ARMO unveils three vehicles in their shared booth with HRIA during first day of Show.

SEMA Member News—January 2020

ARMO Salutes Industry Leaders

The Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and the industry it represents were front and center throughout the 2019 SEMA Show, from the Restoration Marketplace and the ARMO vintage-vehicle display in Central Hall—the latter jointly shared with the Hot Rod Industry Alliance—to the council’s annual awards reception, membership meeting and Restoration Builder’s Panel.

“Breakfast with ARMO” created a relaxed atmosphere for members to come in an enjoy a hot meal while discussing important issues in the restoration market.

To kick off the week on a celebratory note, more than 200 industry members gathered at the Westgate Resort & Casino on Tuesday evening of the Show to enjoy dinner, beverages and networking and to salute a vibrant industry segment at the ARMO awards reception. Emcee Tim Strange of Strange Motion Rod and Custom kicked off the festivities with the presentation of new-product awards. Winners in five award categories were previously finalized during ARMO’s Hot Products Showcase at the Spring Carlisle collector-car event.

The awards included:

• Drivetrain/Suspension/Brakes: The Right Stuff, 4-Wheel Disc Brake Conversion Kit
• Engine/Engine Compartment: Pypes Exhaust, Electric Cut-Out Kit
• Interior: Dakota Digital, ’67–’72 Chevrolet Truck RTX Gauge System
• Exterior Trim: Metro Molded Parts, SoffCapz Fastener Covers
• Accessories: Retro Manufacturing, Daytona Retro Radio

Next, it was time to offer up hearty congratulations to three industry leaders for their outstanding dedication and contributions to the restoration industry. JH Restoration took top honors as the ARMO Business of the Year. ARMO Person of the Year was awarded to Jim Menneto of Hemmings Motor News, and industry veteran Dennis Roberts was inducted into the ARMO Hall of Fame.

Restoration Resources

The highly anticipated ARMO Reception received large crowds of restoration enthusiasts for a night of celebration and grandeur while highlighting this year’s ARMO Awards recipients.

Providing resources through projects and education are essential elements of ARMO’s mission, and council activities during the Show highlighted that focus. For instance, the ARMO display area on the Show floor is more than just a showcase of pristine vintage vehicles. It’s also a means of demonstrating the vibrancy and longevity of the restoration industry, and it encourages interaction between attendees and ARMO select committee members on hand to talk about the benefits of council membership.

On the other hand, breakfast with ARMO on Wednesday morning gave select committee members and members at large a chance to catch up on the latest council happenings and engage in conversation about industry issues that impact restoration businesses. Conversations also touched on key council initiatives, including Take a Kid to a Car Show and the newest ARMO undertaking, Digital Matters—an ongoing series of articles on how restoration businesses can benefit from or improve their digital presence.

The Restoration Builder’s Panel, powered by ARMO, was also held on Wednesday. The ever-popular and always-well-attended session featured a panel of top-tier builders. During the interactive session, panelists shared insights, tips and tactics on what it takes to become a successful builder, serving as yet another resource for restoration professionals.

ARMO unveils three vehicles in their shared booth with HRIA during first day of Show.

SEMA Member News—January 2020

ARMO Salutes Industry Leaders

The Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and the industry it represents were front and center throughout the 2019 SEMA Show, from the Restoration Marketplace and the ARMO vintage-vehicle display in Central Hall—the latter jointly shared with the Hot Rod Industry Alliance—to the council’s annual awards reception, membership meeting and Restoration Builder’s Panel.

“Breakfast with ARMO” created a relaxed atmosphere for members to come in an enjoy a hot meal while discussing important issues in the restoration market.

To kick off the week on a celebratory note, more than 200 industry members gathered at the Westgate Resort & Casino on Tuesday evening of the Show to enjoy dinner, beverages and networking and to salute a vibrant industry segment at the ARMO awards reception. Emcee Tim Strange of Strange Motion Rod and Custom kicked off the festivities with the presentation of new-product awards. Winners in five award categories were previously finalized during ARMO’s Hot Products Showcase at the Spring Carlisle collector-car event.

