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| The Tools & Equipment section of the SEMA Show includes wrenches and air guns as well as heavy-duty products, such as engine-building equipment and dynos. |
As the world’s premier automotive specialty-products trade show, the 2010 SEMA Show, to be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from November 2–5, 2010, attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries and also provides a unique opportunity for buyers and exhibitors to connect.
The Show covers the entire realm of the specialty-equipment industry and is comprised of 12 categories: Business Services; Global Tire Expo—Powered by TIA; Hot Rod Alley; Mobile Electronics & Technology; Paint, Body & Equipment; Powersports & Utility Vehicles; Racing & Performance; Restoration Marketplace; Restyling & Car Care Accessories; Tools & Equipment; Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road; and Wheels & Accessories.
Each will be highlighted separately every week in SEMA eNews. This week’s category is Tools & Equipment. So far, 109 tools and equipment companies—of which 36 are first-timers—are exhibiting in the North Hall.
Manufacturers in the Tools & Equipment section will highlight a wealth of wrenches, lathes, grinders and air guns. The section will also house heavier-duty products, such as engine-building equipment, dynamometers and wheel-alignment systems as well as air-conditioning units, body shop accessories, hoists and lifts. Get a first-hand view of what’s new by visiting the North Hall to see what you might incorporate to make your own shop more efficient and more profitable.
In 2009, 23,191 buyers went to Las Vegas specifically interested in tools and equipment. These buyers found 107 exhibitors, registering 32 products in the New Products Showcase, and media/buyers scanned those entries 1,395 times. The following are examples of what buyers and exhibitors had to say about the Tools & Equipment section at last year's Show:
“We specialize in Audi and Volkswagen parts. I’m looking around for tools or anything I haven’t seen before. This is my first time to the SEMA Show, and the New Products Showcase is very cool. I like the way it’s laid out by categories, and I’m amazed at all the things I didn’t know about.”
—Jason Fennessey, Speedlife Motorsports
“The acquisition costs for specialized tools and equipment are coming down to more realistic levels due to increased efficiencies in manufacturing and distribution, thus, allowing more enthusiasts access to these tools and equipment. In the past, many specialized tools were available only through one company at inflated prices. Now, with several companies competing for the business, the enthusiast has more than one choice.”
—L.J. Lobsinger Jr., national sales and marketing manager, Specialty Auto Parts USA Inc.
“In our world, everybody is looking for tools and equipment that saves labor. Our piping goes up twice as fast as the traditional copper and black pipe installations. Someone doing a new facility or retrofitting a building is always looking for labor savings. We’re now selling a rolled piping product that can be shipped via UPS. It comes in up to a 1-inch diameter, and we can overnight it anywhere in the country for next-day delivery.”
—Andy Remus, owner, RapidAir Products
“In the welding segment, features, such as Miller’s Auto-Set, have really made setting up and using our welding products even easier for the automotive enthusiast. In the case of MIG welding, the operator simply selects the wire diameter and the material thickness he or she is welding on, and the machine makes sure you have the ideal setting. There’s no need for fine tuning or welding on test material.”
—Jon Ertmer, segment manager, Miller Electric Manufacturing Co.