Have you had luck securing small-business financing? We want to hear from you.

President Obama last week proposed that Congress pass two temporary expansions of Small Business Administration lending programs. One would include supporting refinancing for owner-occupied commercial real estate loans. The other would increase SBA Express loan sizes to $1 million.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Ohio-based Huntington Bancshares, for example, plans to double its small-business lending over the next three years by hiring bankers to specifically sniff out small businesses that previously might not have qualified for credit. The bank’s CEO says the initiative could reach as many as 27,000 businesses in the bank’s Midwestern markets.

SEMA wants to hear from you, our industry peers. Have you had success finding and qualifying for small-business loans? Have you had positive experiences with specific lenders? Are the purse strings beginning to loosen, or are you still searching for credit? Please let us know using the comments box below.

	Have you had luck securing small-business financing? We want to hear from you.

President Obama last week proposed that Congress pass two temporary expansions of Small Business Administration lending programs. One would include supporting refinancing for owner-occupied commercial real estate loans. The other would increase SBA Express loan sizes to $1 million.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Ohio-based Huntington Bancshares, for example, plans to double its small-business lending over the next three years by hiring bankers to specifically sniff out small businesses that previously might not have qualified for credit. The bank’s CEO says the initiative could reach as many as 27,000 businesses in the bank’s Midwestern markets.

SEMA wants to hear from you, our industry peers. Have you had success finding and qualifying for small-business loans? Have you had positive experiences with specific lenders? Are the purse strings beginning to loosen, or are you still searching for credit? Please let us know using the comments box below.

	Have you had luck securing small-business financing? We want to hear from you.

President Obama last week proposed that Congress pass two temporary expansions of Small Business Administration lending programs. One would include supporting refinancing for owner-occupied commercial real estate loans. The other would increase SBA Express loan sizes to $1 million.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Ohio-based Huntington Bancshares, for example, plans to double its small-business lending over the next three years by hiring bankers to specifically sniff out small businesses that previously might not have qualified for credit. The bank’s CEO says the initiative could reach as many as 27,000 businesses in the bank’s Midwestern markets.

SEMA wants to hear from you, our industry peers. Have you had success finding and qualifying for small-business loans? Have you had positive experiences with specific lenders? Are the purse strings beginning to loosen, or are you still searching for credit? Please let us know using the comments box below.

	Have you had luck securing small-business financing? We want to hear from you.

President Obama last week proposed that Congress pass two temporary expansions of Small Business Administration lending programs. One would include supporting refinancing for owner-occupied commercial real estate loans. The other would increase SBA Express loan sizes to $1 million.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Ohio-based Huntington Bancshares, for example, plans to double its small-business lending over the next three years by hiring bankers to specifically sniff out small businesses that previously might not have qualified for credit. The bank’s CEO says the initiative could reach as many as 27,000 businesses in the bank’s Midwestern markets.

SEMA wants to hear from you, our industry peers. Have you had success finding and qualifying for small-business loans? Have you had positive experiences with specific lenders? Are the purse strings beginning to loosen, or are you still searching for credit? Please let us know using the comments box below.

	Have you had luck securing small-business financing? We want to hear from you.

President Obama last week proposed that Congress pass two temporary expansions of Small Business Administration lending programs. One would include supporting refinancing for owner-occupied commercial real estate loans. The other would increase SBA Express loan sizes to $1 million.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Ohio-based Huntington Bancshares, for example, plans to double its small-business lending over the next three years by hiring bankers to specifically sniff out small businesses that previously might not have qualified for credit. The bank’s CEO says the initiative could reach as many as 27,000 businesses in the bank’s Midwestern markets.

SEMA wants to hear from you, our industry peers. Have you had success finding and qualifying for small-business loans? Have you had positive experiences with specific lenders? Are the purse strings beginning to loosen, or are you still searching for credit? Please let us know using the comments box below.

	Have you had luck securing small-business financing? We want to hear from you.

