hot Wheels and glued together models. In the early 2000s, a friend let me ride with him in his hot rod to a car show. I quickly saw how much more fun the guys with cars were having, and I wanted to be a part of it. I decided to build my first car in my garage around the 2007–2008 timeframe.

I worked in the corporate world and built my car on nights and weekends. I found out I loved to shape metal and found buddies who were good at engines and power, so we could trade. A friend asked if I wanted to chop a 49 shoebox in my garage, and this was my first chop. In 2012, I became unemployed, with two chops lined up in my garage. In late 2012, we opened up for business in a 1,200-sq.-ft. shop. The first day in the new shop, the electric company had us under the incorrect address, so they didn’t turn on my power. I borrowed a portable generator and got to work chopping the top on a ’54 Plymouth. That was a memorable start to my business.

Riggs Fabrication currently occupies a 15,000-sq.-ft. facility in Justin, Texas.

SEMA: What was your breakthrough moment?   

JR: I can’t really identify with a single moment. I kept my head down and worked hard. Within the first year, we were able to move into a 2,000-sq.-ft. shop on the same property. I was able to hire an employee and add equipment. By year three, we moved into a 3,000-sq.-ft. shop. We kept working hard, reinvesting in the business. As of April 2020, we now occupy a 15,000-sq.-ft. facility. In the beginning, we focused on metal fabrication only. I was doing subcontract sheet metal and chassis fab work for other shops. Now we have three really talented mechanics. We added paint and body in January 2020, and now have a five-man paint and body team.  

SEMA: Who helped you along the way?  

JR: I had a cousin with a hot-rod shop in New Braunfels, Texas, who helped me navigate some hurdles and give me confidence to get started and keep going. I also had a couple of local established shops that wanted to see me make it. They were always available for advice on the business side.

SEMA: What cool projects are you working on in 2020? What new and exciting projects do you foresee in the future?   

JR: We are doing a ’36 Ford pickup in a mild gasser-style build, House of Kolor violet pearl, crazy twisted headers—It is going to be wild. Being in Texas, we have always had a lot of pickups. We have a ’29 Ford truck, a ’36 Ford, a ’41 Chevy truck and a pair of F1s that will hit the street this year.

In the shop today, we have a ’29 Model A pickup, ’50 Ford F1, ’57 Dodge Power wagon, ‘51 Ford pickup, ’75 Ford 4x4, ’50 Mercury and a ’76 Dino Ferrari.

SEMA: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket?  

JR: We have done a lot of work with Lincoln Tech and local high school programs. I have been able to hire students from the schools. We work with the local high school automotive program. We employed a recent graduate from the automotive program.  

My advice is to look at what you are passionate about. This industry has a lot of history, so you are dealing with family history and stories behind the cars. There is a lot of passion in each project, including the owner’s dreams and excitement. Be passionate about what you do. You can become a craftsman and have the ability to contribute to the industry.

SEMA: What changes are you seeing in the industry?    

JR: We see more innovations, part availability and greater technology. Hot-rod technicians are no longer the guys that did not make it at the dealership. They are skilled craftsman. Good technicians are tremendously valuable. They are artists, craftsmen and incredibly talented. They are setting the bar in our industry higher and higher with each build. These technicians are now earning their value with higher wages.   

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Melissa Wonser

Lucas Oil Promotes Melissa Wonser to Vice President of Marketing

Lucas Oil Products Inc. has announced the promotion of Melissa Wonser to vice president of marketing. Wonser first joined the company in 2011, and has served as the digital marketing manager, art director, marketing manager and, in 2019, director of marketing. She also plays an instrumental role in the daily management of Lucas Oil’s marketing and creative direction, leading the graphics department, website development team and media/public relations efforts, among other responsibilities. In her new role, Wonser will be responsible for developing and implementing a marketing communications plan to increase Lucas Oil’s brand awareness through the extensive number of industries and sectors it serves. Originally from Southern California, Wonser now resides in Indiana, where she works with the Lucas Oil executive team from the corporate offices in Indianapolis.

“Horsepower Wars” Announces Broadcast Television Partnership With MAVTV And Season 3 Episode Schedule

Power Automedia’s “Horsepower Wars” has announced its official episode release schedule for the third season of the $10K Drag Shootout presented by Lucas Oil as well as a partnership with Lucas Oil’s cable and satellite television channel, MAVTV Motorsports Network. $10K Drag Shootout consists of four teams competing against each other to see who can build the fastest drag-racing car over a period of 10 days, with a budget of $10,000—divided into $3,000 cash and a $7,000 Summit Racing Equipment gift card. Once the builds have been completed, the teams head down to the track for heads-up racing, where the team who proves they’re the quickest, takes home $10,000 and their finished car. This season, the Lucas Oil $10K Drag Shootout will take inspiration from No Prep drag-racing events, which mimic street racing, using no traction compound to make the track sticky as with a traditional track event. For the first time, Horsepower Wars will partner with MAVTV to broadcast $10K Drag Shootout 3 on cable television. MAVTV will air episodes of $10K Drag Shootout every Sunday with the first episode premiering on November 1.

