News | Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:53

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

	State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus Chair
	Business owner, SEMA member and auto enthusiast, Assemblymember Bill Reilich (R-NY) is the chair of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. During his tenure, the caucus has grown to include almost 600 members from all 50 states. Included among the cars he has owned is a ’57 Chevy, ’81 T-Bird and ’07 Shelby GT 500.

Did you know that some lawmakers are big fans of collector cars, vehicle exhibitions and auto racing? Many of these U.S. representatives and senators have joined the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. Likewise, state lawmakers have joined the companion State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus.

The caucuses help identify lawmakers with shared interests—in this case, a love for the automobile—and promote the growth and advancement of those causes.

The caucuses have bipartisan memberships, which recognize that the American automotive specialty and performance industry is an important economic engine, providing jobs for more than a million Americans and quality products for a global marketplace.

Caucus members may not always agree on legislative approaches to contentious issues, but the caucuses are important vehicles for raising the industry’s profile on Capitol Hill, in state capitals and in the public’s eyes.

Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus: The caucus was formed in 1996 in honor of the 100th year of the automobile and to recognize the contributions that the automotive performance and motorsports industry has made to the U.S. economy. This honorary, bipartisan congressional caucus pays tribute to the quality, performance and safety of all motor vehicles and to America’s ever-growing love affair with the car and motorsports.

State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus: In its daily efforts to promote and protect the auto hobby, SEMA partners with caucus members from across the country to raise the motor-vehicle hobby’s profile in the state legislatures and before the general public. Formed in 2005, the state caucus includes hundreds of members from all 50 states, a number that continues to grow. For a full listing of caucus members, visit www.SEMAsan.com.

Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus Co-Chairs

Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) knows first-hand the positive impact that racing and enthusiast events have on the American economy. For three consecutive years, he has co-sponsored U.S. Senate resolutions designating the second Friday of July as Collector Car Appreciation Day.

Representative Sander Levin (D-MI) has been the caucus co-chair since its founding in 1996. He has been a strong advocate for SEMA and an ardent supporter of American manufacturing and small business. Under his leadership, the caucus has grown to nearly 100 members.

Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) was a charter member of the State Caucus prior to being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006. When not in Washington or running the family farm, he and his son have restored a number of cars, from a Model T to a ’55 Chevy‚ ’56 Buick and Willys CJ.

Representative Bill Posey (R-FL) is a lifelong stock car racer who began midget racing at the age of five. He has championed the hobby and related industry from his tenure in the Florida state legislature to his current position in the nation’s capital.

Lawmakers Who Support the Industry

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:53

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

	State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus Chair
	Business owner, SEMA member and auto enthusiast, Assemblymember Bill Reilich (R-NY) is the chair of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. During his tenure, the caucus has grown to include almost 600 members from all 50 states. Included among the cars he has owned is a ’57 Chevy, ’81 T-Bird and ’07 Shelby GT 500.

Did you know that some lawmakers are big fans of collector cars, vehicle exhibitions and auto racing? Many of these U.S. representatives and senators have joined the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. Likewise, state lawmakers have joined the companion State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus.

The caucuses help identify lawmakers with shared interests—in this case, a love for the automobile—and promote the growth and advancement of those causes.

The caucuses have bipartisan memberships, which recognize that the American automotive specialty and performance industry is an important economic engine, providing jobs for more than a million Americans and quality products for a global marketplace.

Caucus members may not always agree on legislative approaches to contentious issues, but the caucuses are important vehicles for raising the industry’s profile on Capitol Hill, in state capitals and in the public’s eyes.

Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus: The caucus was formed in 1996 in honor of the 100th year of the automobile and to recognize the contributions that the automotive performance and motorsports industry has made to the U.S. economy. This honorary, bipartisan congressional caucus pays tribute to the quality, performance and safety of all motor vehicles and to America’s ever-growing love affair with the car and motorsports.