President Obama last week proposed that Congress pass two temporary expansions of Small Business Administration lending programs. One would include supporting refinancing for owner-occupied commercial real estate loans. The other would increase SBA Express loan sizes to $1 million.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Ohio-based Huntington Bancshares, for example, plans to double its small-business lending over the next three years by hiring bankers to specifically sniff out small businesses that previously might not have qualified for credit. The bank’s CEO says the initiative could reach as many as 27,000 businesses in the bank’s Midwestern markets.

SEMA wants to hear from you, our industry peers. Have you had success finding and qualifying for small-business loans? Have you had positive experiences with specific lenders? Are the purse strings beginning to loosen, or are you still searching for credit? Please let us know using the comments box below.

The SEMA Financial Benchmarking Report is a new program that allows your company to benchmark key sales performance indicators against industry averages. The report is available for manufacturers, WDs and retailers. October 2009 is the most recent report where you'll find data on sales projections, quick ratio, inventory turns, sales per employee, research and development, factory overhead, selling and administrative expense and more.

Following is just a small sample of the complete information available to program participants:

Manufacturer Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey, manufacturers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 vs. one year ago. Forty-one percent forecasted sales to be flat with one year ago, 37.3% forecasted sales to be up, and 21.7% forecasted sales to be down.

Of the manufacturers that forecasted sales to be up, the average increase was 13.9%. Of the manufacturers that forecasted sales to be down, the average decrease was 18.7%. (Responses are a three-month rolling average, based on 437 manufacturers).

Manufacturers Sourcing Products Outside the United States:
Q: How many products are manufactured outside the United States?
A: 43.6% of sales for August, September and October were from products manufactured outside the United States. That is the highest percentage reported since the SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey started in January 2009.

Manufacturer Spending on Advertising & Marketing:
Q: How much was spent on advertising and marketing, excluding salaries?
A: An average of 8.9% of gross sales on advertising and marketing in August, September and October.


Distributor Sales Outlook

In the most recent SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey, distributors were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 vs. one year ago. 40.6% forecasted sales to be flat with one year ago, 29.7% forecasted sales to be up and 29.7% forecasted sales to be down.

Of the distributors that forecasted sales to be up, the average increase was 15.6%.

Of the distributors that forecasted sales to be down, the average decrease was 21.4%. (Responses are a three-month rolling average, based on 359 participating distributors.)

Distributor Sales - Top Three Business Types:
Q: What business types were on the sales lists?
A: The top three businesses in August, September and October were:
Installers: 14.8%
Retailer (Jobber): 13.8%
Repair Services: 12.5%

Distributor Inventory Turns:
Q: How many times was inventory turned in the past 12 months?
A: 4.7 times (rolling average of the August, September and October responses).

Retailer Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey, retailers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 vs. one year ago. 44.2% forecasted sales to be flat with one year ago, 26.1% forecasted sales to be up and 29.7% forecasted sales to be down.

Of the retailers that forecasted sales to be up, the average increase was 14.7%. Of the retailers that forecasted sales to be down, the average decrease was 24.2%.

Retail Sales by Market Segment:
Q: What percentage of sales come from the various market segments?
A: Distribution of retail sales by market segment, October 2009:

Truck, SUV	54.2%
Exterior Accessories	42.7%
General Automotive Repair	38.5%
Wheels and Tires	38.5%
Interior Accessories	37.5%
Restoration	33.3%
Street High Performance	28.1%
Restyling	21.9%
Mobile Electronics	19.8%
Racing/Engine Parts	19.8%
Off-Road	18.8%
Auto Dealership	16.7%
Car Care Products	15.6%
Collision Repair	13.5%
Tools and Equipment	13.5%
Motorcycle	8.3%
Other	12.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Equals more than 100% because multiple responses possible.

Retailer Inventory Turns:
Q: How many times was inventory turned in the past 12 months?
A: 5.3 times (rolling average of the August, September and October responses).

