SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org.

By SEMA Editors

As part of Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) commitment to increase engagement and support for the racing industry, the organization has launched a search for two executive positions, including the new position of President to be based out of Indianapolis, Indiana.

With a focus on building, promoting and protecting the motorsports industry, PRI’s president will oversee the strategic vision, leadership and executive management of all PRI initiatives. Based in Indianapolis, what many consider to be the center of the racing industry, the president will work closely with racing-related businesses, as well as individual racers, race teams, racing facilities, sanctioning bodies, and parts suppliers to develop programs and services to benefit the motorsports community.

In addition to the president in Indianapolis, PRI will hire a general manager in Southern California who will be responsible for the daily operations of PRI’s Trade Show, magazine and online media content. Bill Miller, the current general manager, will continue to support the PRI team while focusing on his responsibilities as senior vice president of operations for SEMA, which has owned and operated Performance Racing Industry since 2012.

“Having dedicated executives leading PRI will ensure that the needs of racing-related businesses and racers are met,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “The motorsports industry is a unique community filled with passion, innovation and enthusiasm. We’re looking for individuals who share that passion as PRI looks to enhance the resources and programs for the industry.”

Successful candidates will have proven leadership skills and a strong work ethic, and be motivated to serve the motorsports industry. Additional skills and requirements, as well as complete job descriptions, can be found at performanceracing.com/candidates. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply online.

By Ashley Reyes

The “PRO Sales Training Manual” is available as a hard copy for purchase or in a free electronic format to all PRO council members.

More than 150 SEMA-member company employees have obtained and are seeing increased profits from the SEMA Accessory Professional Exam, a new resource provided by the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) designed to help restylers, installers and accessory retailers build a more successful dealer-direct sales strategy.

The new program, which identifies superior sales among automotive restylers, aims to recognize accessory manufacturers and restylers for their sales expertise while providing them understanding of the inner workings of a car dealership and how to qualify and identify the key decision maker.

Developed by industry experts, the five-section exam is based off the “PRO Sales Training Manual” and includes 50 multiple-choice questions focused on customer relations and sales strategy, salesperson knowledge and practices, business structure and sales processes, marketing and promotions, and SEMA PRO recommended business practices and preparations.

“It’s exciting to witness how many SEMA-member companies are seeing increased sales profits in their business as an outcome of the program,” said Jim Skelly, PRO council director. “Building a mutually beneficial relationship with new-and-used car dealers is key to building trust and gaining respect, but profit is also a great motivator.”

An accessory sales professional certificate and badge is awarded to restylers who pass the exam, earning them recognition for their achievement while providing business owners with a valuable marketing edge.

The “PRO Sales Training Manual” is available as a hard copy for purchase or in a free electronic format to all PRO council members. While it can be purchased by anyone for $149.95, PRO and Truck& Off-Road Alliance (TORA) members receive the special discounted price of $24.95 for the printed copy which can be ordered online at www.sema.org/pro.

For more information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

The “PRO Sales Training Manual” is available as a hard copy for purchase or in a free electronic format to all PRO council members.

More than 150 SEMA-member company employees have obtained and are seeing increased profits from the SEMA Accessory Professional Exam, a new resource provided by the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) designed to help restylers, installers and accessory retailers build a more successful dealer-direct sales strategy.

The new program, which identifies superior sales among automotive restylers, aims to recognize accessory manufacturers and restylers for their sales expertise while providing them understanding of the inner workings of a car dealership and how to qualify and identify the key decision maker.

Developed by industry experts, the five-section exam is based off the “PRO Sales Training Manual” and includes 50 multiple-choice questions focused on customer relations and sales strategy, salesperson knowledge and practices, business structure and sales processes, marketing and promotions, and SEMA PRO recommended business practices and preparations.

“It’s exciting to witness how many SEMA-member companies are seeing increased sales profits in their business as an outcome of the program,” said Jim Skelly, PRO council director. “Building a mutually beneficial relationship with new-and-used car dealers is key to building trust and gaining respect, but profit is also a great motivator.”

An accessory sales professional certificate and badge is awarded to restylers who pass the exam, earning them recognition for their achievement while providing business owners with a valuable marketing edge.

