Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:02

The SEMA Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve funding for the creation of a uniform, all-industry product information data pool. The data pool will enable the sharing of information between trading partners, e-Catalogs and those requiring the ability to perform computer lookups to sell more parts. The first of its kind, the pool will be a comprehensive, one-stop service to SEMA's membership and to all other suppliers and resellers in the North American aftermarket.

“SEMA leadership is keenly aware of the critical role that data plays in an increasingly technologically enabled specialty aftermarket,” said SEMA Chairman Rick Rollins. “Our members understand that selling more of our products through existing specialty channels and to a broader audience through replacement parts outlets requires readily available, complete, standardized and validated product information. This pool will provide that critical service.”

According to SEMA Board Member and Business Technology Committee (BTC) Chairman Bob Moore, "the BTC has spent the last three years closely studying the needs of the specialty aftermarket as well as those of the replacement segment. All of our design specifications have been created to service those needs.

“The SEMA marketplace relies more heavily on product attribute data than does the replacement parts aftermarket,” Moore added. “Because specialty products are more often about how they enhance a vehicle’s performance or appearance, data related to performance, appearance or horsepower is sometimes more important than the make and year of vehicles the product fits. That's why the vision for this pool from the outset was to focus on product attribute data.”

Moore also noted that today's market is served by a range of catalog and data providers who focus on make/model/year lookups.

“Our expectation is that providing an economical, easy-to-use resource for acquiring product data will spur the creation of applications that search product attributes in addition to make/model/year. That eventuality will enhance the salability of specialty products at every level in both segments. Additionally, it will provide a potential for enhanced services by current providers of make/model/year lookups.

"Product attribute information is critically important to the automotive aftermarket overall, and today there is no reliable single source for it. The SEMA data pool will fill that void in a credible, cost-effective manner. The SEMA BTC anticipates having a working data pool operating for initial participants by close of the first quarter of 2010."

Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:02

The SEMA Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve funding for the creation of a uniform, all-industry product information data pool. The data pool will enable the sharing of information between trading partners, e-Catalogs and those requiring the ability to perform computer lookups to sell more parts. The first of its kind, the pool will be a comprehensive, one-stop service to SEMA's membership and to all other suppliers and resellers in the North American aftermarket.

“SEMA leadership is keenly aware of the critical role that data plays in an increasingly technologically enabled specialty aftermarket,” said SEMA Chairman Rick Rollins. “Our members understand that selling more of our products through existing specialty channels and to a broader audience through replacement parts outlets requires readily available, complete, standardized and validated product information. This pool will provide that critical service.”

According to SEMA Board Member and Business Technology Committee (BTC) Chairman Bob Moore, "the BTC has spent the last three years closely studying the needs of the specialty aftermarket as well as those of the replacement segment. All of our design specifications have been created to service those needs.

“The SEMA marketplace relies more heavily on product attribute data than does the replacement parts aftermarket,” Moore added. “Because specialty products are more often about how they enhance a vehicle’s performance or appearance, data related to performance, appearance or horsepower is sometimes more important than the make and year of vehicles the product fits. That's why the vision for this pool from the outset was to focus on product attribute data.”

Moore also noted that today's market is served by a range of catalog and data providers who focus on make/model/year lookups.

“Our expectation is that providing an economical, easy-to-use resource for acquiring product data will spur the creation of applications that search product attributes in addition to make/model/year. That eventuality will enhance the salability of specialty products at every level in both segments. Additionally, it will provide a potential for enhanced services by current providers of make/model/year lookups.

"Product attribute information is critically important to the automotive aftermarket overall, and today there is no reliable single source for it. The SEMA data pool will fill that void in a credible, cost-effective manner. The SEMA BTC anticipates having a working data pool operating for initial participants by close of the first quarter of 2010."

Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:02

The SEMA Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve funding for the creation of a uniform, all-industry product information data pool. The data pool will enable the sharing of information between trading partners, e-Catalogs and those requiring the ability to perform computer lookups to sell more parts. The first of its kind, the pool will be a comprehensive, one-stop service to SEMA's membership and to all other suppliers and resellers in the North American aftermarket.

“SEMA leadership is keenly aware of the critical role that data plays in an increasingly technologically enabled specialty aftermarket,” said SEMA Chairman Rick Rollins. “Our members understand that selling more of our products through existing specialty channels and to a broader audience through replacement parts outlets requires readily available, complete, standardized and validated product information. This pool will provide that critical service.”

According to SEMA Board Member and Business Technology Committee (BTC) Chairman Bob Moore, "the BTC has spent the last three years closely studying the needs of the specialty aftermarket as well as those of the replacement segment. All of our design specifications have been created to service those needs.

