News | Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

60 Seconds Is All You Have - It’s All You Need

Wed, 04/01/2009 - 10:01

SEMA News — April 2009

We all are working harder than ever at keeping businesses and the industry alive and moving forward. Your time is at a premium. SEMA knows this. Here are a handful of quick, easy-to-use silver bullets to help your company make progress. Take 60 seconds, and load up.

Recession Survival Series: SEMA now has available the first of a series of web-based seminars to provide immediate help to companies battling the economic downturn. The new program focuses on topics specific to today’s challenges, including managing cash flow, retaining the best employees, managing inventory and leading your company through 2009 into the new business environment. If you miss a live webinar, you can download it for viewing at your convenience. The Recession Survival Series webinars can be found at www.sema.org/survivalseries.

www.SEMA.org Website: Instant Access to Solutions: Regular visitors to our website, www.SEMA.org, may have already noticed the site now has easy-to-access market data, company listings, social-networking features and news feeds that are all designed to help our members get to the content and people that will help their businesses succeed. New technologies now enable us to channel relevant news, events, government affairs, education and research information to our members based on their job function, business type and geographic location. The goal is to direct the most relevant information to the right members at the right time. I encourage everyone who hasn’t been to the site recently to check it out and tell us what you think; we’ll be fine-tuning the effort in the coming months.

Custom Sales Training Video for the Specialty Retailer: In response to member feedback, SEMA has developed an online sales training course for retailers titled, “Focus on the Customer: Introduction to Selling.” This course is a practical and engaging tool for improving sales performance now, when you need it the most. Your sales staff will learn a proven five-step sales process that can help maximize sales success. The course is an excellent training opportunity for new sales people and a great refresher for your veterans; it’s available now, free of charge for SEMA members. The course is the first of many training and development offerings slated for your team as SEMA rolls out the new SEMA Education Institute online, available through www.sema.org/sei. Watch for more information as SEMA makes available top-quality training tools and courses as well as manufacturers’ product training on this new addition to the SEMA website.

SEMA News Online: Many readers may have noticed that SEMA launched an electronic edition of SEMA News magazine in February. The print version is delivered to 30,000 businesses around the world; this combined mix of print and electronic publications now reaches 200,000 readers. This is the first step in an association-wide redesign and integration of our communications efforts. We’re not looking to push information; we’re looking to connect.

New Products

Wed, 04/01/2009 - 09:09

SEMA News -- April 2009
NEW PRODUCTS

	Omix-Ada/Rugged Ridge 17x9 Aluminum Wrangler Wheel Omix-Ada/Rugged Ridge says its Wrangler Wheel represents one of the toughest designs in custom wheels. Hub-centric design centers the wheel, providing the best fit possible and proper clearance for rotors, steering components and the suspension. Omix-Ada/Rugged Ridge 800/449-6649 http://www.omix-ada.com/
	Extreme Bio-Diesel Extreme Green Machine According to Extreme Bio-Diesel, its Extreme Green Machine is the first and only portable biodiesel processor that can produce biodiesel in less than five hours using all state-of-the-art technology for under $1 per gallon. Extreme Bio-Diesel 888/998-7223 http://www.extremebiodiesel.com/
	Superwinch Rock 95 A rock-crawling winch with synthetic rope, blue-anodized hawse and three mounting options. It fits between vehicle rails and is 45% lighter than most 9,000-pounders, according to the company. Superwinch 860/928-7787 http://www.superwinch.com/ PN: 09532RK
	Pareto Point Industries LubriCube A high-performance filter with an electric transfer pump and controller for transmissions, differentials or other filtration applications. Filter base element fitted with Neodymium magnets. Pareto Point Industries 323/726-2199 http://www.paretopoint.com/ PN: LuCu1
	Con2r Great Ball of Fire According to Con2r, this one-of-a-kind limited-edition gearshift knob is the perfect final touch for any true hot rod. Assembled from four individually investment-cast brass pieces, it comes together with the flames wrapping up and around a completely hollow center to form a 2.25-in.-diameter ball of fire. Production has been limited to just 96 pieces to guarantee a unique look. Con2r 503/626-6390 www.con2r.com
	Diamond Pistons New Nitrous Pistons Introducing two new forged pistons for nitrous engines. One is designed for a 23-degree small-block Chevy; the other for a big-block Chevy 540–632ci (shown) with Ray Franks’ Profiler Hit-man cylinder heads. Diamond Pistons 877/552-2112 www.diamondracing.net
	Byers Products Versa Lift The push-button access to attic, mezzanine or loft storage that Versa Lift provides is revolutionizing how homeowners and garage-shop owners look at storage. Byers Products 405/943-1468 www.bpghome.com
	Roll-N-Lock Corp. Hummer H3T Retractable Hard Tonneau Roll-N-Lock now proudly offers its retractable hard tonneau cover for this new application. With the smallest housing dimension in the industry, the Roll-N- Lock design allows more room in tight, extra-short box areas, according to the company. Roll-N-Lock Corp. 800/952-7655 www.rollnlock.com
	Gold Eagle Co. Improved Formula Sta-Bil According to Gold Eagle Co., ethanol in gasoline attracts water from the air, which can cause corrosion damage to fuel tanks, fuel lines, carburetors and injectors. The improved Sta-Bil formula is designed to protect the fuel system from this corrosion. Gold Eagle Co. 800/367-3245 www.goldeagle.com