Want to get the entire report for your business category (manufacturer, WD or retailer)?

Simply sign up for the FREE and COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL SEMA Financial Benchmarking program, administered by Hedges & Company, by clicking on the appropriate link below:

Manufacturers
Distributors
Retailers

Participants automatically get the report by e-mail as soon as its released. Non-participating SEMA members can download the report from www.sema.org one month after it's released at no charge. Non-participating non-SEMA members can download the report from sema.org one month after it's released for $99.99.

For all your market research needs, visit www.sema.org/research.

The SEMA Financial Benchmarking Report is a new program that allows your company to benchmark key sales performance indicators against industry averages. The report is available for manufacturers, WDs and retailers. October 2009 is the most recent report where you'll find data on sales projections, quick ratio, inventory turns, sales per employee, research and development, factory overhead, selling and administrative expense and more.

Following is just a small sample of the complete information available to program participants:

Manufacturer Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey, manufacturers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 vs. one year ago. Forty-one percent forecasted sales to be flat with one year ago, 37.3% forecasted sales to be up, and 21.7% forecasted sales to be down.

Of the manufacturers that forecasted sales to be up, the average increase was 13.9%. Of the manufacturers that forecasted sales to be down, the average decrease was 18.7%. (Responses are a three-month rolling average, based on 437 manufacturers).

Manufacturers Sourcing Products Outside the United States:
Q: How many products are manufactured outside the United States?
A: 43.6% of sales for August, September and October were from products manufactured outside the United States. That is the highest percentage reported since the SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey started in January 2009.

Manufacturer Spending on Advertising & Marketing:
Q: How much was spent on advertising and marketing, excluding salaries?
A: An average of 8.9% of gross sales on advertising and marketing in August, September and October.


Distributor Sales Outlook

In the most recent SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey, distributors were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 vs. one year ago. 40.6% forecasted sales to be flat with one year ago, 29.7% forecasted sales to be up and 29.7% forecasted sales to be down.

Of the distributors that forecasted sales to be up, the average increase was 15.6%.

Of the distributors that forecasted sales to be down, the average decrease was 21.4%. (Responses are a three-month rolling average, based on 359 participating distributors.)

Distributor Sales - Top Three Business Types:
Q: What business types were on the sales lists?
A: The top three businesses in August, September and October were:
Installers: 14.8%
Retailer (Jobber): 13.8%
Repair Services: 12.5%

Distributor Inventory Turns:
Q: How many times was inventory turned in the past 12 months?
A: 4.7 times (rolling average of the August, September and October responses).

Retailer Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey, retailers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 vs. one year ago. 44.2% forecasted sales to be flat with one year ago, 26.1% forecasted sales to be up and 29.7% forecasted sales to be down.

Of the retailers that forecasted sales to be up, the average increase was 14.7%. Of the retailers that forecasted sales to be down, the average decrease was 24.2%.

Retail Sales by Market Segment:
Q: What percentage of sales come from the various market segments?
A: Distribution of retail sales by market segment, October 2009:

Truck, SUV	54.2%
Exterior Accessories	42.7%
General Automotive Repair	38.5%
Wheels and Tires	38.5%
Interior Accessories	37.5%
Restoration	33.3%
Street High Performance	28.1%
Restyling	21.9%
Mobile Electronics	19.8%
Racing/Engine Parts	19.8%
Off-Road	18.8%
Auto Dealership	16.7%
Car Care Products	15.6%
Collision Repair	13.5%
Tools and Equipment	13.5%
Motorcycle	8.3%
Other	12.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Equals more than 100% because multiple responses possible.

Retailer Inventory Turns:
Q: How many times was inventory turned in the past 12 months?
A: 5.3 times (rolling average of the August, September and October responses).

Want to get the entire report for your business category (manufacturer, WD or retailer)?