Champion Offers WD Incentive With Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil

Champion Oil has recently created a special opportunity and program to become a Champion Warehouse Distributor (WD) selling Blue Flame Performance Diesel Engine Oils. The newly released incentive is a low-cost buy-in at the WD level for smaller businesses that includes free freight, web location posting, press release, POP, banners, literature, MAP pricing and a featured interview on the Champion Blue Flame Diesel Blog. Champion also offers a Master Warehouse Distributor (MWD) program that is available for larger-sized businesses interested in wholesale distribution of Champion’s Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils. For more information, visit Champion Oil’s website.

MAHLE Motorsport Announces $100 PowerPak Piston Rebate

In celebration of MAHLE’s 100th anniversary, MAHLE Motorsport has announced a $100 discount on all PowerPak piston kits. The discount is available starting October 15 through December 15, via a mail-in rebate. For more information about MAHLE Motorsport PowerPak Piston Kits, visit www.mahle motorsports.com.

Mustang Dynamometer has announced a new demonstration facility has opened at its Mexico City office.

Mustang Dynamometer Announces New Demonstration Facility In Mexico

Mustang Dynamometer has announced a new demonstration facility has opened at its Mexico City office, which was initially established in 2017. Mustang Operations Vice President Eser Manav recently visited the new addition as part of ongoing support from Mustang's head office in Twinsburg, Ohio. The new facility will promote performance dynamometers and provide training to the region. It also features an MD-100 and an MD-AWD-150 (8) roll chassis dynamometer.

USAC Announces Doug Lockwood as New Series Manager

The United States Auto Club (USAC) has announced that Doug Lockwood will manage and oversee race-related operations, planning and scheduling events for both the USAC Western States Midget and West Coast Sprint Car divisions. Lockwood begins his new position ahead of the October 10 doubleheader featuring both series at California’s Placerville Speedway. Lockwood, who previously served as a Director of Competition with USAC’s Western series, is the Merced (California) Speedway general manager. He succeeds Chris Kearns, who will take on a larger role with USAC sanctioning in its Rally, Off-Road and Karting series.

Steve deMoulpied

Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI) Announces Steve deMoulpied as Chief Operating Officer

Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI) has announced the expansion of senior leadership. Steve deMoulpied joins LSI as the company’s chief operating officer (COO). With more than 20 years of experience across multiple industries and functional areas, deMoulpied has particular expertise in organizations with complex technical products. Combined, his prior positions have required a spectrum of skills in corporate strategy, operations improvement, product quality, and revenue cycle management. He has a history of utilizing data-driven problem solving (Lean Six Sigma) and project management (PMP and CSM) to achieve strategic goals surrounding customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and improved profit.

DeMoulpied comes to LSI from the private client services practice of Ernst & Young, where he managed strategy and operations improvement engagements for privately held client businesses. Some of his prior roles include vice president of strategic development, director of strategic initiatives, and Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt at OptumHealth, UnitedHealth Group’s health services business, as well as Lean Six Sigma Black Belt at General Electric, where he applied operations improvement principles to customer service, supply chain, and product development. deMoulpied is also the founder of PrestoFresh, a Cleveland-based e-commerce food/grocery business.

Joe Thompson

Lippert Components Names Joe Thompson New Chief Marketing Officer

Lippert Components Inc. (LCI) has announced the addition of Joe Thompson in the new role as chief marketing officer (CMO). Thompson comes to LCI from the December 2019 acquisition of the CURT Group, serving as CMO for the previous five years. Thompson will immediately structure a new global marketing organization servicing all of LCI’s current and future brands. Thompson brings more than 32 years of experience in consumer product sales and marketing leadership to LCI. He has served as the vice president of marketing at a number of companies, including Lund International, Formica Corp., and Armstrong World Industries. He will report to both Jamie Schnur, group president – aftermarket, and Rock Lambert, CURT Group president. In his role as CMO, Thompson’s primary responsibility will be to create a world-class marketing organization that will drive the global marketing strategy and efforts for all LCI brands. Thompson and Jarod Lippert, LCI’s vice president of marketing, will work together to create a unified organizational structure that will promote new products and services, grow digital presence, develop customer loyalty, engage audiences, and increase sales with new and existing customers across all of LCI’s growing brand portfolio.

DIRTVision Announces Jim Chiappelli as General Manager

DIRTVision, the provider of dirt track racing live stream broadcasts, has announced Jim Chiappelli as the new DIRTVision general manager. A veteran broadcast executive with extensive racing knowledge, Chiappelli joins DIRTVision after stints with SPEED and FOX Sports, where he held positions including coordinating producer, news director and studio producer.

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 Ashley Reyes

SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) Select Committee Member Jonathan Barber of Bob Cook Sales has been named as this week’s YEN spotlight member. Barber is the regional sales director at Bob Cook Sales, a leading sales and marketing consulting company servicing manufacturers and resellers in the automotive aftermarket.

Read what keeps Barber passionate about the industry in his Q&A with SEMA and YEN.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Jonathan Barber: Don't ever lose sight of your goals and strive to be the best person you know you can be.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

JB: Simply put, the people! Being surrounded by enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and people who live and breathe the automotive aftermarket.  

SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?   

JB: Spending time with my two kids. When things get back to "normal" hopefully we can start hitting the car meets and shows again.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?     

JB: Prepared and eager to listen to challenges so I can find a way to solve the problem and keeping conversation relevant to the subject at hand.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?   

JB: George Barris.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) Select Committee Member Jonathan Barber of Bob Cook Sales has been named as this week’s YEN spotlight member. Barber is the regional sales director at Bob Cook Sales, a leading sales and marketing consulting company servicing manufacturers and resellers in the automotive aftermarket.

Read what keeps Barber passionate about the industry in his Q&A with SEMA and YEN.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Jonathan Barber: Don't ever lose sight of your goals and strive to be the best person you know you can be.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

JB: Simply put, the people! Being surrounded by enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and people who live and breathe the automotive aftermarket.  

SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?   

JB: Spending time with my two kids. When things get back to "normal" hopefully we can start hitting the car meets and shows again.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?     

JB: Prepared and eager to listen to challenges so I can find a way to solve the problem and keeping conversation relevant to the subject at hand.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?   

JB: George Barris.

By Ashley Reyes

Bill North of Reputation.com has been named the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization’s (PRO) newest spotlight member. North is a current PRO Select Committee volunteer who was awarded the PRO Nat Danas Person of the Year Award in 2017. His high degree of professionalism and contributions to the industry have made him a vital contributor to SEMA, and PRO is pleased to recognize him for his continuous support and volunteerism.

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in restyling/manufacturing?   

Bill North: My dad owned a collision shop and he always had sunroofs installed in his Cadillacs in the early 80's.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for PRO? How has it or will it impact you?   

BN: You get what you give, so PRO has been a nice avenue for me to share what I know for the benefit of others.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?   

BN: Embrace change because you can expect it. Build solid relationships with people you can trust.

SEMA: What is your dream vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?   

BN: My dream vehicle is a ‘68 Pontiac GTO convertible. You will find me blasting through Southern Germany on my way to Austria with the system up and my foot buried on the accelerator.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

BN: Seek goodness in other people and you will find it.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

BN: Love and money.

SEMA: On a Saturday, where can you be found?

BN: You can find me on the lake with my family.

By Ashley Reyes

Bill North of Reputation.com has been named the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization’s (PRO) newest spotlight member. North is a current PRO Select Committee volunteer who was awarded the PRO Nat Danas Person of the Year Award in 2017. His high degree of professionalism and contributions to the industry have made him a vital contributor to SEMA, and PRO is pleased to recognize him for his continuous support and volunteerism.

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in restyling/manufacturing?   

Bill North: My dad owned a collision shop and he always had sunroofs installed in his Cadillacs in the early 80's.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for PRO? How has it or will it impact you?   

BN: You get what you give, so PRO has been a nice avenue for me to share what I know for the benefit of others.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?   

BN: Embrace change because you can expect it. Build solid relationships with people you can trust.

SEMA: What is your dream vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?   

BN: My dream vehicle is a ‘68 Pontiac GTO convertible. You will find me blasting through Southern Germany on my way to Austria with the system up and my foot buried on the accelerator.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

BN: Seek goodness in other people and you will find it.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

BN: Love and money.

SEMA: On a Saturday, where can you be found?

BN: You can find me on the lake with my family.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Virginia General Assembly passed SEMA-supported legislation (H.B. 5058/S.B. 5029) that would change how certain traffic infractions are enforced, including suspected exhaust noise violations. The bills now go to Governor Ralph Northam for his approval or veto.

Current law includes the following traffic infractions as primary offenses: operating a motor vehicle without an exhaust system that prevents excessive or unusual levels of noise, absence of a light illuminating a license plate, and the application of certain sun-shading materials and window tinting films. If signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam, police would not be able to stop motorists for such infractions, but can add these citations if motorists are pulled over for other reasons.

For more information and to request support for these bills, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Virginia General Assembly passed SEMA-supported legislation (H.B. 5058/S.B. 5029) that would change how certain traffic infractions are enforced, including suspected exhaust noise violations. The bills now go to Governor Ralph Northam for his approval or veto.

Current law includes the following traffic infractions as primary offenses: operating a motor vehicle without an exhaust system that prevents excessive or unusual levels of noise, absence of a light illuminating a license plate, and the application of certain sun-shading materials and window tinting films. If signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam, police would not be able to stop motorists for such infractions, but can add these citations if motorists are pulled over for other reasons.

For more information and to request support for these bills, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Virginia General Assembly passed SEMA-supported legislation (H.B. 5058/S.B. 5029) that would change how certain traffic infractions are enforced, including suspected exhaust noise violations. The bills now go to Governor Ralph Northam for his approval or veto.

Current law includes the following traffic infractions as primary offenses: operating a motor vehicle without an exhaust system that prevents excessive or unusual levels of noise, absence of a light illuminating a license plate, and the application of certain sun-shading materials and window tinting films. If signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam, police would not be able to stop motorists for such infractions, but can add these citations if motorists are pulled over for other reasons.

For more information and to request support for these bills, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

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