The awards included:

• Drivetrain/Suspension/Brakes: The Right Stuff, 4-Wheel Disc Brake Conversion Kit
• Engine/Engine Compartment: Pypes Exhaust, Electric Cut-Out Kit
• Interior: Dakota Digital, ’67–’72 Chevrolet Truck RTX Gauge System
• Exterior Trim: Metro Molded Parts, SoffCapz Fastener Covers
• Accessories: Retro Manufacturing, Daytona Retro Radio

Next, it was time to offer up hearty congratulations to three industry leaders for their outstanding dedication and contributions to the restoration industry. JH Restoration took top honors as the ARMO Business of the Year. ARMO Person of the Year was awarded to Jim Menneto of Hemmings Motor News, and industry veteran Dennis Roberts was inducted into the ARMO Hall of Fame.

Restoration Resources

The highly anticipated ARMO Reception received large crowds of restoration enthusiasts for a night of celebration and grandeur while highlighting this year’s ARMO Awards recipients.

Providing resources through projects and education are essential elements of ARMO’s mission, and council activities during the Show highlighted that focus. For instance, the ARMO display area on the Show floor is more than just a showcase of pristine vintage vehicles. It’s also a means of demonstrating the vibrancy and longevity of the restoration industry, and it encourages interaction between attendees and ARMO select committee members on hand to talk about the benefits of council membership.

On the other hand, breakfast with ARMO on Wednesday morning gave select committee members and members at large a chance to catch up on the latest council happenings and engage in conversation about industry issues that impact restoration businesses. Conversations also touched on key council initiatives, including Take a Kid to a Car Show and the newest ARMO undertaking, Digital Matters—an ongoing series of articles on how restoration businesses can benefit from or improve their digital presence.

The Restoration Builder’s Panel, powered by ARMO, was also held on Wednesday. The ever-popular and always-well-attended session featured a panel of top-tier builders. During the interactive session, panelists shared insights, tips and tactics on what it takes to become a successful builder, serving as yet another resource for restoration professionals.

By Ellen McKoy

With the books closed on 2019 overseas trips, SEMA is gearing up for a 2020 Middle East trip to the UAE, which will also include a first-time visit to Saudi Arabia.

Helping SEMA-member companies expand their businesses domestically and internationally is a key tenet of SEMA’s mission. On the domestic front, the most well known and well established is, of course, the annual SEMA Show, which just completed its 53rd year as the premier trade venue to buy, sell and market the products and services that drive the industry.

But SEMA has long looked beyond U.S. borders for opportunities to help member companies explore and tap into international markets. In years past, for example, SEMA had a presence at Automechanika Frankfurt, the trade fair held in Germany. To learn about opportunities south of the border, SEMA encouraged member companies to participate in the PAACE Automechanika Show in Mexico City. The association also organized occasional familiarization trips to Japan and Australia, and SEMA even maintained offices in Japan, China, Australia and Brazil at various times.

More recently, SEMA has focused its sights on four key initiatives to help member companies expand worldwide. For instance, under a special partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), SEMA imports globally popular, accessory-friendly vehicles not available in the United States to assist member manufacturers in developing export-ready products.

Other outreach efforts include the International Happy Hour—an annual networking event at the SEMA Show that connects exhibitors with international buyers and media—and the SEMA Export Fair, which is cosponsored by the DOC and brings together member manufacturers and overseas buyers. The fourth edition of that two-day networking event was held in July 2019 at the SEMA Garage.

The SEMA International Business Development Program affords members yet another opportunity, a chance to participate in low-cost, high-value turnkey trips to explore promising overseas markets. Over the course of nearly a decade, more than 200 member manufacturers have participated in one or more trips, and the overseas program has generated an impressive $152.7 million in export sales.

Exploring New Markets

In 2019, SEMA partnered with the DOC to orchestrate overseas trips to Australia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Both of these countries boast vibrant enthusiast markets and offer potential growth opportunities for U.S.-based companies.

“The overseas program is beneficial to members in several ways,” said Linda Spencer, SEMA’s senior director of international and government affairs. She noted that qualified member manufacturers may receive up to $1,250 per company to help offset costs, thanks to a grant from the DOC. An additional grant of $1,500 is available to California-based companies.

