SEMA News—May 2014

CHRIS KERSTING

Blowin' and Goin’—SEMA Data Co-op Powering Industry Sales

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) is now completing its first year in full-operations mode, and we thought you might like to see that your industry-owned data management resource is now well–established and helping companies increase sales every day. As a reminder—the SDC is operating a centralized product data service for manufacturers that organizes, houses and then distributes online product catalog information to WDs and retailers to help power all manner of business systems, ultimately driving sales growth.

What does the Data Co-op progress report card look like? Consider these results from the first year of operations:

• More than 280 manufacturer brands have joined the Data Co-op and have their product information in the system—with more in process every week.
• Manufacturers have loaded product information for more than 1.3 million SKUs with more than 18.1 million vehicle applications.
• The Data Co-op has more than 320 data receivers—WDs and retailers—actively using SDC data feeds to power sales, and it’s FREE to SEMA members.
• The SDC is exporting an average of over 7,000 data feeds per week.
• SDC data quality is setting a new industry standard, with manufacturers providing regularly updated, detailed product information along with digital assets, such as product images, instruction sheets and videos.

Because the distributors and retailers now using SDC data are so numerous and have been so active, product data from suppliers has been flowing into the marketplace faster than ever. So the idea of getting clean data out to the broader marketplace is no longer a concept. It’s a reality. Ultimately, the SDC means more folks are finding the product information they need to make sales, and sales are increasing.

As an industry-owned effort, an important focus for this centralized data resource is efficiency and affordability. With the strong trend of companies joining, the SEMA Data Co-op value proposition is rapidly becoming evident to other industry members—and the outcome is a positive snow-balling effect.

Now that the SDC is running on all cylinders, what’s next? For 2014, development of additional tools and services is a high priority. The SDC team is pushing hard to develop SEMA Search. This robust web-based search tool will make it possible to access the entire SDC database, all from a single search tool. With SEMA Search—available to SEMA members at no charge as part of their membership—a counterperson can find out what is available for a customer’s application in seconds, so more sales can be closed on the spot. It’s a big project, but this capability is so important the SDC has hired a full-time software developer and made this project a top priority.

As part of a continuous improvement process, enhancements have recently been launched that give the SDC unequaled capability in working with very large data files, which has proven critical to effectively handling SKU-intensive categories, such as dash, seat and car covers. Updating the system to accommodate the newest PIES standard and enable better product searches is another system enhancement now in the works.

If your company is not doing the most it can to have your product information available for B2B and B2C product look-ups, or if you are a distributor or retailer wanting to increase sales by access to complete and reliable product information, I urge you to contact the SDC to learn more. You can reach the SDC’s Jim Graven at 888-958-6698 x4 or Jon Wyly at 888-958-6698 x1. Do it today and help your company start growing sales tomorrow.

—Chris Kersting, SEMA President and CEO

SEMA News—May 2014

CHRIS KERSTING

Blowin' and Goin’—SEMA Data Co-op Powering Industry Sales

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) is now completing its first year in full-operations mode, and we thought you might like to see that your industry-owned data management resource is now well–established and helping companies increase sales every day. As a reminder—the SDC is operating a centralized product data service for manufacturers that organizes, houses and then distributes online product catalog information to WDs and retailers to help power all manner of business systems, ultimately driving sales growth.

What does the Data Co-op progress report card look like? Consider these results from the first year of operations:

• More than 280 manufacturer brands have joined the Data Co-op and have their product information in the system—with more in process every week.
• Manufacturers have loaded product information for more than 1.3 million SKUs with more than 18.1 million vehicle applications.
• The Data Co-op has more than 320 data receivers—WDs and retailers—actively using SDC data feeds to power sales, and it’s FREE to SEMA members.
• The SDC is exporting an average of over 7,000 data feeds per week.
• SDC data quality is setting a new industry standard, with manufacturers providing regularly updated, detailed product information along with digital assets, such as product images, instruction sheets and videos.

Because the distributors and retailers now using SDC data are so numerous and have been so active, product data from suppliers has been flowing into the marketplace faster than ever. So the idea of getting clean data out to the broader marketplace is no longer a concept. It’s a reality. Ultimately, the SDC means more folks are finding the product information they need to make sales, and sales are increasing.

As an industry-owned effort, an important focus for this centralized data resource is efficiency and affordability. With the strong trend of companies joining, the SEMA Data Co-op value proposition is rapidly becoming evident to other industry members—and the outcome is a positive snow-balling effect.