“The SEMA marketplace relies more heavily on product attribute data than does the replacement parts aftermarket,” Moore added. “Because specialty products are more often about how they enhance a vehicle’s performance or appearance, data related to performance, appearance or horsepower is sometimes more important than the make and year of vehicles the product fits. That's why the vision for this pool from the outset was to focus on product attribute data.”

Moore also noted that today's market is served by a range of catalog and data providers who focus on make/model/year lookups.

“Our expectation is that providing an economical, easy-to-use resource for acquiring product data will spur the creation of applications that search product attributes in addition to make/model/year. That eventuality will enhance the salability of specialty products at every level in both segments. Additionally, it will provide a potential for enhanced services by current providers of make/model/year lookups.

"Product attribute information is critically important to the automotive aftermarket overall, and today there is no reliable single source for it. The SEMA data pool will fill that void in a credible, cost-effective manner. The SEMA BTC anticipates having a working data pool operating for initial participants by close of the first quarter of 2010."

Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:02

The SEMA Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve funding for the creation of a uniform, all-industry product information data pool. The data pool will enable the sharing of information between trading partners, e-Catalogs and those requiring the ability to perform computer lookups to sell more parts. The first of its kind, the pool will be a comprehensive, one-stop service to SEMA's membership and to all other suppliers and resellers in the North American aftermarket.

“SEMA leadership is keenly aware of the critical role that data plays in an increasingly technologically enabled specialty aftermarket,” said SEMA Chairman Rick Rollins. “Our members understand that selling more of our products through existing specialty channels and to a broader audience through replacement parts outlets requires readily available, complete, standardized and validated product information. This pool will provide that critical service.”

According to SEMA Board Member and Business Technology Committee (BTC) Chairman Bob Moore, "the BTC has spent the last three years closely studying the needs of the specialty aftermarket as well as those of the replacement segment. All of our design specifications have been created to service those needs.

“The SEMA marketplace relies more heavily on product attribute data than does the replacement parts aftermarket,” Moore added. “Because specialty products are more often about how they enhance a vehicle’s performance or appearance, data related to performance, appearance or horsepower is sometimes more important than the make and year of vehicles the product fits. That's why the vision for this pool from the outset was to focus on product attribute data.”

Moore also noted that today's market is served by a range of catalog and data providers who focus on make/model/year lookups.

“Our expectation is that providing an economical, easy-to-use resource for acquiring product data will spur the creation of applications that search product attributes in addition to make/model/year. That eventuality will enhance the salability of specialty products at every level in both segments. Additionally, it will provide a potential for enhanced services by current providers of make/model/year lookups.

"Product attribute information is critically important to the automotive aftermarket overall, and today there is no reliable single source for it. The SEMA data pool will fill that void in a credible, cost-effective manner. The SEMA BTC anticipates having a working data pool operating for initial participants by close of the first quarter of 2010."

Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:02

The SEMA Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve funding for the creation of a uniform, all-industry product information data pool. The data pool will enable the sharing of information between trading partners, e-Catalogs and those requiring the ability to perform computer lookups to sell more parts. The first of its kind, the pool will be a comprehensive, one-stop service to SEMA's membership and to all other suppliers and resellers in the North American aftermarket.

“SEMA leadership is keenly aware of the critical role that data plays in an increasingly technologically enabled specialty aftermarket,” said SEMA Chairman Rick Rollins. “Our members understand that selling more of our products through existing specialty channels and to a broader audience through replacement parts outlets requires readily available, complete, standardized and validated product information. This pool will provide that critical service.”

According to SEMA Board Member and Business Technology Committee (BTC) Chairman Bob Moore, "the BTC has spent the last three years closely studying the needs of the specialty aftermarket as well as those of the replacement segment. All of our design specifications have been created to service those needs.

“The SEMA marketplace relies more heavily on product attribute data than does the replacement parts aftermarket,” Moore added. “Because specialty products are more often about how they enhance a vehicle’s performance or appearance, data related to performance, appearance or horsepower is sometimes more important than the make and year of vehicles the product fits. That's why the vision for this pool from the outset was to focus on product attribute data.”

Moore also noted that today's market is served by a range of catalog and data providers who focus on make/model/year lookups.

“Our expectation is that providing an economical, easy-to-use resource for acquiring product data will spur the creation of applications that search product attributes in addition to make/model/year. That eventuality will enhance the salability of specialty products at every level in both segments. Additionally, it will provide a potential for enhanced services by current providers of make/model/year lookups.