The “PRO Sales Training Manual” is available as a hard copy for purchase or in a free electronic format to all PRO council members. While it can be purchased by anyone for $149.95, PRO and Truck& Off-Road Alliance (TORA) members receive the special discounted price of $24.95 for the printed copy which can be ordered online at www.sema.org/pro.

For more information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

By Kyle Cheng

Check out the “SEMA Industry Indicators” report each month to learn how movements in the broader economy may impact your business strategy.

As the year comes to an end, a broad recession does not appear imminent. Despite slowing in the economy, American consumers remain optimistic and underlying fundamentals, such as the labor market, are strong. However, this year has been challenging for manufacturing. While ongoing issues are beginning to resolve, global growth remains slow and trade tensions remain high. These hurdles will continue to be obstacles in 2020.

Want more information on the trends affecting the specialty-equipment industry? Check out the “SEMA Industry Indicators” report each month to learn how movements in the broader economy may impact your business strategy. In this report, published monthly, you’ll get a snapshot of the overall economy and our industry, including:

• Overall Economic Outlook
• New Vehicle Sales and Statistics on Auto Parts Production
• Consumer Sentiment and Spending
• Economic Growth and Unemployment
• Other Important Industry Insights

To learn more, download the December “SEMA Industry Indicators” report, now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

By Kyle Cheng

Check out the “SEMA Industry Indicators” report each month to learn how movements in the broader economy may impact your business strategy.

As the year comes to an end, a broad recession does not appear imminent. Despite slowing in the economy, American consumers remain optimistic and underlying fundamentals, such as the labor market, are strong. However, this year has been challenging for manufacturing. While ongoing issues are beginning to resolve, global growth remains slow and trade tensions remain high. These hurdles will continue to be obstacles in 2020.

Want more information on the trends affecting the specialty-equipment industry? Check out the “SEMA Industry Indicators” report each month to learn how movements in the broader economy may impact your business strategy. In this report, published monthly, you’ll get a snapshot of the overall economy and our industry, including:

• Overall Economic Outlook
• New Vehicle Sales and Statistics on Auto Parts Production
• Consumer Sentiment and Spending
• Economic Growth and Unemployment
• Other Important Industry Insights

To learn more, download the December “SEMA Industry Indicators” report, now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

By SEMA Washington, D.C. Staff

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) updated its rules on what may be excluded when calculating an employee’s regular rate of pay, which then forms the basis for “time and one-half” overtime pay. The DOL’s final rule marks the first update to the Fair Labor Standards Act regulation in more than 50 years. At issue is which perks and benefits may be excluded in the regular rate of pay calculation and, conversely, which must be included.

Under the DOL rules, employers may exclude the following from an employee’s regular rate of pay calculation:

• The cost of providing certain parking benefits, wellness programs, onsite specialist treatment, gym access and fitness classes, employee discounts on retail goods and services, certain tuition benefits (whether paid to an employee, an education provider or a student-loan program) and adoption assistance.
• Payments for unused paid leave, including paid sick leave or paid time off.
• Payments of certain penalties required under state and local scheduling laws.
• Reimbursed expenses, including cellphone plans, credentialing exam fees, organization membership dues and travel, even if not incurred “solely” for the employer’s benefit; and clarifies that reimbursements that do not exceed the maximum travel reimbursement under the Federal Travel Regulation System or the optional IRS substantiation amounts for travel expenses are per se “reasonable payments.”
• Certain sign-on bonuses and certain longevity bonuses.
• The cost of office coffee and snacks to employees as gifts.
• Discretionary bonuses, by clarifying that the label given a bonus does not determine whether it is discretionary and providing additional examples.
• Contributions to benefit plans for accident, unemployment, legal services or other events that could cause future financial hardship or expense.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C. Staff

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) updated its rules on what may be excluded when calculating an employee’s regular rate of pay, which then forms the basis for “time and one-half” overtime pay. The DOL’s final rule marks the first update to the Fair Labor Standards Act regulation in more than 50 years. At issue is which perks and benefits may be excluded in the regular rate of pay calculation and, conversely, which must be included.

