By Fredy Ramirez

SEMA Garage is proud to announce that it will assist Stratasys (www.stratasys.com) by providing 3D-printed visors, which will attach to face shields and assist those who are working in healthcare facilities.

SEMA Garage will be assisting Stratasys by providing 3D printed visors, which will attach to face shields and assist those who are working in healthcare facilities.

“We may not have large-quantity output capabilities, but we’re glad to assist in any way possible and be a part of this initiative. Collectively, we can make a difference,” said SEMA Garage Engineer Luis Morales who is leading the project.

SEMA Garage will use both 3D printers in its facility to help as much as possible. The garage hopes to produce about 280 visors within the next week. 

“Throughout the year, our association is dedicated to serving its members, many who are affected by this situation,” said Morales. “We are glad to use our tools and equipment to benefit the initiative of producing 3D-printed face shields to assist medical facilities in stabilizing this pandemic. It’s a different way to continue to serve our members, as well as the overall community.”

By helping Stratasys with its production, the SEMA Garage is doing its part to fight this pandemic and encourages those who can, to do so as well.

Stratasys has designed and publicly shared the CAD model of their visor in hopes that manufacturers and service providers worldwide respond to the current global COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, they delivered 5,000 face shields to critical need areas.

“The need is dire, but we are getting the kind of commitments from our coalition partners that will make a real difference and help buy time to scale up the manufacturing of shields and other essential supplies.” said Stratasys Healthcare Segment Leader Scott Drikakis, who is directing the company’s COVID-19 response in the Americas. The movement has helped over 30 health systems, covering hospitals, clinics, academic medical centers and nursing homes.

Since the initial delivery, they have received requests for over 350,000 face shields. During that time, over 150 organizations have joined them in producing shields. “I have never seen collaboration across our industry the way I’ve been seeing it over the last couple weeks,” said Drikakis. The coalition is aiming to supplement another 11,000 face shields by next week and 16,000 the following week as more organizations continue to help.

Additional suppliers are encouraged to join and be a part of this initiative. Information on how to help can be found through this link: (go.stratasys.com/lp-face-shield.html). If you have the capability to provide 3D-printed visors, protective shields, or if you are in need of any of those items, please register through this link: (go.stratasys.com/lp-stratasys-helps.html).

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Join SEMA for a webinar, Thursday, April 9, at 1:00 p.m. (EDT), to review financial assistance programs available through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The panel will include Daniel Ingber, SEMA’s Vice President of Government & Legal Affairs, and C.E. “Tee” Rowe, President and CEO of America’s Small Business Development Centers.

Register now!

The webinar is open to all SEMA members, free of charge. After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with instructions for joining.

Background: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) includes a $2.2 trillion financial relief package for individuals, companies, and distressed industries. The new law (enacted on March 27, 2020) expands small business loan programs including a new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide low-interest loans that can be used to cover payroll, mortgages, rent and other specified expenses. The PPP waives collateral and personal guarantee requirements in addition to borrower and lender fees, defers payments for six months, and caps the interest rate at 1.0% on the two-year loan.  The SBA will forgive the portion of the loans used to cover payroll, mortgage interest, rent payments, and the cost of utilities for a period of eight weeks if small businesses retain their employees and payroll levels. The CARES Act also expands a separate Coronavirus disaster program, which provides low-interest loans (3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profits) up to $2 million and with $10,000 advance grants that may not have to be repaid.

Tee Rowe from America’s Small Business Development Centers will walk-through the small business assistance programs in the CARES Act and discuss how to apply for SBA loan programs. SEMA members will have a chance to ask Ingber and Rowe questions at the end of the webinar.

Immediate questions? Contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Join SEMA for a webinar, Thursday, April 9, at 1:00 p.m. (EDT), to review financial assistance programs available through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The panel will include Daniel Ingber, SEMA’s Vice President of Government & Legal Affairs, and C.E. “Tee” Rowe, President and CEO of America’s Small Business Development Centers.

Register now!

The webinar is open to all SEMA members, free of charge. After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with instructions for joining.

Background: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) includes a $2.2 trillion financial relief package for individuals, companies, and distressed industries. The new law (enacted on March 27, 2020) expands small business loan programs including a new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide low-interest loans that can be used to cover payroll, mortgages, rent and other specified expenses. The PPP waives collateral and personal guarantee requirements in addition to borrower and lender fees, defers payments for six months, and caps the interest rate at 1.0% on the two-year loan.  The SBA will forgive the portion of the loans used to cover payroll, mortgage interest, rent payments, and the cost of utilities for a period of eight weeks if small businesses retain their employees and payroll levels. The CARES Act also expands a separate Coronavirus disaster program, which provides low-interest loans (3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profits) up to $2 million and with $10,000 advance grants that may not have to be repaid.

Tee Rowe from America’s Small Business Development Centers will walk-through the small business assistance programs in the CARES Act and discuss how to apply for SBA loan programs. SEMA members will have a chance to ask Ingber and Rowe questions at the end of the webinar.

Immediate questions? Contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Join SEMA for a webinar, Thursday, April 9, at 1:00 p.m. (EDT), to review financial assistance programs available through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The panel will include Daniel Ingber, SEMA’s Vice President of Government & Legal Affairs, and C.E. “Tee” Rowe, President and CEO of America’s Small Business Development Centers.

Register now!

The webinar is open to all SEMA members, free of charge. After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with instructions for joining.