"Product attribute information is critically important to the automotive aftermarket overall, and today there is no reliable single source for it. The SEMA data pool will fill that void in a credible, cost-effective manner. The SEMA BTC anticipates having a working data pool operating for initial participants by close of the first quarter of 2010."

Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:02
 Steve Bolio
 Veteran of the specialty-equipment industry and SEMA Hall of Fame member Steve Bolio has passed away.

The industry mourns the loss of one of its most active members and SEMA Hall of Famer Steve Bolio.

Colleagues and friends of Mr. Bolio were contacted early Wednesday morning with the news of his passing.

Bolio’s dedication and enthusiasm are defined by his 45 years of participation in the specialty-equipment industry. “Steve was one of those people who cared deeply about the industry and the people in it,” said Chris Kersting, president and CEO of SEMA. ”He was actively engaged in the leadership of the association throughout his career, dedicating a tremendous amount of time, effort and care to making the industry strong. He will be greatly missed.”

Bolio’s volunteer contributions with SEMA are extensive. He served six years on the SEMA Board of Directors, was a member of the SEMA Executive Committee for five years and was a member of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) Select Committee. He also headed the SEMA Awards Committee Task Force, was a member of the SEMA Show Committee, offered his support as a mentor through the SEMA Mentoring Program, was an active member of the Manufacturers’ Rep Council (MRC) for many years and served on the MRC Select Committee. In 2006, he was inducted to the SEMA Hall of Fame.

For the past 20 years, Bolio has been a partner with John “Skip” Scafidi, son of his mentor, in the manufacturers’ rep firm of Scafidi-Bolio & Associates. Earlier this year, Bolio along with his son Mike teamed up to launch Fulcrum Marketing, a manufacturers’ rep firm aimed at specialty automotive industry manufacturers and distributors.

Services for Bolio will be held Monday, November 23, 10:00 a.m., at Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts (781/862-6499). A wake is scheduled Sunday, November 22, 2:00-6:00 p.m. at Brasco & Sons Funeral Home (781/893-6260) in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:02
 Steve Bolio
 Veteran of the specialty-equipment industry and SEMA Hall of Fame member Steve Bolio has passed away.

The industry mourns the loss of one of its most active members and SEMA Hall of Famer Steve Bolio.

Colleagues and friends of Mr. Bolio were contacted early Wednesday morning with the news of his passing.

Bolio’s dedication and enthusiasm are defined by his 45 years of participation in the specialty-equipment industry. “Steve was one of those people who cared deeply about the industry and the people in it,” said Chris Kersting, president and CEO of SEMA. ”He was actively engaged in the leadership of the association throughout his career, dedicating a tremendous amount of time, effort and care to making the industry strong. He will be greatly missed.”

Bolio’s volunteer contributions with SEMA are extensive. He served six years on the SEMA Board of Directors, was a member of the SEMA Executive Committee for five years and was a member of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) Select Committee. He also headed the SEMA Awards Committee Task Force, was a member of the SEMA Show Committee, offered his support as a mentor through the SEMA Mentoring Program, was an active member of the Manufacturers’ Rep Council (MRC) for many years and served on the MRC Select Committee. In 2006, he was inducted to the SEMA Hall of Fame.

For the past 20 years, Bolio has been a partner with John “Skip” Scafidi, son of his mentor, in the manufacturers’ rep firm of Scafidi-Bolio & Associates. Earlier this year, Bolio along with his son Mike teamed up to launch Fulcrum Marketing, a manufacturers’ rep firm aimed at specialty automotive industry manufacturers and distributors.

Services for Bolio will be held Monday, November 23, 10:00 a.m., at Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts (781/862-6499). A wake is scheduled Sunday, November 22, 2:00-6:00 p.m. at Brasco & Sons Funeral Home (781/893-6260) in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:02
 Steve Bolio
 Veteran of the specialty-equipment industry and SEMA Hall of Fame member Steve Bolio has passed away.

The industry mourns the loss of one of its most active members and SEMA Hall of Famer Steve Bolio.

Colleagues and friends of Mr. Bolio were contacted early Wednesday morning with the news of his passing.

Bolio’s dedication and enthusiasm are defined by his 45 years of participation in the specialty-equipment industry. “Steve was one of those people who cared deeply about the industry and the people in it,” said Chris Kersting, president and CEO of SEMA. ”He was actively engaged in the leadership of the association throughout his career, dedicating a tremendous amount of time, effort and care to making the industry strong. He will be greatly missed.”

