Power Automedia Announces New Leadership and Vision for Future

Power Automedia’s (PAM) new ownership group has its sights on expanding its footprint in the automotive aftermarket and adjacent markets. Electrified is the latest addition to the publishing brands, which is set to launch in early 2023 and seeks to expand Power Automedia’s audience beyond traditional enthusiasts and into the EV and e-mobility space. While Electrified will cover EV swaps and aftermarket modifications, it will also cover e-motorcycles, e-bikes, scooters, and the electrification of things as a means of alternative energy for transportation.

Electrifiedmagazine.com will be a hub for EV content for early adopters—fast paced and mobile-first with a modern and intuitive design, which will kick off a variety of platform updates among the entire division. Power Automedia’s newest division, though, is event promotion thanks to the acquisition of Mustang Week. The 21-year-old, week-long Mustang extravaganza is expected to flourish with the largest all-Ford digital magazine, Ford Muscle, behind it. Dates have been locked in for next year’s Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, event (September 4–10, 2023); however, Power Automedia has its sights set on expanding to include other locations and events.

Marketing is a key piece to launching new products and businesses, which made Nashona Haldane a key hire as marketing director earlier this year. Nashona has 20 years of experience in brand development and management, most recently at JMS Performance Group and Derive (SCT and Bully Dog). Haldane will work side by side with Lloyd Hunt, chief revenue officer, to drive revenue across PAM’s two divisions and 10 brands.

Hunt is part of the recently announced, five-person ownership group that also includes Scott Parker as well as Andrew Almazan (vice president of people), Kevin McIntosh (web and creative director) and Ivan Korda (senior director of business development).

Pennzoil Returns to SEMA Show With “Dare to Perform Experience”

Chelsea DeNofa’s Ford Mustang Formula DRIFT Car has 1,111 hp, more than 8,500rpm and more than 75 degrees of steering angle.

The “Dare to Perform” experience in the Pennzoil booth showcased state-of-the-art vehicles, new motor oil technology and special guests from the different facets of the automotive industry. Some of the 13 showstopping vehicles that were spotted in the Pennzoil booth included:

• The Hennessey Performance Venom F5 Coupe, a road car with a 6.6L twin-turbocharged V8 Engine filled with Pennzoil 10W-60 Full Synthetic motor oil, designed to attempt the world’s fastest production car record.
• The iconic Pennzoil Yellow Submarine, which Pennzoil and Shell have tested the racetrack limits with Team Penske for decades, including powering the “Yellow Submarine” through historic victories at the Indianapolis 500.
• Chelsea DeNofa’s Ford Mustang Formula DRIFT Car has 1,111 hp, more than 8,500rpm and more than 75 degrees of steering angle. The RTR Spec 5-FD rides on the fine line of chaos and coordination while driving sideways at speeds of over 100 mph and inches from competitors. Pennzoil Synthetics keeps the Ford Performance/Roush Yates RY45 455 CID V8 revving to the moon lap after lap.
• Rod Millen’s Toyota Tacoma from Pike’s Peak. This 1000hp, ’98 Toyota Tacoma battled up the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The Tacoma boasts an amid-mounted 2.1L, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that can go from 0-100 in two seconds and is powered by Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W-40 Full Synthetic motor oil.
• Federico Sceriffo’s Ferrari Formula DRIFT car, aka ‘Fiorella’, powered by Pennzoil Platinum Racing 10W-60 Full Synthetic motor oil.
• Expedition Overland’s (XO) Toyota Tacoma aka ‘Raven’. The ‘Raven’ is the ‘ninja’ of the XO team. Equipped with a REDARC RedVision Total Vehicle Management System, a Goose Gears Tacoma Seat Delete Plate System, a DECKED Drawer System and topped with a Go Fast Camper, ‘Raven’ is built like a Swiss Army knife capable of doing whatever is needed.
• Johnny Grunwald’s ’94 Pennzoil Mazda RX7. The 20B Bridgeport Rotary Engine is powered by Pennzoil Platinum Racing 10W—60 Full Synthetic motor oil, PZ37 Oil Filter, and Gearplus 80W90.