“At these events, members meet with pre-vetted trade buyers in a very cost-efficient, very effective means,” said Spencer. “It’s low cost because qualified U.S. businesses can get government grants that help defray the cost. And it’s effective because members come to one place, and all of the buyers are there. Before the program even begins, the members get lists of the buyers, including email addresses, so they can reach out beforehand. Members also have a chance to spend a day visiting specialty-equipment shops, so they get to see how the products get to market.”

Just as important is the opportunity for members to interact, share knowledge and help newcomers learn the ropes.

“There’s usually a good mix of new-to-market companies as well as experienced exporters, and those experienced exporters are an amazing resource and very generous with their advice and time,” Spencer said.

Rick Fung is co-owner and CEO of MotoShield Pro, a California-based manufacturer of auto enhancement products for aftermarket and race applications. He first learned of the overseas program from SEMA Director of Membership Gary Vigil during the 2018 CAN Connect Conference in Texas, and he was motivated to join SEMA. As a first-time participant at the Custom Emirates Show in Abu Dhabi, he was impressed with the help and insights he gained from fellow exhibitors as well as SEMA staff and government officials.

“Going in new, we didn’t know what to expect, how things worked or how it operated, so I was a little lost,” Fung said. “I think Linda was surprised by how proactive my team and I were in asking questions. But talking to Linda and Liz Couch of the [DOC] trade department was an eye-opener. Linda is very resourceful and very well respected, and so is Liz. I was really surprised by how promptly they got back to me about questions. They were very responsive, very professional—they did a great job. That in itself really uplifted the program.

“We also learned the ropes from veterans on how to be more prepared. I asked a lot of questions about sales and what obstacles [other exhibitors] have faced. It’s easier for me to learn from someone who’s done it than to try to figure it out.

“The group was very helpful, very forthcoming with advice and how to proceed in the market. There was a good blend of different companies. It’s like a huge family, and everyone helps each other. The program itself was amazing—the tours, the people I met, the follow-up after the show. You can tell if a program is successful by the number of people who return every year. For me, it was really worth it.”

Looking Ahead

With the books closed on 2019 overseas trips, SEMA is gearing up for a 2020 Middle East trip to the UAE, which will also include a first-time visit to Saudi Arabia. The two vibrant markets have high disposable income coupled with a passion for personalization and strong racing and off-road scenes. The trip is slated for March 31–April 7, 2020.

Participating companies will exhibit at the Abu Dhabi-based Custom Show Emirates, tour specialty-equipment shops in the UAE and in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and participate in an embassy networking reception as well as briefings and shop tours. U.S. government grants are available to any qualifying member company that self-certifies that it is a U.S. business with majority U.S. product content. An additional grant is available for qualified California-based companies. The combined grants cover nearly 75% of the costs.

According to Spencer, a second overseas trip is also on tap—most likely to Scandinavia in late summer or fall.

“I always research markets beforehand,” she said. “We’ve identified Scandinavia as a region that really values classic American cars and that’s big into performance. It’s something we’re exploring, but it’s looking very promising for those two particular markets.”

For more information on the 2020 SEMA International Business Development Program, email Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org. To inquire about grants that may be available to U.S. companies in states other than California, contact kristina@sema.org.

By Ellen McKoy

With the books closed on 2019 overseas trips, SEMA is gearing up for a 2020 Middle East trip to the UAE, which will also include a first-time visit to Saudi Arabia.

Helping SEMA-member companies expand their businesses domestically and internationally is a key tenet of SEMA’s mission. On the domestic front, the most well known and well established is, of course, the annual SEMA Show, which just completed its 53rd year as the premier trade venue to buy, sell and market the products and services that drive the industry.

But SEMA has long looked beyond U.S. borders for opportunities to help member companies explore and tap into international markets. In years past, for example, SEMA had a presence at Automechanika Frankfurt, the trade fair held in Germany. To learn about opportunities south of the border, SEMA encouraged member companies to participate in the PAACE Automechanika Show in Mexico City. The association also organized occasional familiarization trips to Japan and Australia, and SEMA even maintained offices in Japan, China, Australia and Brazil at various times.