State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus: In its daily efforts to promote and protect the auto hobby, SEMA partners with caucus members from across the country to raise the motor-vehicle hobby’s profile in the state legislatures and before the general public. Formed in 2005, the state caucus includes hundreds of members from all 50 states, a number that continues to grow. For a full listing of caucus members, visit www.SEMAsan.com.

Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus Co-Chairs

Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) knows first-hand the positive impact that racing and enthusiast events have on the American economy. For three consecutive years, he has co-sponsored U.S. Senate resolutions designating the second Friday of July as Collector Car Appreciation Day.

Representative Sander Levin (D-MI) has been the caucus co-chair since its founding in 1996. He has been a strong advocate for SEMA and an ardent supporter of American manufacturing and small business. Under his leadership, the caucus has grown to nearly 100 members.

Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) was a charter member of the State Caucus prior to being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006. When not in Washington or running the family farm, he and his son have restored a number of cars, from a Model T to a ’55 Chevy‚ ’56 Buick and Willys CJ.

Representative Bill Posey (R-FL) is a lifelong stock car racer who began midget racing at the age of five. He has championed the hobby and related industry from his tenure in the Florida state legislature to his current position in the nation’s capital.

Lawmakers Who Support the Industry

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:53

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

	State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus Chair
	Business owner, SEMA member and auto enthusiast, Assemblymember Bill Reilich (R-NY) is the chair of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. During his tenure, the caucus has grown to include almost 600 members from all 50 states. Included among the cars he has owned is a ’57 Chevy, ’81 T-Bird and ’07 Shelby GT 500.

Did you know that some lawmakers are big fans of collector cars, vehicle exhibitions and auto racing? Many of these U.S. representatives and senators have joined the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. Likewise, state lawmakers have joined the companion State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus.

The caucuses help identify lawmakers with shared interests—in this case, a love for the automobile—and promote the growth and advancement of those causes.

The caucuses have bipartisan memberships, which recognize that the American automotive specialty and performance industry is an important economic engine, providing jobs for more than a million Americans and quality products for a global marketplace.

Caucus members may not always agree on legislative approaches to contentious issues, but the caucuses are important vehicles for raising the industry’s profile on Capitol Hill, in state capitals and in the public’s eyes.

Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus: The caucus was formed in 1996 in honor of the 100th year of the automobile and to recognize the contributions that the automotive performance and motorsports industry has made to the U.S. economy. This honorary, bipartisan congressional caucus pays tribute to the quality, performance and safety of all motor vehicles and to America’s ever-growing love affair with the car and motorsports.

State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus: In its daily efforts to promote and protect the auto hobby, SEMA partners with caucus members from across the country to raise the motor-vehicle hobby’s profile in the state legislatures and before the general public. Formed in 2005, the state caucus includes hundreds of members from all 50 states, a number that continues to grow. For a full listing of caucus members, visit www.SEMAsan.com.

Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus Co-Chairs

Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) knows first-hand the positive impact that racing and enthusiast events have on the American economy. For three consecutive years, he has co-sponsored U.S. Senate resolutions designating the second Friday of July as Collector Car Appreciation Day.

Representative Sander Levin (D-MI) has been the caucus co-chair since its founding in 1996. He has been a strong advocate for SEMA and an ardent supporter of American manufacturing and small business. Under his leadership, the caucus has grown to nearly 100 members.

Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) was a charter member of the State Caucus prior to being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006. When not in Washington or running the family farm, he and his son have restored a number of cars, from a Model T to a ’55 Chevy‚ ’56 Buick and Willys CJ.

Representative Bill Posey (R-FL) is a lifelong stock car racer who began midget racing at the age of five. He has championed the hobby and related industry from his tenure in the Florida state legislature to his current position in the nation’s capital.

SEMA Data Co-op Beta Phase in Full Swing

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:52

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

By Jon Wyly


	For more information, contact Jon Wyly at jonw@SEMAdatacoop.org or visit www.SEMAdatacoop.org.

