SEMA News—February 2019

PEOPLE

By Mike Imlay

Melanie White: SEMA Person of the Year

Melanie White, who was recently named the first woman president of Hellwig Products, received the SEMA 2018 Person of the Year award at the recent SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet. The award honors exceptional volunteerism and leadership on behalf of the specialty-equipment industry.

Among the several distinguished honors bestowed at the annual SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet, the Person of the Year award stands as perhaps the most prestigious. More than their own personal or career achievements, individuals who have received the award were selected in recognition of their tremendous service and contributions to the industry in advancing the success of the entire marketplace. At the recent 2018 SEMA Show ceremonies held in Las Vegas on Thursday night, November 1, the association named Melanie White of Hellwig Products as its 2018 Person of the Year.

White is known throughout the aftermarket as a proven leader for both her own business accomplishments and her dedication to the industry. Hailing from a founding SEMA-member company that has exhibited since the very first SEMA Show in 1967 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, she represents the fourth generation to join the family business established by her great-grandfather in 1946.

White started in Hellwig’s sales and marketing department 13 years ago, working her way up to vice president before ultimately becoming the company’s first female president last year. Even while tackling those considerable company responsibilities, she has always been an equally enthusiastic SEMA volunteer.

In fact, White’s involvement with the association has included membership in six SEMA councils and networks. In addition to earning several service awards from her council groups, she was among SEMA News’ first roster of “35 Under 35” young and rising talents in 2012. White also served as chair of the Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) and has been an outspoken industry advocate, participating in Washington, D.C., Rallies and joining other SEMA members on international business-development trips. Her combination of experience and character made her a natural choice for the chair position of SEMA Cares, the association’s charity outreach—a role she stepped into last summer.

After receiving her Person of the Year award, White was congratulated backstage by SEMA Chairman of the Board Wade Kawasaki (right) and SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting.

“SEMA is proud to recognize Melanie White as our 2018 Person of the Year,” said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting. “The goal of our association is to ensure that all member businesses succeed and prosper. Melanie’s dedication on behalf of SEMA is both exemplary and inspiring. She truly embodies the initiative, leadership and passion that are at the heart of the specialty-equipment aftermarket.”

For White, receiving the award was an incredible experience.

“Overall, I’ve just felt so lucky to be a part of SEMA and its volunteer network,” she said. “I love this industry so much. I love the people. I love the community and that we are all here for each other. I fell for the industry and what we could do together at my first TORA long-range planning meeting in Chicago. I remember the awe of just what is possible when we work together. SEMA is a place where you’re able to take your brand hat off and band together as an industry.”

White sees a number of challenges facing the aftermarket and is glad to be a member of a trade association working on effective solutions. She considers her work on behalf of SEMA Cares to be her greatest volunteer accomplishment to date.

“I’m especially proud to be a part of a team that raised more money than ever before for our SEMA Cares charities through our Pinewood racing event,” she said.

On a more personal note, White can’t express her appreciation enough for those who have helped propel her endeavors.

White, pictured here with SEMA Scholarship Committee Chair Kim Pendergast (right), CEO of Magnuson Products LLC, is now channeling her volunteerism into SEMA Cares, chairing the association’s philanthropic efforts.

“How many thank yous can I give?” she asked. “I have so many people I’m grateful for. My great-grandpa and grandpa for taking a risk and starting our company and growing it. My dad and mom for all of their support and encouragement through the years. And there are so many family members who have helped the company become what it is. I’ve also had amazing mentors and others in this industry who have become lifelong friends. Also, I wouldn’t be doing what I do without the support of my husband or the encouragement of my son, and I couldn’t do any of it without my amazing team at Hellwig.”

White hopes others, too, will avail themselves of the many education, networking and volunteer opportunities SEMA offers its members.

“I’d encourage folks to get more involved,” she said. “You give time but get so much back. It’s a great community in which to fight for what matters for our industry, and volunteering and being involved with SEMA is among the best things I’ve done. I’ve learned so much about the industry and how to get things accomplished.”

