Matt Smith was named the national sales manager for Flex-a-lite.

Matt Smith Named Flex-a-lite National Sales Manager

Matt Smith was named the national sales manager for Flex-a-lite. The 50-year-old company manufactures performance aluminum radiators, electric cooling fans, belt-driven fans, compact Mojave heaters and more. Smith brings to Flex-a-lite a decade of sales experience in the automotive industry, including roles as regional sales manager for MANN+HUMMEL, where he achieved quarter-after-quarter of sales growth. He also worked for Foster Babcock & Associates as an account manager, overseeing sales and executing training seminars.

ACAT Global Recognized as Michigan’s Top 50 Companies to Watch

Advanced Clean Air Technologies (ACAT) Global was recognized as one of Michigan’s 50 Companies to Watch as part of the 2014 Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards. ACAT Global joins a select group of the 2014 honorees. Chosen by a panel of entrepreneurs and leaders in economic development, firms recognized are headquartered in the Great Lakes State and are beyond the start-up phase. The awards also require that honorees must show “evidence such as employee or sales growth, exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, sustainable competitive advantage or other notable factors that showcase the company’s success.” ACAT Global was recognized May 6, 2014, at the 10th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business banquet, held at the Breslin Center in Lansing, Michigan.

Hammerking Taps Ron Stobaugh to Lead Sales Team

Hammerking Productions Inc., creators of the Griffin King of The Hammers Presented by Nitto Tire and ULTRA4 Racing, has appointed Ron Stobaugh as vice president of sales and business development. Stobaugh, who will oversee the operations of the Hammerking sales team, joins the organization with more than 25 years of off-road business experience and 80+ off-road races under his belt. He will immediately begin working with the existing management team to partner with existing and potential sponsors to promote the current 2014 ULTRA4 Racing Season, and begin planning for the 2015 Griffin King of The Hammers Presented by Nitto Tire.

"I've been a fan of King of the Hammers since the beginning." said Ron Stobaugh, who went on to say, "I truly believe Ultra4 Racing offers significant value to both industry partners and non-endemic companies. Hammerking has a diverse offering including event promotion, media production and race management. I look forward to leveraging these assets and providing a strong value proposition to our partners."

Mickey Thompson Sponsors Rockstar Performance Garage

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels has announced that the company is an official sponsor of the Rockstar Performance Garage. Established in 2012 with Rockstar Energy Drinks and LDRSHIP Designs, the Rockstar Performance Garage (RPG) is a fully functioning performance automotive shop, specializing in custom project-vehicle development on behalf of major automotive and lifestyle brands.

Mickey Thompson joins numerous industry brands to participate in the 17-event RPG season. including the recent Moab Easter Jeep Safari. The Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ tires will be featured on the RPG trailer-hauling truck for all events, and both the truck and trailer will be branded with the Mickey Thompson logo.

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

By Jason Catullo

	More than 600 companies specializing in performance products have selected their booth locations within the Show's Racing & Performance section during the Priority Space Selection process, which runs through May 23.

More than 600 companies specializing in high-performance products and innovations have selected their spots within the 2014 SEMA Show’s Racing & Performance section. The companies are participating in the Priority Space Selection Process that began this week, May 5, and runs through Friday, May 23. View an updated layout of the Show’s Central Hall and the companies that have already confirmed locations for the section. For an overall layout of the 2014 SEMA Show, or to view the Show section by section, use the 2014 SEMA Show Floorplan.

Manufacturers interested in exhibiting at the upcoming event can visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth or e-mail sales@sema.org for information.

In addition to the Racing & Performance section, the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center also contains the Hot Rod Alley and the Restoration Marketplace. Prior to the May 5 launch of the Priority Space Selection process, Show organizers reported that the more than 2,000 companies reserving space for the 2014 Show represents an increase of nearly 10% over the 2013 selection process.

The 2014 SEMA Show, which takes place November 4–7, in Las Vegas, is on pace to attract more than 130,000 industry professionals, including 60,000 buyers, from all over the world. As a trade-only show, manufacturers exhibit at the Show to unveil new products and connect with buyers to do business.

About the Priority Selection Process
Prior to May 5, confirmation e-mails were sent to 2014 SEMA Show exhibitors verifying participation in the 2014 SEMA Show Priority Booth Space Drawing. The e-mails were sent to the “exhibitor contact” that was listed on the space application and include the assigned dates and times (with a one-hour time range), along with important information about the process and a link to the SEMA Show Floorplan.

By Jason Catullo

	More than 600 companies specializing in performance products have selected their booth locations within the Show's Racing & Performance section during the Priority Space Selection process, which runs through May 23.