Simply sign up for the FREE and COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL SEMA Financial Benchmarking program, administered by Hedges & Company, by clicking on the appropriate link below:

Manufacturers
Distributors
Retailers

Participants automatically get the report by e-mail as soon as its released. Non-participating SEMA members can download the report from www.sema.org one month after it's released at no charge. Non-participating non-SEMA members can download the report from sema.org one month after it's released for $99.99.

For all your market research needs, visit www.sema.org/research.

The SEMA Financial Benchmarking Report is a new program that allows your company to benchmark key sales performance indicators against industry averages. The report is available for manufacturers, WDs and retailers. October 2009 is the most recent report where you'll find data on sales projections, quick ratio, inventory turns, sales per employee, research and development, factory overhead, selling and administrative expense and more.

Following is just a small sample of the complete information available to program participants:

Manufacturer Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey, manufacturers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 vs. one year ago. Forty-one percent forecasted sales to be flat with one year ago, 37.3% forecasted sales to be up, and 21.7% forecasted sales to be down.

Of the manufacturers that forecasted sales to be up, the average increase was 13.9%. Of the manufacturers that forecasted sales to be down, the average decrease was 18.7%. (Responses are a three-month rolling average, based on 437 manufacturers).

Manufacturers Sourcing Products Outside the United States:
Q: How many products are manufactured outside the United States?
A: 43.6% of sales for August, September and October were from products manufactured outside the United States. That is the highest percentage reported since the SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey started in January 2009.

Manufacturer Spending on Advertising & Marketing:
Q: How much was spent on advertising and marketing, excluding salaries?
A: An average of 8.9% of gross sales on advertising and marketing in August, September and October.


Distributor Sales Outlook

In the most recent SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey, distributors were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 vs. one year ago. 40.6% forecasted sales to be flat with one year ago, 29.7% forecasted sales to be up and 29.7% forecasted sales to be down.

Of the distributors that forecasted sales to be up, the average increase was 15.6%.

Of the distributors that forecasted sales to be down, the average decrease was 21.4%. (Responses are a three-month rolling average, based on 359 participating distributors.)

Distributor Sales - Top Three Business Types:
Q: What business types were on the sales lists?
A: The top three businesses in August, September and October were:
Installers: 14.8%
Retailer (Jobber): 13.8%
Repair Services: 12.5%

Distributor Inventory Turns:
Q: How many times was inventory turned in the past 12 months?
A: 4.7 times (rolling average of the August, September and October responses).

Retailer Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey, retailers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 vs. one year ago. 44.2% forecasted sales to be flat with one year ago, 26.1% forecasted sales to be up and 29.7% forecasted sales to be down.

Of the retailers that forecasted sales to be up, the average increase was 14.7%. Of the retailers that forecasted sales to be down, the average decrease was 24.2%.

Retail Sales by Market Segment:
Q: What percentage of sales come from the various market segments?
A: Distribution of retail sales by market segment, October 2009:

Truck, SUV	54.2%
Exterior Accessories	42.7%
General Automotive Repair	38.5%
Wheels and Tires	38.5%
Interior Accessories	37.5%
Restoration	33.3%
Street High Performance	28.1%
Restyling	21.9%
Mobile Electronics	19.8%
Racing/Engine Parts	19.8%
Off-Road	18.8%
Auto Dealership	16.7%
Car Care Products	15.6%
Collision Repair	13.5%
Tools and Equipment	13.5%
Motorcycle	8.3%
Other	12.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Equals more than 100% because multiple responses possible.

Retailer Inventory Turns:
Q: How many times was inventory turned in the past 12 months?
A: 5.3 times (rolling average of the August, September and October responses).

Want to get the entire report for your business category (manufacturer, WD or retailer)?

Simply sign up for the FREE and COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL SEMA Financial Benchmarking program, administered by Hedges & Company, by clicking on the appropriate link below:

Manufacturers
Distributors
Retailers

Participants automatically get the report by e-mail as soon as its released. Non-participating SEMA members can download the report from www.sema.org one month after it's released at no charge. Non-participating non-SEMA members can download the report from sema.org one month after it's released for $99.99.