Background: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) includes a $2.2 trillion financial relief package for individuals, companies, and distressed industries. The new law (enacted on March 27, 2020) expands small business loan programs including a new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide low-interest loans that can be used to cover payroll, mortgages, rent and other specified expenses. The PPP waives collateral and personal guarantee requirements in addition to borrower and lender fees, defers payments for six months, and caps the interest rate at 1.0% on the two-year loan.  The SBA will forgive the portion of the loans used to cover payroll, mortgage interest, rent payments, and the cost of utilities for a period of eight weeks if small businesses retain their employees and payroll levels. The CARES Act also expands a separate Coronavirus disaster program, which provides low-interest loans (3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profits) up to $2 million and with $10,000 advance grants that may not have to be repaid.

Tee Rowe from America’s Small Business Development Centers will walk-through the small business assistance programs in the CARES Act and discuss how to apply for SBA loan programs. SEMA members will have a chance to ask Ingber and Rowe questions at the end of the webinar.

Immediate questions? Contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

PRI management has put in place changes to help lower the level of uncertainty for exhibitors and attendees.

As the situation surrounding the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic continues to evolve, PRI remains committed to hosting a successful PRI Trade Show, scheduled for December 10–12, 2020. As planning continues, PRI management has put in place changes to help lower the level of uncertainty for exhibitors and attendees.

While the priority exhibitor application deadline of May 8, 2020, remains in effect for the initial floor plotting, PRI has extended the deadline to receive a full refund to September 1, 2020. Exhibitors can reserve space with confidence, knowing that PRI will continue to monitor developments and make updates as necessary.

All PRI staff and account representatives are working full-time, and are available to answer questions and provide information as it becomes available. Those with questions should reach out to their account reps, or contact 949-499-5413 or mail@performanceracing.com.

Secure a booth now for the 2020 PRI Trade Show.

By SEMA Editors

PRI management has put in place changes to help lower the level of uncertainty for exhibitors and attendees.

As the situation surrounding the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic continues to evolve, PRI remains committed to hosting a successful PRI Trade Show, scheduled for December 10–12, 2020. As planning continues, PRI management has put in place changes to help lower the level of uncertainty for exhibitors and attendees.

While the priority exhibitor application deadline of May 8, 2020, remains in effect for the initial floor plotting, PRI has extended the deadline to receive a full refund to September 1, 2020. Exhibitors can reserve space with confidence, knowing that PRI will continue to monitor developments and make updates as necessary.

All PRI staff and account representatives are working full-time, and are available to answer questions and provide information as it becomes available. Those with questions should reach out to their account reps, or contact 949-499-5413 or mail@performanceracing.com.

Secure a booth now for the 2020 PRI Trade Show.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The federal government wants to help companies keep their workers on the payroll. Under a recently enacted federal law, small businesses may file a “Paycheck Protection Loan” application with their local participating bank starting on April 3. These are forgivable loans. The interest rate is 1.0% on a two-year loan backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Department of the Treasury. Companies may borrow 250% of their business’ monthly payroll up to $10 million to cover payroll, rent and other expenses. In turn, the SBA will forgive that portion of the loan used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest and utilities for a period of eight weeks if a small business retains its employees and payroll levels.

Don’t wait—there is a program funding cap. Members are encouraged to contact their banks, get their paperwork in order and file an application. 

Visit the SBA website for more information.

For more resources to help you address Coronavirus, visit www.sema.org/coronavirus. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The federal government wants to help companies keep their workers on the payroll. Under a recently enacted federal law, small businesses may file a “Paycheck Protection Loan” application with their local participating bank starting on April 3. These are forgivable loans. The interest rate is 1.0% on a two-year loan backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Department of the Treasury. Companies may borrow 250% of their business’ monthly payroll up to $10 million to cover payroll, rent and other expenses. In turn, the SBA will forgive that portion of the loan used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest and utilities for a period of eight weeks if a small business retains its employees and payroll levels.

Don’t wait—there is a program funding cap. Members are encouraged to contact their banks, get their paperwork in order and file an application. 

Visit the SBA website for more information.

For more resources to help you address Coronavirus, visit www.sema.org/coronavirus. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The federal government wants to help companies keep their workers on the payroll. Under a recently enacted federal law, small businesses may file a “Paycheck Protection Loan” application with their local participating bank starting on April 3. These are forgivable loans. The interest rate is 1.0% on a two-year loan backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Department of the Treasury. Companies may borrow 250% of their business’ monthly payroll up to $10 million to cover payroll, rent and other expenses. In turn, the SBA will forgive that portion of the loan used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest and utilities for a period of eight weeks if a small business retains its employees and payroll levels.

Don’t wait—there is a program funding cap. Members are encouraged to contact their banks, get their paperwork in order and file an application. 

Visit the SBA website for more information.

For more resources to help you address Coronavirus, visit www.sema.org/coronavirus. 

By SEMA Editors

SEMA, in partnership with eight other automotive trade associations, urged the National Governors Association and Governors of all 50 states to standardize the definition of essential businesses and workers. The groups recommend adoption of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) March 28 directive, “Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 Response,” which identifies essential workers and business operations throughout the economy. DHS guidance clarifies that automotive repair, maintenance and transportation equipment manufacturing and distribution facilities are “essential services” that are critical to ensuring the safe and ongoing operations of our nation’s transportation and logistics sector.

The organizations sending the letter represent companies that manufacture parts and supply services to help maintain the nation’s fleet of public and private vehicles during COVID-19—from cars, trucks and buses to police and emergency vehicles. The letter notes that Governors and local authorities have been making difficult decisions balancing “essential” commercial activities with “Shelter in Place” directives. It is important that states adopt the DHS Guidance, which provides a uniform national approach for protecting the country’s critical transportation and manufacturing needs.

The letter was signed by the Auto Care Association, Automotive Oil Change Association, Automotive Service Association, California Automotive Business Coalition, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, Specialty Equipment Market Association, Tire Industry Association, Service Station Dealers of America and Allied Trades, U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association.

A copy of the letter can be found here.