• CSK Auto announced that James Constantine will join the company as executive vice president of finance and chief financial officer effective November 19. Constantine most recently served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of ShopKo Stores Operating Co. The company also announced that Brian Woods, executive vice president of merchandising, is leaving the company in order to remain full time in Dallas with his family. CSK is currently searching for a successor.


• SEMA member Collectors Foundation Inc. reported that it has awarded more than $1,000,000.00 since its inception in 2004 to build the next generation of collector vehicle enthusiasts. Collectors Foundation is an educational grant-making organization funded by collector vehicle and classic boat enthusiasts to serve young people–the future generation of collectors. To date, over 200,000 school age children have learned some of their history, art, and science lessons at eight automobile museums around the country with grants from the Foundation. Over 2,000 high school aged students in ten different states have received the benefit of new equipment for automotive technology classes or special mentoring programs supported by the Foundation.  And 65 students have received scholarships for post-secondary study in automotive or restoration, design, rod and custom building at nine different educational institutions.  
  


• OnSight Solutions opened three new franchise locations. The company now has 14 nationwide owners of OSS franchises. The most recent acquisitions are the greater Boston metro area, Charlotte metro and Western North Carolina markets, and the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, North Carolina metro markets.

The industry in action on the floor of the 2007 SEMA Show:

Try before you buy: Testing the mettle of manufacturers’ products in a real-world setting is the main purpose of the Motor Trend Proving Ground powered by Lexus.

During the Lexus press conference, the automaker launched F-Sport, a new lineup of performance accessories engineered by Toyota Racing Development (TRD) for the 2006 IS 250/350. .

Store of the Future is where jobbers and retailers go to get access to merchandising experts and layout tips designed to push more product.

NHRA's Ashley Force is one of the many racing stars making an appearance during Show week.

A jam-packed Las Vegas Convention Center.

SEMA awards Toyota to recognize the automaker’s commitment to the specialty-equipment industry through its participation as Vehicle Manufacturer of the 2007 SEMA Show. From left to right: SEMA Senior Director of Dealer Relations Bill Wolf, Toyota Corporate Marketing Manager Brian Smith, SEMA President Chris Kersting, and SEMA Chairman Jim Cozzie of Zoom Performance Products.

The crew from West Coast Customs brought their shop to the Show, conducting in-booth master classes in welding, fabrication, custom painting mobile electronics and more at the West Coast Customs Experience.

In addition to world-class exhibitors and product innovations, the 2007 SEMA Show features educational programs that provide insight on key industry topics as well as professional advice regarding leadership techniques, website construction, e-marketing and more.

The SEMA Show Luncheon and Keynote Address featured Toyota’s Corporate Marketing Manager Brian Smith who illustrated the significance of vehicle personalization to the Toyota brand and covered the importance of warranty programs such as ProPledge.

The New Product Awards Breakfast, emceed by Speedway Illustrated founder Dick Berggren, highlighted the 2008 class of new products and innovations delivered by the specialty-equipment industry.

The Truck Trend Proving Ground sponsored by Toyota gives buyers the chance to see products put to the rigors of the real world and the drivers a chance to fling a little mud.

The NHRA Breakfast featured (left to right) Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock), Tony Pedregon (Funny Car), Larry Dixon (Top Fuel) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

To celebrate its 40 years, Hot Wheels displayed branded memorabilia, collectibles and life-size vehicles throughout the 2007 SEMA Show.

Product demonstrations provide application tips and techniques.

The car crafters of Overhaulin' worked tirelessly to complete its project before the end of the Show.

SEMA President Chris Kersting kicks off the Intern Breakfast during the 2007 SEMA Show’s Education Day. The SEMA Internship program provides students with an educational, real-world Show experience that prepares them for their future in the industry.

The West Coast Customs Crew walks the Show.

For four days, the SEMA Show in Las Vegas represents the pulse of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. With thousands of products and uniquely personalized rides, it is a detailed look at the current state, as well as what to expect from the future, of the industry.

To see more pictures from the 2007 SEMA Show, visit www.semaphotos.com.

Dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows and activities have been announced. Details are:

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities at www.sema.org/classifieds. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enable the employee to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more. The newest classified listings posted under Positions Available include:

More than three-quarters of light-truck enthusiasts customize their trucks to improve performance, according to SEMA research data. Of the 1200 light-truck owners queried for the SEMA 2007 Automotive Lifestyles survey, a staggering 86% somewhat agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, “I customize my vehicle to increase performance.”