More recently, SEMA has focused its sights on four key initiatives to help member companies expand worldwide. For instance, under a special partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), SEMA imports globally popular, accessory-friendly vehicles not available in the United States to assist member manufacturers in developing export-ready products.

Other outreach efforts include the International Happy Hour—an annual networking event at the SEMA Show that connects exhibitors with international buyers and media—and the SEMA Export Fair, which is cosponsored by the DOC and brings together member manufacturers and overseas buyers. The fourth edition of that two-day networking event was held in July 2019 at the SEMA Garage.

The SEMA International Business Development Program affords members yet another opportunity, a chance to participate in low-cost, high-value turnkey trips to explore promising overseas markets. Over the course of nearly a decade, more than 200 member manufacturers have participated in one or more trips, and the overseas program has generated an impressive $152.7 million in export sales.

Exploring New Markets

In 2019, SEMA partnered with the DOC to orchestrate overseas trips to Australia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Both of these countries boast vibrant enthusiast markets and offer potential growth opportunities for U.S.-based companies.

“The overseas program is beneficial to members in several ways,” said Linda Spencer, SEMA’s senior director of international and government affairs. She noted that qualified member manufacturers may receive up to $1,250 per company to help offset costs, thanks to a grant from the DOC. An additional grant of $1,500 is available to California-based companies.

“At these events, members meet with pre-vetted trade buyers in a very cost-efficient, very effective means,” said Spencer. “It’s low cost because qualified U.S. businesses can get government grants that help defray the cost. And it’s effective because members come to one place, and all of the buyers are there. Before the program even begins, the members get lists of the buyers, including email addresses, so they can reach out beforehand. Members also have a chance to spend a day visiting specialty-equipment shops, so they get to see how the products get to market.”

Just as important is the opportunity for members to interact, share knowledge and help newcomers learn the ropes.

“There’s usually a good mix of new-to-market companies as well as experienced exporters, and those experienced exporters are an amazing resource and very generous with their advice and time,” Spencer said.

Rick Fung is co-owner and CEO of MotoShield Pro, a California-based manufacturer of auto enhancement products for aftermarket and race applications. He first learned of the overseas program from SEMA Director of Membership Gary Vigil during the 2018 CAN Connect Conference in Texas, and he was motivated to join SEMA. As a first-time participant at the Custom Emirates Show in Abu Dhabi, he was impressed with the help and insights he gained from fellow exhibitors as well as SEMA staff and government officials.

“Going in new, we didn’t know what to expect, how things worked or how it operated, so I was a little lost,” Fung said. “I think Linda was surprised by how proactive my team and I were in asking questions. But talking to Linda and Liz Couch of the [DOC] trade department was an eye-opener. Linda is very resourceful and very well respected, and so is Liz. I was really surprised by how promptly they got back to me about questions. They were very responsive, very professional—they did a great job. That in itself really uplifted the program.

“We also learned the ropes from veterans on how to be more prepared. I asked a lot of questions about sales and what obstacles [other exhibitors] have faced. It’s easier for me to learn from someone who’s done it than to try to figure it out.

“The group was very helpful, very forthcoming with advice and how to proceed in the market. There was a good blend of different companies. It’s like a huge family, and everyone helps each other. The program itself was amazing—the tours, the people I met, the follow-up after the show. You can tell if a program is successful by the number of people who return every year. For me, it was really worth it.”

Looking Ahead

With the books closed on 2019 overseas trips, SEMA is gearing up for a 2020 Middle East trip to the UAE, which will also include a first-time visit to Saudi Arabia. The two vibrant markets have high disposable income coupled with a passion for personalization and strong racing and off-road scenes. The trip is slated for March 31–April 7, 2020.

Participating companies will exhibit at the Abu Dhabi-based Custom Show Emirates, tour specialty-equipment shops in the UAE and in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and participate in an embassy networking reception as well as briefings and shop tours. U.S. government grants are available to any qualifying member company that self-certifies that it is a U.S. business with majority U.S. product content. An additional grant is available for qualified California-based companies. The combined grants cover nearly 75% of the costs.

