By Ashley Reyes

Fenton Liffick, a pioneer of the SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC), has been named the WTC’s latest volunteer spotlight member. With more than 65 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket, including an extensive resume of spearheading various auto manufacturers and aftermarket companies, Liffick is one of the founding members of the Wheel Industry Council (WIC), the precursor to today’s WTC.  

Liffick was honored as WTC Person of the Year in 2004, given service awards in 2005 and 2015, and was presented with the WTC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 for his dedication and contributions to the industry. Read more about his journey through the aftermarket and how WTC has impacted his professional career in his Q&A with SEMA.

SEMA: What led you to obtaining a career in the wheel and tire industry?

Fenton Liffick: My first exposure to the wheel industry was in the fall of 1955, when I was assigned by my employer to provide technical service in the use of finishing chemicals by Kelsey-Hayes in Michigan and its French & Hecht farm implement wheel division in Iowa. Over the following eight years, I received a thorough education in the manufacturing and finishing of steel wheels at those two companies.

My first break into the aftermarket wheel industry was the design of a center anode assembly for the planting of steel wheel rims at Caltron Planting. I went on to use my background in manufacturing and finishing to help several aftermarket wheel pioneers until I was hired as general manager for Keystone Automotive in January 1967. I continued to move on, and each step, each move, each accomplishment has been intriguing and rewarding. Working with other individuals in the industry has been very educational and has helped me produce a better product.

Read SEMA News article on Fenton Liffick, “Honoring a WTC Pioneer.”

SEMA: How has being a WTC volunteer or member impacted your professional career?

Fenton Liffick: Working as a volunteer in the WTC has further confirmed previous experience that working to jointly solve industry problems helps every participant to make a better product and does not have an ill effect on competitiveness. It helps the industry to make better products and helps all participants to grow fruitfully in their careers.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the wheel and tire segment?

FL: My advice to all individuals pursing a career in the wheel and tire industry is to (1) learn the past problems and solutions, and (2), become fully aware of current problems, impending regulations, potential answers and participate in finding potential solutions and current knowledge, and be a force in getting the job done.

SEMA: Where can we find you on a Saturday?

FL: At 94 years old, my Saturdays are spent mostly with my wife, my children and their children in their activities.

By Ashley Reyes

Fenton Liffick, a pioneer of the SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC), has been named the WTC’s latest volunteer spotlight member. With more than 65 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket, including an extensive resume of spearheading various auto manufacturers and aftermarket companies, Liffick is one of the founding members of the Wheel Industry Council (WIC), the precursor to today’s WTC.  

Liffick was honored as WTC Person of the Year in 2004, given service awards in 2005 and 2015, and was presented with the WTC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 for his dedication and contributions to the industry. Read more about his journey through the aftermarket and how WTC has impacted his professional career in his Q&A with SEMA.

SEMA: What led you to obtaining a career in the wheel and tire industry?

Fenton Liffick: My first exposure to the wheel industry was in the fall of 1955, when I was assigned by my employer to provide technical service in the use of finishing chemicals by Kelsey-Hayes in Michigan and its French & Hecht farm implement wheel division in Iowa. Over the following eight years, I received a thorough education in the manufacturing and finishing of steel wheels at those two companies.

My first break into the aftermarket wheel industry was the design of a center anode assembly for the planting of steel wheel rims at Caltron Planting. I went on to use my background in manufacturing and finishing to help several aftermarket wheel pioneers until I was hired as general manager for Keystone Automotive in January 1967. I continued to move on, and each step, each move, each accomplishment has been intriguing and rewarding. Working with other individuals in the industry has been very educational and has helped me produce a better product.

Read SEMA News article on Fenton Liffick, “Honoring a WTC Pioneer.”

SEMA: How has being a WTC volunteer or member impacted your professional career?

Fenton Liffick: Working as a volunteer in the WTC has further confirmed previous experience that working to jointly solve industry problems helps every participant to make a better product and does not have an ill effect on competitiveness. It helps the industry to make better products and helps all participants to grow fruitfully in their careers.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the wheel and tire segment?