Booth visitors were able to get up close and personal with Pennzoil scientists, industry personalities, professional drivers, and automotive builders such as John Hennessey, Austin Cindric, Vaughn Gitten Jr., Chelsea DeNofa, Adam LZ, Larry Chen, Rhys Millen, and many other content creators.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA News. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By Joe Dysart

Facing one of the most intense competitions for employees in years, businesses are finding they can hang onto valuable employees longer by engaging in “Stay Interviews.”

Recruiting experts say these interviews ensure current employees feel valued—while uncovering beneath-the-radar problems that could lead to abrupt departures.

Plus, they can also spare businesses the often arduous process of onboarding a promising new hire—if they can find one.

Businesses are finding they can hang onto valuable employees longer by engaging in “Stay Interviews.”

Bonus: There are also a few software packages you can use to fine-tune, monitor, analyze and continually improve on your use of Stay Interviews.

Essentially, Stay Interviews say, “We care about what you have to say, we value you as a part of our organization, we are assessing workplace culture, workplace communication and we want to improve for you as an organization and leaders,” says Matthew W. Burr, owner, Burr Consulting.

Adds Richard Finnegan, an HR consultant who literally wrote the book on the topic, The Power of Stay Interviews for Engagement and Retention: “Senior managers know that unwanted turnover and disengaged employees drag down profits. Conducting Stay Interviews is an effective, fast solution that gives a mega-return on investment in the form of increased revenue and earnings.

“Our research shows that improvements in engagement and retention have direct impacts on revenue produced-per-employee and for the company as a whole,” he added.

Interestingly, Stay Interviews also dispel the common notion that money—and the pursuit of more of it—is the overwhelming reason why employees disappear from workforce rosters.

Says Beverly Kaye, co-author of Hello Stay Interviews, Goodbye Talent Loss: “Most employees who leave don’t start looking for other opportunities because of dissatisfaction with pay, perks or benefits.”

Instead, Kaye says employees are more likely to bolt if one of these key ‘reasons to stay’ are lacking:

• Meaningful, challenging work.
• A chance to learn and grow.
• A good boss.
• The sense of being a part of a team.

In a phrase: It’s much better for your business to develop the fine art of conducting Stay Interviews than becoming the master of The Exit Interview.

Here are key tips from recruiting experts on how to develop your own Stay Interview—and save yourself the hassle of going back into the marketplace to experiment with yet another stranger:

• Bring in a Software Package to Maximize the Efficacy of Your Stay Interviews: HRSoft (https://hrsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/STAYview-Stay-Interview-Software-HRsoft.pdf) offers a specially designed software package—STAYview—to ensure you get the most from your Stay Interviews. The software was designed with HR consultant and author Finnegan.

Key elements of the new software solution include:

• Training and guiding managers on conducting Stay Interviews.
• Managing the hierarchy—My Team—of who is to be interviewed by each leader in the organization along with the complete workflow.
• Developing a customized Stay Interview for each employer.
• Producing STAYview Action Plans for each employee—and follow-up interviews.
• Producing analytics to show leaders those employees who are likely to separate from the company.
• Scheduling with reminder prompts to ensure Stay Interviews get done on schedule.
• Increasing visibility of retention and engagement issues.
• Providing leaders the tools and confidence necessary to conduct Stay Interviews and act on their results.

Meanwhile, competitor HSD Metrics (https://hsdmetrics.com/stayright) offers its own package for managing Stay Interviews—StayRight. The web-based system handles the entire process, including notifying employees, collecting data from interviews and reporting on results. And the 24/7 web portal displays numerical findings for all data gathered—as well as external benchmarks and commentary.

StayRight also offers charting comparisons, filtered data, robust analytics and reports, which together enable managers to maintain deep insight on the morale of their employees.

• Add Employee Pulse Surveys for Additional Insight: Some HR departments also augment Stay Interviews with software that enables them to stay abreast of overall employee morale and engagement.
• Use the same script/questions: Burr recommends standardizing the questions you use in your Stay Interview. This will enable managers to analyze information and insights on an employee-by-employee basis.