New Products

Wed, 04/01/2009 - 09:09

SEMA News -- April 2009
NEW PRODUCTS

	Omix-Ada/Rugged Ridge 17x9 Aluminum Wrangler Wheel Omix-Ada/Rugged Ridge says its Wrangler Wheel represents one of the toughest designs in custom wheels. Hub-centric design centers the wheel, providing the best fit possible and proper clearance for rotors, steering components and the suspension. Omix-Ada/Rugged Ridge 800/449-6649 http://www.omix-ada.com/
	Extreme Bio-Diesel Extreme Green Machine According to Extreme Bio-Diesel, its Extreme Green Machine is the first and only portable biodiesel processor that can produce biodiesel in less than five hours using all state-of-the-art technology for under $1 per gallon. Extreme Bio-Diesel 888/998-7223 http://www.extremebiodiesel.com/
	Superwinch Rock 95 A rock-crawling winch with synthetic rope, blue-anodized hawse and three mounting options. It fits between vehicle rails and is 45% lighter than most 9,000-pounders, according to the company. Superwinch 860/928-7787 http://www.superwinch.com/ PN: 09532RK
	Pareto Point Industries LubriCube A high-performance filter with an electric transfer pump and controller for transmissions, differentials or other filtration applications. Filter base element fitted with Neodymium magnets. Pareto Point Industries 323/726-2199 http://www.paretopoint.com/ PN: LuCu1
	Con2r Great Ball of Fire According to Con2r, this one-of-a-kind limited-edition gearshift knob is the perfect final touch for any true hot rod. Assembled from four individually investment-cast brass pieces, it comes together with the flames wrapping up and around a completely hollow center to form a 2.25-in.-diameter ball of fire. Production has been limited to just 96 pieces to guarantee a unique look. Con2r 503/626-6390 www.con2r.com
	Diamond Pistons New Nitrous Pistons Introducing two new forged pistons for nitrous engines. One is designed for a 23-degree small-block Chevy; the other for a big-block Chevy 540–632ci (shown) with Ray Franks’ Profiler Hit-man cylinder heads. Diamond Pistons 877/552-2112 www.diamondracing.net
	Byers Products Versa Lift The push-button access to attic, mezzanine or loft storage that Versa Lift provides is revolutionizing how homeowners and garage-shop owners look at storage. Byers Products 405/943-1468 www.bpghome.com
	Roll-N-Lock Corp. Hummer H3T Retractable Hard Tonneau Roll-N-Lock now proudly offers its retractable hard tonneau cover for this new application. With the smallest housing dimension in the industry, the Roll-N- Lock design allows more room in tight, extra-short box areas, according to the company. Roll-N-Lock Corp. 800/952-7655 www.rollnlock.com
	Gold Eagle Co. Improved Formula Sta-Bil According to Gold Eagle Co., ethanol in gasoline attracts water from the air, which can cause corrosion damage to fuel tanks, fuel lines, carburetors and injectors. The improved Sta-Bil formula is designed to protect the fuel system from this corrosion. Gold Eagle Co. 800/367-3245 www.goldeagle.com

SEMA Responds to President Obama

Wed, 04/01/2009 - 06:44

The Specialty Equipment Market Association applauds efforts to help consumers, automakers and dealerships with a program to stimulate new car sales. We support the concept of government-issued vouchers toward the purchase of fuel-efficient new vehicles and allowing consumers to deduct the car interest payments on their taxes.