According to Spencer, a second overseas trip is also on tap—most likely to Scandinavia in late summer or fall.

“I always research markets beforehand,” she said. “We’ve identified Scandinavia as a region that really values classic American cars and that’s big into performance. It’s something we’re exploring, but it’s looking very promising for those two particular markets.”

For more information on the 2020 SEMA International Business Development Program, email Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org. To inquire about grants that may be available to U.S. companies in states other than California, contact kristina@sema.org.

SEMA News—January 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Photos courtesy SpiedBilde, Brian Williams. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.

’20 Gladiator Hercules While the ’20 Jeep Gladiator is already in dealer showrooms, this particular Gladiator was still covered in vinyl camouflage on the streets of metropolitan Detroit. According to the latest rumors, a so-called “Hercules” model would be a high-performance Gladiator to compete with the likes of the Ranger Raptor and Colorado ZR-2. While it is unlikely that the Hercules would be powered by a Hemi, the upcoming GME-T6 or Global Medium Engine turbo six-cylinder is in the upcoming pipeline. Sources have said that high-output versions of that engine could have around 500 hp.
’21 Cadillac Escalade The upcoming ’21 Cadillac Escalade is still running in full camo, but engineers did remove an important part of the cladding—the covering over part of the front end—providing a first look at the production-intent grille. As shown by the photos, the grille follows the general design pattern introduced by the Cadillac XT4 and CT5. Also take note of the size of this thing: The grille looks truly massive, giving the upcoming luxury SUV a great deal of presence on the road. The next-gen Escalade is expected to launch for the ’21 model year. It will represent a complete redesign over the current model.
’20 Wrangler Stormtrooper FCA continues to leverage its Disney/Star Wars sponsorship with new vehicles that use the film franchise’s likenesses—in this case, a Storm Trooper icon on the side of a Jeep Wrangler. Similar to other movie tie-ins, this Wrangler will consist mostly of trim and equipment bundles (Fox shocks, Warn winch, LED foglights), and the trim changes appear to be modest based on these photos. If this is truly a Storm Trooper package, expect an announcement shortly, ahead of the release of Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker on December 20.

SEMA News—January 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Photos courtesy SpiedBilde, Brian Williams. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.

’20 Gladiator Hercules While the ’20 Jeep Gladiator is already in dealer showrooms, this particular Gladiator was still covered in vinyl camouflage on the streets of metropolitan Detroit. According to the latest rumors, a so-called “Hercules” model would be a high-performance Gladiator to compete with the likes of the Ranger Raptor and Colorado ZR-2. While it is unlikely that the Hercules would be powered by a Hemi, the upcoming GME-T6 or Global Medium Engine turbo six-cylinder is in the upcoming pipeline. Sources have said that high-output versions of that engine could have around 500 hp.
’21 Cadillac Escalade The upcoming ’21 Cadillac Escalade is still running in full camo, but engineers did remove an important part of the cladding—the covering over part of the front end—providing a first look at the production-intent grille. As shown by the photos, the grille follows the general design pattern introduced by the Cadillac XT4 and CT5. Also take note of the size of this thing: The grille looks truly massive, giving the upcoming luxury SUV a great deal of presence on the road. The next-gen Escalade is expected to launch for the ’21 model year. It will represent a complete redesign over the current model.
’20 Wrangler Stormtrooper FCA continues to leverage its Disney/Star Wars sponsorship with new vehicles that use the film franchise’s likenesses—in this case, a Storm Trooper icon on the side of a Jeep Wrangler. Similar to other movie tie-ins, this Wrangler will consist mostly of trim and equipment bundles (Fox shocks, Warn winch, LED foglights), and the trim changes appear to be modest based on these photos. If this is truly a Storm Trooper package, expect an announcement shortly, ahead of the release of Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker on December 20.

SEMA News—January 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Photos courtesy SpiedBilde, Brian Williams. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.