Plus, the collation and analysis of these standardized interviews—using either off-the-shelf Stay Interview software or a custom software solution—may enable you to develop business-wide policies based on concerns widely shared by your employees, he says.

• Make Sure the Employee’s Manager—and Not HR—Is the Primary Interviewer: Given that an employee generally has a day-to-day relationship with a manager—rather than HR—it’s critical that the manager conduct the Stay Interview, according to Christopher Mulligan, CEO, TalentKeepers.
• Be Ready to Be the Listener—and Hear Some Things You’d Rather Not Hear: “The employee should talk the majority of the Stay Interview, as the interviewer listens and takes notes on key points and concerns.

“In order to be effective, the management team must approach these interviews with an open mind and with humility.

“It will be common when the employee may not like something or want a change in their work environment. And it is easy for managers and especially owners to take the criticism personally.

“Leave your ego at home, and be ready to listen for ways you can improve your business and the loyalty of your employees.”

• Experiment With the frequency of Your Stay Interviews: Recruiting experts interviewed for this piece were all over the map on how often to schedule Stay Interviews.

Mulligan suggests at least once a quarter with the first interview scheduled within 14 days of the hire.

Michael Murphy, CEO, Platinum Group, agrees: “Frequent—possibly quarterly—check-ins can keep things relevant, addressing what might be top-of-mind for employees.

“The exact frequency will depend on the current climate of the company:

• Are there big shifts in direction that might affect people’s well-being?
• Or, are there external forces at play that require pivots, where utilizing each employee’s skills to the maximum are essential?”

Kaye thinks as often as once a month could work.

And Meagan Johnson, an expert on fostering optimum workplaces that feature multi-generations (and co-author of Generations, Inc.) thinks a Stay Interview should be scheduled immediately “if you feel that someone’s becoming discouraged, disheartened, burnt out,” or similar.

Adds Peacock: “The most important thing is for the employee to know you will listen on a regular basis.”

• Telegraph Clearly That the Stay Interview Will Be a Safe Space for the Employee: The very premise of the Stay Interview—‘Tell me what’s on your mind, good and bad’—demands real trust from the employee.

This means you’ll want to be sure employees are convinced they won’t be penalized for what they say.

Says Mulligan: “Executed properly, stay interviews provide a safe, structured discussion for team members to share their career growth aspirations, how they prefer to be led, engaged and recognized.”

• Be Prepared to Dig Deep: The more granular you’re able to get with your Stay Interview, the more likely you’ll be able to effect real, productive change.

Jim Peacock, owner/principal, Peak Careers Consulting, for example, discovered—with a little digging—that one of his employees was secretly pining for some imaging software. She wanted the new tool to enable her work to appear more artistic and professional.

Says Peacock: “This was a minor thing for me and a convenience thing for her. I would never have known if I had not asked her.”

• Have Answers Ready for Those Tough Questions: While many managers are reluctant to do Stay Interviews for fear they’ll be unable to deliver on some employee requests, Kaye recommends managers be honest about what they’re actually able to do—and then focus on those capabilities.

“Our research has proved that if managers are willing to hang in and drill deeper,” they’ll be able to find three or four changes for an employee that they’re able to make, Kaye says.

• Ensure You Follow Through: Probably the easiest way to sabotage your Stay Interviews is to nod and smile—and then do nothing.

Most employees realize that asking for the moon will get them nowhere. But they’ll also be thoroughly disenchanted if you ask them to share openly and then ignore all their concerns.

Says Platinum Group’s Murphy: “Letting them know they are heard by the actions you take after the interview is the most powerful thing you can do.” Adds Burr: “If the organization fails to act, employees will never trust the process again.”

Joe Dysart is an internet speaker and business consultant based in Manhattan.

646-233-4089

joe@customtechadvisor.com

www.dysartnewsfeatures.com

Here’s a first look at the ’24 Ford F-150 while testing in Dearborn.