The presentation of Person of the Year honors to White was the culmination of numerous industry awards announced at the SEMA Show’s Thursday-night gala. Other award winners included Jon Pulli of Turn 14 Distribution, the Gen-III Innovator of the Year; Bob Cook Sales, the Manufacturer’s Rep Agency of the Year; Turn 14 Distribution, the Warehouse Distributor of the Year; and Aeromotive, the Manufacturer of the Year. SEMA’s most recent Hall of Fame inductees were also recognized, including Donnie Eatherly, Ed Pink and Chris Thomson.

“The SEMA Awards Banquet is always a highlight of the SEMA Show week,” Kersting said. “After several days of business at the Show, it’s a great time to switch gears and celebrate the passion that fuels the industry. Melanie and our several other award winners all stand out as special examples of the professionalism, passion and striving for excellence that we see throughout the Show. We’re honored to be able to recognize them.”

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will no longer require companies with 250 or more employees to electronically submit OSHA Forms 300 and 301, which track employee injuries and illnesses at their establishments. The filing requirement had taken effect on July 1, 2018. Companies are still required to record and maintain the information for five years. Companies must still make the information available to OSHA through inspections and enforcement actions, but the agency cited worker privacy as an issue for not requiring electronic submission.

As background, OSHA requires employers with more than 10 employees in most industries to keep records of occupational injuries and illnesses. The information is recorded on Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) with a supplemental Form 301 if providing additional details about the injury or illness. At the end of each year, employers are required to complete OSHA Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) and post the form in a visible location in the workplace. Companies are still required to file Form 300A with OSHA. Moreover, OSHA is amending the recordkeeping regulation to require covered employers to submit their Employer Identification Number (EIN) electronically along with their injury and illness data submission, which will facilitate OSHA’s use of the data and may help reduce duplicative employer reporting.

For more information, click on the following links from OSHA’s website:

• www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/osha-rkforms-winstr_fillable.pdf
• www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/finalrule

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will no longer require companies with 250 or more employees to electronically submit OSHA Forms 300 and 301, which track employee injuries and illnesses at their establishments. The filing requirement had taken effect on July 1, 2018. Companies are still required to record and maintain the information for five years. Companies must still make the information available to OSHA through inspections and enforcement actions, but the agency cited worker privacy as an issue for not requiring electronic submission.

As background, OSHA requires employers with more than 10 employees in most industries to keep records of occupational injuries and illnesses. The information is recorded on Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) with a supplemental Form 301 if providing additional details about the injury or illness. At the end of each year, employers are required to complete OSHA Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) and post the form in a visible location in the workplace. Companies are still required to file Form 300A with OSHA. Moreover, OSHA is amending the recordkeeping regulation to require covered employers to submit their Employer Identification Number (EIN) electronically along with their injury and illness data submission, which will facilitate OSHA’s use of the data and may help reduce duplicative employer reporting.

For more information, click on the following links from OSHA’s website:

• www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/osha-rkforms-winstr_fillable.pdf
• www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/finalrule

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will no longer require companies with 250 or more employees to electronically submit OSHA Forms 300 and 301, which track employee injuries and illnesses at their establishments. The filing requirement had taken effect on July 1, 2018. Companies are still required to record and maintain the information for five years. Companies must still make the information available to OSHA through inspections and enforcement actions, but the agency cited worker privacy as an issue for not requiring electronic submission.

As background, OSHA requires employers with more than 10 employees in most industries to keep records of occupational injuries and illnesses. The information is recorded on Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) with a supplemental Form 301 if providing additional details about the injury or illness. At the end of each year, employers are required to complete OSHA Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) and post the form in a visible location in the workplace. Companies are still required to file Form 300A with OSHA. Moreover, OSHA is amending the recordkeeping regulation to require covered employers to submit their Employer Identification Number (EIN) electronically along with their injury and illness data submission, which will facilitate OSHA’s use of the data and may help reduce duplicative employer reporting.

For more information, click on the following links from OSHA’s website:

• www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/osha-rkforms-winstr_fillable.pdf
• www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/finalrule

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By Kristopher Porter

The 2018 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees were (L–R): Donnie Eatherly, Chris Thomson and Ed Pink.

As a SEMA member, you have the chance to nominate an exceptional candidate for the 2019 SEMA Hall of Fame, which honors outstanding individuals in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity and accomplishments have significantly contributed to the industry’s growth.

