While the motorsports industry has been vocal in advocating for the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act, wheel and tire businesses are equally impacted by this legislation. Companies and professionals in the wheel and tire industry will learn why passage of the RPM Act is critical to the future of the industry during the SEMA Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)-sponsored webinar taking place February 17.
John Rastetter, a member of the WTC Select Committee, and a panel of wheel and tire professionals, will share how businesses are being impacted by EPA overreach. Webinar participants will hear and learn what the current status of the bill is, why it is better positioned than ever before for passage this calendar year and what is required in order to get the bill over the finish line.
Learn more about the live webinar and register here.
The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) has announced the election of Mike Spagnola to its board of trustees. Spagnola is vice president of OEM and product development programs at SEMA and oversees the SEMA Garage Product Development Center as well as the SEMA Data. Beginning February 1, he has added to his role; he now serves as co-CEO for the association and oversees the Government Affairs, SEMA Data, Human Resources and Accounting departments until a new CEO is hired for the Association.
“I have had the privilege and honor to have worked with Mike over many years,” said Joel Ayres, executive director of AACF. “His industry knowledge, creativity and big heart will be fantastic addition to the AACF Board of Trustees. Mike and his entire family are a perfect example of those that do unselfish charitable work.”
“I have been in the industry 40+ years, it’s very gratifying to help people. I’m excited about joining the board of AACF as it focuses on helping our own family within the automotive aftermarket,” Spagnola said.
“The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation has a long-standing tradition of extending a helping hand to those in need,” Spagnola continues, “More specifically, AACF is especially known for its charitable work on behalf of those in the aftermarket industry who need financial assistance in times of hardship. It’s a cause worthy to support and I’m honored to be asked to be a part of the AACF board."
SuperSprings International Grows a Record-Breaking 42% in 2021
Coming off the heels of a record-breaking 2019 and 2020, SuperSprings International continued the momentum throughout 2021, recording full year growth of 42%. The company attributes its three-year streak of success to a shift toward end-consumer marketing at the end of 2019, strong partnerships, and a well-defined strategic vision under the executive leadership of Adam Weisner (CCO) and Gerry Lamberti (CEO).
The plans for 2022 are much of the same—to grow the business at an impressive pace and advance on the company goal of becoming the best-known suspension brand in the world. There will be new application releases throughout 2022, as well as additions to the product lineup that will introduce SSI to brand new market spaces.
In Q4 2021, SSI implemented a new leadership structure. This change was part of Weisner and Lamberti’s strategy to establish five business units, each tasked with being the best in their respective field. These business units’ leaders now report to Weisner, who continues to report to Lamberti.
This year will continue to see SSI adding partnerships in the RV industry, as it did in 2021 when it added Coachmen Class C and Winnebago Class A motorhomes as standard equipment. There will continue to be a heightened focus on adding a trailer manufacturer as an OEM partner in 2022, with Trailer SumoSprings being the companies fastest-growing product for the past two years. In addition, SSI has placed effort in deepening and growing partnerships with distributors throughout 2022.
RNR Tire Express Announces the Appointment of Three New Executives to National Team
RNR Tire Express has officially announced the appointment of three new executives to the brands national leadership team. These include the promotions of Tracy Cintron to the role of franchise director and Candace Lovett to national marketing director, as well as the recent addition of Susan Vice to serve as the company’s new financial controller.
Cintron, who had previously served as franchise coordinator for RNR, will continue helping franchisees in their store development efforts and will begin playing a more central role in their onboarding, training and overall success. Lovett, who’s moved up from her previous role as marketing manager for RNR, will oversee strategic planning and initiatives for the company’s 160+ locations nationwide, lead the national marketing team and work to expand the size and scope of all marketing efforts. Vice’s position with the franchisor puts her in control of the daily operations of the accounting department and the financial well-being of the company.