The ’21 F-150 debuted in June 2020 with all new looks, and now it’s that time again (just on the heels of the new Tundra). Looking at the ’24 F-150, we can see that it will have a revised front end with new headlights, grille and front fascia. Around back, the F-150 should feature a revised tailgate (with optional multi-use feature), bumper and taillights. Inside, updates to the gauge cluster and center stack are also expected.

Power should come from a four-engine suite, but it’s unknown if there will be upgrades to performance.

Expect an official debut in mid 2023.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Marketing Coordinator
King Bearings Inc.

King Bearings Inc. is hiring a marketing coordinator with great passion for the high-performance automotive industry. The marketing coordinator will run King social media activities, recruit ambassadors for the King brand and be responsible for all the marketing tasks and in constant contact with key customers.

Production Development Engineer
AAM Competition LLC

AAM Competition LLC is hiring an experienced production development engineer. Candidates must have the ability to conceptualize, design and fabricate new aftermarket exhaust systems, intake systems, turbo kits and products using CAD software and shop equipment. The ability to tig weld thin-wall stainless and aluminum is essential.  

Automotive Editor
Power Automedia

Power Automedia is hiring an automotive editor for Chevy Hardcore. Candidates must be passionate and knowledgeable classic Chevy experts with a strong basis in writing and photography. This position is based in Temecula, California, with a hybrid in-office schedule, but also open to remote applications.

By SEMA Editors

Dates and locations have been scheduled for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

  By Joe Dysart

AI transcription of video meetings has gotten so good, many workers have completely abandoned the idea of taking notes during meetings, entrusting that task—and more—to artificial intelligence.

“In the age of remote meetings, classes, and events, keeping track of meetings can be tricky,” says Chang Chen, head of growth and marketing, Otter.ai, a popular AI-powered video meeting transcriber.

With AI-powered transcribers, making a text record of a video meeting—including adding notes, commentary, questions, still images and more—is a snap.

“People struggle to keep up with the conversation while taking notes, and it’s absolutely important to capture the information and make it instantly available to everyone,” Chen says.

Adds Brian Lynch, president, SteelEye Americas, a maker of an AI transcriber. “We are already seeing tier-one firms investing in advanced and real-time transcription as a priority.”

Going far beyond transcribing simply what’s being said at meetings, many AI-powered transcribers now also enable users to add commentary—on-the-fly—to the meeting record, as well as emojis, questions and similar edits.

Moreover, some apps also enable you to perform significant edits to a meeting transcript after the close of a meeting, offering one-touch addition of a slide, image or similar graphic anywhere in the transcription text, meeting summaries, meeting highlights and more.

And most software makers in the space also pre-configure their apps to integrate seamlessly with popular video meeting applications, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and Webex.

Granted, no auto-transcriber of any kind right now—AI-powered or otherwise—can claim 100% accuracy. Even many humans are not that good.

But many of these AI-powered solution makers are asserting that their transcriptions of video meetings are 99% accurate.

That’s not bad if you’d rather focus entirely on a meeting rather than trying to scribble down everything you’re hearing and thinking about what’s going on.

Essentially, AI transcribers are automating virtually every aspect of creating, working with and enhancing meeting transcriptions that people used to take by hand.

And additional new features for these solutions just keep coming—thanks to fierce competition among video meeting transcriber app makers.

Key apps to evaluate include Otter.ai, Descript, Dubber, Fathom, Interprefy, Amazon Transcribe, Nuance, IBM Watson, Transcribeme, Verbit.ai, Sonix, Voicea, QNAP and Trint.

As with most apps in a hyper-competitive genre, there’s an excellent chance you’ll be able to find one that’s perfect for you.

Overall, here are the features to look for in a best-of-breed video meeting transcriber:

Live Transcription On-the-Fly: Incredibly, many AI-powered meeting transcribers now stream a live text transcription of a meeting in progress. This voice-to-text feature is great for people who may have missed something, people who have arrived late to a meeting or people who are having a problem understanding the voice of a specific person.