FL: My advice to all individuals pursing a career in the wheel and tire industry is to (1) learn the past problems and solutions, and (2), become fully aware of current problems, impending regulations, potential answers and participate in finding potential solutions and current knowledge, and be a force in getting the job done.

SEMA: Where can we find you on a Saturday?

FL: At 94 years old, my Saturdays are spent mostly with my wife, my children and their children in their activities.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Treasury issued a new loan forgiveness application form (Form 3508S) for PPP loans of $50,000 or less in an effort to simplify the loan-review process for these smaller loan amounts. The new form is two pages rather than five, and many questions meant to confirm that the loans were used as intended for supplying payrolls and covering fixed costs have been removed. Nevertheless, the form still requires the borrower to submit significant documentation (bank statements, tax forms, payment receipts, employee benefit statements, etc.).

The PPP has provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion to American small businesses while supporting more than 51 million jobs, according to the U.S. Treasury. While SEMA welcomes the revised loan-forgiveness form, the Association has joined a coalition of companies and organizations seeking a more streamlined process so that small business owners can invest in jobs and support their local economies rather than spend time and resources on paperwork. Several SEMA-supported bills are being considered in the U.S. Congress that would further simplify the PPP forgiveness process, especially for loans of up to $150,000, while also protecting against fraud and misuse of funds. More than 86% of issued loans are for $150,000 or less, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The SBA began accepting loan forgiveness applications on August 10, but only a small percentage have been submitted by lending institutions or processed by the SBA. The lenders have said that the process is too onerous and time-consuming. Under the program, a lender has 60 days to process and submit applications to the SBA once received from the borrower. The SBA has 90 days to make a final decision and send the forgiven funds to the lender.

Applications granted less than the anticipated full forgiveness by the SBA will be problematic for both the lender and borrower.

To obtain forms:

• Form 3508S
• Instructions
• Interim Final Rule

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Treasury issued a new loan forgiveness application form (Form 3508S) for PPP loans of $50,000 or less in an effort to simplify the loan-review process for these smaller loan amounts. The new form is two pages rather than five, and many questions meant to confirm that the loans were used as intended for supplying payrolls and covering fixed costs have been removed. Nevertheless, the form still requires the borrower to submit significant documentation (bank statements, tax forms, payment receipts, employee benefit statements, etc.).

The PPP has provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion to American small businesses while supporting more than 51 million jobs, according to the U.S. Treasury. While SEMA welcomes the revised loan-forgiveness form, the Association has joined a coalition of companies and organizations seeking a more streamlined process so that small business owners can invest in jobs and support their local economies rather than spend time and resources on paperwork. Several SEMA-supported bills are being considered in the U.S. Congress that would further simplify the PPP forgiveness process, especially for loans of up to $150,000, while also protecting against fraud and misuse of funds. More than 86% of issued loans are for $150,000 or less, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The SBA began accepting loan forgiveness applications on August 10, but only a small percentage have been submitted by lending institutions or processed by the SBA. The lenders have said that the process is too onerous and time-consuming. Under the program, a lender has 60 days to process and submit applications to the SBA once received from the borrower. The SBA has 90 days to make a final decision and send the forgiven funds to the lender.

Applications granted less than the anticipated full forgiveness by the SBA will be problematic for both the lender and borrower.

To obtain forms:

• Form 3508S
• Instructions
• Interim Final Rule

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Treasury issued a new loan forgiveness application form (Form 3508S) for PPP loans of $50,000 or less in an effort to simplify the loan-review process for these smaller loan amounts. The new form is two pages rather than five, and many questions meant to confirm that the loans were used as intended for supplying payrolls and covering fixed costs have been removed. Nevertheless, the form still requires the borrower to submit significant documentation (bank statements, tax forms, payment receipts, employee benefit statements, etc.).