It’s been a long time coming, but the SEMA Data Cooperative (SDC) beta phase is up and running at full speed, with more than 80 specialty parts companies participating.

Starting life as a concept of the earliest SEMA business technology volunteers, the SDC represents the culmination of more than 10 years of effort and evolution into what is arguably the most complete and advanced product data repository ever to serve our industry. The fully operating beta phase represents a real-life “test drive” of the complete SDC production model, which will seamlessly transfer to the live production system late in 2012.

Designed to provide an end-to-end solution for SEMA suppliers, the process begins with the onboarding of product data into a validation system that ensures consistent alignment with SDC requirements for content and formatting. This initial data file can be submitted in most any form, from a simple Excel spreadsheet to fully standardized XML files. Any errors or issues that appear are worked through one on one with the fulltime SDC Help Desk until a “clean” data file is produced. These files, which are created in compliance with industry product information exchange standards (PIES) and AAIA catalog enhanced standards (ACES), are then moved to a secure repository for distribution to each supplier’s approved trading partners.

As a standard function of the SDC, participating suppliers retain complete control and ownership of their data, including who may or may not receive exports of their data. Deliveries will be made only to authorized receivers, completely controlled down to the SKU level.

Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors and omissions, most of which were previously unknown by the supplier. These data errors can cause costly problems in billing, shipping, inventory management and customer satisfaction.


	Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors.

Data receivers are participating as well, beginning their process with a requirements study that the SDC Help Desk provides in order to understand exactly what data fields and formats receivers need in order to populate their systems. The beta phase includes a broad range of receiver participants, including warehouse distributors, jobber/retailers, program groups and Internet resellers of all sizes. Each will experience a careful matching of their needs to the data residing in the co-op and will receive clean, usable exports throughout the program.

Behind the scenes, the SDC is working diligently to refine the detailed design specification for the full production facility and by this writing should be well underway in coding this custom-designed system. The goal is to have available a working model of the production system at the 2012 SEMA Show and to go live with a phase one production system late in 2012.

The fact that the SEMA Data Co-op is becoming a reality is a bit of a dream come true for those of us who have worked on it over the years, and it is important to note that this valuable industry service would not be under construction today without the dedicated effort of a talented and stubborn group of volunteers. The SEMA Business Technology Committee, under the leadership of past SEMA Board of Directors member Bob Moore, has carried the torch for this project for several years, and many notable individuals have tirelessly dedicated their time and energy as well.

We look forward to serving the product data needs of the SEMA marketplace and welcome any comments or questions you may have.

SEMA Data Co-op Beta Phase in Full Swing

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:52

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

By Jon Wyly


	For more information, contact Jon Wyly at jonw@SEMAdatacoop.org or visit www.SEMAdatacoop.org.

It’s been a long time coming, but the SEMA Data Cooperative (SDC) beta phase is up and running at full speed, with more than 80 specialty parts companies participating.

Starting life as a concept of the earliest SEMA business technology volunteers, the SDC represents the culmination of more than 10 years of effort and evolution into what is arguably the most complete and advanced product data repository ever to serve our industry. The fully operating beta phase represents a real-life “test drive” of the complete SDC production model, which will seamlessly transfer to the live production system late in 2012.

Designed to provide an end-to-end solution for SEMA suppliers, the process begins with the onboarding of product data into a validation system that ensures consistent alignment with SDC requirements for content and formatting. This initial data file can be submitted in most any form, from a simple Excel spreadsheet to fully standardized XML files. Any errors or issues that appear are worked through one on one with the fulltime SDC Help Desk until a “clean” data file is produced. These files, which are created in compliance with industry product information exchange standards (PIES) and AAIA catalog enhanced standards (ACES), are then moved to a secure repository for distribution to each supplier’s approved trading partners.

As a standard function of the SDC, participating suppliers retain complete control and ownership of their data, including who may or may not receive exports of their data. Deliveries will be made only to authorized receivers, completely controlled down to the SKU level.

Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors and omissions, most of which were previously unknown by the supplier. These data errors can cause costly problems in billing, shipping, inventory management and customer satisfaction.


	Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors.

Data receivers are participating as well, beginning their process with a requirements study that the SDC Help Desk provides in order to understand exactly what data fields and formats receivers need in order to populate their systems. The beta phase includes a broad range of receiver participants, including warehouse distributors, jobber/retailers, program groups and Internet resellers of all sizes. Each will experience a careful matching of their needs to the data residing in the co-op and will receive clean, usable exports throughout the program.

Behind the scenes, the SDC is working diligently to refine the detailed design specification for the full production facility and by this writing should be well underway in coding this custom-designed system. The goal is to have available a working model of the production system at the 2012 SEMA Show and to go live with a phase one production system late in 2012.

The fact that the SEMA Data Co-op is becoming a reality is a bit of a dream come true for those of us who have worked on it over the years, and it is important to note that this valuable industry service would not be under construction today without the dedicated effort of a talented and stubborn group of volunteers. The SEMA Business Technology Committee, under the leadership of past SEMA Board of Directors member Bob Moore, has carried the torch for this project for several years, and many notable individuals have tirelessly dedicated their time and energy as well.

We look forward to serving the product data needs of the SEMA marketplace and welcome any comments or questions you may have.

SEMA Data Co-op Beta Phase in Full Swing

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:52

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

By Jon Wyly


	For more information, contact Jon Wyly at jonw@SEMAdatacoop.org or visit www.SEMAdatacoop.org.

It’s been a long time coming, but the SEMA Data Cooperative (SDC) beta phase is up and running at full speed, with more than 80 specialty parts companies participating.

Starting life as a concept of the earliest SEMA business technology volunteers, the SDC represents the culmination of more than 10 years of effort and evolution into what is arguably the most complete and advanced product data repository ever to serve our industry. The fully operating beta phase represents a real-life “test drive” of the complete SDC production model, which will seamlessly transfer to the live production system late in 2012.

Designed to provide an end-to-end solution for SEMA suppliers, the process begins with the onboarding of product data into a validation system that ensures consistent alignment with SDC requirements for content and formatting. This initial data file can be submitted in most any form, from a simple Excel spreadsheet to fully standardized XML files. Any errors or issues that appear are worked through one on one with the fulltime SDC Help Desk until a “clean” data file is produced. These files, which are created in compliance with industry product information exchange standards (PIES) and AAIA catalog enhanced standards (ACES), are then moved to a secure repository for distribution to each supplier’s approved trading partners.

As a standard function of the SDC, participating suppliers retain complete control and ownership of their data, including who may or may not receive exports of their data. Deliveries will be made only to authorized receivers, completely controlled down to the SKU level.

Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors and omissions, most of which were previously unknown by the supplier. These data errors can cause costly problems in billing, shipping, inventory management and customer satisfaction.


	Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors.

Data receivers are participating as well, beginning their process with a requirements study that the SDC Help Desk provides in order to understand exactly what data fields and formats receivers need in order to populate their systems. The beta phase includes a broad range of receiver participants, including warehouse distributors, jobber/retailers, program groups and Internet resellers of all sizes. Each will experience a careful matching of their needs to the data residing in the co-op and will receive clean, usable exports throughout the program.

Behind the scenes, the SDC is working diligently to refine the detailed design specification for the full production facility and by this writing should be well underway in coding this custom-designed system. The goal is to have available a working model of the production system at the 2012 SEMA Show and to go live with a phase one production system late in 2012.

The fact that the SEMA Data Co-op is becoming a reality is a bit of a dream come true for those of us who have worked on it over the years, and it is important to note that this valuable industry service would not be under construction today without the dedicated effort of a talented and stubborn group of volunteers. The SEMA Business Technology Committee, under the leadership of past SEMA Board of Directors member Bob Moore, has carried the torch for this project for several years, and many notable individuals have tirelessly dedicated their time and energy as well.