Live Transcription Editing, On-the-Fly: With live transcription often standard with today’s meeting transcribers, it makes sense that many offer real-time editing of a transcript of a meeting in progress.

With many solutions sporting this optimization, you can mark certain statements as ‘action items’ to follow-up on, type in questions in response to what’s being said, or mark moments in the transcript you plan to revisit after the meeting’s over.

Body Language Analysis On-the-Fly: Perfect for people who never attended the meeting, this feature enables AI to study the gazes, body language and facial expressions of people attending a video meeting and then embed the meaning of those movements into the transcript.

A thumbs-up at a meeting, for example, translates to a thumbs-up emoji in the transcript. And a bored look translates into a bored-look emoji.

Add Real-Time Human Translators: Some AI-driven transcribers are also designed to port picture-in-picture feeds of human translators or human sign-
language specialists into a meeting video. This feature enables you to broadcast a meeting in as many languages as you wish—in real-time.

Bookmarking: No more trying to remember where in the video a salient point popped up during a meeting that you want to remember. With many solutions, you can simply create a timestamp bookmark of a moment of a meeting you want to revisit—with a simple click.

Meeting Summaries: Given that AI summary technology is already so well developed, it’s no surprise that many AI meeting transcribers offer text summaries of meetings within minutes of a meeting’s conclusion.

After-Meeting-Transcript Editing: The same transcript editing actions you can perform while a meeting is in progress can also be used to enhance a transcript after the meeting’s over, including adding questions, commentary, marking action items and the like.

The same keyword feature also enables you to auto-add a slide, screenshot or other image at any point in the transcript with a single click.

Search-by-Keyword: Many solutions automatically generate a list of keywords you can use to search for statements and concepts discussed at the meeting, bringing you to specific points in the transcript where those search terms are discussed—and also enabling you to call-up the corresponding audio that generated those insights.

Plug-and-Play Integration: Many solutions are pre-configured to work seamlessly with popular software apps and platforms including Slack, Asana, Jira, Salesforce and Hubspot. With some solutions, distributing a meeting transcript on a Slack channel, for example, takes only a click or two.

Auto-Sync With Popular Calendars: With many auto-transcribers, the transcription of a meeting will start automatically as long as you schedule the meeting using popular calendar software from Google or Microsoft.

Query the Transcript for Info: On the horizon, some AI developers hope to embed additional tools in transcription software that will enable you to query the stored transcript of a meeting with specific questions you have about topics discussed.

Free: In some cases, some high-powered AI transcription solutions are actually free. The logic: The app makers are looking to grow the popularity of their apps very quickly by offering an exciting product—and then start charging users looking to add premium features.

Joe Dysart is an internet speaker and business consultant based in Manhattan.

646-233-4089

joe@customtechadvisor.com

www.dysartnewsfeatures.com

  By Douglas McColloch

At age 17, Duran Morley was involved in a high-speed motorcycle accident. “My motorcycle caught fire,” he said. “I’m lucky to be alive.”

While convalescing, Morley spent time watching YouTube videos on Sprinter Van conversions. Upon recovery, his “obsessive passion” became a business when, at 18, he opened the The Van Mart in a 1,000-sq.-ft. warehouse in Huntington Beach, California. Now 22, he operates a 22,000-sq.-ft. facility in nearby Westminster that customizes an average of five to seven adventure vans per month. Additionally, his Van Speed online store offers branded parts such as bumpers, roof racks and side steps for the adventure van market. His accomplishments caught our notice to the extent that he was named one of SEMA News’ “35 Under 35” for 2021.

We spent some time at Morley’s shop to learn more about this fast-growing segment, and to find out more about the person behind its success.

SEMA News: What’s your latest personal project? What’s in your home garage?

Duran Morley: Right now I’m working on a ’69 Corvair that’s on a Jeep chassis, so its 4WD, and I’m making some changes to it along with my dad.

SN: Adventure vans have gained in popularity over the past couple of years, but it’s still a “niche” market. What inspired you to “take the plunge” and invest in this kind of business?