Under the DOL rules, employers may exclude the following from an employee’s regular rate of pay calculation:

• The cost of providing certain parking benefits, wellness programs, onsite specialist treatment, gym access and fitness classes, employee discounts on retail goods and services, certain tuition benefits (whether paid to an employee, an education provider or a student-loan program) and adoption assistance.
• Payments for unused paid leave, including paid sick leave or paid time off.
• Payments of certain penalties required under state and local scheduling laws.
• Reimbursed expenses, including cellphone plans, credentialing exam fees, organization membership dues and travel, even if not incurred “solely” for the employer’s benefit; and clarifies that reimbursements that do not exceed the maximum travel reimbursement under the Federal Travel Regulation System or the optional IRS substantiation amounts for travel expenses are per se “reasonable payments.”
• Certain sign-on bonuses and certain longevity bonuses.
• The cost of office coffee and snacks to employees as gifts.
• Discretionary bonuses, by clarifying that the label given a bonus does not determine whether it is discretionary and providing additional examples.
• Contributions to benefit plans for accident, unemployment, legal services or other events that could cause future financial hardship or expense.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C. Staff

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) updated its rules on what may be excluded when calculating an employee’s regular rate of pay, which then forms the basis for “time and one-half” overtime pay. The DOL’s final rule marks the first update to the Fair Labor Standards Act regulation in more than 50 years. At issue is which perks and benefits may be excluded in the regular rate of pay calculation and, conversely, which must be included.

Under the DOL rules, employers may exclude the following from an employee’s regular rate of pay calculation:

• The cost of providing certain parking benefits, wellness programs, onsite specialist treatment, gym access and fitness classes, employee discounts on retail goods and services, certain tuition benefits (whether paid to an employee, an education provider or a student-loan program) and adoption assistance.
• Payments for unused paid leave, including paid sick leave or paid time off.
• Payments of certain penalties required under state and local scheduling laws.
• Reimbursed expenses, including cellphone plans, credentialing exam fees, organization membership dues and travel, even if not incurred “solely” for the employer’s benefit; and clarifies that reimbursements that do not exceed the maximum travel reimbursement under the Federal Travel Regulation System or the optional IRS substantiation amounts for travel expenses are per se “reasonable payments.”
• Certain sign-on bonuses and certain longevity bonuses.
• The cost of office coffee and snacks to employees as gifts.
• Discretionary bonuses, by clarifying that the label given a bonus does not determine whether it is discretionary and providing additional examples.
• Contributions to benefit plans for accident, unemployment, legal services or other events that could cause future financial hardship or expense.

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

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Hall of Fame member Bill Simpson passed away Monday, December 16, after suffering a massive stroke.

Bill Simpson, 79, motorsports safety pioneer, died Monday, December 16, after suffering a massive stroke. A class of 1988 SEMA Hall of Fame member and a 2003 Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee, Simpson drove dragsters and Indy cars, finishing 13th in the 1974 Indianapolis 500. After ending his career as a driver, he started Simpson Safety Products in his garage, which grew into an empire and helped reduce the death rate in all forms of racing.

Born in Hermosa Beach, California, Simpson started drag racing in the late ’50s and broke both arms when he was 18 years old. That led to his initial safety idea of mounting a parachute behind the car to slow it down, and soon enough it was adopted by the NHRA. But his big breakthrough came in the ’60s, when astronaut Pete Conrad introduced him to a fire-retardant material called Nomex. At that time, IndyCar, NASCAR and F1 drivers routinely lost their lives to fire because they either drove in a T-shirt or a uniform that was dipped in a chemical that provided minimal protection. Simpson began producing Nomex suits, and by 1967, 30 of the 33 starters at Indy were wearing them. In 1986, Simpson set himself on fire while wearing one of his suits to prove its efficacy.

Before founding Simpson Safety Products, Simpson drove dragsters and Indy cars, finishing 13th in the 1974 Indianapolis 500.

From suits, Simpson branched out into gloves, shoes, seat belts and helmets. Simpson Safety Products were used worldwide. However, in 2001, his friend Dale Earnhardt was killed in a crash at Daytona, which changed the course of Simpson’s life. NASCAR blamed Simpson’s seat belts for Earnhardt’s death. His life was threatened by fans, and he resigned from his company to start another company, Impact Performance Products. He ended up suing NASCAR for defamation of character in 2003, settling the $9 million suit out of court.

Simpson was married three times and fathered two sons, Jeff and David. In his spare time, he enjoyed sailing his boat in Mexico.

Funeral arrangements have not been disclosed as of press time. Indianapolis Motor Speedway said a celebration of Simpson's life is being planned for May at the IMS Museum.