News | Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

SEMA Industry Award Nominations Due July 13

Thu, 07/05/2018 - 09:24

By SEMA Editors

Nominations are now open for SEMA’s prestigious industry awards, to be presented at the Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show.

Nominations are still open for SEMA’s prestigious industry awards, to be presented at the Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show. The awards are Manufacturer of the Year, Person of the Year, Representative Agency of the Year, Warehouse Distributor of the Year and Gen-III Innovator of the Year. All SEMA members are invited to nominate individuals and companies who have made a significant impact on the specialty-equipment market.

The 2018 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet takes place Thursday, November 1, from 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., at the Westgate Garden Patio & Paradise Event Center in Las Vegas.

Nominate now!

Person of the Year: The SEMA Person of the Year Award was established in 1969 to honor individuals for their outstanding contributions to the association and the automotive aftermarket as a whole. During the selection process, the task force takes into consideration the nominees’ service beyond their normal job functions over the past year. Full criteria is available on the SEMA Awards webpage, along with a listing of past honorees. In order to assist the Person of the Year Task Force in making its selection, a brief statement, including the nominee’s accomplishments, is required at the time of submission.

Manufacturer of the Year: The SEMA Manufacturer of the Year Award has been established to honor a manufacturer for their outstanding contribution to the industry during the past 12 months corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018.

GEN-III Innovator of the Year: SEMA is also seeking nominations to recognize young innovators who exhibit the same pioneering spirit as the original industry founders, and whose work is changing the way the automotive aftermarket does business. He or she may have been the first to act on a new trend, invented an original product or devised and implemented ideas that better suit the current marketplace. Qualifying nominees must be younger than 40 as of December 31, 2018.

Rep Agency of the Year: The SEMA Rep Agency of the Year Award honors a manufacturers’ rep agency for its contribution to the industry for the past 12 months. Considerations include product-line knowledge, communication of critical information between supplier and the client network, updated catalogs, databases and price sheets and continuous training and education programs.

Warehouse Distributor of the Year: The SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year Award recognizes a warehouse distributor that operates with the integrity and business practices that set the company apart as an industry leader. Over the last year, the ideal candidate will have been involved in industry events, serviced and communicated with suppliers and resellers with excellence and provided development opportunities for clients and staff.

All SEMA members are invited to nominate the companies and individuals that conduct business in a way that furthers the interests of the entire industry. The SEMA awards website provides photos from previous banquets and information regarding the rich history of award winners, award criteria and how to nominate industry leaders for awards in multiple categories.

For questions regarding the SEMA Awards program, contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

Job-Hunting? Top Automotive Jobs Here

Thu, 07/05/2018 - 09:23

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

Sales Representative: Coker Tire is hiring a sales and customer service professional to answer inbound sales calls and assist customers with product selection, maintain relationships with existing customers and create relationships with new customers in order to develop repeat business. In addition, this position will be responsible for helping transport product to shows around the country. Prior experience working in a high-activity sales environment and knowledge of tire, wheel and other automotive technical information are preferred.

Account Executive: Dealer Services International is hiring an account executive to travel daily within the greater designated area in support of cold calling and building new car dealer accounts through weekly sales calls, obtaining orders while continuously prospecting to expand client base and performing product sales training sessions. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of two years’ experience in automotive aftermarket sales and five years’ experience in an outside sales capacity.

Quality Engineer: FOX Factory Inc. is hiring a mid- to senior-level quality engineer to plan and oversee activities concerned with development, application and maintenance of quality standards. This position will be responsible for driving continuous improvement, metrics tracking, developing and monitoring the quality systems and metrics related to production, and responding to warranty/field issues and driving the appropriate corrective actions within the organization. Qualified candidates will have a bachelor’s of science degree and a minimum of five years working in a quality engineering type role within a mechanical manufacturing environment.

Sales and Tradeshow Member: Mac’s Tiedowns is hiring a sales and tradeshow member responsible for answering inbound sales calls, entering sales orders into QuickBooks, making outbound sales calls, monitoring the sales email inbox and partnering with the production manager on lead times. Tradeshow responsibilities include vehicle cleaning and maintenance, preparing and loading vehicles prior to departure, and driving vehicles to and from events.

Marketing Assistant/Copy Editor: Moss Motors Ltd. is hiring a marketing assistant/copy editor responsible for assisting the marketing events coordinator with tasks related to the successful execution of the company’s marketing plan. Assignments may include advertising invoice tracking and payment, product and market research, scheduling of meetings and activities, communicating between marketing and art departments and providing marketing materials to the sales department. Copy writing can entail up to 75% of this position. Candidates should have knowledge of automotive systems and components and be proficient with Microsoft Office.

Apply Online for 2018 SEMA Battle of the Builders Competition

Thu, 07/05/2018 - 09:21

By SEMA Editors

Builders can enter the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition at www.semashow.com/botb.

Builders who have a car or truck displayed at the 2018 SEMA Show can bring added exposure to their vehicles and the products that make their builds unique by entering the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition at www.semashow.com/botb.

The fifth annual contest shines a spotlight on the amazing talents and craftsmanship of builders who have already proven themselves by being a part of the premier automotive trade event in the world.

New for 2018 is the recognition of a winner in each of the four different categories—Hot Rod, Truck/Off-Road, Sport Compact and Young Guns. In addition, SEMA has expanded the Young Guns regional program, which will award 14 builders age 27 and younger the opportunity to participate in SEMA Battle of the Builders.

This year, SEMA has partnered with AutoCon, Bonnier Corp. and Goodguys Rod & Custom Association to award a SEMA prize package at select regional car shows. Designated regional winners will receive a prize package that includes an all-expenses paid trip for two to the 2018 SEMA Show, transportation of the winner’s vehicle, and a designated feature spot at the 2018 SEMA Show. To find a full list of the participating regional car events, log onto www.semashow.com/botb.

“The SEMA Battle of the Builders competition allows us to showcase to the world the talented builders who display their extraordinary vehicles at the SEMA Show every year,” said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting. “The Young Guns regional program enables us to bring attention to younger car builders, and this year’s expansion will provide more up-and-coming designers and builders the opportunity for national exposure.”

As in previous years, one builder will be named the contest’s overall top winner during the SEMA Show, and all competitors could be featured in a one-hour, nationwide television special that will air on the Velocity Network.

To enter or for more information on how you can showcase your car and parts through the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, log on to www.semashow.com/botb.