However, SEMA continues to oppose tying these vouchers to vehicle scrappage programs, known as "cash for clunkers." The programs accelerate the demise of older vehicles, which are then typically crushed into blocks of sheet metal. Scrappage programs focus on a car's age rather than how much it is driven or its actual emissions. SEMA has consistently warned against wasting taxpayer dollars on a program that may produce an artificial spike in sales, but does not reduce emissions or increase fuel efficiency.

Automakers and dealers need to sell cars in order to survive, but potential buyers have hit the brakes in these tough economic times. Scrappage programs actually would deny vouchers to the majority of people who may want to buy a new car but don't have an eligible older car to trade. Instead, these programs will be misused by those who own two or three older cars and seek to take advantage of the taxpayer give-away. Many of these cars aren't frequently driven, if at all, so destroying them will not clean the nation's air or make us less dependent on foreign oil.

While supporters tout a similar German program as evidence of success, the European Federation for Transport and the Environment, (the pan-European federation of environmental groups), has urged Germany and other countries to abandon scrappage subsidies because they do more environmental harm than good by artificially accelerating the car life cycle.

Scrappage programs hurt thousands of independent repair shops, auto restorers, customizers and their customers across the country. This industry provides thousands of American jobs and generates millions of dollars in local, state and federal tax revenues. We encourage the President to help the entire auto industry with programs that focus the incentive where it counts - on the purchase of new vehicles and not destroying older cars.

Read the latest developments on Cash for Clunkers legislation here.

Council News

Thu, 03/26/2009 - 12:18

Click on the logo to visit PRO's website.

PRO Open Meeting at SEMA Show 2008!

PRO will hold an open meeting during the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The meeting is open to all PRO Council members, and will be in meeting rooms N219–N222, located in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Now more than ever, PRO needs input from all its members. So please plan to attend on Thursday morning at the Show, and bring all your ideas with you!

What: PRO Open Meeting
When: Thursday, November 6, 2008, 7:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, rooms N219–N222

PRO Column in SEMA Member News

Read PRO's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about PRO, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

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Click on the logo to visit ARMO's website.

ARMO Special Projects in Motion

Sponsorships are being accepted for the ARMO Industry Awards Reception. Now is the time to participate in this great opportunity to show your support of the restoration market, its community, its people and its businesses. Click here to download and print a sponsorship form.

For more information, contact any Select Committee member or Jan Desma, 909/396-0289, ext. 134, or e-mail jand@sema.org.

ARMO Column in SEMA Member News

Read ARMO's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

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Click on the logo to visit HRIA's website.

HRIA Special Projects in Motion

Sponsorships are being accepted for the HRIA Industry Awards Reception. Participate in this great opportunity to show your support of the hot-rod community, its people and its businesses. Click here to download and print a sponsorship form.

For more information contact any Select Committee member or Jan Desma, 909/396-0289 ext. 134 or e-mail jand@sema.org.

HRIA Column in SEMA Member News

Read HRIA's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For more information about HRIA, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

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Click on the logo to visit TORA's website.

TORA Column in SEMA Member News

Read TORA's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

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Click on the logo to visit MPMC's website.

Auto Club Speedway of Southern California and SEMA’s Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council Celebrate Motorsports Awareness Month with the Take a Friend to a Race Campaign

Auto Club Speedway has teamed up with the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC), a council of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), to celebrate Motorsports Awareness Month with the "Take a Friend to a Race" Campaign, a grassroots program aimed at increasing attendance at motorsports events by introducing new fans to the sport.

“We are very excited to be working with SEMA and the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council to get the word out about the great racing at Auto Club Speedway,” said Speedway President Gillian Zucker. “SEMA members’ love of cars and motorsports, combined with our great event schedule, means we are the perfect partners to promote motorsports awareness.”

SEMA PR Contact: Della Domingo, dellad@sema.org.