We look forward to serving the product data needs of the SEMA marketplace and welcome any comments or questions you may have.

SEMA Data Co-op Beta Phase in Full Swing

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:52

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

By Jon Wyly


	For more information, contact Jon Wyly at jonw@SEMAdatacoop.org or visit www.SEMAdatacoop.org.

It’s been a long time coming, but the SEMA Data Cooperative (SDC) beta phase is up and running at full speed, with more than 80 specialty parts companies participating.

Starting life as a concept of the earliest SEMA business technology volunteers, the SDC represents the culmination of more than 10 years of effort and evolution into what is arguably the most complete and advanced product data repository ever to serve our industry. The fully operating beta phase represents a real-life “test drive” of the complete SDC production model, which will seamlessly transfer to the live production system late in 2012.

Designed to provide an end-to-end solution for SEMA suppliers, the process begins with the onboarding of product data into a validation system that ensures consistent alignment with SDC requirements for content and formatting. This initial data file can be submitted in most any form, from a simple Excel spreadsheet to fully standardized XML files. Any errors or issues that appear are worked through one on one with the fulltime SDC Help Desk until a “clean” data file is produced. These files, which are created in compliance with industry product information exchange standards (PIES) and AAIA catalog enhanced standards (ACES), are then moved to a secure repository for distribution to each supplier’s approved trading partners.

As a standard function of the SDC, participating suppliers retain complete control and ownership of their data, including who may or may not receive exports of their data. Deliveries will be made only to authorized receivers, completely controlled down to the SKU level.

Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors and omissions, most of which were previously unknown by the supplier. These data errors can cause costly problems in billing, shipping, inventory management and customer satisfaction.


	Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors.

Data receivers are participating as well, beginning their process with a requirements study that the SDC Help Desk provides in order to understand exactly what data fields and formats receivers need in order to populate their systems. The beta phase includes a broad range of receiver participants, including warehouse distributors, jobber/retailers, program groups and Internet resellers of all sizes. Each will experience a careful matching of their needs to the data residing in the co-op and will receive clean, usable exports throughout the program.

Behind the scenes, the SDC is working diligently to refine the detailed design specification for the full production facility and by this writing should be well underway in coding this custom-designed system. The goal is to have available a working model of the production system at the 2012 SEMA Show and to go live with a phase one production system late in 2012.

The fact that the SEMA Data Co-op is becoming a reality is a bit of a dream come true for those of us who have worked on it over the years, and it is important to note that this valuable industry service would not be under construction today without the dedicated effort of a talented and stubborn group of volunteers. The SEMA Business Technology Committee, under the leadership of past SEMA Board of Directors member Bob Moore, has carried the torch for this project for several years, and many notable individuals have tirelessly dedicated their time and energy as well.

We look forward to serving the product data needs of the SEMA marketplace and welcome any comments or questions you may have.

SEMA Data Co-op Beta Phase in Full Swing

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:52

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

By Jon Wyly


	For more information, contact Jon Wyly at jonw@SEMAdatacoop.org or visit www.SEMAdatacoop.org.

It’s been a long time coming, but the SEMA Data Cooperative (SDC) beta phase is up and running at full speed, with more than 80 specialty parts companies participating.

Starting life as a concept of the earliest SEMA business technology volunteers, the SDC represents the culmination of more than 10 years of effort and evolution into what is arguably the most complete and advanced product data repository ever to serve our industry. The fully operating beta phase represents a real-life “test drive” of the complete SDC production model, which will seamlessly transfer to the live production system late in 2012.

Designed to provide an end-to-end solution for SEMA suppliers, the process begins with the onboarding of product data into a validation system that ensures consistent alignment with SDC requirements for content and formatting. This initial data file can be submitted in most any form, from a simple Excel spreadsheet to fully standardized XML files. Any errors or issues that appear are worked through one on one with the fulltime SDC Help Desk until a “clean” data file is produced. These files, which are created in compliance with industry product information exchange standards (PIES) and AAIA catalog enhanced standards (ACES), are then moved to a secure repository for distribution to each supplier’s approved trading partners.

