By Gavin Knapp

Between April 1–7, 2020, SEMA conducted a survey of more than 2,000 people employed in the specialty-equipment industry. While this is a difficult time for all aspects of our industry, manufacturers and retailers in the specialty-equipment market continue to persevere and do business.

Manufacturers and retailers are maintaining a positive outlook on the situation, with the vast majority believing that their businesses will get through this short-term impact.

Most manufacturing facilities and retail stores remain open across the country. Nearly three-quarters of manufacturers and retailers have not closed any of their sites during this time.

Despite being open, overall manufacturer and retail sales have been affected. The initial shock has been harder for retailers, as consumers have remained at home because of lockdown procedures. This may only be felt short-term and should improve as consumers become more confident and the country begins to open up.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) is the longtime U.S. Senate co-chair of the SEMA-supported Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. For him, turning wrenches is all about one thing—family. When he’s not in Washington, D.C., Sen. Tester and his son, Shon, can be found on their family’s Montana farm working on one of their many collector cars. Included in their collection is a Ford Model T, Ford Model A, ’38 Chevy, ’48–’53 Willy’s Jeep, ’56 Buick Century, ’55 Chevy Stepside pickup and ’70 Buick Electra. Find out more information on the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. 

Watch the video below to learn more about Senator Tester, an advocate for the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. Send a letter asking your legislator to support the RPM Act and protect the future of motorsports.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) is the longtime U.S. Senate co-chair of the SEMA-supported Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. For him, turning wrenches is all about one thing—family. When he’s not in Washington, D.C., Sen. Tester and his son, Shon, can be found on their family’s Montana farm working on one of their many collector cars. Included in their collection is a Ford Model T, Ford Model A, ’38 Chevy, ’48–’53 Willy’s Jeep, ’56 Buick Century, ’55 Chevy Stepside pickup and ’70 Buick Electra. Find out more information on the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. 

Watch the video below to learn more about Senator Tester, an advocate for the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. Send a letter asking your legislator to support the RPM Act and protect the future of motorsports.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) is the longtime U.S. Senate co-chair of the SEMA-supported Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. For him, turning wrenches is all about one thing—family. When he’s not in Washington, D.C., Sen. Tester and his son, Shon, can be found on their family’s Montana farm working on one of their many collector cars. Included in their collection is a Ford Model T, Ford Model A, ’38 Chevy, ’48–’53 Willy’s Jeep, ’56 Buick Century, ’55 Chevy Stepside pickup and ’70 Buick Electra. Find out more information on the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. 

Watch the video below to learn more about Senator Tester, an advocate for the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. Send a letter asking your legislator to support the RPM Act and protect the future of motorsports.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) is the longtime U.S. Senate co-chair of the SEMA-supported Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. For him, turning wrenches is all about one thing—family. When he’s not in Washington, D.C., Sen. Tester and his son, Shon, can be found on their family’s Montana farm working on one of their many collector cars. Included in their collection is a Ford Model T, Ford Model A, ’38 Chevy, ’48–’53 Willy’s Jeep, ’56 Buick Century, ’55 Chevy Stepside pickup and ’70 Buick Electra. Find out more information on the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. 

Watch the video below to learn more about Senator Tester, an advocate for the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. Send a letter asking your legislator to support the RPM Act and protect the future of motorsports.

By Gavin Knapp

Between April 1–7, 2020, SEMA conducted a survey of more than 2,000 people employed in the specialty-equipment industry. The results show that even in these difficult times, our industry is resilient and working diligently to move past this disruption.

Most businesses in the industry are maintaining a positive outlook, as 87% responded that they are “impacted short-term, but will get through it” or are “business as usual.”

Even with “shelter in place” rules in effect in many states, most industry facilities remain open under the “essential” business designations.  Two-thirds of industry businesses have not closed any of their sites during this time.

More than half of the industry’s employees continue to work from the company site, as the large number of production, technical, logistical, and retail positions can only be done at the jobsite. The strength of the industry is shown in the finding that 82% of employees are still on the job at their worksite or from home.

While most businesses remain open, overall sales this month have been affected by the situation. Compared to this month last year, companies are reporting current sales ranging from somewhat higher to down 20%, (34% of responses), down 30% to 40% (21% of responses), to down more than 40% (33% of responses).

For more information on the results of the survey, contact Gavin Knapp, director, SEMA Market Research, at gavink@sema.org.

By Gavin Knapp

Between April 1–7, 2020, SEMA conducted a survey of more than 2,000 people employed in the specialty-equipment industry. The results show that even in these difficult times, our industry is resilient and working diligently to move past this disruption.