For all your market research needs, visit www.sema.org/research.

The SEMA Financial Benchmarking Report is a new program that allows your company to benchmark key sales performance indicators against industry averages. The report is available for manufacturers, WDs and retailers. October 2009 is the most recent report where you'll find data on sales projections, quick ratio, inventory turns, sales per employee, research and development, factory overhead, selling and administrative expense and more.

Following is just a small sample of the complete information available to program participants:

Manufacturer Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey, manufacturers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 vs. one year ago. Forty-one percent forecasted sales to be flat with one year ago, 37.3% forecasted sales to be up, and 21.7% forecasted sales to be down.

Of the manufacturers that forecasted sales to be up, the average increase was 13.9%. Of the manufacturers that forecasted sales to be down, the average decrease was 18.7%. (Responses are a three-month rolling average, based on 437 manufacturers).

Manufacturers Sourcing Products Outside the United States:
Q: How many products are manufactured outside the United States?
A: 43.6% of sales for August, September and October were from products manufactured outside the United States. That is the highest percentage reported since the SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey started in January 2009.

Manufacturer Spending on Advertising & Marketing:
Q: How much was spent on advertising and marketing, excluding salaries?
A: An average of 8.9% of gross sales on advertising and marketing in August, September and October.


Distributor Sales Outlook

In the most recent SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey, distributors were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 vs. one year ago. 40.6% forecasted sales to be flat with one year ago, 29.7% forecasted sales to be up and 29.7% forecasted sales to be down.

Of the distributors that forecasted sales to be up, the average increase was 15.6%.

Of the distributors that forecasted sales to be down, the average decrease was 21.4%. (Responses are a three-month rolling average, based on 359 participating distributors.)

Distributor Sales - Top Three Business Types:
Q: What business types were on the sales lists?
A: The top three businesses in August, September and October were:
Installers: 14.8%
Retailer (Jobber): 13.8%
Repair Services: 12.5%

Distributor Inventory Turns:
Q: How many times was inventory turned in the past 12 months?
A: 4.7 times (rolling average of the August, September and October responses).

Retailer Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey, retailers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 vs. one year ago. 44.2% forecasted sales to be flat with one year ago, 26.1% forecasted sales to be up and 29.7% forecasted sales to be down.

Of the retailers that forecasted sales to be up, the average increase was 14.7%. Of the retailers that forecasted sales to be down, the average decrease was 24.2%.

Retail Sales by Market Segment:
Q: What percentage of sales come from the various market segments?
A: Distribution of retail sales by market segment, October 2009:

Truck, SUV	54.2%
Exterior Accessories	42.7%
General Automotive Repair	38.5%
Wheels and Tires	38.5%
Interior Accessories	37.5%
Restoration	33.3%
Street High Performance	28.1%
Restyling	21.9%
Mobile Electronics	19.8%
Racing/Engine Parts	19.8%
Off-Road	18.8%
Auto Dealership	16.7%
Car Care Products	15.6%
Collision Repair	13.5%
Tools and Equipment	13.5%
Motorcycle	8.3%
Other	12.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Equals more than 100% because multiple responses possible.

Retailer Inventory Turns:
Q: How many times was inventory turned in the past 12 months?
A: 5.3 times (rolling average of the August, September and October responses).

Want to get the entire report for your business category (manufacturer, WD or retailer)?

Simply sign up for the FREE and COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL SEMA Financial Benchmarking program, administered by Hedges & Company, by clicking on the appropriate link below:

Manufacturers
Distributors
Retailers

Participants automatically get the report by e-mail as soon as its released. Non-participating SEMA members can download the report from www.sema.org one month after it's released at no charge. Non-participating non-SEMA members can download the report from sema.org one month after it's released for $99.99.

For all your market research needs, visit www.sema.org/research.