Builder’s Challenge Features Increasingly Complex Pinewood Hot Rods Designed for Charity

Ten 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 Challenge during SEMA’s Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, which was held July 26 at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California. Just before the banquet started, the hot rods raced against each other to benefit two children’s charities. The cars were autographed by the builders and displayed in HRIA booth at the 2013 SEMA Show.

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 for all, from manufacturers to distributors, and from sales to service suppliers,” said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting.

“We appreciate the dedication and insight that our Board of Directors brings to setting priorities for SEMA and addressing issues that promote industry growth.”

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, ultimately creating some hard work that, at times, can feel like a hopelessly endless task. But man, oh, man: When you finally get to play, it’s suddenly all worth it!

I can’t stress enough how an ongoing regimen of product data gathering, expanding and quality control is critical to the success of your business. Own the process, understand its importance and seek help when you get confused or sidetracked.

It’s All Wrapped Up in Protection, Branding, Economics and the Environment

A 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 get the product to the end user in pristine condition. But a package can also serve sales functions, provide branding and inform consumers about an entire product line.

“Our products can be expensive,” said Joe Dussol, marketing director for Powerteq, which is the parent company of Superchips and Edge Products. “Depending on the product, some people might spend $600–$1,000, and we want the customer to feel like he’s holding something worth that kind of money when he picks up our package. That’s why our packaging might be a little bit more costly than doing a cardboard box with some print on it, but we really want it to stand out.”

A Message From TIA Executive Vice President

On behalf of the Tire Industry Association (TIA), welcome to the 2013 Global Tire Expo—Powered by TIA. GTE continues to be the largest gathering of the tire industry in North America. From discovering new products to networking, I hope that you will take advantage of all the opportunities that GTE has to offer.

We are excited that the Global Tire Expo has experienced overwhelming growth this year and are pleased to welcome many new exhibitors. We continue to work with our valuable partner SEMA to ensure this year’s show will be a tremendous success.

Once again, it’s “Showtime.” It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone, and we are once again on our way to Las Vegas. What’s not hard to believe is the excitement, passion and anticipation that is already building around this year’s Show.

This year, for most of us, 2013 has been a fairly lack-luster business year but all of us are working toward 2014 being that stellar year we all so greatly deserve. A great 2014 all begins with the 2013 SEMA Show—the Greatest Automotive Show on Earth!

The dapper man in the bow tie is Harvey Crane. He’s talking about his camshafts and valvetrain components to dealers in the Crane Engineering Company booth at the very first SEMA Show (though it wasn’t called that at the time).

In January 1967, some 100 aftermarket companies set up booths in the concrete aisles of Dodger Stadium’s Club Level for what was then called just “the trade show.” Crane, one of SEMA’s earliest members, brought his wares from his company’s headquarters in Hallandale, Florida, and demonstrated them using a “hand-operated engine simulator,” according to a story in Petersen Publishing Company’s Hot Rod Industry News.

Interested in placing an ad in the SEMA News Product and Catalog Showcase?

Breaking news from SEMA members, including Hotchkis Sport Suspension, RealTruck.com, MSD Performance, Design Engineering Inc., and more.

Matching Companies With Marketing

Getting products in front of potential customers is the lifeblood of marketing. Whether through straightforward advertising placed in pertinent outlets or through creative ventures handled by public relations (PR) agencies, getting the word out is key.

We included an article on best practices for selecting an ad agency in our February 2013 issue (“Finding the Right Advertising Agency,” p. 60), and this month, we’re taking a look at selecting a PR firm.