Maverick Motorsports, the provider of powersports and side-by-side equipment and accessories in Missoula, Montana, has purchased Staack’s Motorsports in Butte, Montana. Staack’s, which also offers powersports and side-by-side equipment and accessories, has been owned and operated by Ed Staack and his son Brian Staack for more than 50 years. Maverick Motorsports is co-owned by Brent Gyuricza and Guy Sharp. For more information, visit mavmotorsports.com and staacksmotorsports.com.
Mark Carter Joins MAVTV Motorsports Network
MAVTV Motorsports Network, the U.S.-based TV network owned by Lucas Oil Products, has appointed Mark Carter as director of sales and marketing. In his new position, Carter will be responsible for the MAVTV brand strategy and implementation in growing sales and advancing the entire MAVTV platform to a larger and more engaged audience. For more information, visit mavtv.com.
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.
Performance reviews play a critical aspect in the role of a manager. It is not a time to grade performance, but a time to give honest feedback that can have a significant impact on an individual’s career. This allows employees to improve in smaller timeframes and can help determine their advancement opportunities and career path.
Automotive aftermarket managers will learn how to conduct a successful performance review by joining the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) for a live webinar on February 17, at 11:00 a.m. (PST).
During the webinar, attendees will learn:
The importance of reviews and setting targets for an employee’s professional growth.
How to have an honest and productive conversation that points to specific examples of achievements and what is expected moving forward.
Tips for providing and receiving feedback from the employee that identifies training and development needs.
This webinar is designed specifically for automotive aftermarket managers and includes a live Q&A and breakout-session. Register here.
As industry requirements for emissions compliance evolve, manufacturers will need to prepare and adapt to new testing procedures. Stephen Ruiz, ACS, Automotive Consulting Services, will share firsthand experience on emissions calibration and compliance during a webinar on Tuesday, February 15, at 1:00 p.m. (PST).
Participants will learn practical experience about how to go through the process of emissions calibration and compliance as they learn from Ruiz’s extensive experience with powertrain calibration for internal-combustion engines and transmissions to meet specific engineering requirements.
Register here to join the webinar, “A Practical Approach to Emissions Calibration and Compliance.”
Whether you’re pursuing a career in marketing and sales, accounting, graphic design or any other profession, you may qualify to receive a scholarship of up to $5,000 to help pay for tuition and related expenses. Each year, the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Foundation awards more than 100 students hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship funds.
Each year, the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Foundation awards more than 100 students hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship funds.
Last year, five students received the Top Student Awards, which included a $5,000 scholarship. Ten scholarship winners who were chosen to participate in the SEMA Show Student Experience received a trip to the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where they gained firsthand experience and made valuable connections with professionals in the industry.
“The SEMA Scholarship Program is unlike any other scholarship program, in that our goal is more than just handing out money to help with expenses—we strive to support students in pursuing careers in the industry,” said Chris Standifer, SEMA project manager, recognition programs. “Scholarship applicants become a part of our network in which we support the future generation.”
Applications for this year’s scholarship program, which are due March 1, are available at www.sema.org/scholarships. All students with a passion for automobiles and pursuing a career in the industry are encouraged to apply.
Alex Borla—the co-founder and CEO of Borla Performance Industries with facilities in Oxnard, California, and Johnson City, Tennessee—has passed away.
In 1978, Borla co-founded Borla Performance and Borla Exhaust with his wife Alyse Borla. The company, which started as a manufacturer of exhaust components for Rolls-Royce and Ferrari Concours classics, has evolved into a premier exhaust brand covering many cars and trucks.
Borla, a lifelong auto enthusiast, has participated in several racing events, including the Bonneville Salt Flats Speed Week.
This story was originally published on February 10, 2022. For more industry news, visit SEMANews.com and subscribe to SEMA News at the bottom of the webpage to get the latest updates straight to your inbox, twice a week.
Kaylee Crayton (@86_nebula), Top 10 of Battle of the Builders: Young Guns division at the 2021 SEMA Show, will join SEMA Young Guns followers for an Instagram “Ask Me Anything” on Tuesday, February 15, from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (PST).
Crayton is a 21-year-old social-media influencer and dual-sport driver. She started bracket racing at 18 and in the past three years, has made a large impact in the automotive world, including being named Import Face off Bracket champion, featured on “All Girls Garage,” obtaining her 7.50 NHRA License and finishing in the top 10 of SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns division at the 2021 SEMA Show.
With more than 550,000 followers on TikTok and 20 million views of car-builder content, Crayton is a force to be reckoned with on and off the track.
SEMA continues to actively recruit automotive influencers for the SEMA Social Media Correspondent program. Apply now to be considered.
SEMA Launch Pad, the automotive industry’s product-pitching competition that propelled inventors and entrepreneurs to successful, thriving businesses since 2013, will be featured for the first time on a nationwide television special February 13 on the History Channel.
The 2021 competition included a record-high 200-plus competitors vying for the program’s largest grand prize ever, valued at $100,000. The program features 15 semifinalists who competed live in Las Vegas, where they pitched their products and ideas to a panel of industry experts and icons that included Chip Foose (Foose Design), Jared Hare (Addictive Desert Designs), Myles Kovacs (DUB) and Alex Parker (Redline Detection).
“We’re excited to bring the SEMA Launch Pad to a nationwide television audience,” said Ted Wentz, SEMA Board member and chair of the SEMA Launch Pad Task Force. “For years, the SEMA Launch Pad has encouraged and supported product innovation and new ideas. The television program will give a new audience the opportunity to see the depth of the industry’s innovation.”
The automotive industry has been following the 2021 competition through a five-episode YouTube miniseries that generated almost half a million views. The upcoming television special includes brand-new, exclusive coverage of the finale, with the top two finalists competing in front of thousands of industry professionals at the world-renowned SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Viewers will watch as competitors both triumph and falter along the way, with judges asking hard questions and providing candid feedback.
“The Launch Pad is a competition designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs succeed and grow,” said Wentz. “To see the competition unfold on television is inspiring. We hope that it encourages others to bring new products to the marketplace as well.”
U.S. and Japanese officials announced a tariff-rate quota deal that will end the 25% tariff on steel imports from Japan levied since 2018. The 25% tariff will be suspended on up to 1.25 million metric tons per year of steel imports from Japan and will take effect April 1. (The U.S. imported 1.1 million metric tons of steel from Japan in 2019 but 1.7 million tons in 2017 before the tariffs were imposed.) The agreement does not cover aluminum imports, which are subject to 10% tariffs.
The metal tariffs were initially imposed in 2018 under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 on national security grounds. The U.S.-Japan agreement comes four months after a similar deal was reached between the U.S. and European Union to end the dispute over both steel and aluminum tariffs. Negotiations are underway to end steel and aluminum tariff disputes with the United States and United Kingdom.
For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.
While the current trajectory of OEMs focusing on EV technology threatens the potential applications for products designed for internal-combustion engines (ICE), a new hydrogen-fueled ICE offers manufacturers hope into future possible markets and applications. Introduced by Mike Copeland of Diversified Creations, the new technology was recently showcased on a ’48 Chevy truck with a supercharged LS engine.
Codenamed Zero, the truck—which produces zero tailpipe emissions—debuted at the 2021 SEMA Show and amassed wide media coverage and industry interest. Copeland will share details about the technology during a live webinar on February 23, at 11:00 a.m. (PST). Join Copeland as he shares:
Hydrogen ICE technology and the viability of hydrogen as a fuel.
The difference between hydrogen ICE and fuel cell.
The applicability of hydrogen ICE in the performance segment.
The hydrogen infrastructure and performance potential of hydrogen ICE.
Learn more and register here for the SEMA webinar “Hydrogen-Fueled ICE for Performance Application.”