DM: Growing up, I always had a van. It’s the best way to get from point A to point B if you’re into motorcycles, or surfing, or snowboarding or camping. For me, it wasn’t the build aspect that attracted me as much as it was where the van can take you.

SN: Who is your typical customer, and what are his/her expectations when they first walk into your shop?

DM: Our customers range all over the place, but our biggest share are recent empty nesters, people in their 50s who want to travel more but who don’t want a 50-ft. motorhome.

SN: To folks who are new to overlanding, what advice would you give them?

DM: A lot of our customers do their own research for six months or more, so they have a pretty clear idea of what they want to do. For the rest, I’d say the best way to go about it is, don’t overthink it. Rent a van or a truck at first. There are companies like Outdoorsy or Alt Camp that can supply you with a rental for a weekend trip. It’s a lot cheaper to rent a vehicle than to buy a fully outfitted van and find out later that it’s not what you really need.

SN: Have rising fuel prices had any kind of impact on your business?

DM: Most of our customers are from California, so for them, a $.30–$.40 increase in gas prices doesn’t affect them all that much, so we haven’t noticed a difference yet.

SN: You were involved in a serious motorcycle accident at age 17, and spent months recovering from it. What lessons did you learn from the experience?

DM: You’ve probably heard this a million times before, but live every day like it’s your last.

SN: Are there any builders or mentors out there who have helped you along the way?

DM: Over the years I’ve worked for a lot of great people, starting with Jerry Zaiden from Camburg Engineering. It’s the place where I learned how to weld, which inspired me to get a welder in my garage when I was 14, to hook up a 220 plug and get to work. Roland Sands at Sands Design taught me a lot about design and engineering. It was great working for him.

SN: What’s your daily driver, and what do you like best about it?

DM: Realistically, my daily driver ends up being whatever van is on the lot. What I like about is, every day is a little different—but there’s noting like having a van to run errands, or to go surf in the morning and drive to work afterward.

SN: If you went back to school, what would you study?

DM: Industrial engineering and design because I love having the ability to design your own parts—the ability get your ideas on a piece of paper that someone else can understand.

SN: Where do you see your business going five to 10 years from now?

DM: We’re definitely focused on growing the recreational part of it, RV conversions for instance. We also have a commercial division that we’re looking to grow as well to help plumbers, electricians and contractors keep their tools securely stored.

SN: What’s your dream backcountry adventure? What would you drive, where would you go, and who would you take with you?

DM: Of course, it has to be a van! For me, I’d love to take a trip from Alaska all the way down to South America, and I’d probably go with my brothers because we all love to surf and we’ve all got motorcycles. It would be a dream come true.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

SEMA News highlights new products from industry companies when available. To have your product considered for upcoming issues, send product press releases to editors@sema.org.

EGR USA
Fender Flares

EGR USA, announced that it no offers easy-to-install fender flares for the budget conscious. Manufactured to OEM quality from ABS material and CNC robotically trimmed for a precise fit, BASELINE Fender Flares are available in two attractive styles—standard or bolt-style.

Both style flares are designed with a textured black finish to closely match the truck’s original-equipment accent pieces, and are available for late-model Ram, Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, Ford Ranger and Toyota trucks.

Aeromotive Inc.
In-Tank Brushless Pumps for ’11–’20 Ford Mustangs

Aeromotive has released Direct Drop-In Brushless Pump Modules for S197 and S550 Ford Mustangs. The company now offers Brushless A1000, Brushless Eliminator, Brushless 3.5 and Brushless 5.0 GPM pumps that are direct drop-in modules for the OEM tank.

MAHLE Motorsport
Ford 5.0L Modular Coyote Gen 3 Direct Injected PowerPak Piston Set

MAHLE Motorsport introduced its new Ford 5.0L, Modular Coyote PowerPak Piston set for ’18-plus engines. The piston set is designed to lower the compression ratio to 10.4 to 1 to allow for power adders for those that want to build a high-horsepower Coyote build.