The PPP has provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion to American small businesses while supporting more than 51 million jobs, according to the U.S. Treasury. While SEMA welcomes the revised loan-forgiveness form, the Association has joined a coalition of companies and organizations seeking a more streamlined process so that small business owners can invest in jobs and support their local economies rather than spend time and resources on paperwork. Several SEMA-supported bills are being considered in the U.S. Congress that would further simplify the PPP forgiveness process, especially for loans of up to $150,000, while also protecting against fraud and misuse of funds. More than 86% of issued loans are for $150,000 or less, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The SBA began accepting loan forgiveness applications on August 10, but only a small percentage have been submitted by lending institutions or processed by the SBA. The lenders have said that the process is too onerous and time-consuming. Under the program, a lender has 60 days to process and submit applications to the SBA once received from the borrower. The SBA has 90 days to make a final decision and send the forgiven funds to the lender.

Applications granted less than the anticipated full forgiveness by the SBA will be problematic for both the lender and borrower.

To obtain forms:

• Form 3508S
• Instructions
• Interim Final Rule

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

MAHLE recently hosted U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) at its North America headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Although COVID-19 has upended how SEMA and its members interact with their elected officials this year, MAHLE recently hosted U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) at its North America headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan. MAHLE and SEMA provided the Congresswoman with a small, socially-distanced tour and sat down with her to discuss key issues impacting the automotive aftermarket—including trade, vehicle data access and the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act).

Elected in 2018 to represent Michigan’s 11th Congressional District, which includes part of Wayne and Oakland counties, Rep. Stevens has been a strong ally of the automotive industry during her first term in Congress. The Congresswoman cosponsored the RPM Act, which clarifies that it is legal to convert motor vehicles into dedicated racecars and sell race parts for those machines, and her office has maintained an open line of communications with SEMA on issues of importance to the aftermarket.  

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to visit MAHLE in Farmington Hills as part of my Manufacturing Monday initiative,” said Rep. Stevens. “After touring the facility, we had a great conversation about adjusting to public health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, safeguarding our supply chains, and maintaining our economic competitiveness in Michigan's 11th District.”

Based in Stuttgart, Germany, MAHLE is a top-20 automotive supplier in the world with more than 160 production locations globally. The company produces efficiency technology for automobiles, including piston systems and components, cylinder components, valve train systems, air conditioning, engine cooling components and systems, oil and fuel management systems and electronics. MAHLE is also a key player in the aftermarket, as it produces replacement and custom parts and accessories.

“The automotive industry faces multiple challenges on many fronts, the opportunity to spend time with Rep. Stevens, and give her some insight into these issues from a firsthand perspective is something we were very proud to do,” said Ted Hughes, MAHLE’s director of marketing. “Her attentiveness during our time together, and willingness to understand how our world is changing was a credit to her and her priorities."

If you would like to host your member of Congress or their staff at your business, please contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

MAHLE recently hosted U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) at its North America headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Although COVID-19 has upended how SEMA and its members interact with their elected officials this year, MAHLE recently hosted U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) at its North America headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan. MAHLE and SEMA provided the Congresswoman with a small, socially-distanced tour and sat down with her to discuss key issues impacting the automotive aftermarket—including trade, vehicle data access and the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act).

Elected in 2018 to represent Michigan’s 11th Congressional District, which includes part of Wayne and Oakland counties, Rep. Stevens has been a strong ally of the automotive industry during her first term in Congress. The Congresswoman cosponsored the RPM Act, which clarifies that it is legal to convert motor vehicles into dedicated racecars and sell race parts for those machines, and her office has maintained an open line of communications with SEMA on issues of importance to the aftermarket.  

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to visit MAHLE in Farmington Hills as part of my Manufacturing Monday initiative,” said Rep. Stevens. “After touring the facility, we had a great conversation about adjusting to public health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, safeguarding our supply chains, and maintaining our economic competitiveness in Michigan's 11th District.”

Based in Stuttgart, Germany, MAHLE is a top-20 automotive supplier in the world with more than 160 production locations globally. The company produces efficiency technology for automobiles, including piston systems and components, cylinder components, valve train systems, air conditioning, engine cooling components and systems, oil and fuel management systems and electronics. MAHLE is also a key player in the aftermarket, as it produces replacement and custom parts and accessories.