MPMC Column in SEMA Member News

Read MPMC's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about MPMC, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

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Click on the logo to visit MRC's website.

MRC Column in SEMA Member News

Read MRC's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about MRC, contact Staci Bostock at stacib@sema.org.

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Click on the logo to visit SPC's website.

SPC Column in SEMA Member News

Read SPC's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about SPC, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

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Click on the logo to visit WTC's website.

WTC Column in SEMA Member News

Read WTC's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about WTC, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

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Click on the logo to visit SBN's website.

Be a part of what some have called “The Most Productive Event at the SEMA Show.”
Get your company more exposure today by sponsoring the SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast—Powered by SBN.

Sponsorship includes many exciting benefits:

Breakfast tickets (additional available at $10 each)
Scholarship fund donation
Eligibility to place items in goody bags that will be distributed to all breakfast attendees
Logo in the event’s looping PowerPoint presentation
Small logo on advance promotional material and on-site handouts
Thank-you recognition at event
Recognition in applicable SBN news vehicles—electronic and print—prior to and after the event
Company name linked to your corporate website on breakfast webpage
Handout of pre-registered attendees

Come join us for the breakfast, see the Woman of The Year and Athena Awards—and stay for Speed Networking—all while supporting the worthy cause of the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Sponsor companies need not be SBN members. All SEMA-member companies are eligible.

Click here to download the sponsorship form.

Sponsorship deadline: Friday September 26, 2008

Attendee breakfast tickets can also be purchased by clicking here.

Discover the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN

“I’ll get by with a little help from my friends…” - Joe Cocker

Everyone needs help or expert advice from time to time, and SEMA’s Mentoring Program is an excellent resource to get answers to all your questions. Whether you need to know more about SEMA, market information for a start-up company or advice on how to approach your boss about a new position, the SEMA Mentoring Program can help.

“Ask A Mentor” is perfect for one-time questions. You can expect multiple SEMA mentors to provide online guidance and answers to your industry-related questions.

Short-term Assistance/Guidance is for help with a specific project or task. A SEMA council/committee mentor with the expertise you seek will be paired up with you to provide guidance with your project.

Long-term Relationship is helpful for developing your professional career. In this program segment you will be paired with a SEMA council/committee mentor who will provide guidance and assistance for ongoing career development or a long-term project.

So whether you just need an answer to a question or you want to cultivate a mentoring friendship, the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN is available to help. After all, we can all use a little help from our friends.

For more information on the program, click here.

SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast—Powered by SBN

Check out this video of SBN members in action during the valuable SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast—Powered by SBN held annually at the SEMA Show. Check out the video by clicking here

SBN Column in SEMA Member News

Read SBN's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about SBN, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

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Click on the logo to visit YEN's website.

Join YEN

Did you know that the SEMA Young Executives Network has more than 500 members networking in the industry and is the largest SEMA committee? If you are employed by a SEMA-member company and are under the age of 39, then you can join the SEMA Young Executives Network for FREE. If you are interested in becoming part of the team, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

YEN Member of the Month Spotlight

Did you know that YEN has a Member of the Month Spotlight on the SEMA website and that anyone can be nominated? To view previous selections or to make a nomination, visit www.sema.org/yen.

Discover The SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN

“I’ll get by with a little help from my friends…” - Joe Cocker

Everyone needs help or expert advice from time to time, and SEMA’s Mentoring Program is an excellent resource to get answers to all your questions. Whether you need to know more about SEMA, market information for a start-up company or advice on how to approach your boss about a new position, the SEMA Mentoring Program can help.

“Ask A Mentor” is perfect for one-time questions. You can expect multiple SEMA mentors to provide online guidance and answers to your industry-related questions.

Short-term Assistance/Guidance is for help with a specific project or task. A SEMA council/committee mentor with the expertise you seek will be paired up with you to provide guidance with your project.

Long-term Relationship is helpful for developing your professional career. In this program segment you will be paired with a SEMA council/committee mentor who will provide guidance and assistance for ongoing career development or a long-term project.

So whether you just need an answer to a question or you want to cultivate a mentoring friendship, the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN is available to help. After all, we can all use a little help from our friends.

For more information on the program, click here.

YEN Column in SEMA Member News

Read YEN's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about YEN, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.