’20 Gladiator Hercules While the ’20 Jeep Gladiator is already in dealer showrooms, this particular Gladiator was still covered in vinyl camouflage on the streets of metropolitan Detroit. According to the latest rumors, a so-called “Hercules” model would be a high-performance Gladiator to compete with the likes of the Ranger Raptor and Colorado ZR-2. While it is unlikely that the Hercules would be powered by a Hemi, the upcoming GME-T6 or Global Medium Engine turbo six-cylinder is in the upcoming pipeline. Sources have said that high-output versions of that engine could have around 500 hp.
’21 Cadillac Escalade The upcoming ’21 Cadillac Escalade is still running in full camo, but engineers did remove an important part of the cladding—the covering over part of the front end—providing a first look at the production-intent grille. As shown by the photos, the grille follows the general design pattern introduced by the Cadillac XT4 and CT5. Also take note of the size of this thing: The grille looks truly massive, giving the upcoming luxury SUV a great deal of presence on the road. The next-gen Escalade is expected to launch for the ’21 model year. It will represent a complete redesign over the current model.
’20 Wrangler Stormtrooper FCA continues to leverage its Disney/Star Wars sponsorship with new vehicles that use the film franchise’s likenesses—in this case, a Storm Trooper icon on the side of a Jeep Wrangler. Similar to other movie tie-ins, this Wrangler will consist mostly of trim and equipment bundles (Fox shocks, Warn winch, LED foglights), and the trim changes appear to be modest based on these photos. If this is truly a Storm Trooper package, expect an announcement shortly, ahead of the release of Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker on December 20.

SEMA News—January 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Photos courtesy SpiedBilde, Brian Williams. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.

’20 Gladiator Hercules While the ’20 Jeep Gladiator is already in dealer showrooms, this particular Gladiator was still covered in vinyl camouflage on the streets of metropolitan Detroit. According to the latest rumors, a so-called “Hercules” model would be a high-performance Gladiator to compete with the likes of the Ranger Raptor and Colorado ZR-2. While it is unlikely that the Hercules would be powered by a Hemi, the upcoming GME-T6 or Global Medium Engine turbo six-cylinder is in the upcoming pipeline. Sources have said that high-output versions of that engine could have around 500 hp.
’21 Cadillac Escalade The upcoming ’21 Cadillac Escalade is still running in full camo, but engineers did remove an important part of the cladding—the covering over part of the front end—providing a first look at the production-intent grille. As shown by the photos, the grille follows the general design pattern introduced by the Cadillac XT4 and CT5. Also take note of the size of this thing: The grille looks truly massive, giving the upcoming luxury SUV a great deal of presence on the road. The next-gen Escalade is expected to launch for the ’21 model year. It will represent a complete redesign over the current model.
’20 Wrangler Stormtrooper FCA continues to leverage its Disney/Star Wars sponsorship with new vehicles that use the film franchise’s likenesses—in this case, a Storm Trooper icon on the side of a Jeep Wrangler. Similar to other movie tie-ins, this Wrangler will consist mostly of trim and equipment bundles (Fox shocks, Warn winch, LED foglights), and the trim changes appear to be modest based on these photos. If this is truly a Storm Trooper package, expect an announcement shortly, ahead of the release of Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker on December 20.

SEMA News—January 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Fast Facts

From left: Rogerio Branco, Eaton executive vice president and chief supply chain officer; Brad Fagan, C&U Americas strategic account manager; Andy Doyle, Eaton Global vice president; Jason Stocker, C&U Americas president; and Sean Wu, Eaton Global SCM vice president.

C&U Americas LLC received the 2018 One Eaton Supplier Premier Award from Eaton Corp. Inc. The award was given to C&U Americas in recognition of the company’s exceptional value and outstanding service to Eaton across a number performance metrics. Accepting the award on behalf of C&U Americas were Jason Stocker, president of C&U Americas, and Brad Fagan, strategic account manager for Eaton Corp. The One Eaton Supplier Premier Award is Eaton’s highest supplier award and is given to only a select few organizations in the entire supply chain.

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) announced the appointment of Interstate Batteries vice president of sales Shannon McWilliams to its board of trustees. Prior to joining the Interstate Batteries team, McWilliams held various executive roles with a focus on driving corporate strategy, sales leadership and product development with Mistral Equity Partners, Capstreet and Westar Capital. He has extensive experience in the automotive aftermarket with Stanley Black & Decker, Mac Tools, Proto and several other hand-tool businesses that focused on technicians and shop performance.

