Digital tools, such as social-media sniffers, mobilized career websites and video interviewing, have all received major upgrades in the past year, making it even easier for businesses to snag prime candidates.
Thu, 06/12/2014 - 11:18
Thu, 06/12/2014 - 11:16
Virtually synonymous with the earliest days of the automotive specialty-equipment industry, hot rodding never seems to grow old. In fact, the market segment has remained incredibly resilient, even in the face of the recently bumpy economy.
Thu, 06/12/2014 - 11:16
Virtually synonymous with the earliest days of the automotive specialty-equipment industry, hot rodding never seems to grow old. In fact, the market segment has remained incredibly resilient, even in the face of the recently bumpy economy.
Thu, 06/12/2014 - 11:16
Virtually synonymous with the earliest days of the automotive specialty-equipment industry, hot rodding never seems to grow old. In fact, the market segment has remained incredibly resilient, even in the face of the recently bumpy economy.
Thu, 06/12/2014 - 11:16
Virtually synonymous with the earliest days of the automotive specialty-equipment industry, hot rodding never seems to grow old. In fact, the market segment has remained incredibly resilient, even in the face of the recently bumpy economy.
Thu, 06/12/2014 - 10:30
By Linda Spencer
 Participants of the 2014 SEMA China Business Development Tour will learn what products sell, what products are in demand and for which applications through networking opportunities with retailers and wholesalers. |
Sign up now for one of the limited slots for the 2014 SEMA China Business Development Tour, which is designed to explore the growing specialty market for 1.3 billion Chinese consumers. The 2014 SEMA tour, to be held September 16–20, will travel to two of the most important cities in regards to customization—Shanghai and Beijing. Participants will learn what products sell, what products are in demand, and for which applications, through networking opportunities with retailers and wholesalers.
Benefits for participating SEMA members include:
- A first-hand look at the developing specialty-equipment market and an opportunity to meet with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China during stops in Shanghai and Beijing.
- The opportunity to exhibit at two events:
SEMA China Business Development Conference at Beijing-based Tuner Tribe.
 | |
The U.S. Department of Commerce has partnered with SEMA to promote and subsidize the participation of U.S. specialty-equipment companies at the SEMA China Business Development Tour. Firms that certify the products promoted at the SEMA China Business Development Tour contain a minimum of 51% U.S. content may be eligible for a $1,250 grant per company and an additional $250 grant for each additional person from the same company.
Program costs include booth space at both events, hotel, meals, interpreters, access to buyers from throughout China and a bullet train from Shanghai to Beijing (flights to and from the United States are not included).
Register now for the 2014 SEMA China Business Development Tour. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit sema.org/china.
Read the 2013 SEMA post-show report.
Here's what past participants have said about the Chinese specialty-equipment market and the SEMA overseas one-on-one programs:
“My pre-trip impression was completely different from my end-of-trip impression. The enthusiasts in China are now realizing what they want, and they are demanding quality U.S.-made products. They negotiate for higher quality, not for price. With the aftermarket being only five years old in China—and the total number of people in China—growth is exponential. Prior to our trip, the Chinese market was not part of our long-term strategy. After the trip, I am encouraged that it could be part of our five-year plan.”
—Mark Turner, CEO, Daystar
“China is rapidly becoming one of the largest consumer markets in the world. China’s middle-class population is set to accelerate and is expected to double to 500 million by 2020. If you haven’t done so yet, now is when you should change your perception of China as purely a country for manufacturing cheap products and start appreciating it as a huge consumer market.”
—Kevin Floody, international business manager, K&N Engineering Inc.
“We have doubled our business in the country every year for the past three and have commitments from our partners to quadruple growth in 2014, based on the relationships we have established and additional vehicle coverage we have provided. We see this growth continuing well into the future as the Chinese automotive market continues to grow and outpace every other market in the world.”
—Justin Oltz, vice president of sales, SCT Performance
“We’ve sold our Jeep accessories and performance products to China for many years now, but visiting this many customers and prospects in just one trip was never practical. Thanks to SEMA’s well-coordinated schedule, we met most of our existing customers and many prospects in just two days. We feel that China, with the highest number of Wranglers sold outside of North America, and with higher-income consumers buying these vehicles, has the potential to become the number-one destination for our products outside of North America. It is never easy learning how to conduct business in a foreign land, but we are betting it will be rewarding at the end.”
