R&R Marketing was presented with the Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year award for the fourth time in 25 years at the 2008 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet in Las Vegas.

Established in 1979, R&R Marketing is an independent manufacturers sales representative agency specializing in the performance automotive aftermarket. R&R Marketing represents 17 of the largest manufacturers in the specialty-equipment industry. The company provides coverage in 22 states, as well as in four western provinces of Canada. R&R Marketing’s services include training seminars, sales incentive programs, marketing and graphic design, point-of-purchase displays, catalog creation and maintenance.

In addition to the manufacturers the company represents and the WDs and jobbers it serves, R&R Marketing has been involved in the industry for 25 years through SEMA, industry shows, seminars and racing events. R&R Marketing has a reputation for exemplifying the ideal partnership between a rep firm and manufacturer. R&R has also been named Rep of the Year by many of its largest accounts.

Throughout the years, R&R Marketing members have served on the WD of the Year Award Committee, SEMA Person of the Year Committee, Manufacturers' Representatives Council Select Committee and SEMA Businesswomen’s Network. Company members have also served as a SEMA Forum Speaker and PWA Panelist.

The PWA Person of the Year Bob Cook (second from left) is flanked by PWA President Anne Graves. Vic Edelbrock (second from right), whose company was named the PWA Manufacturer of the Year, stands with PWA President-Elect Donnie Eatherly.

The Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) presented its awards for Person of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year during the Industry Awards Banquet at the 2008 SEMA Show.

PWA Person of the Year—Bob Cook

The PWA recently honored Bob Cook as PWA Person of the Year during the 2008 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet. Like many of his colleagues, Cook developed his passion for the automotive industry at an early age, and turned it into a lifelong career.

“I’d always liked cars,” Cook recalled, “and when my brother got out of the Navy, he came home with a primered ’51 Mercury that we took to the drag races. Of course, a flathead Ford engine with a two-barrel carburetor was not very fast, but it got us started. My job at the time was to take the street tires off and put the slicks on. I was the pit crew.”

Transitioning from the racing field into the business side of the industry, Cook decided that with a few years of rep experience under his belt, he would open his own agency in 1979. And what he may have lacked in capital he made up for with his first two clients—Vic Edelbrock and Bob Vandergriff.

Despite representing two of the pioneers of the specialty-equipment industry, it was still an uphill battle to keep the new agency afloat. The perseverance eventually paid off, however, as his company grew from just himself to a two-man and finally a 14-rep business. In appreciation of the many mentors and colleagues that contributed to his success, Cook began to give back by helping to foster the industry. When he wasn’t on the road or working at his own company, he devoted himself to SEMA and PWA projects.

In addition to the recent PWA Person of the Year award, Cook was also inducted in SEMA’s Hall of Fame this year. As a tribute to all new Hall of Fame inductees, SEMA News magazine featured as biography on each of the HOF's newest members. Click here to read the complete article. For more on Bob Cook, please visit www.bobcooksales.com.

PWA Manufacturer of the Year—Edelbrock

Thousands of companies contribute to the specialty-equipment industry. As exhibitors, their SEMA Show booths recently filled the Las Vegas Convention Center from wall to wall. However, less than 50 years ago the automotive aftermarket consisted of only a few pioneers trying to transform their passion for automobiles into viable businesses.

At the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet during the 2008 SEMA Show, the PWA honored one of those founding companies by presenting Edelbrock with the Manufacturer of the Year award.

The Edelbrock story begins with Vic Edelbrock Sr., born in Wichita, Kansas in 1913. By age 14, he was contributing to his family by working at an auto repair shop. In less than five years, Edelbrock Sr. took his newly acquired skills and moved to California where he opened a repair shop on Wilshire Blvd. with his brother-in-law.

Vic Edelbrock Sr. would continue to grow his business until the early age of 49, when he succumbed to cancer. Despite this tragedy, Edelbrock Sr. left behind a tremendous team of very talented people. The year was 1962 and the Edelbrock Equipment Company was handed over to Vic Jr. and a group of loyal employees, most of whom had been with Edelbrock Sr. since the beginning. They knew what it took to continue the traditions he had begun.

As a testament to the Edelbrock team’s commitment to excellence and Vic Sr.’s dream, the corporation now has over six locations: four in Torrance and two in San Jacinto, California, totaling more than 600,000 sq. ft. Headquarters include R&D, manufacturing, tech support and more.

For more information on Edelbrock, click here.  

For more information on PWA, click here.  

 
Click on the logo to visit ARMO's website.