Stowe Cargo Systems expanded its production facility and launched a redesigned website, enabling the company to meet the growing customer demand for its 2-in-1 Toolbox and tonneau cover and strong-box systems. Stowe has also added 6,000 sq. ft. to its production facility in Davisburg, Michigan, in order to increase and optimize manufacturing and inventory space. The expansion includes additional manufacturing floor space and inventory space.

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) elected Todd Sanders to its board of trustees. Sanders is the senior vice president of professional sales for the Advance Enterprise brands. Prior to the Advance Auto Parts acquisition, Sanders served as vice president of professional markets for Carquest, overseeing the TechNet professional program, Carquest Technical Institute, B2B e-commerce and the company’s national accounts.

Meyer Distributing named Air Lift Co., Camco and Mickey Thompson its vendors of the year in their respective categories. In the truck accessory division, Air Lift stood out with its efforts to communicate and educate dealers and consumers about load support. Camco stood out with its products, service and partnership in the RV and towing industry. Mickey Thomson proved to be a strong partner with a vast array of tires and wheels that appeal to a wide audience.

Kahn Media was selected as the agency of record for Aeromotive Inc. Celebrating 25 years in business, Aeromotive is looking to reinforce its consumer and business-to-business marketing efforts by utilizing Kahn Media’s full suite of services. Kahn Media will handle public relations, digital and content marketing, social-media management, influencer outreach and event marketing support and assist with creative services.

Stertil-Koni expanded its network of exclusive distributors across North America with the addition of Indiana Automotive Equipment, based in Maxwell, Indiana, which has experience in vehicle equipment sales, parts and service. As a Stertil-Koni distributor, Indiana Automotive Equipment has added heavy-duty vehicle lifting systems to its offerings.

Chris Bovis joined Hart Marx Advisors. Bovis previously served as vice president of marketing and business development at Weld Racing, where he created an acquisition-based growth strategy and played an instrumental role in the acquisitions of wheel brands CCW, HiPer Technology and Forgestar from 2015–2017. Bovis started his career with Yokohama Tire Corp. before entering the motor-sport industry as a live-event promoter for some of the largest motorsports events in the United States.

Design Engineering Inc. (DEI) announced two new supervisory positions. Former DEI employee Mike Zenone was rehired as the company’s inside sales supervisor, and John Gabriel was hired as DEI’s powersports division manager. Zenone previously worked for a decade with DEI as the company’s brand manager and manager of business development prior to taking a position at Flaming River Industries, where he worked in sales, customer service, technical assistance and media relations. Gabriel has two decades of experience in the powersports market, first with Russell Performance Products as the company’s national motorcycle sales manager. Prior to joining DEI, he served as an account manager for Progressive Suspension LLC.

The eighth annual California Tire Dealers (CTDA)/1-800EveryRim New Year Luncheon will be held January 29, 2020, in Santa Fe Springs, California, and will feature Tire Industry Association Vice President Dan Nothdurft of Tires, Tires, Tires and SEMA Wheel & Tire Council select committee member George Finch of The Carlstar Group. All tire industry members are welcome to attend; retail tire dealers are invited free of charge.

SEMA News—January 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

By Douglas McColloch

At the MPMC Media Trade Conference, journalists have the opportunity over three days to network with dozens of industry representatives from some of the world’s leading motorsports parts manufacturers.

Registration Now Open for 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference

Journalists are invited to sign up for the 2020 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference, taking place January 21–23, 2020, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North in Santa Ana, California. During the event, journalists will sit down in up to 42 (14 each day) private, uninterrupted meetings with executives from top motorsports parts manufacturers in the industry.

Company representatives come to the meetings with editors to discuss everything from their newest product lines to changes at their companies as well as industry trends. Lunches and breaks also provide further opportunities for meetings and networking.

Media participation is free for all editorial representatives, making it an affordable and efficient way for reporters to get information specific to their audiences’ interests while gathering a year’s worth of content.