The pistons are dual coated with phosphate and MAHLE’s proprietary GRAFAL coating for reduced drag and wear. This set features hard anodized top ring grooves for maximum durability for extreme-duty applications and comes complete with a 1.0mm and 2.0mm file fit performance ring set, and 0.177 wall pins each weighing 118 grams. The piston compression height is 1.167 and weighs 383 grams. The slipper skirt forged piston set utilizes a low-silicon 2618 alloy for high-load, high-stress applications.

MagnaFlow
xFrame Racing Simulator Cockpit

The xFrame Racing Simulator Cockpit leverages the engineering principles used in automotive roll cage design to create a rigid spaceframe built from stainless-steel tubing and machined couplings. This helps xFrame fight chassis flex, keeping your steering crisp, your pedals in place, and your focus on racing. Take realism to the next level with maximum rigidity and a closed cockpit design.

Mishimoto
Carbon Fiber Intercooler

Mishimoto released a completely customizable Carbon Fiber Intercooler with more than 280 configuration options. The universal intercooler comes in three different core sizes and is offered in a silver, black or gold finish. The end tanks are formed from solid 3K twill-woven prepreg carbon fiber and are offered in both matte- and gloss-finish options. Packed with universal M8 mounting bosses on either side of the core and 3-inch inlets optimized for flow, the intercooler is built to handle up to 950 hp and 30 PSI of boost.

KBS Coatings
Ultimate Frame Coater Kit for Inside-Out Rust Protection

The KBS Coatings Ultimate Frame Coater easy-to-use DIY kit employs the KBS 3-Step System combined with KBS Cavity Coater to prepare and coat up to 50 sq. ft. of metal. KBS Klean, a non-toxic and biodegradable super cleaner removes dirt, grease, grime and other contaminants.

Next, water-based and biodegradable RustBlast effectively dissolves rust and corrosion while etching metal for best adhesion of KBS RustSeal. RustBlast also leaves a zinc phosphate coating to stop flash rust from forming. The third step is RustSeal, a rust-inhibitive and preventative paint that’s applied by brush, roller or spray gun. RustSeal chemically bonds to metal, including rusted metal, to isolate it from moisture and oxygen. Without those present metal can’t rust. RustSeal comes in 11 colors and flows out to provide a beautiful, smooth finish that resembles a powder coat. RustSeal provides a flexible, yet rock-hard barrier that’s extremely resistant to abrasion and impact.

By Juan Torres

Journalists who would like to schedule meetings with manufacturers of racing and performance products to get detailed information about new products and the latest industry trends—free of charge—need to register before December 16, 2022.

Media can build lasting relationships and connect with up to 42 manufacturers (14 each day) in quality meetings.

Taking place in person on January 24–26, 2023, at the Embassy Suites Anaheim South in Garden Grove, California, the Media Trade Conference is the best way for editors, writers, producers, podcasters, content creators and social-media influencers to build relationships with motorsports parts manufacturers and obtain a year’s worth of editorial content.

By registering now for all three days, media can build lasting relationships and connect with up to 42 manufacturers (14 each day) in quality meetings.

For questions or more information, click here or contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org.

SEMA News—December 2022

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

SEMA Members Advocate for the Industry at Washington Rally

By Eric Snyder

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (center, R-WV) addressed attendees at the 2022 SEMA Washington Rally.

More than 100 SEMA members descended on the nation’s capital to participate in SEMA’s 2022 Washington Rally in September. Industry leaders took to the halls of Congress to remind lawmakers of the cultural and economic importance of the automotive specialty-equipment industry and motorsports.

During the event, SEMA members urged Congress to pass H.R. 3281/S. 2736, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. The bipartisan bill would protect Americans’ right to modify street vehicles into dedicated race cars and the industry’s right to sell the parts that enable racers to compete. Members also raised awareness for other issues facing the industry, including the REPAIR Act, which protects the right to modify and repair vehicles, and legislation that protects and expands motorized access to public lands. Additionally, SEMA members educated their lawmakers about the need to allow consumers to choose whether they purchase an internal-combustion-powered vehicle or an electric vehicle rather than the government.