Now that the SDC is running on all cylinders, what’s next? For 2014, development of additional tools and services is a high priority. The SDC team is pushing hard to develop SEMA Search. This robust web-based search tool will make it possible to access the entire SDC database, all from a single search tool. With SEMA Search—available to SEMA members at no charge as part of their membership—a counterperson can find out what is available for a customer’s application in seconds, so more sales can be closed on the spot. It’s a big project, but this capability is so important the SDC has hired a full-time software developer and made this project a top priority.

As part of a continuous improvement process, enhancements have recently been launched that give the SDC unequaled capability in working with very large data files, which has proven critical to effectively handling SKU-intensive categories, such as dash, seat and car covers. Updating the system to accommodate the newest PIES standard and enable better product searches is another system enhancement now in the works.

If your company is not doing the most it can to have your product information available for B2B and B2C product look-ups, or if you are a distributor or retailer wanting to increase sales by access to complete and reliable product information, I urge you to contact the SDC to learn more. You can reach the SDC’s Jim Graven at 888-958-6698 x4 or Jon Wyly at 888-958-6698 x1. Do it today and help your company start growing sales tomorrow.

—Chris Kersting, SEMA President and CEO

Compiled by SEMA Editors

ModBargains' CEO Mike Brown Receives Congressional Recognition From Congressman John Campbell

	ModBargains CEO and co-founder Mike Brown was awarded special Congressional recognition for Outstanding Business Leadership in the Automotive and Internet Space by U.S. Congressman John Campbell.

ModBargains CEO and co-founder Mike Brown was awarded special Congressional recognition for Outstanding Business Leadership in the Automotive and Internet Space by U.S. Congressman John Campbell—who is currently serving his fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives—during a ceremony at the Congressman's offices in Irvine, California. Prior to his election to public office, Campbell had a career spanning 25 years in the automotive industry representing numerous automobile brands, and was also an early member of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus while serving in the California legislature.

"It is an honor to receive this recognition from Congressman Campbell," said Brown. "In addition to helping companies like ours grow and succeed within his district, he is also a well-known automotive enthusiast and supporter of SEMA."

Dupli-Color Forms Its Second Enthusiast-Based Paint Crew

Dupli-Color announced its new group of talented auto restoration enthusiasts from across the United States that now form the company's second Paint Crew. Members of this select group—which includes 10 new and two returning members—will have the opportunity to show off their latest restoration projects while helping to test and develop new Dupli-Color products. The new members of the 2014 Dupli-Color Paint Crew are: Chase Bennett, Winchester, Kentucky; Benjamin Craft, Orlando, Florida; Jennifer Daniels, Lexington, North Carolina; Joseph Ferrero, Geneseo, New York; Dominic Italiano, Akron, Ohio; Ryan Largo, Wadsworth, Illinois; Thomas Musante, San Mateo, California; Kevin Patnode, Ocala, Florida; Summer Rakdham, Port Wentworth, Georgia; and Kevin Smith, Manvel, Texas. The returning senior members are Brad Roe, Chatsworth, Georgia; and Nic Woodward, Waunakee, Wisconsin. To see the latest Dupli-Color Paint Crew projects and learn more about the team, visit www.facebook.com/Duplicolor.

Mary Carbonneau Named Controller for ASA Automotive Systems

ASA Automotive Systems appointed Mary Carbonneau as the company’s new controller. She will oversee all of ASA’s accounting operations, management reporting, compliance/control and adherence to GAAP. Prior to joining ASA, Carbonneau served as controller for a provider of outsourced data center and managed services, U.S. subsidiaries of publicly held United Kingdom and Dutch firms in the computer software and semiconductor manufacturing industries.

“Mary knows the software business having worked for a similar-sized software company for eight years and brings a wealth of strong experience,” said Ken Halle, president of ASA Automotive Systems. “Mary’s combination of skills, process management and HR experience are a perfect fit for ASA at this time and we look forward to her contribution to ASA’s continued growth and success.”

HRE Wheels Open House Set for June 7

HRE Wheels will hold its annual open house from 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., June 7, 2014.

HRE Wheels will open its doors for the company's annual open house from 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., June 7, 2014. HRE announced plans to outdo last year's open house, which attracted more than 1,000 attendees and 500 cars, including two Bugatti Veyrons, a Ferrari F40 and a multi-million-dollar off-shore race boat from Strut.