Early registration guarantees that reporters will receive the best possible schedules prior to the event. Meetings are scheduled based on the companies that journalists select on their applications, so participants are encouraged to pay close attention to the companies they select. Journalists should also mark “Do Not Meet” for the companies outside of their editorial needs.

For questions regarding the event, visit www.sema.org or contact Juan Torres, SEMA media relations specialist at juant@sema.org or 909-978-6722.

California-based SEMA-member companies can qualify for a $1,500 grant from the state to participate in the upcoming SEMA Middle East Business Development Program. Twenty-six other states have set aside funds as well.

State Grant Moneys Available for Companies to Attend 2020 SEMA Middle East Trip

SEMA has won a $50,000 grant from the state of California. That is good news for California-based businesses, as qualified SEMA-member companies are eligible for $1,500 to help defray the cost of participating in the upcoming SEMA Middle East Business Development Program, March 31–April 7, 2020. Additionally, 26 other states have confirmed with SEMA that they have also set aside funds for qualified SEMA-member companies that are based in their respective states.

The California grant money is in addition to the $1,250 available from the federal government for a total grant of $2,750 to exhibit in a turnkey booth at Custom Show Emirates in the United Arab Emirates and to participate in the first-ever SEMA trip to Saudi Arabia to meet with trade buyers, attend networking events and tour specialty-equipment shops in Riyadh.

More information on grant eligibility and event schedules is available on SEMA’s website (www.sema.org) or by contacting Linda Spencer via email at lindas@sema.org.

While CUVs are currently the fastest-growing new-vehicle segment, pickups still present the greatest opportunities for accessorization, according to the latest “SEMA Accessory Opportunity Report.”

CUVs Represent Fastest-Growing Vehicle Segment, Untapped Market for Accessorization

Even as the vehicle landscape is changing, the market for parts to modify those vehicles is growing, according to the new SEMA research report, “SEMA Accessory Opportunity Report: Top Cars and Trucks,” which provides data-driven insights into the opportunities available to the automotive aftermarket. Designed to help businesses understand which cars and trucks consumers are choosing to personalize, the “SEMA Accessory Opportunity Report” provides an overview of the top vehicles for accessorizing and outlines emerging segments within the $44.6 billion industry.

“The new SEMA report represents the first time we’ve been able to quantify the best opportunities for vehicle customization,” said Gavin Knapp, SEMA director of market research. “Manufacturers and resellers can use this report to understand the current hot vehicles and emerging opportunities.”

The report shows that fullsize pickups, the Jeep Wrangler and musclecars—traditionally popular in the industry—remain highly desired accessory vehicles. Meanwhile, CUVs are the fastest-selling vehicle segment and may present a growth opportunity for the industry.

Although sales for traditional passenger cars have decreased over recent years, more than 20 million are projected to be sold from 2020–2026. Automotive aftermarket businesses will benefit by understanding where the industry is headed.

To learn more about where the opportunity is for your business and to understand the top-ranked vehicle models for accessorizing, download the report for free at www.sema.org/research.

Auto-shop students from Santa Fe, New Mexico, built and auctioned a ’15 Wrangler in SEMA’s inaugural High School Vehicle Build Program in 2018. For 2020, the program will expand to 10 high schools.

SEMA High School Build Program Expands From One to 10 in Just Two Years

The SEMA High School Vehicle Build Program, now entering its third year, will provide 10 high schools with hands-on learning opportunities and expose hundreds of students to the $44.6 billion automotive specialty-equipment industry. The program will include 10 schools and 10 vehicles, consisting of Jeep Wrangler TJs and Toyota 4Runners. The program aims to engage students in the customization lifestyle and introduce them to career paths within the automotive aftermarket industry.

“We launched this program with the goal of offering students a hands-on learning experience while enhancing existing curriculum in high-school automotive shop courses,” said Katie Hurst, SEMA youth engagement programs manager. “Not only did we reach that goal, but also the program was so successful that now we are expanding it to reach even more high-school automotive shop students.”

Companies interested in donating parts for the builds or learning more about the High School Vehicle Build Program can visit www.sema.org/student-builds or contact Hurst via email at katieh@sema.org.