—Al Azadi, president/owner, Omix-ADA/Rugged Ridge
“Going into China, I had a completely different perception and may have had preconceived notions on the markets. After attending the SEMA event, I now have a better understanding of the growing aftermarket industry in China. It is projected that by 2015, China will become the second-largest consumer market with enough purchasing power to buy 14% of the world’s products. The hidden potential of the 1.3 billion Chinese consumers, once unleashed, will make China the world’s largest consumer market and the top export destination for other major economies, especially for the United States. Moving forward, everyone should consider China a rapidly emerging aftermarket industry.”
—Paula Argiropoulos, international sales manager, Rigid Industries
Thu, 06/12/2014 - 10:30
By Linda Spencer
| Participants of the 2014 SEMA China Business Development Tour will learn what products sell, what products are in demand and for which applications through networking opportunities with retailers and wholesalers. |
Sign up now for one of the limited slots for the 2014 SEMA China Business Development Tour, which is designed to explore the growing specialty market for 1.3 billion Chinese consumers. The 2014 SEMA tour, to be held September 16–20, will travel to two of the most important cities in regards to customization—Shanghai and Beijing. Participants will learn what products sell, what products are in demand, and for which applications, through networking opportunities with retailers and wholesalers.
Benefits for participating SEMA members include:
- A first-hand look at the developing specialty-equipment market and an opportunity to meet with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China during stops in Shanghai and Beijing.
- The opportunity to exhibit at two events:
SEMA China Business Development Conference at Beijing-based Tuner Tribe.
| | |
The U.S. Department of Commerce has partnered with SEMA to promote and subsidize the participation of U.S. specialty-equipment companies at the SEMA China Business Development Tour. Firms that certify the products promoted at the SEMA China Business Development Tour contain a minimum of 51% U.S. content may be eligible for a $1,250 grant per company and an additional $250 grant for each additional person from the same company.
Program costs include booth space at both events, hotel, meals, interpreters, access to buyers from throughout China and a bullet train from Shanghai to Beijing (flights to and from the United States are not included).
Register now for the 2014 SEMA China Business Development Tour. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit sema.org/china.
Read the 2013 SEMA post-show report.
Here's what past participants have said about the Chinese specialty-equipment market and the SEMA overseas one-on-one programs:
“My pre-trip impression was completely different from my end-of-trip impression. The enthusiasts in China are now realizing what they want, and they are demanding quality U.S.-made products. They negotiate for higher quality, not for price. With the aftermarket being only five years old in China—and the total number of people in China—growth is exponential. Prior to our trip, the Chinese market was not part of our long-term strategy. After the trip, I am encouraged that it could be part of our five-year plan.”
—Mark Turner, CEO, Daystar
“China is rapidly becoming one of the largest consumer markets in the world. China’s middle-class population is set to accelerate and is expected to double to 500 million by 2020. If you haven’t done so yet, now is when you should change your perception of China as purely a country for manufacturing cheap products and start appreciating it as a huge consumer market.”
—Kevin Floody, international business manager, K&N Engineering Inc.
“We have doubled our business in the country every year for the past three and have commitments from our partners to quadruple growth in 2014, based on the relationships we have established and additional vehicle coverage we have provided. We see this growth continuing well into the future as the Chinese automotive market continues to grow and outpace every other market in the world.”
—Justin Oltz, vice president of sales, SCT Performance
“We’ve sold our Jeep accessories and performance products to China for many years now, but visiting this many customers and prospects in just one trip was never practical. Thanks to SEMA’s well-coordinated schedule, we met most of our existing customers and many prospects in just two days. We feel that China, with the highest number of Wranglers sold outside of North America, and with higher-income consumers buying these vehicles, has the potential to become the number-one destination for our products outside of North America. It is never easy learning how to conduct business in a foreign land, but we are betting it will be rewarding at the end.”
—Al Azadi, president/owner, Omix-ADA/Rugged Ridge
“Going into China, I had a completely different perception and may have had preconceived notions on the markets. After attending the SEMA event, I now have a better understanding of the growing aftermarket industry in China. It is projected that by 2015, China will become the second-largest consumer market with enough purchasing power to buy 14% of the world’s products. The hidden potential of the 1.3 billion Chinese consumers, once unleashed, will make China the world’s largest consumer market and the top export destination for other major economies, especially for the United States. Moving forward, everyone should consider China a rapidly emerging aftermarket industry.”
