The SEMA Financial Benchmarking Report is a new program that allows your company to benchmark key sales performance indicators against industry averages. Three reports are available, one each for manufacturers, WDs and retailers.

The October 2009 reports are the most recent 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. Here is a small sample of all the information that is available to program participants:

	Although most manufacturers predicted flat sales for the first winter months, almost as many (37.3%) were optimistic for growth.

Manufacturer Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Manufacturer SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, manufacturers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 compared to 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 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 and 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.

An equal amount of distributors forecasted sales both up and down, while 40% see things staying flat.

Distributor Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Distributor SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, distributors were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 versus 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.)

	Almost a third of retailers surveyed see things headed up compared to last year.

Retailer Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Retailer SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, retailers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 versus 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:

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 report link below:

Manufacturers
Distributors
Retailers

Participants automatically get their category report by e-mail as soon as it's released. Non-participating SEMA members can download any one of the three reports from www.sema.org after they're released for $49.99/report. Non-participating, non-SEMA members can download any one of the three reports from www.sema.org after they're released for $99.99/report.

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. Three reports are available, one each for manufacturers, WDs and retailers.

The October 2009 reports are the most recent 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. Here is a small sample of all the information that is available to program participants:

	Although most manufacturers predicted flat sales for the first winter months, almost as many (37.3%) were optimistic for growth.

Manufacturer Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Manufacturer SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, manufacturers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 compared to 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 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 and 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.

An equal amount of distributors forecasted sales both up and down, while 40% see things staying flat.

Distributor Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Distributor SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, distributors were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 versus 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.)

	Almost a third of retailers surveyed see things headed up compared to last year.

Retailer Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Retailer SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, retailers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 versus 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:

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 report link below:

Manufacturers
Distributors
Retailers

Participants automatically get their category report by e-mail as soon as it's released. Non-participating SEMA members can download any one of the three reports from www.sema.org after they're released for $49.99/report. Non-participating, non-SEMA members can download any one of the three reports from www.sema.org after they're released for $99.99/report.

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. Three reports are available, one each for manufacturers, WDs and retailers.

The October 2009 reports are the most recent 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. Here is a small sample of all the information that is available to program participants:

	Although most manufacturers predicted flat sales for the first winter months, almost as many (37.3%) were optimistic for growth.

Manufacturer Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Manufacturer SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, manufacturers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 compared to 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 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 and 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.

An equal amount of distributors forecasted sales both up and down, while 40% see things staying flat.

Distributor Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Distributor SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, distributors were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 versus 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.)

	Almost a third of retailers surveyed see things headed up compared to last year.

Retailer Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Retailer SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, retailers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 versus 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:

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 report link below:

Manufacturers
Distributors
Retailers

Participants automatically get their category report by e-mail as soon as it's released. Non-participating SEMA members can download any one of the three reports from www.sema.org after they're released for $49.99/report. Non-participating, non-SEMA members can download any one of the three reports from www.sema.org after they're released for $99.99/report.

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. Three reports are available, one each for manufacturers, WDs and retailers.

The October 2009 reports are the most recent 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. Here is a small sample of all the information that is available to program participants:

	Although most manufacturers predicted flat sales for the first winter months, almost as many (37.3%) were optimistic for growth.

Manufacturer Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Manufacturer SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, manufacturers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 compared to 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 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 and 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.

An equal amount of distributors forecasted sales both up and down, while 40% see things staying flat.

Distributor Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Distributor SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, distributors were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 versus 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.)

	Almost a third of retailers surveyed see things headed up compared to last year.

Retailer Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Retailer SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, retailers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 versus 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:

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 report link below:

Manufacturers
Distributors
Retailers

Participants automatically get their category report by e-mail as soon as it's released. Non-participating SEMA members can download any one of the three reports from www.sema.org after they're released for $49.99/report. Non-participating, non-SEMA members can download any one of the three reports from www.sema.org after they're released for $99.99/report.

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. Three reports are available, one each for manufacturers, WDs and retailers.

The October 2009 reports are the most recent 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. Here is a small sample of all the information that is available to program participants:

	Although most manufacturers predicted flat sales for the first winter months, almost as many (37.3%) were optimistic for growth.

Manufacturer Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Manufacturer SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, manufacturers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 compared to 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 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 and 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.

An equal amount of distributors forecasted sales both up and down, while 40% see things staying flat.

Distributor Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Distributor SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, distributors were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 versus 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.)

	Almost a third of retailers surveyed see things headed up compared to last year.

Retailer Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Retailer SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, retailers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 versus 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:

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 report link below:

Manufacturers
Distributors
Retailers

Participants automatically get their category report by e-mail as soon as it's released. Non-participating SEMA members can download any one of the three reports from www.sema.org after they're released for $49.99/report. Non-participating, non-SEMA members can download any one of the three reports from www.sema.org after they're released for $99.99/report.

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. Three reports are available, one each for manufacturers, WDs and retailers.

The October 2009 reports are the most recent 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. Here is a small sample of all the information that is available to program participants:

	Although most manufacturers predicted flat sales for the first winter months, almost as many (37.3%) were optimistic for growth.

Manufacturer Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Manufacturer SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, manufacturers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 compared to 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 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 and 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.

An equal amount of distributors forecasted sales both up and down, while 40% see things staying flat.

Distributor Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Distributor SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, distributors were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 versus 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.)

	Almost a third of retailers surveyed see things headed up compared to last year.