More than 600 companies specializing in high-performance products and innovations have selected their spots within the 2014 SEMA Show’s Racing & Performance section. The companies are participating in the Priority Space Selection Process that began this week, May 5, and runs through Friday, May 23. View an updated layout of the Show’s Central Hall and the companies that have already confirmed locations for the section. For an overall layout of the 2014 SEMA Show, or to view the Show section by section, use the 2014 SEMA Show Floorplan.

Manufacturers interested in exhibiting at the upcoming event can visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth or e-mail sales@sema.org for information.

In addition to the Racing & Performance section, the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center also contains the Hot Rod Alley and the Restoration Marketplace. Prior to the May 5 launch of the Priority Space Selection process, Show organizers reported that the more than 2,000 companies reserving space for the 2014 Show represents an increase of nearly 10% over the 2013 selection process.

The 2014 SEMA Show, which takes place November 4–7, in Las Vegas, is on pace to attract more than 130,000 industry professionals, including 60,000 buyers, from all over the world. As a trade-only show, manufacturers exhibit at the Show to unveil new products and connect with buyers to do business.

About the Priority Selection Process
Prior to May 5, confirmation e-mails were sent to 2014 SEMA Show exhibitors verifying participation in the 2014 SEMA Show Priority Booth Space Drawing. The e-mails were sent to the “exhibitor contact” that was listed on the space application and include the assigned dates and times (with a one-hour time range), along with important information about the process and a link to the SEMA Show Floorplan.

By Jason Catullo

	More than 600 companies specializing in performance products have selected their booth locations within the Show's Racing & Performance section during the Priority Space Selection process, which runs through May 23.

More than 600 companies specializing in high-performance products and innovations have selected their spots within the 2014 SEMA Show’s Racing & Performance section. The companies are participating in the Priority Space Selection Process that began this week, May 5, and runs through Friday, May 23. View an updated layout of the Show’s Central Hall and the companies that have already confirmed locations for the section. For an overall layout of the 2014 SEMA Show, or to view the Show section by section, use the 2014 SEMA Show Floorplan.

Manufacturers interested in exhibiting at the upcoming event can visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth or e-mail sales@sema.org for information.

In addition to the Racing & Performance section, the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center also contains the Hot Rod Alley and the Restoration Marketplace. Prior to the May 5 launch of the Priority Space Selection process, Show organizers reported that the more than 2,000 companies reserving space for the 2014 Show represents an increase of nearly 10% over the 2013 selection process.

The 2014 SEMA Show, which takes place November 4–7, in Las Vegas, is on pace to attract more than 130,000 industry professionals, including 60,000 buyers, from all over the world. As a trade-only show, manufacturers exhibit at the Show to unveil new products and connect with buyers to do business.

About the Priority Selection Process
Prior to May 5, confirmation e-mails were sent to 2014 SEMA Show exhibitors verifying participation in the 2014 SEMA Show Priority Booth Space Drawing. The e-mails were sent to the “exhibitor contact” that was listed on the space application and include the assigned dates and times (with a one-hour time range), along with important information about the process and a link to the SEMA Show Floorplan.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill to permanently extend the research and development (R&D) credit. Several other bills to permanently extend tax credits that expired in 2013 are awaiting House consideration, including an extension of the $500,000 small-business expensing limit. The Senate Finance Committee has already approved a SEMA-supported bill extending most of the nearly 60 expired tax breaks for another two years. The Senate bill would also extend the 50% bonus depreciation for qualified property purchased before January 1, 2016.

The bill is now being scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor. At some point, the House and Senate bills will be reconciled and lawmakers will need to identify revenue offsets to pay for the extenders.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill to permanently extend the research and development (R&D) credit. Several other bills to permanently extend tax credits that expired in 2013 are awaiting House consideration, including an extension of the $500,000 small-business expensing limit. The Senate Finance Committee has already approved a SEMA-supported bill extending most of the nearly 60 expired tax breaks for another two years. The Senate bill would also extend the 50% bonus depreciation for qualified property purchased before January 1, 2016.

The bill is now being scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor. At some point, the House and Senate bills will be reconciled and lawmakers will need to identify revenue offsets to pay for the extenders.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill to permanently extend the research and development (R&D) credit. Several other bills to permanently extend tax credits that expired in 2013 are awaiting House consideration, including an extension of the $500,000 small-business expensing limit. The Senate Finance Committee has already approved a SEMA-supported bill extending most of the nearly 60 expired tax breaks for another two years. The Senate bill would also extend the 50% bonus depreciation for qualified property purchased before January 1, 2016.

The bill is now being scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor. At some point, the House and Senate bills will be reconciled and lawmakers will need to identify revenue offsets to pay for the extenders.

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