—Paula Argiropoulos, international sales manager, Rigid Industries
Thu, 06/12/2014 - 10:21
WeatherTech designs its packaging and prints all of its materials in-house. They export to 21 foreign markets around the world. The company is the largest consumer of sheet plastic in America.
Thu, 06/12/2014 - 09:02
By Della Domingo
 The 15,000-sq.-ft. SEMA Garge is equipped with an Installation Center, Dyno and Emissions Lab, Photo Studio and Training Facility. |
Having assumed operation of the SEMA Garage – Industry Innovations Center just more than one year ago, SEMA is hosting an Open House to celebrate the completion of the facility designed to help manufacturers develop automotive parts and accessories. The Open House, which is set for Thursday, July 17, 2014, 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., in Diamond Bar, California, will include tours, displays and demonstrations, along with food, music and celebrity appearances.
“The recent completion of the Photo Studio marks the completion of the fourth component of the SEMA Garage, and represents a key milestone,” said Mike Spagnola, vice president of OE and product development. “The SEMA Garage now includes all the tools and resources needed for members to develop products from beginning to end.”
The four key components of the SEMA Garage include:
- Installation Center: Includes two vehicle lifts, a portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM), a 3D printer, digital race car scales and more. In collaboration with automakers, new model vehicles are often available to help manufacturers develop products and have them ready for sale when the vehicles are made available to the public.
- Dyno and Emissions Lab: Fully certified Executive Order (EO) aftermarket-part certification lab. Working in conjunction with the Auto Club, members are able to obtain certifications at an affordable, low cost.
- Photo Studio: Includes two coves, including one large enough to fit a full-size vehicle and complete with a 30x10-ft. adjustable light box. The studio includes an abundance of lighting equipment, strobes and umbrellas.
- Training Facility: Ideal for sales meetings or training demonstrations, the room includes a high-tech video monitor with Internet access and more.
During the SEMA Garage Open House, members will be able to see each area and learn about all the equipment available to them.
“The SEMA Garage is the ultimate production facility,” said Spagnola. “The building was purpose-built to include state-of-the-art equipment specific to auto-parts manufacturers. We’ve further filled the SEMA Garage with tools and equipment, so that members simply need to show up and do what they do best.”
RSVP online for the SEMA Garage Open House.
For more information about the SEMA Garage, contact Mike Spagnola at mikes@sema.org.
Thu, 06/12/2014 - 09:02
By Della Domingo
| The 15,000-sq.-ft. SEMA Garge is equipped with an Installation Center, Dyno and Emissions Lab, Photo Studio and Training Facility. |
Having assumed operation of the SEMA Garage – Industry Innovations Center just more than one year ago, SEMA is hosting an Open House to celebrate the completion of the facility designed to help manufacturers develop automotive parts and accessories. The Open House, which is set for Thursday, July 17, 2014, 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., in Diamond Bar, California, will include tours, displays and demonstrations, along with food, music and celebrity appearances.
“The recent completion of the Photo Studio marks the completion of the fourth component of the SEMA Garage, and represents a key milestone,” said Mike Spagnola, vice president of OE and product development. “The SEMA Garage now includes all the tools and resources needed for members to develop products from beginning to end.”
The four key components of the SEMA Garage include:
- Installation Center: Includes two vehicle lifts, a portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM), a 3D printer, digital race car scales and more. In collaboration with automakers, new model vehicles are often available to help manufacturers develop products and have them ready for sale when the vehicles are made available to the public.
- Dyno and Emissions Lab: Fully certified Executive Order (EO) aftermarket-part certification lab. Working in conjunction with the Auto Club, members are able to obtain certifications at an affordable, low cost.
- Photo Studio: Includes two coves, including one large enough to fit a full-size vehicle and complete with a 30x10-ft. adjustable light box. The studio includes an abundance of lighting equipment, strobes and umbrellas.
- Training Facility: Ideal for sales meetings or training demonstrations, the room includes a high-tech video monitor with Internet access and more.
During the SEMA Garage Open House, members will be able to see each area and learn about all the equipment available to them.
“The SEMA Garage is the ultimate production facility,” said Spagnola. “The building was purpose-built to include state-of-the-art equipment specific to auto-parts manufacturers. We’ve further filled the SEMA Garage with tools and equipment, so that members simply need to show up and do what they do best.”
RSVP online for the SEMA Garage Open House.
For more information about the SEMA Garage, contact Mike Spagnola at mikes@sema.org.