The open house will gather supercars and sports cars from all over California, along with special guests, including "The Smoking Tire’s" Matt Farah as master of ceremonies. President Alan Peltier will give guided tours of the facility covering the wheel-making process and providing a sneak peek of upcoming forged models. HRE Wheels is located at 2611 Commerce Way, Suite D, Vista, California 92081.

Corsa Performance Forms Partnership With National Corvette Museum Store

CORSA Performance entered into a strategic partnership with The National Corvette Museum to offer CORSA's performance products in the museum's Corvette store. The museum—which is located in located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and is a popular destination for Corvette enthusiasts—now offers CORSA performance exhaust systems, air intake kits for C4, C5 and C6 Corvettes. CORSA product displays will also be featured in several locations on the facility's grounds.

To kick-off the partnership, CORSA products can be purchased at the Museum and installed on-site by CORSA technicians in the CORSA Performance booth during the National Corvette Museum's 2014 Bash, April 24–26. Museum members receive a 10%–15% discount, depending on their membership level, on all retail merchandise, including CORSA products.

Wes-Coast Marketing to Represent aFe Product Line

Wes-Coast Marketing announced that the company was selected by aFe Power to represent its full product line across Wes-Coast's entire territory. aFe Power manufactures a complete line of performance products for cars and trucks, including air filters and intake kits, exhaust systems, intercoolers, turbos, differential and transmission pans and more.

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 Della Domingo

	The SEMA Show typically attracts more than 130,000 individuals from more than 125 countries, making the annual show the world's premier automotive trade event where buyers and sellers meet to do business.

More than 2,000 companies will participate in the 2014 SEMA Show Priority Booth Space Drawing, a process that takes about three weeks for exhibiting companies to select and confirm the location of their booth at the annual trade show, taking place November 4–7, in Las Vegas.

The 2,000-plus companies that are scheduled to select their spaces represents an increase of almost 10% over the Priority Booth Space Drawing in 2013.

“We’re pleased to see so many exhibitors signing up early and taking part in the Priority Booth Draw,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA VP of Events and Communications. “Selecting space is a key milestone for exhibitors; By committing early and taking part in the booth draw, our team is able to collaborate with exhibitors to help them be successful.”

E-mails with assigned dates and times (with a one-hour time range), along with important information about the process and a link to the 2014 floor plan, will be sent to the “exhibitor contact” that was listed on the space application. During the assigned date and time, the exhibitor will select a booth location over the phone while viewing an online floor plan that is updated every 30 minutes at www.SEMAShow.com.

The Priority Booth Space Drawing begins May 5. During the process, exhibitors will confirm their locations within more than 1 million square feet of the Las Vegas Convention Center. They will be preparing their booths to meet with 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.

Manufacturers interested in learning more or exhibiting at the upcoming event can visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth, or contact 909-396-0289, sales@sema.org for details.

By Della Domingo

	The SEMA Show typically attracts more than 130,000 individuals from more than 125 countries, making the annual show the world's premier automotive trade event where buyers and sellers meet to do business.

More than 2,000 companies will participate in the 2014 SEMA Show Priority Booth Space Drawing, a process that takes about three weeks for exhibiting companies to select and confirm the location of their booth at the annual trade show, taking place November 4–7, in Las Vegas.

The 2,000-plus companies that are scheduled to select their spaces represents an increase of almost 10% over the Priority Booth Space Drawing in 2013.

“We’re pleased to see so many exhibitors signing up early and taking part in the Priority Booth Draw,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA VP of Events and Communications. “Selecting space is a key milestone for exhibitors; By committing early and taking part in the booth draw, our team is able to collaborate with exhibitors to help them be successful.”

E-mails with assigned dates and times (with a one-hour time range), along with important information about the process and a link to the 2014 floor plan, will be sent to the “exhibitor contact” that was listed on the space application. During the assigned date and time, the exhibitor will select a booth location over the phone while viewing an online floor plan that is updated every 30 minutes at www.SEMAShow.com.

The Priority Booth Space Drawing begins May 5. During the process, exhibitors will confirm their locations within more than 1 million square feet of the Las Vegas Convention Center. They will be preparing their booths to meet with 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.

Manufacturers interested in learning more or exhibiting at the upcoming event can visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth, or contact 909-396-0289, sales@sema.org for details.