As a standard function of the SDC, participating suppliers retain complete control and ownership of their data, including who may or may not receive exports of their data. Deliveries will be made only to authorized receivers, completely controlled down to the SKU level.

Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors and omissions, most of which were previously unknown by the supplier. These data errors can cause costly problems in billing, shipping, inventory management and customer satisfaction.


	Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors.

Data receivers are participating as well, beginning their process with a requirements study that the SDC Help Desk provides in order to understand exactly what data fields and formats receivers need in order to populate their systems. The beta phase includes a broad range of receiver participants, including warehouse distributors, jobber/retailers, program groups and Internet resellers of all sizes. Each will experience a careful matching of their needs to the data residing in the co-op and will receive clean, usable exports throughout the program.

Behind the scenes, the SDC is working diligently to refine the detailed design specification for the full production facility and by this writing should be well underway in coding this custom-designed system. The goal is to have available a working model of the production system at the 2012 SEMA Show and to go live with a phase one production system late in 2012.

The fact that the SEMA Data Co-op is becoming a reality is a bit of a dream come true for those of us who have worked on it over the years, and it is important to note that this valuable industry service would not be under construction today without the dedicated effort of a talented and stubborn group of volunteers. The SEMA Business Technology Committee, under the leadership of past SEMA Board of Directors member Bob Moore, has carried the torch for this project for several years, and many notable individuals have tirelessly dedicated their time and energy as well.

We look forward to serving the product data needs of the SEMA marketplace and welcome any comments or questions you may have.

SEMA Data Co-op Beta Phase in Full Swing

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:52

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

By Jon Wyly


	For more information, contact Jon Wyly at jonw@SEMAdatacoop.org or visit www.SEMAdatacoop.org.

It’s been a long time coming, but the SEMA Data Cooperative (SDC) beta phase is up and running at full speed, with more than 80 specialty parts companies participating.

Starting life as a concept of the earliest SEMA business technology volunteers, the SDC represents the culmination of more than 10 years of effort and evolution into what is arguably the most complete and advanced product data repository ever to serve our industry. The fully operating beta phase represents a real-life “test drive” of the complete SDC production model, which will seamlessly transfer to the live production system late in 2012.

Designed to provide an end-to-end solution for SEMA suppliers, the process begins with the onboarding of product data into a validation system that ensures consistent alignment with SDC requirements for content and formatting. This initial data file can be submitted in most any form, from a simple Excel spreadsheet to fully standardized XML files. Any errors or issues that appear are worked through one on one with the fulltime SDC Help Desk until a “clean” data file is produced. These files, which are created in compliance with industry product information exchange standards (PIES) and AAIA catalog enhanced standards (ACES), are then moved to a secure repository for distribution to each supplier’s approved trading partners.

As a standard function of the SDC, participating suppliers retain complete control and ownership of their data, including who may or may not receive exports of their data. Deliveries will be made only to authorized receivers, completely controlled down to the SKU level.

Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors and omissions, most of which were previously unknown by the supplier. These data errors can cause costly problems in billing, shipping, inventory management and customer satisfaction.


	Beta participants are already reporting outstanding results from the initial analysis provided by the Help Desk, and significant progress is being made in correcting a wide variety of data errors.

Data receivers are participating as well, beginning their process with a requirements study that the SDC Help Desk provides in order to understand exactly what data fields and formats receivers need in order to populate their systems. The beta phase includes a broad range of receiver participants, including warehouse distributors, jobber/retailers, program groups and Internet resellers of all sizes. Each will experience a careful matching of their needs to the data residing in the co-op and will receive clean, usable exports throughout the program.