Retailer Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Retailer SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, retailers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 versus 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:

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 report link below:

Manufacturers
Distributors
Retailers

Participants automatically get their category report by e-mail as soon as it's released. Non-participating SEMA members can download any one of the three reports from www.sema.org after they're released for $49.99/report. Non-participating, non-SEMA members can download any one of the three reports from www.sema.org after they're released for $99.99/report.

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. Three reports are available, one each for manufacturers, WDs and retailers.

The October 2009 reports are the most recent 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. Here is a small sample of all the information that is available to program participants:

	Although most manufacturers predicted flat sales for the first winter months, almost as many (37.3%) were optimistic for growth.

Manufacturer Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Manufacturer SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, manufacturers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 compared to 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 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 and 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.

An equal amount of distributors forecasted sales both up and down, while 40% see things staying flat.

Distributor Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Distributor SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, distributors were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 versus 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.)

	Almost a third of retailers surveyed see things headed up compared to last year.

Retailer Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Retailer SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, retailers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 versus 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:

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 report link below:

Manufacturers
Distributors
Retailers

Participants automatically get their category report by e-mail as soon as it's released. Non-participating SEMA members can download any one of the three reports from www.sema.org after they're released for $49.99/report. Non-participating, non-SEMA members can download any one of the three reports from www.sema.org after they're released for $99.99/report.

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. Three reports are available, one each for manufacturers, WDs and retailers.

The October 2009 reports are the most recent 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. Here is a small sample of all the information that is available to program participants:

	Although most manufacturers predicted flat sales for the first winter months, almost as many (37.3%) were optimistic for growth.

Manufacturer Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Manufacturer SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, manufacturers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 compared to 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 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 and 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.

An equal amount of distributors forecasted sales both up and down, while 40% see things staying flat.

Distributor Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Distributor SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, distributors were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 versus 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.)

	Almost a third of retailers surveyed see things headed up compared to last year.

Retailer Report Sales Outlook

In the October 2009 Retailer SEMA Financial Benchmarking Survey, retailers were asked for their sales outlook for December 2009, January 2010 and February 2010 versus 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:

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 report link below:

Manufacturers
Distributors
Retailers

Participants automatically get their category report by e-mail as soon as it's released. Non-participating SEMA members can download any one of the three reports from www.sema.org after they're released for $49.99/report. Non-participating, non-SEMA members can download any one of the three reports from www.sema.org after they're released for $99.99/report.

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

SEMA is supporting a proposal issued by Environment Canada to indefinitely extend an exemption which permits the use of leaded gasoline in competition motor vehicles. The exemption has been renewed several times since it was first established in 1996, but was set to expire in 2010.

SEMA had previously opposed efforts to terminate the exemption and effectively ban vehicles using leaded fuel. The new proposal recognizes the relationship between the Canadian and U.S. racing industries and adopts a consistent environmental approach to leaded fuel use.

Environment Canada’s proposal identifies a number of reasons for providing an indefinite lead fuel exemption, including:

• In the United States, the Clean Air Act specifically exempts leaded fuels for competition-use vehicles

• The North American racing industry is fully integrated, with both competitors and spectators crossing country borders to participate in and attend events

• There are an estimated 165 racing facilities operating in Canada which support thousands of jobs and generate millions of dollars of economic benefit for local businesses and communities

• Although there are fuel alternatives for some racing vehicles, the drag racing industry still requires leaded gasoline

• While the racing industry continues to move towards long-term independence from leaded fuel, the amount used in Canada is miniscule when compared to total leaded fuel use: 2% by competition vehicles versus 98% by piston-engine aircraft. To put the issue in perspective, 99.8% of gasoline used in Canada is already lead free

• Environment Canada will conduct a five-year review and revisit the exemption issue if necessary based on science, technology and fuel-replacement developments. Meanwhile, Environment Canada will work with the racing industry to encourage a voluntary reduction or phase-out of leaded racing fuel.

SEMA is supporting a proposal issued by Environment Canada to indefinitely extend an exemption which permits the use of leaded gasoline in competition motor vehicles. The exemption has been renewed several times since it was first established in 1996, but was set to expire in 2010.

SEMA had previously opposed efforts to terminate the exemption and effectively ban vehicles using leaded fuel. The new proposal recognizes the relationship between the Canadian and U.S. racing industries and adopts a consistent environmental approach to leaded fuel use.

Environment Canada’s proposal identifies a number of reasons for providing an indefinite lead fuel exemption, including:

• In the United States, the Clean Air Act specifically exempts leaded fuels for competition-use vehicles

• The North American racing industry is fully integrated, with both competitors and spectators crossing country borders to participate in and attend events

• There are an estimated 165 racing facilities operating in Canada which support thousands of jobs and generate millions of dollars of economic benefit for local businesses and communities

• Although there are fuel alternatives for some racing vehicles, the drag racing industry still requires leaded gasoline

• While the racing industry continues to move towards long-term independence from leaded fuel, the amount used in Canada is miniscule when compared to total leaded fuel use: 2% by competition vehicles versus 98% by piston-engine aircraft. To put the issue in perspective, 99.8% of gasoline used in Canada is already lead free

• Environment Canada will conduct a five-year review and revisit the exemption issue if necessary based on science, technology and fuel-replacement developments. Meanwhile, Environment Canada will work with the racing industry to encourage a voluntary reduction or phase-out of leaded racing fuel.