News | Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

Battle of the Builders® Winner Announced at SEMA Ignited

Thu, 11/12/2015 - 13:43

The three Battle of the Builders® finalists—(L-R) Bobby Alloway, Chip Foose and Alan Johnson—were seen with “Overhaulin’s” Adrienne Janic and Chris Jacobs prior to the announcement of the 2015 Battle of the Builders® winner.

By Chad Simon

The winner of the Battle of the Builders® competition was announced Friday evening, November 6, 2015, at SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party—in front of a crowd more than 15,000 strong at the main stage in the Gold Lot across the street from the Las Vegas Convention Center. The three finalists included Bobby Alloway and his ’33 Ford Roadster, Chip Foose and his ’65 Chevy Impala, and Alan Johnson and his ’53 Studebaker. In the end, it was Alloway who was named Top Builder.

“This has to be the biggest award I have ever won,” Alloway said. “We were being judged by our peers—guys that can do and have done the same as I. That’s big!”

Introduced at the SEMA Show last year, the SEMA Battle of the Builders® competition began with more than 200 vehicle builders and car customizers entering 260 custom cars competing for the coveted title of Top Builder. Builders who made it to the Top 10 round of competition selected amongst themselves the Top Builder. Production teams were on-site to film various television programs that will air nationwide early next year.

Battle of the Builders® Winner Announced at SEMA Ignited

Thu, 11/12/2015 - 13:43

The three Battle of the Builders® finalists—(L-R) Bobby Alloway, Chip Foose and Alan Johnson—were seen with “Overhaulin’s” Adrienne Janic and Chris Jacobs prior to the announcement of the 2015 Battle of the Builders® winner.

By Chad Simon

The winner of the Battle of the Builders® competition was announced Friday evening, November 6, 2015, at SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party—in front of a crowd more than 15,000 strong at the main stage in the Gold Lot across the street from the Las Vegas Convention Center. The three finalists included Bobby Alloway and his ’33 Ford Roadster, Chip Foose and his ’65 Chevy Impala, and Alan Johnson and his ’53 Studebaker. In the end, it was Alloway who was named Top Builder.

“This has to be the biggest award I have ever won,” Alloway said. “We were being judged by our peers—guys that can do and have done the same as I. That’s big!”

Introduced at the SEMA Show last year, the SEMA Battle of the Builders® competition began with more than 200 vehicle builders and car customizers entering 260 custom cars competing for the coveted title of Top Builder. Builders who made it to the Top 10 round of competition selected amongst themselves the Top Builder. Production teams were on-site to film various television programs that will air nationwide early next year.

Movers & Shakers: Edelbrock Promotes Wayne Murray to President

Thu, 11/12/2015 - 13:32

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Wayne Murray

Edelbrock Promotes Wayne Murray to President

Edelbrock has announced the promotion of Wayne Murray to the position of president of Edelbrock LLC. Murray has been with Edelbrock for 46 years. He has worked in numerous manufacturing roles from his start on the production line to his previous role as the vice president of manufacturing, which he has held since 1983. Murray has helped keep Edelbrock on the leading edge of aluminum sand-cast manufacturing and machining. His focus will be to continue Edelbrock's current growth and operational strategies. He will continue to directly oversee all of Edelbrock's manufacturing and foundry operations, as well as the role of managing and driving operational efficiencies within the organization. Edelbrock's previous president, John Colaianne will assume the role of CEO and continue to be involved in day-to-day company operations.

Universal Car Keys was voted “Best New Product” at the 2015 Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo in Las Vegas.

AAPEX Buyers Award Universal Car Keys as “Best New Product”

Solid Keys USA announced that its newest product release, Universal Car Keys, was voted “Best New Product” at the 2015 Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas. AAPEX announced the winners of the 2015 New Product Showcase during the General Session held at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas. A panel of AAPEX buyers determined the winning entries by a vote that took place Tuesday, November 3.

“We’re glad we did as well as we had hoped. There were hundreds of great products competing, but the Universal Car Key is such a unique and special product we knew it would be a hit. We’re glad the AAPEX panel of buyers recognized our unique value proposition the world's first Universal Car Keys and Universal Car Remotes bring automotive key replacement back into the hands of retailers and repair professionals something that’s been absent for decades,” said Mark Lanwehr, president, Solid Keys USA.

Trail repair being performed at the Tabeguache Connector via a Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program grant.

Omix-ADA Pledges to Create, Maintain and Protect With Renewed Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program for 2016

Omix-ADA has announced it will continue grant funding for its Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program for the 2016 calendar year. The program makes grants of up to $5,000 available to organizations helping to advance the off-road hobby. First announced at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the company has awarded more than $60,000 to date to a number of non-profit off-road organizations in support of the off-road hobby and public-land access, including: Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), Stay the Trail, Colorado OHV Coalition (COHVCO), Blue Ribbon Coalition and Piston's Wild.

Designed to “Create, Maintain and Protect,” the two-year success of the program has encouraged President and Owner Al Azadi to continue to reach greater heights, starting with grant approvals for 2016. Each of the grants—which come as part of Azadi’s larger philanthropic effort—were designated for use toward education, stewardship, litigation or any other activity advocating the conservation of public land and access to recreational trails.

Bob and Pat Bondurant have entered into a partnership to introduce the Bondurant Racing School as “The Official High Performance Driving School of Dodge/SRT.”