Behind the scenes, the SDC is working diligently to refine the detailed design specification for the full production facility and by this writing should be well underway in coding this custom-designed system. The goal is to have available a working model of the production system at the 2012 SEMA Show and to go live with a phase one production system late in 2012.

The fact that the SEMA Data Co-op is becoming a reality is a bit of a dream come true for those of us who have worked on it over the years, and it is important to note that this valuable industry service would not be under construction today without the dedicated effort of a talented and stubborn group of volunteers. The SEMA Business Technology Committee, under the leadership of past SEMA Board of Directors member Bob Moore, has carried the torch for this project for several years, and many notable individuals have tirelessly dedicated their time and energy as well.

We look forward to serving the product data needs of the SEMA marketplace and welcome any comments or questions you may have.

SEMA Establishes Legislative and Regulatory Priorities for 2012–2013

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 07:43

SEMA News—August 2012

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

SEMA Establishes Legislative and Regulatory Priorities for 2012–2013

Priority Issues: State

Accelerated Vehicle Scrappage: SEMA opposes scrappage proposals. Where proposals can’t be defeated, SEMA seeks to amend them to protect collector vehicles, focus on gross polluters, use measured emissions values, allow parts recycling and include repair/upgrade alternatives. Scrappage programs accelerate natural vehicle retirement by allowing for the purchase of older cars, which are then typically crushed into blocks of scrap metal.

Vehicle Equipment Standards and Inspections: SEMA opposes arbitrary and unnecessarily restrictive equipment and inspection procedures.

Emissions Testing and Maintenance Programs: SEMA supports programs that properly focus inspection procedures and do not confuse legitimate aftermarket parts with emissions-defeating devices and state and federal tampering violations. SEMA also supports proactive legislative initiatives to establish exemptions from inspections for low-mileage vehicles, classic vehicles (defined as 25 years old and older) and newer vehicles.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions/Engine Size/MPG: SEMA opposes legislation that imposes an added fee, surcharge or tax on the sale or lease of a new passenger motor vehicle based on carbon emissions, engine size or fuel-economy rating. SEMA also opposes added yearly registration and renewal fees based on carbon emissions, engine size or fuel-economy rating.

Vehicle Suspension and Height Regulations: SEMA opposes state regulations targeting suspension and height modifications without regard to reasonable and useful modifications.

Specialty Vehicle Titling and Registration: SEMA supports initiatives that allow for the use of non-original materials and create a titling and registration criterion that assigns these vehicles the same model-year designations as the production vehicles they most closely resemble. SEMA supports initiatives to establish distinctive license plates and separate vehicle code definitions for these cars to allow special consideration during emissions testing and equipment inspections. SEMA supports initiatives to create classic motor-vehicle project titles that apply to vehicles undergoing restoration that are at least 25 years old, not roadworthy and currently without a title or with a title from another state. SEMA supports initiatives to establish minimal one-time registration fees for specialty vehicles and opposes efforts to disproportionately increase registration fees and taxes for these cars based on state budget deficiencies. SEMA supports legislation that allows vehicles with these special registrations to be driven for a variety of purposes, including occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours and similar uses.

Lighting Equipment: SEMA opposes any use limitations or prohibitions on optional lighting equipment or accessories not related to a proven safety hazard.

Tire Fuel Efficiency: SEMA opposes separate state legislation requiring the development of a program to mandate that replacement tires for passenger cars meet fuel-efficiency standards.

Tire Aging: SEMA opposes state legislation to limit the distribution or sale of tires based strictly on age.

Window Tint: SEMA supports advancement of the industry standard of not less than 35% light transmittance on all windows other than the windshield.

Inoperable Vehicles: SEMA opposes legislation that allows state, county or local officials to confiscate from private property inoperable project vehicles or those vehicles in need of repair.

Exhaust Systems: SEMA opposes legislation or regulations that unfairly discriminate against modified exhaust systems and apply arbitrary enforcement standards relative to muffler noise limits. SEMA supports efforts to reduce improper citations and encourage modifications that comply with applicable state regulations.

Nitrous-Oxide/Performance Enhancers: SEMA opposes legislation that bans the installation of power-booster systems, including nitrous-oxide systems intended for off-road use.

Street Racing: SEMA supports efforts to abolish illegal street racing through focused legislation designed to incentivize drivers to pursue racing activities at legal racing venues. SEMA opposes anti-street-racing legislation that unfairly targets owners of legally modified vehicles for enhanced scrutiny, title branding and additional fees.

Alternative Fuels/Greenhouse Gases: SEMA opposes legislation that would unreasonably restrict opportunities for the automotive specialty-equipment industry to continue providing performance equipment. SEMA supports such initiatives where opportunities exist to expand market opportunities for SEMA-member products.

Ethanol-Blended Gasoline Labeling Requirements: SEMA supports labels on fuel pumps dispensing ethanol-blended gasoline as important to consumers, especially those with classic cars and performance automobiles, who want to know what they are putting into their vehicles.

Priority Issues: Federal

Clean Air Act Amendments: SEMA opposes any revisions to the Clean Air Act that are unnecessarily restrictive or do not balance economic and small-business considerations. SEMA supports revising the law to require cost-benefit rationales for rulemakings, a scientific basis for regulations and periodic reviews of existing rules.

Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards: SEMA supports CAFE standards that take into account the impact on jobs, safety, consumer choice and technological feasibility. SEMA supports market-based solutions that allow the consumer to participate in and respond to national energy policies.

Ethanol Content in Gasoline: SEMA opposes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) waiver to permit the sale of gasoline containing 15% ethanol (E15) for model-year ’01 and newer vehicles.

Gas Taxes: SEMA opposes gas tax hikes. SEMA supports policies that balance the interests of the business community with reasonable means to reduce reliance on foreign oil and create incentive-laden programs to help clean the air.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions/Global Warming: SEMA supports regulating CO2 emissions from automobiles through the CAFE standards. SEMA supports a congressionally defined, limited approach to regulate the largest stationary source emitters, such as powerplants, factories and refineries.

Health Care: SEMA supports “exchanges,” which offer small businesses access to a variety of competitively priced plans. SEMA remains committed to pursuing additional meaningful reforms to health care policy.

Independent Contractors: SEMA supports simplified worker classification rules, since the current rules are too complicated, confused and subjective.

Intellectual Property Protection: SEMA supports intellectual property rights legislation in the U.S. Congress and government enforcement activities through the Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy.

Minimum Wage: SEMA supports polices that allow wages to be set by the marketplace.

On-Board Diagnostics and Service Information Sharing: SEMA supports partnerships with OEMs for sharing technology information.

Parental Leave: SEMA opposes any attempts to expand the Family Leave Act but supports legislation that would clarify certain aspects of the law.

Product Liability and Legal Reforms: SEMA supports sensible legal reforms to include bills that develop uniform standards of liability, take small-business size into consideration, alter rules pertaining to punitive and non-economic damages, discourage frivolous lawsuits and restore credibility to the judicial system.

Public Land Access and Use: SEMA supports land-use decisions that are reasonable and enjoy local community support.

Regulatory Reform: SEMA supports efforts to permit more flexibility in achieving standards, consider more cost-effective ways to meet goals, require cost-benefit rationales for rulemakings, require scientific basis for regulations and require periodic review of existing rules.

Retirement Savings Plans: SEMA supports legislation that helps defer the costs of a retirement program, provides guidance in plan construction and establishes clear regulations to govern the program.

Tax Policy: SEMA supports small-business tax relief through reduction and simplification of business taxes and a federal budget that promotes productivity.

Vehicle Scrappage Legislation: SEMA opposes scrappage programs, especially those that simply target old cars and exclude recycling/repair/retrofit provisions.

Vehicle Equipment Standards: SEMA supports regulations that are necessary, practical and based on performance rather than design criteria.