ARMO Honors Winners of Its Council Awards at SEMA Show

• Hall of Fame Award: Dennis Gage, Bradley David Productions/"My Classic Car"

• Hall of Fame Award: Randy Shannon, Source Interlink Media

• Hall of Fame Award: Steve Ames, Ames Performance Enterprises

• Person of the Year Award: Ernie Silvers, Egge Machine Co. Inc.

• Business of the Year Award: Carlisle Events

• Restoration Vehicle of the Year Award: 1958 Chrysler New Yorker Convertible; owned by Tom Gerrard; restored by American Classic Auto Restoration Inc.

New products shown and judged at Spring Carlisle:

• Original Restoration Category: 1969 Yenko Camaro Continuation Series, Classic Automotive Restoration Specialists 

• Resto Mod Category: Roller-Hoop Body Rotation System, DSK Auto Products LLC, Doug Kielian

ARMO Column in SEMA Member News

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

Click on the logo to visit HRIA's website.

HRIA Honors Winners of Its Council Awards at SEMA Show

• Hall of Fame Award: Debbie Walls, LOKAR Inc.

• Hall of Fame Award: George Lane, Motor State Distributing

• Business of the Year Award: Speedway Motors

• Industry Recognition of an Individual Award: Bret Voelkel, Air Ride Technologies
  

HRIA Column in SEMA Member News

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

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

Click on the logo to visit TORA's website.

TORA Honors Winners of Its Council Awards at SEMA Show

• 2008 Best New Product Under $500: Undercover, Swingcase

• 2008 Best New Product Over $500: Roll N Lock, E series

• 2008 Retailer of the Year Award: John Chamberlaine, Action Group of Companies

• 2008 TORA Hall of Fame Award: Anne Johnson, Keystone Automotive

• 2008 TORA Chairman’s Award: Todd Yeoman, American Technology Components

• 2008 Best POP Display Award: Agricover, EZ Retriever/Stocking Display

• 2008 Ford Styling Awards Best Use of Accessories on a Ford Truck/SUV (presented by Ford): Kelderman Air Suspension

• 2008 Ford Styling Awards Best Use of Accessories on a Ford Truck/SUV (presented by Ford): Westin Automotive Products

TORA Column in SEMA Member News

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

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

Click on the logo to visit MPMC's website.

MPMC Awards Winners of Its Council Awards at SEMA Show

• MPMC Media Person of the Year Award: Ed Zinke, Source Interlink Media

Media Registers for Annual MPMC Media Trade Conference

Media who wish to attend the 12th annual MPMC Media Trade Conference may register online now at www.sema.org/media. The MPMC Media Trade Conference provides media attendees the opportunity to have up to 42 individual, 30-minute, face-to-face meetings with various manufacturers to gather technical and new-product content.

During the registration process, attendees are asked to prioritize each of the 100 exhibiting manufacturers as “must meet with,” “okay to meet with” or “do not wish to meet with.” Following the close of registration on December 5, individualized schedules are produced for each attendee and exhibitor, utilizing the prioritizations as much as possible. 

The MPMC Media Trade Conference is widely regarded by both manufacturers and media as a “must attend” event. Now in its 12th consecutive year, the conference has grown to an extent that the number of exhibitor spots is capped at 100, due to time and space constraints. Even so, many media attendees report that they gather enough editorial and technical content in three days to last them an entire 12 months.

Likewise, exhibiting manufacturers acknowledge that the Media Trade Conference gives them exposure to media that is not available at any other venue. Only MPMC member manufacturers are eligible to apply for an exhibitor suite, making the conference a true council member benefit.

MPMC Column in SEMA Member News

Click on the logo to visit MRC's website.

MRC Honors Winners of Its Council Awards at SEMA Show

• Hall of Fame Award: Bill Perry, Bill Perry & Associates

• STAR Award (Sales Team Annual Recognition): Winfield Consumer Products/Husky Liners
  

MRC Column in SEMA Member News

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

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

Click on the logo to visit PRO's website.

PRO Honors Winners of Its Council Awards at SEMA Show

• Jim Borre Lifetime Achievement Award: Bob Nardine, Bob’s Top Shop

• Restyler of the Year: Diana Braschler, Dealer Source, LTD

• Truck Accessory Specialist of the Year: Charlie Pruitt, Auto & Truck Restylers

• Trimmer of the Year: Eric Browner, Auto Mat Co.

PRO Business Development Guidebooks Now On Sale

In today’s ever-changing marketplace, staying ahead of the competition is more important and challenging than ever. To be successful, you not only need an effective business strategy, but also the tools and resources to help your company excel and stand out from the pack. The PRO Business Development Guidebook is your handy reference guide.