Performance is not the only reason why enthusiasts modify their light-trucks, however. Nearly as many see their truck as an extension of themselves and their individuality, with 79% somewhat or strongly agreeing that their vehicle is a way for them to express themselves, and 78% agreeing that they customize to set their truck apart from others on the road.

Along similar lines, 68% of enthusiasts somewhat or strongly disagreed when asked if their vehicle was only used for basic transportation. Additionally, 59% say they prefer to modify the appearance of their truck rather than the performance.

For further insight into this segment of the specialty equipment industry, read the Light-Truck Market Update produced by the SEMA Research and Information Center in the September issue of SEMA News. For member-exclusive market research reports, visit www.sema.org/research.

Filler for eNews

Recognizing the increasing global appeal of specialty automotive style and performance equipment, SEMA presented the fourth annual Global Media Awards to select member companies. Held at the 2007 SEMA Show, the award ceremony attracted hundreds of international buyers, U.S. Department of Commerce officials, SEMA-member company representatives and the press.

Winners were selected by a prestigious jury comprised of international journalists representing 51 titles. The voting panel reviewed over 1,500 new style and performance products introduced at the SEMA Show, and from these each journalist selected products that would most interest enthusiasts in their respective country.

"Our goal was to have media experts from around the world determine which new products are likely to succeed in their home markets,” said Linda Spencer, SEMA director of international and government relations. “Publications from 25 countries were represented on our panel of judges this year.”

In total, 263 new products from 180 companies were honored, ranging from sophisticated performance and navigation computer systems to replica car chassis and body parts builders.

“SEMA’s Global Media Award reflects the niche market segments our member companies have helped establish,” Spencer added. “This award represents one of SEMA’s latest initiatives to recognize the innovation, creativity and drive of our member companies. These awards confirm that the specialty-equipment market has indeed gone global.”

Following are the winners of the 2007 SEMA Global Media Awards:

For information on SEMA's international programs and opportunities, visit www.sema.org/international or contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

Want to increase the efficiency of all those cold calls and hard-won leads? "Turbocharge Your Telephone Effectiveness," led by The Call Coach Peter Belanger, will teach you the best practices in Telephone Business Development (inside sales, telesales, telemarketing and more) for in-house salespeople, field salespeople, marketing professionals, management, or simply anyone who wants to convert more business over the phone.

Turbocharge Your Telephone Effectiveness
Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 10 a.m. (PST)
Presenter: Peter Belanger, The Call Coach

How to Participate
During the webinar, you'll be able to interact and ask questions through the computer or over the phone. Simply follow these steps:

• View the presentation during the webinar by clicking here the day of the webinar.
• Connect to the audio portion of the webinar by calling toll-free 866/637-2754, pin 1542 (The audio portion can be heard from your telephone used during the webinar.)

Be sure to explore all past webinars and plan for upcoming sessions by clicking here.

SEMA's webinar sessions throughout the year provide business-building tools and insight to members anywhere with a computer. Past sessions have covered industry issues such as minimum advertised pricing policies and intellectual property rights, and provided tools for success, including how to take advantage of media opportunities and maximize your trade show experience.

The four webinar sessions recently made available for download here include:

• Lean Thinking - The Toyota Way of Doing Business
  
• Making the Most of Your Media Moments at the SEMA Show
  
• Unlocking Hidden Profits Through OEM CAD Data
  
• Get Paid: Avoiding Slow / Non-paying Customers and Collecting Debt
  

To view all webinars available for download, click here. To view upcoming presentations that you can attend via the telephone and Internet, click here.

The SEMA staff and volunteers extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to those in the SEMA community who have suffered losses in the Southern California wildfires.

Members who have fire-related issues and are seeking assistance can call the SEMA Membership Department: 909-396-0289 ext. 138 or ext. 121.

Exhibitors that have difficulty delivering their freight to the SEMA Show due to the fires should call the SEMA Show HOTLINE: 702-943-3505.

The SEMA Show Management will assist with your needs, and the hall will remain available as needed for show setup.  Call NOW if you need more information and to keep Show Management apprised of your status.

In addition, up-to-the-minute traffic info is available from Caltrans at www.dot.ca.gov.