As 2013 comes to a close, we’re pleased to be wrapping up a SEMA Show that delivered tremendous value to our largest turnout ever of exhibiting manufacturers and buyers. Meanwhile, SEMA has been launching several new value propositions to help the industry. What follows is a progress report on some...

U.S. Specialty-Equipment Companies Visit an Emerging MarketTwenty-two SEMA-member companies recently traveled to China for the 2013 SEMA China Business Development Conference. The program included a briefing by U.S. government officials, a visit to specialty-equipment shops, an evening at the Great...

Current studies suggest that up to 90% of shopping now begins with an Internet search, whether the product is ultimately purchased online or through a brick-and-mortar retail store. And mobile is overhauling other search devices, with tablets alone projected to account for 65% of all sales made on...

A Look to the Future With SEMA Council LeadersSEMA News annually turns to the leaders of the association’s councils and networks for the December issue to seek their views about how the industry is shaping up for the coming year. The chairs or chairs-elect of each group provide responses based on...

Builder’s Challenge Features Increasingly Complex Pinewood Hot Rods Designed for CharityTen of the nation’s best custom-car and hot-rod builders created miniature pinewood hot rods that lit up the track this past summer at the fourth-annual Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Pinewood Builder’s...

Elected by the trade association’s membership at large, the SEMA Board of Directors is composed of industry leaders representing the wide spectrum of businesses found within the specialty-equipment aftermarket. “Board members volunteer considerable time, talent and effort to bettering the industry...

Think of it as the selling Field of Dreams. Much like the enthralling Kevin Costner movie, it all starts with a lot of convincing, believing and perhaps a small leap of faith as you struggle to understand this challenging new requirement. This uncertain phase is followed by a period of ups and downs...

It’s All Wrapped Up in Protection, Branding, Economics and the EnvironmentA package for an automotive product serves multiple purposes, the most important of which is protection. Whether a package contains highly durable grade-8 fasteners or a fragile electronic tuning device, its main mission is to...