Most businesses in the industry are maintaining a positive outlook, as 87% responded that they are “impacted short-term, but will get through it” or are “business as usual.”

Even with “shelter in place” rules in effect in many states, most industry facilities remain open under the “essential” business designations.  Two-thirds of industry businesses have not closed any of their sites during this time.

More than half of the industry’s employees continue to work from the company site, as the large number of production, technical, logistical, and retail positions can only be done at the jobsite. The strength of the industry is shown in the finding that 82% of employees are still on the job at their worksite or from home.

While most businesses remain open, overall sales this month have been affected by the situation. Compared to this month last year, companies are reporting current sales ranging from somewhat higher to down 20%, (34% of responses), down 30% to 40% (21% of responses), to down more than 40% (33% of responses).

For more information on the results of the survey, contact Gavin Knapp, director, SEMA Market Research, at gavink@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Applications are now being accepted for the 2020 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. The program, which encourages skilled trades education in American public high schools, will give away more than $1 million in prize awards to 18 teachers and their respective programs.

Twelve automotive teachers have been awarded the prize over the past three years, fostering an exciting future for the aftermarket industry. Instructors of transportation mechanics and high-school shop classes are encouraged to apply.

“Harbor Freight Tools for Schools aims to stimulate a greater understanding, support and investment in skilled trades education,” said Scott Springer, Educational Consultant at Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. “This award will help provide quality education to high school students while paving a pathway to opportunity, good jobs and a workforce for our country’s needs.”

Applications should reflect a strong evidence of past teaching success and future innovation, thoughtful and in-depth answers, and inspirational storytelling.

Three grand prize winners will receive $100,000, and 15 winners will receive $50,000, with awards to be shared between the winning skilled trades program and the teacher or team.

The deadline to apply is May 13. Finalists will be announced in July followed by the announcement of the winners in October.

To learn more, visit the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools website. Watch the video below with instructions on how to apply for the prize:

By Ashley Reyes

Applications are now being accepted for the 2020 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. The program, which encourages skilled trades education in American public high schools, will give away more than $1 million in prize awards to 18 teachers and their respective programs.

Twelve automotive teachers have been awarded the prize over the past three years, fostering an exciting future for the aftermarket industry. Instructors of transportation mechanics and high-school shop classes are encouraged to apply.

“Harbor Freight Tools for Schools aims to stimulate a greater understanding, support and investment in skilled trades education,” said Scott Springer, Educational Consultant at Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. “This award will help provide quality education to high school students while paving a pathway to opportunity, good jobs and a workforce for our country’s needs.”

Applications should reflect a strong evidence of past teaching success and future innovation, thoughtful and in-depth answers, and inspirational storytelling.

Three grand prize winners will receive $100,000, and 15 winners will receive $50,000, with awards to be shared between the winning skilled trades program and the teacher or team.

The deadline to apply is May 13. Finalists will be announced in July followed by the announcement of the winners in October.

To learn more, visit the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools website. Watch the video below with instructions on how to apply for the prize:

By SEMA Editors

Several resellers have told the SDC that their online sales have jumped anywhere from 10% to 27% above previous months, even as their in-store experience has slowed. This surge of consumers shopping online may present an opportunity to mitigate the impact of this downturn, and enhanced product data can be a key component in weathering the storm.

A renewed focus on product data can help strengthen manufacturers and resellers amid a challenging business climate, according to Gigi Ho, SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) director of operations.

Because consumers are now more attuned to online shopping than ever, SDC has experienced a 20% increase in data exports from resellers since January 2020, and application program interface (API) usage grew by 78%. Also, several resellers have told the SDC that their online sales have jumped anywhere from 10% to 27% above previous months, even as their in-store experience has slowed.

This surge of consumers shopping online may present an opportunity to mitigate the impact of this downturn, and enhanced product data can be a key component in weathering the storm, according to Ho.

For resellers, Ho suggests reevaluating the product lines you're selling and consider adding or refreshing your datasets from the SDC. Also, install the SDC eCommerce plugin for WooCommerce (and soon Shopify) for a quicker launch of your online sales. SDC members can go to the demo website for more information and access the plugins for free.

“The SDC values the role we play in helping our members’ businesses succeed and prosper,” Ho said. “Even as we are focused on the health and safety of our team, we remain laser-focused on our commitment to your success. The SDC was founded by the industry, for the industry, and our team is continuing with full-force, uninterrupted support to help where we can.”

In response to these challenging times with more people ordering online, now more than ever the completeness and quality of your product data is paramount. Fill out this inquiry form to ensure that your product can be found in searches and the most complete and accurate description of your product is presented.

For more information, contact the SDC at 888-958-6698 or email info@semadatacoop.org.