Bondurant Embarks on a New Era of Partnership With Dodge SRT

Bob Bondurant and FCA US LLC, through its Dodge and SRT brands, have entered into a partnership to introduce the Bondurant Racing School as “The Official High Performance Driving School of Dodge/SRT.” On day one, all drivers will be assigned the 485-hp Dodge Challenger SRT 392, followed by day two and/or three in the Dodge Viper TA 2.0. After day two, the instructor determines if the acquired skills may or may not advance the qualified driver into the Viper ACR—a street-legal track car. The 707hp Dodge Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcats will be equally offered for the third-day option, along with the Viper ACR. The fourth day will be open track in the car of your choice. The staff will assist and guide participants through the SCCA and race license steps.

Rancho Dealers Earn Trip to Las Vegas for 2015 SEMA Show

Top members of the “Rancho Rewards” program—a business-building program for performance parts businesses—earned a Rancho-sponsored trip to the 2015 SEMA Show. The Rancho Rewards program combines an extensive package of marketing and merchandising materials with an incentive program to help drive sales of Rancho suspension systems, shocks, struts and accessories. The Rancho Rewards program also includes a 5% cash-back rebate on qualifying purchases and exclusive, member-only promotions. Membership in the annual program is $79.99 and is only available to traditional, brick-and-mortar performance parts businesses. The Rancho Rewards package includes high-impact, point-of-sale materials, including banners, mini catalogs, brochures and more. The program also provides online marketing support through a dealer locator listing on the Rancho website plus access to industry-leading technical assistance. Minimum-purchase restrictions apply to qualify for the Rancho 5% cash-back rebate. To register for the 2016 Rancho Rewards program, contact your Rancho sales representative or call Rancho Rewards dealer concierge Melanie Hoit at 435-879-8208.

The Trueray wire wheel is being re-introduced, now hand-built in limited production.

After 25 Years, the Trueray Wire Wheel Returns

First introduced in 1974, the Trueray wire wheel was a coveted direct-bolt-on option. After an absence of 25 years, Truespoke Wire Wheels by Motorsport Inc. is re-introducing this classic design, now hand-built in limited production. Dealer opportunities are also available. The wheel is available in 13–18-in. diameters, with 60 straight-lace spokes. Each set includes a choice of “dome”- or “hex”-style caps with Trueray chrome medallions, which are identical to the originals. The wheel can be purchased with copper, nickel or chrome plating for a variety of rear-wheel drive vehicles.

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.

Job-Hunting? Top Automotive Jobs Here

Thu, 11/12/2015 - 13:28

By SEMA Editors

Are you hunting for a new job? The “Positions Available” section in the SEMA Member Classifieds lists more than 50 job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

Account Executive
Merceli Wheels is hiring a salesperson with related wheels experience. The candidate must be reliable, hard-working, have excellent communication skills and basic knowledge of the automotive industry, and the ability to generate new customers and close sales.

Inbound Call Center Specialist
Speedway Motors Inc. is hiring an inbound call center specialist with no automotive experience needed. The successful candidate must have computer experience and be able to type 30 wpm. Previous customer service experience is a plus.

Director of Sales
RTM Productions LLC is hiring a director of sales to manage a growing sales team. The successful candidate must have strong automotive and multimedia marketing experience.

Dealer Account Manager
Bully Dog/SCT is hiring a dealer account manager responsible for managing and growing existing accounts and to engage in business development activities that identify and close on new business.

SEMA Council & Network News: Award Winners Announced

Thu, 11/12/2015 - 13:26

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit ARMO's website.

ARMO Award Winners

Congratulations to the Automotive Restoration Market Organization’s (ARMO) 2015 award winners!

Business of the Year: Original Parts Group

Person of the Year: Ken Howell

ARMO Hall of Fame: Mark Headrick, Auto Metal Direct

Headrick was one of the early members in the Hemi Owner’s Club, and has owned more than 80 HEMI cars over the years. Through his club affiliation, he realized there were other owners, like himself, searching for parts. This realization brought him down a path away from his background in education and toward a PhD in the restoration market.

Chair Dennis Roberts (right) congratulates Original Parts Group, ARMO’s Business of the Year.

Ken Howell (left) of Auto Custom Carpets was ARMO’s Person of the Year.

ARMO Hall of Fame inductee Mark Headrick (left) of Auto Metal Direct.

His first venture into the reproduction business was as a founding partner in MSE—a company that specialized in tubing products, such as Hemi choke tubes. Through that, Headrick made connections at Year One and was eventually hired as vice president, where he was heavily involved in developing new parts. Headrick saw a need for body panels to restore cars that required full body panels. This discovery led him to leaving Year One to start Goodmark Industries. For more than a decade and a half, Headrick developed Goodmark into one of the leading suppliers of body panels in the GM and MOPAR hobby.

In the early ’00s, Headrick felt he could take what he had learned and develop an even better quality line of body panels if he had more control over parts manufacturing and development. This led to a relationship with a manufacturing factory and the formation of Auto Metal Direct. The goal was to produce enough different body panels so many of the previously unrestorable cars could now be saved. With full panels, the possibility of restoring wrecked and rusted cars now opened up.

Headrick has always believed in producing the most accurate parts possible, and through his close relationship with GM and Chrysler, he has produced an extensive line of fully licensed and factory-endorsed body panels for the hobby. Body panels are the foundation of restoring a classic car, and Headrick’s contributions to the industry have been instrumental in the growth of other suppliers in the restoration industry.