When making your confidential nomination, please provide a brief statement that explains why the individual deserves this prestigious award. Feel free to mention previous accomplishments and notable industry contributions. This will help the Hall of Fame Committee choose the most deserving candidates.

Before submitting your nomination, take a moment to review the SEMA Hall of Fame website and the award criteria as well as prior inductees. Last year’s Hall of Fame inductees were Donnie Eatherly from P&E Distributors Inc., Ed Pink from Ed Pink Racing Engines, and Chris Thomson from TMG Performance Group.

Submit your nomination for the 2019 SEMA Hall of Fame before the March 8 deadline.

To learn more, visit www.sema.org/hof or contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By Kristopher Porter

The 2018 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees were (L–R): Donnie Eatherly, Chris Thomson and Ed Pink.

As a SEMA member, you have the chance to nominate an exceptional candidate for the 2019 SEMA Hall of Fame, which honors outstanding individuals in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity and accomplishments have significantly contributed to the industry’s growth.

When making your confidential nomination, please provide a brief statement that explains why the individual deserves this prestigious award. Feel free to mention previous accomplishments and notable industry contributions. This will help the Hall of Fame Committee choose the most deserving candidates.

Before submitting your nomination, take a moment to review the SEMA Hall of Fame website and the award criteria as well as prior inductees. Last year’s Hall of Fame inductees were Donnie Eatherly from P&E Distributors Inc., Ed Pink from Ed Pink Racing Engines, and Chris Thomson from TMG Performance Group.

Submit your nomination for the 2019 SEMA Hall of Fame before the March 8 deadline.

To learn more, visit www.sema.org/hof or contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

These shots are what is believed to be an Acura MDX Type-S mule.

Sources state that Acura will bring back the Type-S performance derivative, which was first seen on the ’08 Acura TL and will eventually be rolled out to all core Acura models, including MDX. It’s said to feature an all-new Acura-exclusive turbocharged V6 tied to the second-generation Super Handling AWD system. The Type-S will bring a performance-tuned chassis, beefier brakes, performance tires and sportier interior and exterior styling.

The Acura MDX rides on a six-year lifecycle, which would put the next MDX as a ’20 model year. Expect major updates to the core existing architecture.

If things come to fruition, expect an official debut sometime in late 2019.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

These shots are what is believed to be an Acura MDX Type-S mule.

Sources state that Acura will bring back the Type-S performance derivative, which was first seen on the ’08 Acura TL and will eventually be rolled out to all core Acura models, including MDX. It’s said to feature an all-new Acura-exclusive turbocharged V6 tied to the second-generation Super Handling AWD system. The Type-S will bring a performance-tuned chassis, beefier brakes, performance tires and sportier interior and exterior styling.

The Acura MDX rides on a six-year lifecycle, which would put the next MDX as a ’20 model year. Expect major updates to the core existing architecture.

If things come to fruition, expect an official debut sometime in late 2019.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

These shots are what is believed to be an Acura MDX Type-S mule.

Sources state that Acura will bring back the Type-S performance derivative, which was first seen on the ’08 Acura TL and will eventually be rolled out to all core Acura models, including MDX. It’s said to feature an all-new Acura-exclusive turbocharged V6 tied to the second-generation Super Handling AWD system. The Type-S will bring a performance-tuned chassis, beefier brakes, performance tires and sportier interior and exterior styling.

The Acura MDX rides on a six-year lifecycle, which would put the next MDX as a ’20 model year. Expect major updates to the core existing architecture.

If things come to fruition, expect an official debut sometime in late 2019.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

These shots are what is believed to be an Acura MDX Type-S mule.

Sources state that Acura will bring back the Type-S performance derivative, which was first seen on the ’08 Acura TL and will eventually be rolled out to all core Acura models, including MDX. It’s said to feature an all-new Acura-exclusive turbocharged V6 tied to the second-generation Super Handling AWD system. The Type-S will bring a performance-tuned chassis, beefier brakes, performance tires and sportier interior and exterior styling.

The Acura MDX rides on a six-year lifecycle, which would put the next MDX as a ’20 model year. Expect major updates to the core existing architecture.

If things come to fruition, expect an official debut sometime in late 2019.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde