SEMA News - December 2009

By Steve Campbell

Both Sides Have Much to Gain From Collaborative Efforts

There is no better place than the SEMA Show for OEM engineers, marketing and public relations personnel to learn firsthand about the breadth of products available from the aftermarket.

This is the first in a series of SEMA News stories based on the idea of “Best Practices”—the use of reliable and repeatable methods to ensure business success. In coming issues, we will delve into topics ranging from digital and traditional marketing to employer/employee relations, from getting the most out of trade shows to exploring global distribution. In each case, we will point the way to overcoming what the American Productivity & Quality Center has identified as one of three major hurdles to developing Best Practices: lack of knowledge. And we hope to help in conquering the other two: lack of motivation and lack of skills.

SEMA-member companies have a vested interest in the new- and used-vehicle marketplace. The more cars and trucks rolling out the showroom doors, the larger the potential for accessory sales. Conversely, the original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their dealers stand to profit from working with SEMA companies to ensure that those vehicles offer the best prospect for personalization. In this era when doing it your way may mean the difference between a consumer making a purchase or keeping a closed wallet, every incentive counts. The following comprise the Best Practices for the OEMs to work with SEMA-member companies for the benefit of both.

Measuring Sessions

SEMA Measuring Sessions provide an opportunity for SEMA companies to develop products using data—measurements—gained from late prototypes or production versions of yet-to-be released vehicles. Based on Measuring Session data, specialty-equipment manufacturers have developed interior and exterior components and even some powertrain and drivetrain parts. The association’s manufacturer members are alerted weeks in advance of each session, and the resulting products eventually become one more sales tools for dealerships to promote on the showroom floor—or even to incorporate into their own private-label branding through supplier partnerships. The investment for the OEMs is insignificant compared with the potential returns.

Technology Transfer

While Measuring Sessions offer after-the-fact help with product development, the SEMA Technology Transfer program provides a more accurate and definitive means of first-generation design. The forward-thinking automakers who take part in Technology Transfer provide computer-aided-design (CAD) data directly from their own files so that specialty-equipment companies may develop ancillary products for upcoming cars and trucks. With such precise data, SEMA companies can use advanced software to deliver properly engineered and fitted parts well before a vehicle reaches the dealership. When the first customer walks in the door, a dealer salesperson can provide personalization options from both proprietary and third-party sources. The customer gets exactly what he or she wants, and the aftermarket helps sell another vehicle.

Vehicle Technology Briefing Sessions

As vehicle technology advances and systems become increasingly complex, SEMA educates and updates its members by providing information, research and insights for developing products, services and solutions quickly to enhance driver performance, safety, connectivity and entertainment. The Vehicle Technology Briefing series of seminars brings together the best minds from the most innovative companies to share not only the latest technological developments, but also the opportunities that result for both the OEMs and specialty-equipment companies. Organized by John Waraniak, SEMA’s vice president of vehicle technology, the sessions have covered topics that range from electronic stability control systems and green performance to electronics systems integration for both safety and infotainment. Interactive discussions with the audience are a major part of each program, and every session has included comments from the OEMs as well as specialty-equipment companies—both of which profit from keeping an eye on tomorrow.

The SEMA Show

The OEMs have become increasingly active at the SEMA Show, with more than a dozen brands exhibiting in the past two years. There is no better place for OEM engineers and marketing and public relations personnel to learn firsthand about the breadth of products available from the aftermarket for use in today’s vehicles and incorporation into future offerings through accessory-friendly designs. With the Show segmented into 12 market channels—including trucks, SUVs and off-road; wheels and tires; mobile electronics and technology; paint, body and equipment and many more—every phase of automotive design and innovation is covered. Partnerships that are now decades old were born at the SEMA Show.

Dealer Day at the SEMA Show

While the manufacturing arm of the new-car market is well-represented at the SEMA Show, it also holds a wealth of information and profit potential for car dealers. Dealer Day at the SEMA Show is designed to provide new- and used-vehicle dealers with a clear understanding of how to increase profits through accessory sales and how to integrate an accessory program into the fixed operations of any dealership. Held in cooperation with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and NAIDA, Dealer Day delivers educational meetings hosted by industry professionals and dealerships that have successfully incorporated accessory sales into their businesses. The programs also educate dealers about the use of third-party installers, inventory processes and stimulating floor traffic through display vehicles. Learning about the market makes sense for those who wish to expand profits during difficult times.

ProPledge

The ProPledge warranty assurance initiative is designed to increase sales of specialty automotive products through new- and used-car dealers by offering customers a standardized, uniform warranty that covers defects in products and installation for a minimum of 36 months/36,000 miles. Administered by the Specialty Equipment Warranty Alliance (SEWA) subsidiary of SEMA, ProPledge shows that the industry stands behind its products and services and gives both auto dealers and consumers peace of mind in personalizing vehicles. ProPledge includes protection in the event that a product or installation defect results in the denial of a vehicle warranty claim. Here is the complete list of participating manufacturers and installers and information about ProPledge. For more information, e-mail sewa@propledge.com.

Installer Certification Programs

The SEMA Installer Certification Program is a voluntary process through which accessory installers prove their abilities either within car dealerships or at independent repair and service businesses. By meeting all of the eligibility criteria and passing one or more tests, installers earn credentials that promote consumer trust and confidence. Because the tests are a true measure of an installer’s know-how and expertise, certification provides a higher level of professionalism. SEMA partnered with ASE, the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence, to develop this nationwide program exclusively for accessory installation professionals, helping to make dealerships and independent businesses stronger and more competitive.

Getting to Know John Waraniak and Bill Wolf

John Waraniak and Bill Wolf are distinguished professionals who engage in almost daily contact with OEM companies, providing them with unique insights into the auto manufacturing community as well as SEMA members. Waraniak heads up SEMA’s advanced vehicle technology strategy, programs and initiatives and has worked for automotive, motorsports, aerospace and consumer products companies for more than two decades. Wolf, SEMA’s senior director of OEM relations, is the direct liaison between the association and the automakers, and he has held executive positions with Mazda, Hyundai and Nissan. Both are available for consultation on any collaborative effort and can provide help in detailing a wide range of options and establishing contact between key personnel in the industry.

Don’t Assume; Take the Time to Learn

SEMA and its member companies recognize the pivotal role that the OEMs play in their businesses. As many vehicle sales outlets have discovered, SEMA companies can also be the fulcrum on which to leverage profits for the OEMs and their dealer networks. “Tighter profit margins and decreased service revenue have dealers eager to find new profit centers,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “Adding new dealerships to the retail ranks means market growth because dealers reach a broad range of consumers and can offer financing as part of the vehicle package. SEMA is working hard to help dealers learn more about these opportunities.” As more and more OEMs work to create accessory-friendly vehicles, those profit prospects will continue to grow. That type of collaboration ranks as the top Best Practice of all.

 

SEMA News - December 2009

By Steve Campbell

Both Sides Have Much to Gain From Collaborative Efforts

There is no better place than the SEMA Show for OEM engineers, marketing and public relations personnel to learn firsthand about the breadth of products available from the aftermarket.

This is the first in a series of SEMA News stories based on the idea of “Best Practices”—the use of reliable and repeatable methods to ensure business success. In coming issues, we will delve into topics ranging from digital and traditional marketing to employer/employee relations, from getting the most out of trade shows to exploring global distribution. In each case, we will point the way to overcoming what the American Productivity & Quality Center has identified as one of three major hurdles to developing Best Practices: lack of knowledge. And we hope to help in conquering the other two: lack of motivation and lack of skills.

SEMA-member companies have a vested interest in the new- and used-vehicle marketplace. The more cars and trucks rolling out the showroom doors, the larger the potential for accessory sales. Conversely, the original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their dealers stand to profit from working with SEMA companies to ensure that those vehicles offer the best prospect for personalization. In this era when doing it your way may mean the difference between a consumer making a purchase or keeping a closed wallet, every incentive counts. The following comprise the Best Practices for the OEMs to work with SEMA-member companies for the benefit of both.

Measuring Sessions

SEMA Measuring Sessions provide an opportunity for SEMA companies to develop products using data—measurements—gained from late prototypes or production versions of yet-to-be released vehicles. Based on Measuring Session data, specialty-equipment manufacturers have developed interior and exterior components and even some powertrain and drivetrain parts. The association’s manufacturer members are alerted weeks in advance of each session, and the resulting products eventually become one more sales tools for dealerships to promote on the showroom floor—or even to incorporate into their own private-label branding through supplier partnerships. The investment for the OEMs is insignificant compared with the potential returns.

Technology Transfer

While Measuring Sessions offer after-the-fact help with product development, the SEMA Technology Transfer program provides a more accurate and definitive means of first-generation design. The forward-thinking automakers who take part in Technology Transfer provide computer-aided-design (CAD) data directly from their own files so that specialty-equipment companies may develop ancillary products for upcoming cars and trucks. With such precise data, SEMA companies can use advanced software to deliver properly engineered and fitted parts well before a vehicle reaches the dealership. When the first customer walks in the door, a dealer salesperson can provide personalization options from both proprietary and third-party sources. The customer gets exactly what he or she wants, and the aftermarket helps sell another vehicle.

Vehicle Technology Briefing Sessions

As vehicle technology advances and systems become increasingly complex, SEMA educates and updates its members by providing information, research and insights for developing products, services and solutions quickly to enhance driver performance, safety, connectivity and entertainment. The Vehicle Technology Briefing series of seminars brings together the best minds from the most innovative companies to share not only the latest technological developments, but also the opportunities that result for both the OEMs and specialty-equipment companies. Organized by John Waraniak, SEMA’s vice president of vehicle technology, the sessions have covered topics that range from electronic stability control systems and green performance to electronics systems integration for both safety and infotainment. Interactive discussions with the audience are a major part of each program, and every session has included comments from the OEMs as well as specialty-equipment companies—both of which profit from keeping an eye on tomorrow.

The SEMA Show

The OEMs have become increasingly active at the SEMA Show, with more than a dozen brands exhibiting in the past two years. There is no better place for OEM engineers and marketing and public relations personnel to learn firsthand about the breadth of products available from the aftermarket for use in today’s vehicles and incorporation into future offerings through accessory-friendly designs. With the Show segmented into 12 market channels—including trucks, SUVs and off-road; wheels and tires; mobile electronics and technology; paint, body and equipment and many more—every phase of automotive design and innovation is covered. Partnerships that are now decades old were born at the SEMA Show.

Dealer Day at the SEMA Show

While the manufacturing arm of the new-car market is well-represented at the SEMA Show, it also holds a wealth of information and profit potential for car dealers. Dealer Day at the SEMA Show is designed to provide new- and used-vehicle dealers with a clear understanding of how to increase profits through accessory sales and how to integrate an accessory program into the fixed operations of any dealership. Held in cooperation with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and NAIDA, Dealer Day delivers educational meetings hosted by industry professionals and dealerships that have successfully incorporated accessory sales into their businesses. The programs also educate dealers about the use of third-party installers, inventory processes and stimulating floor traffic through display vehicles. Learning about the market makes sense for those who wish to expand profits during difficult times.

ProPledge

The ProPledge warranty assurance initiative is designed to increase sales of specialty automotive products through new- and used-car dealers by offering customers a standardized, uniform warranty that covers defects in products and installation for a minimum of 36 months/36,000 miles. Administered by the Specialty Equipment Warranty Alliance (SEWA) subsidiary of SEMA, ProPledge shows that the industry stands behind its products and services and gives both auto dealers and consumers peace of mind in personalizing vehicles. ProPledge includes protection in the event that a product or installation defect results in the denial of a vehicle warranty claim. Here is the complete list of participating manufacturers and installers and information about ProPledge. For more information, e-mail sewa@propledge.com.

Installer Certification Programs

The SEMA Installer Certification Program is a voluntary process through which accessory installers prove their abilities either within car dealerships or at independent repair and service businesses. By meeting all of the eligibility criteria and passing one or more tests, installers earn credentials that promote consumer trust and confidence. Because the tests are a true measure of an installer’s know-how and expertise, certification provides a higher level of professionalism. SEMA partnered with ASE, the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence, to develop this nationwide program exclusively for accessory installation professionals, helping to make dealerships and independent businesses stronger and more competitive.

Getting to Know John Waraniak and Bill Wolf

John Waraniak and Bill Wolf are distinguished professionals who engage in almost daily contact with OEM companies, providing them with unique insights into the auto manufacturing community as well as SEMA members. Waraniak heads up SEMA’s advanced vehicle technology strategy, programs and initiatives and has worked for automotive, motorsports, aerospace and consumer products companies for more than two decades. Wolf, SEMA’s senior director of OEM relations, is the direct liaison between the association and the automakers, and he has held executive positions with Mazda, Hyundai and Nissan. Both are available for consultation on any collaborative effort and can provide help in detailing a wide range of options and establishing contact between key personnel in the industry.

Don’t Assume; Take the Time to Learn

SEMA and its member companies recognize the pivotal role that the OEMs play in their businesses. As many vehicle sales outlets have discovered, SEMA companies can also be the fulcrum on which to leverage profits for the OEMs and their dealer networks. “Tighter profit margins and decreased service revenue have dealers eager to find new profit centers,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “Adding new dealerships to the retail ranks means market growth because dealers reach a broad range of consumers and can offer financing as part of the vehicle package. SEMA is working hard to help dealers learn more about these opportunities.” As more and more OEMs work to create accessory-friendly vehicles, those profit prospects will continue to grow. That type of collaboration ranks as the top Best Practice of all.

 

SEMA News - December 2009

By Steve Campbell

Both Sides Have Much to Gain From Collaborative Efforts

There is no better place than the SEMA Show for OEM engineers, marketing and public relations personnel to learn firsthand about the breadth of products available from the aftermarket.

This is the first in a series of SEMA News stories based on the idea of “Best Practices”—the use of reliable and repeatable methods to ensure business success. In coming issues, we will delve into topics ranging from digital and traditional marketing to employer/employee relations, from getting the most out of trade shows to exploring global distribution. In each case, we will point the way to overcoming what the American Productivity & Quality Center has identified as one of three major hurdles to developing Best Practices: lack of knowledge. And we hope to help in conquering the other two: lack of motivation and lack of skills.

SEMA-member companies have a vested interest in the new- and used-vehicle marketplace. The more cars and trucks rolling out the showroom doors, the larger the potential for accessory sales. Conversely, the original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their dealers stand to profit from working with SEMA companies to ensure that those vehicles offer the best prospect for personalization. In this era when doing it your way may mean the difference between a consumer making a purchase or keeping a closed wallet, every incentive counts. The following comprise the Best Practices for the OEMs to work with SEMA-member companies for the benefit of both.

Measuring Sessions

SEMA Measuring Sessions provide an opportunity for SEMA companies to develop products using data—measurements—gained from late prototypes or production versions of yet-to-be released vehicles. Based on Measuring Session data, specialty-equipment manufacturers have developed interior and exterior components and even some powertrain and drivetrain parts. The association’s manufacturer members are alerted weeks in advance of each session, and the resulting products eventually become one more sales tools for dealerships to promote on the showroom floor—or even to incorporate into their own private-label branding through supplier partnerships. The investment for the OEMs is insignificant compared with the potential returns.

Technology Transfer

While Measuring Sessions offer after-the-fact help with product development, the SEMA Technology Transfer program provides a more accurate and definitive means of first-generation design. The forward-thinking automakers who take part in Technology Transfer provide computer-aided-design (CAD) data directly from their own files so that specialty-equipment companies may develop ancillary products for upcoming cars and trucks. With such precise data, SEMA companies can use advanced software to deliver properly engineered and fitted parts well before a vehicle reaches the dealership. When the first customer walks in the door, a dealer salesperson can provide personalization options from both proprietary and third-party sources. The customer gets exactly what he or she wants, and the aftermarket helps sell another vehicle.

Vehicle Technology Briefing Sessions

As vehicle technology advances and systems become increasingly complex, SEMA educates and updates its members by providing information, research and insights for developing products, services and solutions quickly to enhance driver performance, safety, connectivity and entertainment. The Vehicle Technology Briefing series of seminars brings together the best minds from the most innovative companies to share not only the latest technological developments, but also the opportunities that result for both the OEMs and specialty-equipment companies. Organized by John Waraniak, SEMA’s vice president of vehicle technology, the sessions have covered topics that range from electronic stability control systems and green performance to electronics systems integration for both safety and infotainment. Interactive discussions with the audience are a major part of each program, and every session has included comments from the OEMs as well as specialty-equipment companies—both of which profit from keeping an eye on tomorrow.

The SEMA Show

The OEMs have become increasingly active at the SEMA Show, with more than a dozen brands exhibiting in the past two years. There is no better place for OEM engineers and marketing and public relations personnel to learn firsthand about the breadth of products available from the aftermarket for use in today’s vehicles and incorporation into future offerings through accessory-friendly designs. With the Show segmented into 12 market channels—including trucks, SUVs and off-road; wheels and tires; mobile electronics and technology; paint, body and equipment and many more—every phase of automotive design and innovation is covered. Partnerships that are now decades old were born at the SEMA Show.

Dealer Day at the SEMA Show

While the manufacturing arm of the new-car market is well-represented at the SEMA Show, it also holds a wealth of information and profit potential for car dealers. Dealer Day at the SEMA Show is designed to provide new- and used-vehicle dealers with a clear understanding of how to increase profits through accessory sales and how to integrate an accessory program into the fixed operations of any dealership. Held in cooperation with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and NAIDA, Dealer Day delivers educational meetings hosted by industry professionals and dealerships that have successfully incorporated accessory sales into their businesses. The programs also educate dealers about the use of third-party installers, inventory processes and stimulating floor traffic through display vehicles. Learning about the market makes sense for those who wish to expand profits during difficult times.

ProPledge

The ProPledge warranty assurance initiative is designed to increase sales of specialty automotive products through new- and used-car dealers by offering customers a standardized, uniform warranty that covers defects in products and installation for a minimum of 36 months/36,000 miles. Administered by the Specialty Equipment Warranty Alliance (SEWA) subsidiary of SEMA, ProPledge shows that the industry stands behind its products and services and gives both auto dealers and consumers peace of mind in personalizing vehicles. ProPledge includes protection in the event that a product or installation defect results in the denial of a vehicle warranty claim. Here is the complete list of participating manufacturers and installers and information about ProPledge. For more information, e-mail sewa@propledge.com.

Installer Certification Programs

The SEMA Installer Certification Program is a voluntary process through which accessory installers prove their abilities either within car dealerships or at independent repair and service businesses. By meeting all of the eligibility criteria and passing one or more tests, installers earn credentials that promote consumer trust and confidence. Because the tests are a true measure of an installer’s know-how and expertise, certification provides a higher level of professionalism. SEMA partnered with ASE, the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence, to develop this nationwide program exclusively for accessory installation professionals, helping to make dealerships and independent businesses stronger and more competitive.

Getting to Know John Waraniak and Bill Wolf

John Waraniak and Bill Wolf are distinguished professionals who engage in almost daily contact with OEM companies, providing them with unique insights into the auto manufacturing community as well as SEMA members. Waraniak heads up SEMA’s advanced vehicle technology strategy, programs and initiatives and has worked for automotive, motorsports, aerospace and consumer products companies for more than two decades. Wolf, SEMA’s senior director of OEM relations, is the direct liaison between the association and the automakers, and he has held executive positions with Mazda, Hyundai and Nissan. Both are available for consultation on any collaborative effort and can provide help in detailing a wide range of options and establishing contact between key personnel in the industry.

Don’t Assume; Take the Time to Learn

SEMA and its member companies recognize the pivotal role that the OEMs play in their businesses. As many vehicle sales outlets have discovered, SEMA companies can also be the fulcrum on which to leverage profits for the OEMs and their dealer networks. “Tighter profit margins and decreased service revenue have dealers eager to find new profit centers,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “Adding new dealerships to the retail ranks means market growth because dealers reach a broad range of consumers and can offer financing as part of the vehicle package. SEMA is working hard to help dealers learn more about these opportunities.” As more and more OEMs work to create accessory-friendly vehicles, those profit prospects will continue to grow. That type of collaboration ranks as the top Best Practice of all.

 

SEMA News - December 2009

By Steve Campbell

Both Sides Have Much to Gain From Collaborative Efforts

There is no better place than the SEMA Show for OEM engineers, marketing and public relations personnel to learn firsthand about the breadth of products available from the aftermarket.

This is the first in a series of SEMA News stories based on the idea of “Best Practices”—the use of reliable and repeatable methods to ensure business success. In coming issues, we will delve into topics ranging from digital and traditional marketing to employer/employee relations, from getting the most out of trade shows to exploring global distribution. In each case, we will point the way to overcoming what the American Productivity & Quality Center has identified as one of three major hurdles to developing Best Practices: lack of knowledge. And we hope to help in conquering the other two: lack of motivation and lack of skills.

SEMA-member companies have a vested interest in the new- and used-vehicle marketplace. The more cars and trucks rolling out the showroom doors, the larger the potential for accessory sales. Conversely, the original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their dealers stand to profit from working with SEMA companies to ensure that those vehicles offer the best prospect for personalization. In this era when doing it your way may mean the difference between a consumer making a purchase or keeping a closed wallet, every incentive counts. The following comprise the Best Practices for the OEMs to work with SEMA-member companies for the benefit of both.

Measuring Sessions

SEMA Measuring Sessions provide an opportunity for SEMA companies to develop products using data—measurements—gained from late prototypes or production versions of yet-to-be released vehicles. Based on Measuring Session data, specialty-equipment manufacturers have developed interior and exterior components and even some powertrain and drivetrain parts. The association’s manufacturer members are alerted weeks in advance of each session, and the resulting products eventually become one more sales tools for dealerships to promote on the showroom floor—or even to incorporate into their own private-label branding through supplier partnerships. The investment for the OEMs is insignificant compared with the potential returns.

Technology Transfer

While Measuring Sessions offer after-the-fact help with product development, the SEMA Technology Transfer program provides a more accurate and definitive means of first-generation design. The forward-thinking automakers who take part in Technology Transfer provide computer-aided-design (CAD) data directly from their own files so that specialty-equipment companies may develop ancillary products for upcoming cars and trucks. With such precise data, SEMA companies can use advanced software to deliver properly engineered and fitted parts well before a vehicle reaches the dealership. When the first customer walks in the door, a dealer salesperson can provide personalization options from both proprietary and third-party sources. The customer gets exactly what he or she wants, and the aftermarket helps sell another vehicle.

Vehicle Technology Briefing Sessions

As vehicle technology advances and systems become increasingly complex, SEMA educates and updates its members by providing information, research and insights for developing products, services and solutions quickly to enhance driver performance, safety, connectivity and entertainment. The Vehicle Technology Briefing series of seminars brings together the best minds from the most innovative companies to share not only the latest technological developments, but also the opportunities that result for both the OEMs and specialty-equipment companies. Organized by John Waraniak, SEMA’s vice president of vehicle technology, the sessions have covered topics that range from electronic stability control systems and green performance to electronics systems integration for both safety and infotainment. Interactive discussions with the audience are a major part of each program, and every session has included comments from the OEMs as well as specialty-equipment companies—both of which profit from keeping an eye on tomorrow.

The SEMA Show

The OEMs have become increasingly active at the SEMA Show, with more than a dozen brands exhibiting in the past two years. There is no better place for OEM engineers and marketing and public relations personnel to learn firsthand about the breadth of products available from the aftermarket for use in today’s vehicles and incorporation into future offerings through accessory-friendly designs. With the Show segmented into 12 market channels—including trucks, SUVs and off-road; wheels and tires; mobile electronics and technology; paint, body and equipment and many more—every phase of automotive design and innovation is covered. Partnerships that are now decades old were born at the SEMA Show.

Dealer Day at the SEMA Show

While the manufacturing arm of the new-car market is well-represented at the SEMA Show, it also holds a wealth of information and profit potential for car dealers. Dealer Day at the SEMA Show is designed to provide new- and used-vehicle dealers with a clear understanding of how to increase profits through accessory sales and how to integrate an accessory program into the fixed operations of any dealership. Held in cooperation with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and NAIDA, Dealer Day delivers educational meetings hosted by industry professionals and dealerships that have successfully incorporated accessory sales into their businesses. The programs also educate dealers about the use of third-party installers, inventory processes and stimulating floor traffic through display vehicles. Learning about the market makes sense for those who wish to expand profits during difficult times.

ProPledge

The ProPledge warranty assurance initiative is designed to increase sales of specialty automotive products through new- and used-car dealers by offering customers a standardized, uniform warranty that covers defects in products and installation for a minimum of 36 months/36,000 miles. Administered by the Specialty Equipment Warranty Alliance (SEWA) subsidiary of SEMA, ProPledge shows that the industry stands behind its products and services and gives both auto dealers and consumers peace of mind in personalizing vehicles. ProPledge includes protection in the event that a product or installation defect results in the denial of a vehicle warranty claim. Here is the complete list of participating manufacturers and installers and information about ProPledge. For more information, e-mail sewa@propledge.com.

Installer Certification Programs

The SEMA Installer Certification Program is a voluntary process through which accessory installers prove their abilities either within car dealerships or at independent repair and service businesses. By meeting all of the eligibility criteria and passing one or more tests, installers earn credentials that promote consumer trust and confidence. Because the tests are a true measure of an installer’s know-how and expertise, certification provides a higher level of professionalism. SEMA partnered with ASE, the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence, to develop this nationwide program exclusively for accessory installation professionals, helping to make dealerships and independent businesses stronger and more competitive.

Getting to Know John Waraniak and Bill Wolf

John Waraniak and Bill Wolf are distinguished professionals who engage in almost daily contact with OEM companies, providing them with unique insights into the auto manufacturing community as well as SEMA members. Waraniak heads up SEMA’s advanced vehicle technology strategy, programs and initiatives and has worked for automotive, motorsports, aerospace and consumer products companies for more than two decades. Wolf, SEMA’s senior director of OEM relations, is the direct liaison between the association and the automakers, and he has held executive positions with Mazda, Hyundai and Nissan. Both are available for consultation on any collaborative effort and can provide help in detailing a wide range of options and establishing contact between key personnel in the industry.

Don’t Assume; Take the Time to Learn

SEMA and its member companies recognize the pivotal role that the OEMs play in their businesses. As many vehicle sales outlets have discovered, SEMA companies can also be the fulcrum on which to leverage profits for the OEMs and their dealer networks. “Tighter profit margins and decreased service revenue have dealers eager to find new profit centers,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “Adding new dealerships to the retail ranks means market growth because dealers reach a broad range of consumers and can offer financing as part of the vehicle package. SEMA is working hard to help dealers learn more about these opportunities.” As more and more OEMs work to create accessory-friendly vehicles, those profit prospects will continue to grow. That type of collaboration ranks as the top Best Practice of all.

 

SEMA NEWS - December 2009

By Annie Kang

Two Programs Lead to Huge Time Savings for SEMA-Member Companies

	Not only is the Technology Transfer program a time and cost-saving initiative, but it also allows manufacturers to achieve designs that otherwise would be difficult to explore.

Designing new specialty-equipment products is a laborious, time-consuming procedure, and time is not a friend, as manufacturers will attest. With SEMA market research revealing that most consumers purchase specialty-equipment parts within the first three months of buying new cars, manufacturers must often race to place their products on the shelves by the time new vehicles hit the dealerships. SEMA offers two manufacturer-friendly programs—Technology Transfer and Measuring Sessions—that help SEMA-member companies meet that goal.

SEMA-hosted OEM Measuring Sessions allow members hands-on access to new vehicles in order to collect surface data, while the Technology Transfer program provides members with computer-aided design (CAD) data provided by participating OEMs.

“In order to gain access to new vehicles prior to these programs, members would either have to go to the dealers, which is inconvenient and dealers don’t always agree to that, or they would have to travel to trade shows, such as the SEMA Show, where it is crowded and there is a lot going on,” said Bill Wolf, SEMA senior director of OEM relations.

SEMA holds about 20 Measuring Sessions a year, and they are available only to SEMA-member manufacturers. Through Measuring Sessions, which are generally held at the OEM’s location, members have the opportunity to communicate directly with the automaker’s engineers.

According to Wolf, Measuring Sessions save members time spent in both effort and extended travel in order to obtain access to the vehicles, as well as providing them with a more controlled environment in which to collect their data.

With the Technology Transfer program, members can request data through the SEMA website. SEMA then electronically delivers the CAD files, which can be processed directly into their machinery and computers.

“Members can build the exact same product as the OEM without even seeing the car,” said Wolf. “That’s the beauty of the program—the first time they see the vehicle is when they go to fit the part.”

The intent of the program, which is open only to SEMA-member manufacturers, is to alleviate the necessity for reverse engineering.

“The Technology Transfer data eases my workload by eliminating most of the need to disassemble a vehicle and measure a part in order to get the basic dimensions needed to initiate a design,” said Aric Pogel, design engineer for Florida-based Steeda Autosports, a Ford-centric manufacturer of performance parts and accessories. “Further into the design, more time is saved by being able to predict interferences in a virtual environment rather than repeated test-fittings followed by design modifications.”

Steeda requests Technology Transfer data about once a month to design products for power upgrades; suspension and handling upgrades; and exterior body modifications, including bumper covers, rocker panels, hoods and trunks.

“For almost everything that we design, we request Technology Transfer data,” said Pogel.

Shane Wagner, engineering manager for Scott Drake Enterprises, a Nevada-based manufacturer of reproduction parts for classic and late-model Mustangs, agreed that the Technology Transfer program cuts a huge amount of time out of the design process.

“The program definitely speeds up the time it takes to produce a part,” said Wagner. “What would take us months now only takes us weeks. It’s night and day.”

Wagner first learned about the program while exhibiting at the 2006 SEMA Show with his prior employer.

SEMA holds about 20 Measuring Sessions a year, and they are available only to SEMA-member manufacturers. Through Measuring Sessions, which are generally held at the OEM’s location, members have the opportunity to communicate directly with the automaker’s engineers.

“I started using the program at my previous company after I learned about it at the SEMA Show, and then I implemented it when I came to Scott Drake,” said Wagner.

Wagner estimated that the program has saved the company thousands of dollars due to the reduced need for multiple prototypes and redesigns.

Not only is the Technology Transfer program a time and cost-saving initiative, but it also allows manufacturers to achieve designs that otherwise would be difficult to explore.

“A lot of the complex stuff that we do would be impossible by just measuring the vehicles,” said Wagner.

Member companies that have participated in either Measuring Sessions or the Technology Transfer program qualify to vote for the SEMA Most Accessory-Friendly Vehicles, which are awarded annually.

The first Measuring Session took place in 1997 for the ’98 Dodge Dakota and Durango and ’98 Ford Ranger and F-Series HD. The Technology Transfer program was established in 1999, providing data for the ’00 Ford Focus.

“Both programs came about as an offshoot of members asking for additional information on products,” said Wolf.

The challenge lay in getting the first of one of the major OEMs to participate in the programs. According to Wolf, once Ford signed on, many of the other OEMs soon followed.

“I think the OEMs started to realize how important customization is to a lot of consumers,” said Wolf. “It really behooves the OEMs to share information because it helps sells cars, it protects brand identity by helping aftermarket companies produce quality products, and it makes for a happy customer overall.”

 

 

 

SEMA NEWS - December 2009

By Annie Kang

Two Programs Lead to Huge Time Savings for SEMA-Member Companies

	Not only is the Technology Transfer program a time and cost-saving initiative, but it also allows manufacturers to achieve designs that otherwise would be difficult to explore.

Designing new specialty-equipment products is a laborious, time-consuming procedure, and time is not a friend, as manufacturers will attest. With SEMA market research revealing that most consumers purchase specialty-equipment parts within the first three months of buying new cars, manufacturers must often race to place their products on the shelves by the time new vehicles hit the dealerships. SEMA offers two manufacturer-friendly programs—Technology Transfer and Measuring Sessions—that help SEMA-member companies meet that goal.

SEMA-hosted OEM Measuring Sessions allow members hands-on access to new vehicles in order to collect surface data, while the Technology Transfer program provides members with computer-aided design (CAD) data provided by participating OEMs.

“In order to gain access to new vehicles prior to these programs, members would either have to go to the dealers, which is inconvenient and dealers don’t always agree to that, or they would have to travel to trade shows, such as the SEMA Show, where it is crowded and there is a lot going on,” said Bill Wolf, SEMA senior director of OEM relations.

SEMA holds about 20 Measuring Sessions a year, and they are available only to SEMA-member manufacturers. Through Measuring Sessions, which are generally held at the OEM’s location, members have the opportunity to communicate directly with the automaker’s engineers.

According to Wolf, Measuring Sessions save members time spent in both effort and extended travel in order to obtain access to the vehicles, as well as providing them with a more controlled environment in which to collect their data.

With the Technology Transfer program, members can request data through the SEMA website. SEMA then electronically delivers the CAD files, which can be processed directly into their machinery and computers.

“Members can build the exact same product as the OEM without even seeing the car,” said Wolf. “That’s the beauty of the program—the first time they see the vehicle is when they go to fit the part.”

The intent of the program, which is open only to SEMA-member manufacturers, is to alleviate the necessity for reverse engineering.

“The Technology Transfer data eases my workload by eliminating most of the need to disassemble a vehicle and measure a part in order to get the basic dimensions needed to initiate a design,” said Aric Pogel, design engineer for Florida-based Steeda Autosports, a Ford-centric manufacturer of performance parts and accessories. “Further into the design, more time is saved by being able to predict interferences in a virtual environment rather than repeated test-fittings followed by design modifications.”

Steeda requests Technology Transfer data about once a month to design products for power upgrades; suspension and handling upgrades; and exterior body modifications, including bumper covers, rocker panels, hoods and trunks.

“For almost everything that we design, we request Technology Transfer data,” said Pogel.

Shane Wagner, engineering manager for Scott Drake Enterprises, a Nevada-based manufacturer of reproduction parts for classic and late-model Mustangs, agreed that the Technology Transfer program cuts a huge amount of time out of the design process.

“The program definitely speeds up the time it takes to produce a part,” said Wagner. “What would take us months now only takes us weeks. It’s night and day.”

Wagner first learned about the program while exhibiting at the 2006 SEMA Show with his prior employer.

SEMA holds about 20 Measuring Sessions a year, and they are available only to SEMA-member manufacturers. Through Measuring Sessions, which are generally held at the OEM’s location, members have the opportunity to communicate directly with the automaker’s engineers.

“I started using the program at my previous company after I learned about it at the SEMA Show, and then I implemented it when I came to Scott Drake,” said Wagner.

Wagner estimated that the program has saved the company thousands of dollars due to the reduced need for multiple prototypes and redesigns.

Not only is the Technology Transfer program a time and cost-saving initiative, but it also allows manufacturers to achieve designs that otherwise would be difficult to explore.

“A lot of the complex stuff that we do would be impossible by just measuring the vehicles,” said Wagner.

Member companies that have participated in either Measuring Sessions or the Technology Transfer program qualify to vote for the SEMA Most Accessory-Friendly Vehicles, which are awarded annually.

The first Measuring Session took place in 1997 for the ’98 Dodge Dakota and Durango and ’98 Ford Ranger and F-Series HD. The Technology Transfer program was established in 1999, providing data for the ’00 Ford Focus.

“Both programs came about as an offshoot of members asking for additional information on products,” said Wolf.

The challenge lay in getting the first of one of the major OEMs to participate in the programs. According to Wolf, once Ford signed on, many of the other OEMs soon followed.

“I think the OEMs started to realize how important customization is to a lot of consumers,” said Wolf. “It really behooves the OEMs to share information because it helps sells cars, it protects brand identity by helping aftermarket companies produce quality products, and it makes for a happy customer overall.”

 

 

 

SEMA NEWS - December 2009

By Annie Kang

Two Programs Lead to Huge Time Savings for SEMA-Member Companies

	Not only is the Technology Transfer program a time and cost-saving initiative, but it also allows manufacturers to achieve designs that otherwise would be difficult to explore.

Designing new specialty-equipment products is a laborious, time-consuming procedure, and time is not a friend, as manufacturers will attest. With SEMA market research revealing that most consumers purchase specialty-equipment parts within the first three months of buying new cars, manufacturers must often race to place their products on the shelves by the time new vehicles hit the dealerships. SEMA offers two manufacturer-friendly programs—Technology Transfer and Measuring Sessions—that help SEMA-member companies meet that goal.

SEMA-hosted OEM Measuring Sessions allow members hands-on access to new vehicles in order to collect surface data, while the Technology Transfer program provides members with computer-aided design (CAD) data provided by participating OEMs.

“In order to gain access to new vehicles prior to these programs, members would either have to go to the dealers, which is inconvenient and dealers don’t always agree to that, or they would have to travel to trade shows, such as the SEMA Show, where it is crowded and there is a lot going on,” said Bill Wolf, SEMA senior director of OEM relations.

SEMA holds about 20 Measuring Sessions a year, and they are available only to SEMA-member manufacturers. Through Measuring Sessions, which are generally held at the OEM’s location, members have the opportunity to communicate directly with the automaker’s engineers.

According to Wolf, Measuring Sessions save members time spent in both effort and extended travel in order to obtain access to the vehicles, as well as providing them with a more controlled environment in which to collect their data.

With the Technology Transfer program, members can request data through the SEMA website. SEMA then electronically delivers the CAD files, which can be processed directly into their machinery and computers.

“Members can build the exact same product as the OEM without even seeing the car,” said Wolf. “That’s the beauty of the program—the first time they see the vehicle is when they go to fit the part.”

The intent of the program, which is open only to SEMA-member manufacturers, is to alleviate the necessity for reverse engineering.

“The Technology Transfer data eases my workload by eliminating most of the need to disassemble a vehicle and measure a part in order to get the basic dimensions needed to initiate a design,” said Aric Pogel, design engineer for Florida-based Steeda Autosports, a Ford-centric manufacturer of performance parts and accessories. “Further into the design, more time is saved by being able to predict interferences in a virtual environment rather than repeated test-fittings followed by design modifications.”

Steeda requests Technology Transfer data about once a month to design products for power upgrades; suspension and handling upgrades; and exterior body modifications, including bumper covers, rocker panels, hoods and trunks.

“For almost everything that we design, we request Technology Transfer data,” said Pogel.

Shane Wagner, engineering manager for Scott Drake Enterprises, a Nevada-based manufacturer of reproduction parts for classic and late-model Mustangs, agreed that the Technology Transfer program cuts a huge amount of time out of the design process.

“The program definitely speeds up the time it takes to produce a part,” said Wagner. “What would take us months now only takes us weeks. It’s night and day.”

Wagner first learned about the program while exhibiting at the 2006 SEMA Show with his prior employer.

SEMA holds about 20 Measuring Sessions a year, and they are available only to SEMA-member manufacturers. Through Measuring Sessions, which are generally held at the OEM’s location, members have the opportunity to communicate directly with the automaker’s engineers.

“I started using the program at my previous company after I learned about it at the SEMA Show, and then I implemented it when I came to Scott Drake,” said Wagner.

Wagner estimated that the program has saved the company thousands of dollars due to the reduced need for multiple prototypes and redesigns.

Not only is the Technology Transfer program a time and cost-saving initiative, but it also allows manufacturers to achieve designs that otherwise would be difficult to explore.

“A lot of the complex stuff that we do would be impossible by just measuring the vehicles,” said Wagner.

Member companies that have participated in either Measuring Sessions or the Technology Transfer program qualify to vote for the SEMA Most Accessory-Friendly Vehicles, which are awarded annually.

The first Measuring Session took place in 1997 for the ’98 Dodge Dakota and Durango and ’98 Ford Ranger and F-Series HD. The Technology Transfer program was established in 1999, providing data for the ’00 Ford Focus.

“Both programs came about as an offshoot of members asking for additional information on products,” said Wolf.

The challenge lay in getting the first of one of the major OEMs to participate in the programs. According to Wolf, once Ford signed on, many of the other OEMs soon followed.

“I think the OEMs started to realize how important customization is to a lot of consumers,” said Wolf. “It really behooves the OEMs to share information because it helps sells cars, it protects brand identity by helping aftermarket companies produce quality products, and it makes for a happy customer overall.”

 

 

 

SEMA NEWS - December 2009

By Annie Kang

Two Programs Lead to Huge Time Savings for SEMA-Member Companies

	Not only is the Technology Transfer program a time and cost-saving initiative, but it also allows manufacturers to achieve designs that otherwise would be difficult to explore.

Designing new specialty-equipment products is a laborious, time-consuming procedure, and time is not a friend, as manufacturers will attest. With SEMA market research revealing that most consumers purchase specialty-equipment parts within the first three months of buying new cars, manufacturers must often race to place their products on the shelves by the time new vehicles hit the dealerships. SEMA offers two manufacturer-friendly programs—Technology Transfer and Measuring Sessions—that help SEMA-member companies meet that goal.

SEMA-hosted OEM Measuring Sessions allow members hands-on access to new vehicles in order to collect surface data, while the Technology Transfer program provides members with computer-aided design (CAD) data provided by participating OEMs.

“In order to gain access to new vehicles prior to these programs, members would either have to go to the dealers, which is inconvenient and dealers don’t always agree to that, or they would have to travel to trade shows, such as the SEMA Show, where it is crowded and there is a lot going on,” said Bill Wolf, SEMA senior director of OEM relations.

SEMA holds about 20 Measuring Sessions a year, and they are available only to SEMA-member manufacturers. Through Measuring Sessions, which are generally held at the OEM’s location, members have the opportunity to communicate directly with the automaker’s engineers.

According to Wolf, Measuring Sessions save members time spent in both effort and extended travel in order to obtain access to the vehicles, as well as providing them with a more controlled environment in which to collect their data.

With the Technology Transfer program, members can request data through the SEMA website. SEMA then electronically delivers the CAD files, which can be processed directly into their machinery and computers.

“Members can build the exact same product as the OEM without even seeing the car,” said Wolf. “That’s the beauty of the program—the first time they see the vehicle is when they go to fit the part.”

The intent of the program, which is open only to SEMA-member manufacturers, is to alleviate the necessity for reverse engineering.

“The Technology Transfer data eases my workload by eliminating most of the need to disassemble a vehicle and measure a part in order to get the basic dimensions needed to initiate a design,” said Aric Pogel, design engineer for Florida-based Steeda Autosports, a Ford-centric manufacturer of performance parts and accessories. “Further into the design, more time is saved by being able to predict interferences in a virtual environment rather than repeated test-fittings followed by design modifications.”

Steeda requests Technology Transfer data about once a month to design products for power upgrades; suspension and handling upgrades; and exterior body modifications, including bumper covers, rocker panels, hoods and trunks.

“For almost everything that we design, we request Technology Transfer data,” said Pogel.

Shane Wagner, engineering manager for Scott Drake Enterprises, a Nevada-based manufacturer of reproduction parts for classic and late-model Mustangs, agreed that the Technology Transfer program cuts a huge amount of time out of the design process.

“The program definitely speeds up the time it takes to produce a part,” said Wagner. “What would take us months now only takes us weeks. It’s night and day.”

Wagner first learned about the program while exhibiting at the 2006 SEMA Show with his prior employer.

SEMA holds about 20 Measuring Sessions a year, and they are available only to SEMA-member manufacturers. Through Measuring Sessions, which are generally held at the OEM’s location, members have the opportunity to communicate directly with the automaker’s engineers.

“I started using the program at my previous company after I learned about it at the SEMA Show, and then I implemented it when I came to Scott Drake,” said Wagner.

Wagner estimated that the program has saved the company thousands of dollars due to the reduced need for multiple prototypes and redesigns.

Not only is the Technology Transfer program a time and cost-saving initiative, but it also allows manufacturers to achieve designs that otherwise would be difficult to explore.

“A lot of the complex stuff that we do would be impossible by just measuring the vehicles,” said Wagner.

Member companies that have participated in either Measuring Sessions or the Technology Transfer program qualify to vote for the SEMA Most Accessory-Friendly Vehicles, which are awarded annually.

The first Measuring Session took place in 1997 for the ’98 Dodge Dakota and Durango and ’98 Ford Ranger and F-Series HD. The Technology Transfer program was established in 1999, providing data for the ’00 Ford Focus.

“Both programs came about as an offshoot of members asking for additional information on products,” said Wolf.

The challenge lay in getting the first of one of the major OEMs to participate in the programs. According to Wolf, once Ford signed on, many of the other OEMs soon followed.

“I think the OEMs started to realize how important customization is to a lot of consumers,” said Wolf. “It really behooves the OEMs to share information because it helps sells cars, it protects brand identity by helping aftermarket companies produce quality products, and it makes for a happy customer overall.”

 

 

 

SEMA NEWS - December 2009

By Annie Kang

Two Programs Lead to Huge Time Savings for SEMA-Member Companies

	Not only is the Technology Transfer program a time and cost-saving initiative, but it also allows manufacturers to achieve designs that otherwise would be difficult to explore.

Designing new specialty-equipment products is a laborious, time-consuming procedure, and time is not a friend, as manufacturers will attest. With SEMA market research revealing that most consumers purchase specialty-equipment parts within the first three months of buying new cars, manufacturers must often race to place their products on the shelves by the time new vehicles hit the dealerships. SEMA offers two manufacturer-friendly programs—Technology Transfer and Measuring Sessions—that help SEMA-member companies meet that goal.

SEMA-hosted OEM Measuring Sessions allow members hands-on access to new vehicles in order to collect surface data, while the Technology Transfer program provides members with computer-aided design (CAD) data provided by participating OEMs.

“In order to gain access to new vehicles prior to these programs, members would either have to go to the dealers, which is inconvenient and dealers don’t always agree to that, or they would have to travel to trade shows, such as the SEMA Show, where it is crowded and there is a lot going on,” said Bill Wolf, SEMA senior director of OEM relations.

SEMA holds about 20 Measuring Sessions a year, and they are available only to SEMA-member manufacturers. Through Measuring Sessions, which are generally held at the OEM’s location, members have the opportunity to communicate directly with the automaker’s engineers.

According to Wolf, Measuring Sessions save members time spent in both effort and extended travel in order to obtain access to the vehicles, as well as providing them with a more controlled environment in which to collect their data.

With the Technology Transfer program, members can request data through the SEMA website. SEMA then electronically delivers the CAD files, which can be processed directly into their machinery and computers.

“Members can build the exact same product as the OEM without even seeing the car,” said Wolf. “That’s the beauty of the program—the first time they see the vehicle is when they go to fit the part.”

The intent of the program, which is open only to SEMA-member manufacturers, is to alleviate the necessity for reverse engineering.

“The Technology Transfer data eases my workload by eliminating most of the need to disassemble a vehicle and measure a part in order to get the basic dimensions needed to initiate a design,” said Aric Pogel, design engineer for Florida-based Steeda Autosports, a Ford-centric manufacturer of performance parts and accessories. “Further into the design, more time is saved by being able to predict interferences in a virtual environment rather than repeated test-fittings followed by design modifications.”

Steeda requests Technology Transfer data about once a month to design products for power upgrades; suspension and handling upgrades; and exterior body modifications, including bumper covers, rocker panels, hoods and trunks.

“For almost everything that we design, we request Technology Transfer data,” said Pogel.

Shane Wagner, engineering manager for Scott Drake Enterprises, a Nevada-based manufacturer of reproduction parts for classic and late-model Mustangs, agreed that the Technology Transfer program cuts a huge amount of time out of the design process.

“The program definitely speeds up the time it takes to produce a part,” said Wagner. “What would take us months now only takes us weeks. It’s night and day.”

Wagner first learned about the program while exhibiting at the 2006 SEMA Show with his prior employer.

SEMA holds about 20 Measuring Sessions a year, and they are available only to SEMA-member manufacturers. Through Measuring Sessions, which are generally held at the OEM’s location, members have the opportunity to communicate directly with the automaker’s engineers.

“I started using the program at my previous company after I learned about it at the SEMA Show, and then I implemented it when I came to Scott Drake,” said Wagner.

Wagner estimated that the program has saved the company thousands of dollars due to the reduced need for multiple prototypes and redesigns.

Not only is the Technology Transfer program a time and cost-saving initiative, but it also allows manufacturers to achieve designs that otherwise would be difficult to explore.

“A lot of the complex stuff that we do would be impossible by just measuring the vehicles,” said Wagner.

Member companies that have participated in either Measuring Sessions or the Technology Transfer program qualify to vote for the SEMA Most Accessory-Friendly Vehicles, which are awarded annually.

The first Measuring Session took place in 1997 for the ’98 Dodge Dakota and Durango and ’98 Ford Ranger and F-Series HD. The Technology Transfer program was established in 1999, providing data for the ’00 Ford Focus.

“Both programs came about as an offshoot of members asking for additional information on products,” said Wolf.

The challenge lay in getting the first of one of the major OEMs to participate in the programs. According to Wolf, once Ford signed on, many of the other OEMs soon followed.

“I think the OEMs started to realize how important customization is to a lot of consumers,” said Wolf. “It really behooves the OEMs to share information because it helps sells cars, it protects brand identity by helping aftermarket companies produce quality products, and it makes for a happy customer overall.”

 

 

 

SEMA NEWS - December 2009

By Annie Kang

Two Programs Lead to Huge Time Savings for SEMA-Member Companies

	Not only is the Technology Transfer program a time and cost-saving initiative, but it also allows manufacturers to achieve designs that otherwise would be difficult to explore.

Designing new specialty-equipment products is a laborious, time-consuming procedure, and time is not a friend, as manufacturers will attest. With SEMA market research revealing that most consumers purchase specialty-equipment parts within the first three months of buying new cars, manufacturers must often race to place their products on the shelves by the time new vehicles hit the dealerships. SEMA offers two manufacturer-friendly programs—Technology Transfer and Measuring Sessions—that help SEMA-member companies meet that goal.

SEMA-hosted OEM Measuring Sessions allow members hands-on access to new vehicles in order to collect surface data, while the Technology Transfer program provides members with computer-aided design (CAD) data provided by participating OEMs.

“In order to gain access to new vehicles prior to these programs, members would either have to go to the dealers, which is inconvenient and dealers don’t always agree to that, or they would have to travel to trade shows, such as the SEMA Show, where it is crowded and there is a lot going on,” said Bill Wolf, SEMA senior director of OEM relations.

SEMA holds about 20 Measuring Sessions a year, and they are available only to SEMA-member manufacturers. Through Measuring Sessions, which are generally held at the OEM’s location, members have the opportunity to communicate directly with the automaker’s engineers.

According to Wolf, Measuring Sessions save members time spent in both effort and extended travel in order to obtain access to the vehicles, as well as providing them with a more controlled environment in which to collect their data.

With the Technology Transfer program, members can request data through the SEMA website. SEMA then electronically delivers the CAD files, which can be processed directly into their machinery and computers.

“Members can build the exact same product as the OEM without even seeing the car,” said Wolf. “That’s the beauty of the program—the first time they see the vehicle is when they go to fit the part.”

The intent of the program, which is open only to SEMA-member manufacturers, is to alleviate the necessity for reverse engineering.

“The Technology Transfer data eases my workload by eliminating most of the need to disassemble a vehicle and measure a part in order to get the basic dimensions needed to initiate a design,” said Aric Pogel, design engineer for Florida-based Steeda Autosports, a Ford-centric manufacturer of performance parts and accessories. “Further into the design, more time is saved by being able to predict interferences in a virtual environment rather than repeated test-fittings followed by design modifications.”

Steeda requests Technology Transfer data about once a month to design products for power upgrades; suspension and handling upgrades; and exterior body modifications, including bumper covers, rocker panels, hoods and trunks.

“For almost everything that we design, we request Technology Transfer data,” said Pogel.

Shane Wagner, engineering manager for Scott Drake Enterprises, a Nevada-based manufacturer of reproduction parts for classic and late-model Mustangs, agreed that the Technology Transfer program cuts a huge amount of time out of the design process.

“The program definitely speeds up the time it takes to produce a part,” said Wagner. “What would take us months now only takes us weeks. It’s night and day.”

Wagner first learned about the program while exhibiting at the 2006 SEMA Show with his prior employer.

SEMA holds about 20 Measuring Sessions a year, and they are available only to SEMA-member manufacturers. Through Measuring Sessions, which are generally held at the OEM’s location, members have the opportunity to communicate directly with the automaker’s engineers.

“I started using the program at my previous company after I learned about it at the SEMA Show, and then I implemented it when I came to Scott Drake,” said Wagner.

Wagner estimated that the program has saved the company thousands of dollars due to the reduced need for multiple prototypes and redesigns.

Not only is the Technology Transfer program a time and cost-saving initiative, but it also allows manufacturers to achieve designs that otherwise would be difficult to explore.

“A lot of the complex stuff that we do would be impossible by just measuring the vehicles,” said Wagner.

Member companies that have participated in either Measuring Sessions or the Technology Transfer program qualify to vote for the SEMA Most Accessory-Friendly Vehicles, which are awarded annually.

The first Measuring Session took place in 1997 for the ’98 Dodge Dakota and Durango and ’98 Ford Ranger and F-Series HD. The Technology Transfer program was established in 1999, providing data for the ’00 Ford Focus.

“Both programs came about as an offshoot of members asking for additional information on products,” said Wolf.

The challenge lay in getting the first of one of the major OEMs to participate in the programs. According to Wolf, once Ford signed on, many of the other OEMs soon followed.

“I think the OEMs started to realize how important customization is to a lot of consumers,” said Wolf. “It really behooves the OEMs to share information because it helps sells cars, it protects brand identity by helping aftermarket companies produce quality products, and it makes for a happy customer overall.”