Bolio’s volunteer contributions with SEMA are extensive. He served six years on the SEMA Board of Directors, was a member of the SEMA Executive Committee for five years and was a member of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) Select Committee. He also headed the SEMA Awards Committee Task Force, was a member of the SEMA Show Committee, offered his support as a mentor through the SEMA Mentoring Program, was an active member of the Manufacturers’ Rep Council (MRC) for many years and served on the MRC Select Committee. In 2006, he was inducted to the SEMA Hall of Fame.

For the past 20 years, Bolio has been a partner with John “Skip” Scafidi, son of his mentor, in the manufacturers’ rep firm of Scafidi-Bolio & Associates. Earlier this year, Bolio along with his son Mike teamed up to launch Fulcrum Marketing, a manufacturers’ rep firm aimed at specialty automotive industry manufacturers and distributors.

Services for Bolio will be held Monday, November 23, 10:00 a.m., at Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts (781/862-6499). A wake is scheduled Sunday, November 22, 2:00-6:00 p.m. at Brasco & Sons Funeral Home (781/893-6260) in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:02
 Steve Bolio
 Veteran of the specialty-equipment industry and SEMA Hall of Fame member Steve Bolio has passed away.

The industry mourns the loss of one of its most active members and SEMA Hall of Famer Steve Bolio.

Colleagues and friends of Mr. Bolio were contacted early Wednesday morning with the news of his passing.

Bolio’s dedication and enthusiasm are defined by his 45 years of participation in the specialty-equipment industry. “Steve was one of those people who cared deeply about the industry and the people in it,” said Chris Kersting, president and CEO of SEMA. ”He was actively engaged in the leadership of the association throughout his career, dedicating a tremendous amount of time, effort and care to making the industry strong. He will be greatly missed.”

Bolio’s volunteer contributions with SEMA are extensive. He served six years on the SEMA Board of Directors, was a member of the SEMA Executive Committee for five years and was a member of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) Select Committee. He also headed the SEMA Awards Committee Task Force, was a member of the SEMA Show Committee, offered his support as a mentor through the SEMA Mentoring Program, was an active member of the Manufacturers’ Rep Council (MRC) for many years and served on the MRC Select Committee. In 2006, he was inducted to the SEMA Hall of Fame.

For the past 20 years, Bolio has been a partner with John “Skip” Scafidi, son of his mentor, in the manufacturers’ rep firm of Scafidi-Bolio & Associates. Earlier this year, Bolio along with his son Mike teamed up to launch Fulcrum Marketing, a manufacturers’ rep firm aimed at specialty automotive industry manufacturers and distributors.

Services for Bolio will be held Monday, November 23, 10:00 a.m., at Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts (781/862-6499). A wake is scheduled Sunday, November 22, 2:00-6:00 p.m. at Brasco & Sons Funeral Home (781/893-6260) in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Thu, 11/19/2009 - 12:02
 Steve Bolio
 Veteran of the specialty-equipment industry and SEMA Hall of Fame member Steve Bolio has passed away.

The industry mourns the loss of one of its most active members and SEMA Hall of Famer Steve Bolio.

Colleagues and friends of Mr. Bolio were contacted early Wednesday morning with the news of his passing.

Bolio’s dedication and enthusiasm are defined by his 45 years of participation in the specialty-equipment industry. “Steve was one of those people who cared deeply about the industry and the people in it,” said Chris Kersting, president and CEO of SEMA. ”He was actively engaged in the leadership of the association throughout his career, dedicating a tremendous amount of time, effort and care to making the industry strong. He will be greatly missed.”

Bolio’s volunteer contributions with SEMA are extensive. He served six years on the SEMA Board of Directors, was a member of the SEMA Executive Committee for five years and was a member of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) Select Committee. He also headed the SEMA Awards Committee Task Force, was a member of the SEMA Show Committee, offered his support as a mentor through the SEMA Mentoring Program, was an active member of the Manufacturers’ Rep Council (MRC) for many years and served on the MRC Select Committee. In 2006, he was inducted to the SEMA Hall of Fame.

For the past 20 years, Bolio has been a partner with John “Skip” Scafidi, son of his mentor, in the manufacturers’ rep firm of Scafidi-Bolio & Associates. Earlier this year, Bolio along with his son Mike teamed up to launch Fulcrum Marketing, a manufacturers’ rep firm aimed at specialty automotive industry manufacturers and distributors.

Services for Bolio will be held Monday, November 23, 10:00 a.m., at Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts (781/862-6499). A wake is scheduled Sunday, November 22, 2:00-6:00 p.m. at Brasco & Sons Funeral Home (781/893-6260) in Waltham, Massachusetts.