Norris Marshall (left) of BluePrint Engines and U.S. Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) inside the U.S. Capitol rotunda.

“I thank the SEMA members who took time away from their businesses to come to Washington to meet with their lawmakers about the issues that matter most to our industry,” said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. “SEMA members are passionate and incredibly skilled at advocating for the industry, educating our elected leaders in Congress about the important role that automotive aftermarket businesses play in creating jobs in communities around the country.”

Between meetings, SEMA members took a break for lunch at the Reserve Officers Club where they received a behind-the-scenes update on what’s happening in Congress from two of SEMA’s biggest allies in Washington, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and U.S. Representative Ted Budd (R-NC). After a full day of meetings on Capitol Hill, SEMA members enjoyed a reception and dinner at the Waldorf Astoria, which featured a keynote address from U.S. Representative Norma Torres (D-CA).

Melanie White (left) of Hellwig Products, Kyle Fickler (second left) of Driven Racing Oil, Tim Martin (second right) of Aftermarket Advisors, and Kathryn Reinhardt at the Washington Rally PAC reception.

This year’s Washington Rally marked the 16th time representatives from SEMA have held a fly-in on Capitol Hill. The event raises SEMA’s profile in Washington, D.C., and plays a pivotal role in the association’s advocacy efforts in Congress.

SEMA members who couldn’t make it to the Rally can get involved by hosting their members of Congress at their business. To learn more, email Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

Wade Kawasaki Named Executive Director of SEMA and PRI Political Action Committees

The SEMA Board of Directors appointed industry veteran Wade Kawasaki to serve as the first executive director of SEMA’s and PRI’s respective political action committees (PAC). In this new volunteer role, Kawasaki will oversee each PAC’s Board of Directors and fundraising efforts, reporting to the SEMA Board of Directors.

By law, SEMA and PRI may not use their funds to contribute to federal political candidates. However, each organization’s PAC allows its members to contribute personal funds, which are used to help elect lawmakers who support its positions and initiatives.

“The specialty automotive aftermarket and racing industries are facing an uncertain future due to unparalleled government threats,” said SEMA Board Chairman James Lawrence. “SEMA and PRI believe clean air can co-exist with the automotive performance hobby and racing. Unfortunately, government bureaucrats want to restrict grassroots racing, make it burdensome to comply with emissions laws, and ban internal-combustion engines. We need to be prepared to defend the millions of automotive enthusiasts out there, and the best way to do that is through PACs that help elect lawmakers who value our hobby and the $50+ billion industry.”

Prior to his appointment as executive director of SEMA’s and PRI’s PACs, Kawasaki served as the president and CEO of Legendary Companies, overseeing 12 brands and operating six companies, including Coker Tire. He previously served multiple terms on SEMA’s Board of Directors, including as its chairman from 2017–2019, and was inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2013.

“Advocating on behalf of the aftermarket industry is at the very core of what SEMA does,” said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. “I’ve known Wade for more than 20 years. I’m thrilled to have somebody of his caliber helping to take SEMA’s PAC to the next level.”

“A strong PRI PAC is the best way to ensure racing’s future is free from government overreach. We have to have the means to fight back,” said PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer. “I look forward to working with Wade to grow PRI’s influence in Washington.”

For more information, contact Samantha Large at samanthal@sema.org.

James Lawrence (left) of Power Automedia and Wade Kawasaki (center) of Car Guy Adventures greet U.S. Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA).

U.S. Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) presents John Hotchkis (left) of Hotchkis Sport Suspension with an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol Building.

Bob Moore (left) of Bob Moore & Partners and Rich Butler of R&R Marketing Consultants (right) met with U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) during the 2022 Washington Rally.

From left: Michael Essex of MotorTrend Group, John Viscardo of Viscardo Enterprises, U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), Sofia Morreale of The Tuning School, Bob Morreale of The Tuning School and Rob Fisher of E3 Spark Plugs.

From left: U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), Eric Snyder from SEMA, James Lawrence of Power Automedia, Dr. Jamie Meyer of PRI, and Lindsay Hubley of Lodestone Events.