“The automotive industry faces multiple challenges on many fronts, the opportunity to spend time with Rep. Stevens, and give her some insight into these issues from a firsthand perspective is something we were very proud to do,” said Ted Hughes, MAHLE’s director of marketing. “Her attentiveness during our time together, and willingness to understand how our world is changing was a credit to her and her priorities."

If you would like to host your member of Congress or their staff at your business, please contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

MAHLE recently hosted U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) at its North America headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Although COVID-19 has upended how SEMA and its members interact with their elected officials this year, MAHLE recently hosted U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) at its North America headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan. MAHLE and SEMA provided the Congresswoman with a small, socially-distanced tour and sat down with her to discuss key issues impacting the automotive aftermarket—including trade, vehicle data access and the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act).

Elected in 2018 to represent Michigan’s 11th Congressional District, which includes part of Wayne and Oakland counties, Rep. Stevens has been a strong ally of the automotive industry during her first term in Congress. The Congresswoman cosponsored the RPM Act, which clarifies that it is legal to convert motor vehicles into dedicated racecars and sell race parts for those machines, and her office has maintained an open line of communications with SEMA on issues of importance to the aftermarket.  

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to visit MAHLE in Farmington Hills as part of my Manufacturing Monday initiative,” said Rep. Stevens. “After touring the facility, we had a great conversation about adjusting to public health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, safeguarding our supply chains, and maintaining our economic competitiveness in Michigan's 11th District.”

Based in Stuttgart, Germany, MAHLE is a top-20 automotive supplier in the world with more than 160 production locations globally. The company produces efficiency technology for automobiles, including piston systems and components, cylinder components, valve train systems, air conditioning, engine cooling components and systems, oil and fuel management systems and electronics. MAHLE is also a key player in the aftermarket, as it produces replacement and custom parts and accessories.

“The automotive industry faces multiple challenges on many fronts, the opportunity to spend time with Rep. Stevens, and give her some insight into these issues from a firsthand perspective is something we were very proud to do,” said Ted Hughes, MAHLE’s director of marketing. “Her attentiveness during our time together, and willingness to understand how our world is changing was a credit to her and her priorities."

If you would like to host your member of Congress or their staff at your business, please contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

By Della Domingo

The SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) will join the second annual Deuce’s Wild Competition Car Show at the Atlantic City Convention Center in New Jersey, March 11–13, 2021. In addition to hosting an HRIA networking reception and sponsoring a Hot Rod Alley in the event’s new manufacturer’s midway, SEMA and HRIA will also present the new $7,500 “Build of the Show” award.

“HRIA is excited to join Deuce’s Wild and make a formal appearance on the East Coast, where the hot-rod market is strong,” said HRIA Chairman Jeff Major of Bed Wood & Parts. “There are hundreds of companies and builders who we never get the chance to meet with, and who may not be familiar with SEMA or the HRIA. We are excited to share with them how the association and council helps the hot-rod industry.”

Joining SEMA with a booth in Hot Rod Alley will be 10 HRIA member manufacturers. Each manufacturer will contribute $500 toward the “Build of the Show” award, and SEMA/HRIA will contribute $2,500 for a total award of $7,500.

“We had a great turn out at our inaugural Deuce’s Wild Car Show early this year, and with SEMA and HRIA supporting the 2021 event, we anticipate that it will be even better,” said Deuce’s Wild organizer and award-wining hot-rod builder Ed Denkenberger. “The hot-rod market in this northeast area has been longing for a SEMA presence for many, many years, and I am so proud that Deuce’s Wild and GPK Auctions have a hand in making it happen.”

GPK Auctions holds one of the longest-running classic-car auctions on the east coast, and provides the venue for the Deuce’s Wild event.

HRIA volunteers are currently reaching out to member manufacturers to confirm companies for the 10 available booths in Hot Rod Alley. HRIA manufacturers who are interested in participating may also reach out to HRIA SEMA staff liaison Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.