Beginning with an overview of the importance of having a business plan—including tips on how to develop a business plan and the many purposes it can serve—the manual offers chapter-by-chapter strategies for making your business a success. From understanding the basics of business finance and the importance of quality and service and how to make them hallmarks of your business to building knowledge and skills among your employees to branding your restyling business as a market leader, the guidebook offers information critical to the day-to-day and long-term operation of your business.

Whether you’re starting your own restyling business or already own one—be it mobile or brick and mortar—you’ll find the answers that you’ve been looking for in the guidebook. PRO Council members contributed much of the information contained in the guidebook, drawing on their experience and knowledge to present a valuable business tool.

Click here to download the business guidebook order form, or contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

PRO Column in SEMA Member News

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

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

Click on the logo to visit SPC's website.

SPC Honors Winners of Its Council Awards at SEMA Show

The SEMA Design Awards were created to recognize and celebrate the collaboration between original-equipment manufacturers and specialty-equipment businesses. Today’s automakers build the most efficient, powerful and comfortable vehicles ever created, and they offer a wealth of options for car and truck buyers of every stripe.

Yet they cannot possibly accommodate every consumer’s unique requirements or desires. In every category from mobile electronics to performance enhancements and from interior accessories to cargo-carrying improvements, specialty-equipment businesses augment factory offerings to produce an even more pleasurable and practical automotive experience for the world’s drivers.

Consumers look for vehicles that provide the best possible mix of styling, performance, safety and efficiency for their specific lifestyles. SEMA-member companies offer valuable contributions in each of those areas for virtually any type of vehicle. The SEMA Design Awards honor those cars and trucks that a select group of voters has chosen as the most inviting and receptive to accessorization in four categories: car, truck, SUV and hybrid.

For the 2009 model year, the judging for the SEMA Design Awards was performed by members of the automotive media, including writers and editors who work on enthusiast, consumer and trade publications and websites. Because they cover specific markets as well as the whole industry, the automotive media are knowledgeable yet evenhanded in their treatment of the various automakers, tending to link impartiality with credibility in the work they do.

To be eligible for one of the four awards—Accessory-Friendly Car, Accessory-Friendly Truck, Accessory-Friendly SUV and Accessory-Friendly Hybrid—each nominated vehicle must be either all new or significantly redesigned. The voting was conducted over several weeks in September and October to allow for processing prior to the SEMA Show, where the Design Awards were announced.

For 2009, the winning vehicles were the Chevrolet Camaro as Accessory-Friendly Car, the Ford F-150 as Accessory-Friendly Truck, the Ford Flex as Accessory-Friendly SUV and the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid as Accessory-Friendly Hybrid.

While dozens of other vehicles were also introduced or redesigned for the 2009 model year and received significant support from the media voters, the four winners carried convincing majorities. The Camaro, F-150, Flex and Escalade Hybrid have earned their SEMA Design Awards.

Ford F-150

 
Truck Trend Editor Mark Williams says that the F-150 is almost tailor-made for companies looking to address an exact niche for their specific customer base. “Anything that can increase or improve the multidimensionality of a truck or SUV gives the owner that much more reason to keep the vehicle,” he said. “There will be big opportunities for those who can give a big personality-change bang for a truck-owner’s buck.”

Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

“The aftermarket has already developed a high level of accessorization for the conventionally powered model,” stated Drew Hardin of Drew Hardin Media, “so the hybrid buyer can enjoy fuel-economy improvements without having to give up the SUV’s customization potential.” Hardin feels that opportunities also exist for monitors, gauges and other means of displaying the truck’s mpg that are more innovative than the factory-offered readouts. 

Chevrolet Camaro

 
Paul Huizenga, editor of Race Pages magazine says the first wave of Camaro buyers will have a strong desire to upgrade their cars. “Drawing from what we saw with the new Mustang, the bulk of the demand will be for upgrades, such as wheels, body kits and styling elements,” he said, “but don’t discount the demand for hardcore performance parts either.”

Ford Flex

“The Ford Flex has the kind of interesting exterior styling that encourages modifications, and its vast interior space and high-tech features suggest interior modifications, such as Blue-ray entertainment players,” said Edmunds.com Editor-in-Chief Karl Brauer. “The wheels play a major role in the Flex’s styling, so changing or upgrading them could play a major role in personalizing the vehicle."

This 2009 Ford Flex, customized by the pros at West Coast Customs, went for the high bid of $38,200 through the SEMA Show Silent Auction.  

The SEMA Show Silent Auction annually offers up some great collectibles and memorabilia to SEMA Showgoers. This year’s big-ticket item was a 2009 Ford Flex customized to the hilt by the pros at West Coast Customs. Upgrades include 24-inch Asanti wheels and tires, upper and lower grilles from Street Scene Equipment, audio upgrades from Polk Audio, Roadwire leather interior, Stillen brake rotors, custom graphics and paint from the West Coast Customs crew and much more.

The winning bid for the Ford Flex was $38,200. The total amount of money raised through the 2008 SEMA Show Silent Auction will be made available in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews.

The West Coast Customs pre-Show buildup of this unique machine will be featured in an episode of the TV show "Street Customs" on The Learning Channel. For more information on West Coast Customs, visit www.westcoastcustoms.com.

The SEMA Silent Auction is managed by SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) and raises money for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. Since 1993, the SEMA Show Silent Auction has contributed nearly $1 million to the scholarship fund which helps provide financial support for students pursuing careers in the automotive and specialty-equipment industries.

For more information on the YEN, visit www.sema.org/yen.

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Check out the next SEMA webinar to learn about the tools that SEMA has available to make creating your next product easier and more affordable.

"Fast Track Product Development with 3-D Technology," presented by SEMA Vehicle Product Data Analyst Oscar Muñoz, highlights new, affordable 3-D-based technologies available to replace the tedious process of reverse engineering.

The "Zimbra" Prius from Barris Kustom features vertical doors, rear spoilers, scoops and wheelwell flares to accommodate its 19-inch rims.

Biodisesel F-250s? E85 Hummers? Old news now. The future of the Green Revolution underway in the specialty-equipment industry is now all about lithium batteries, regenerative energy and George Barris.
   
That’s right, George Barris. The custom builder and industry icon himself might seem like an unlikely ambassador of green, but he says he doesn't care whether it's got eight cylinders or none, or whether it runs on kilowatts or gasoline.

"I was a trendsetter back in the old days," Barris told the audience gathered at the Making Green Cool Zone press conference during the 2008 SEMA Show. A special section set aside in the South Hall, the Making Green Cool Zone showcased alternative methods of motoring, ranging from biodiesel and ethanol power to waste vegetable oil and electrics.

"With green, we are having fun,” Barris added. “With lithium batteries, with vertical doors, we are having fun. And you'll see big growth in the green car culture.”

Barris belongs to a group of innovators and entrepreneurs who believe performance can be found from alt fuels and approaches as easily as from a carbureted V8. People such as Jonathan Goodwin, a Wichita-based mad scientist who transformed musician Neil Young's '59 Lincoln Continental into a 75-mpg electric cruiser.

Or Ahzar Hussain, creator of the TTXGP, billed as the world's first carbon zero grand prix. Or documentarian/surfer/adventurer Seth Warren, who drove from Alaska to Argentina in an old Toyota fire engine using no petroleum, only salmon oil and pig fat (see the story at www.naturepropelled.com).

"The SEMA Show continues to prove that it is the birthplace of American customization and creativity," said John Waraniak, SEMA vice president of vehicle technology. "SEMA is uniquely positioned to make green cool, but as Beau Boeckmann of Galpin Auto Sports said, 'We don't need to make green cool; green is cool.'"

The SEMA Research & Information Center even challenged tuners and manufacturers to a fuel-efficiency test, seeking products that not only increased fuel economy, but also enhanced performance without increasing emissions. Winners included the Evolution flash programmer from Edge Products (1.0% gain on Ford F-150 V8); STS Turbo's turbocharger joined with DiabloSport Predator flash programmer (4.6% gain on Ford F-150 V8); cat-back exhaust, cold-air intake, rocker arms, springs, underdrive pulley and DiabloSport programmer from SLP Performance (4.1% gain on Chevy Tahoe V8); and Gibson cat-back exhaust (2.6% gain on Ford F-150 V8).

But it's not just about fuel economy. Corvette Racing displayed its American LeMans-winning C6.R powered by E85 ethanol. Galpin Auto Sports brought the 800hp '65 Impala biodiesel conversion it built for Earth Day 2007 (and unveiled on MTV by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger). Extreme Biodiesel's 2006 Chevy Dually makes 1,000 hp and 1,200 lb.-ft. of twist.

"The greatest thing about this industry is its ability to innovate," SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting told the Making Green Cool Zone audience. "This is the cutting edge. And thanks to the [Green Zone] exhibitors, and those paying attention to it, you helped us make a little history today."


Galpin Auto Sports set out to prove that you don’t have to sacrifice power to go green, and this ’65 Impala powered by an 800hp GM Duramax running on B-100 biodiesel more than makes the point.

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