SEMA News - July 2010
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I-Car will exhibit at the SEMA Show in 2010 for the first time and will provide several hands-on technical demonstrations on the Show floor. |
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I-CAR to Offer Hands-On Demonstrations at the 2010 SEMA Show
I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Repair, will exhibit at the 2010 SEMA Show, marking the first time that the nonprofit training organization has appeared at the Show as an exhibitor.In addition to participating as an exhibitor, I-CAR will provide several hands-on technical demonstrations on the Show floor designed to provide attendees with information about some of the most current issues in vehicle technology and important considerations for collision repair.
“I-CAR is pleased to be part of the 2010 SEMA Show and reach out to this audience with information about collision repair,” said John Edelen, I-CAR president and CEO.
“With the rapid rate of change in vehicle technology and design, the need to stay current on repair processes is more important than ever. For us, the SEMA audience represents individuals who are keenly aware of emerging technology in the automotive industry, and I-CAR is committed to providing the most current collision-repair training opportunities that will meet their needs.”
Oklahoma High School Students Take Top Engine-Builder Title
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Team MSD–Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center from Choctaw, Oklahoma, took first place in the “Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge” Division 4 Championship in May. |
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Painless Performance held its first “Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge” Division 4 Championship in May at the Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas. Team MSD–Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center from Choctaw, Oklahoma, took first place with a time of 60 minutes and 15 seconds.
A total of eight high school auto tech teams participated. The teams are made up of invited auto technology classes from local high schools. Each team consists of five students and the instructor/coach. The individual schools set standards and guidelines for involvement.
The event itself resembles the teardown between rounds at a drag race. The engines are identically prepared small-block Chevys, and students must properly disassemble the engine using only hand tools, utilizing proper detorque and disassembly procedures. The teams then reassemble the engines once again with correct assembly procedures and torque specs. The team with the fastest time, including penalty minutes, wins.
Team MSD–Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center will represent Division 4 at the national championship, dubbed “Showdown at SEMA,” at the 2010 SEMA Show. It will compete against Division 2 winner (Team ARP) East Ridge High School from Chattanooga, Tennessee; Division 3 winner (Team PRW) Fremd High School from Palatine, Illinois; Division 7 winner (Team Edelbrock) North Orange County ROP from Anaheim, California; Division 8 winner (Lane Automotive Car Show); plus a wildcard team (the best second-place team nationwide). The current wildcard is from Division 7, (Team Autometer) Loara High School from Anaheim, California.
Exhibitors Reaffirm Value of the SEMA Show as Industry Rebounds
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Many exhibitors have committed to returning to the 2010 SEMA Show after sitting out last year, mostly due to a poor economy. |
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With reports circulating that the economy may be on the rebound, many exhibitors are returning to the 2010 SEMA Show after sitting out last year. The recession played an overwhelmingly large role in reasons why these companies were absent in 2009.
The high-profile exhibitors returning this year include Rancho/Dynomax, Hella Inc., Brembo North America, Superlift Suspension Systems, Exedy Global Parts Corp. and PaceSetter Performance Products. We caught up with representatives from some of the returning companies, and this is what they had to say about the value of exhibiting at the SEMA Show and why they are returning after sitting out in 2009:
“Our reason for sitting out of the 2009 SEMA Show was purely economical. The 2010 Show will be our 20th anniversary, and SEMA has been a great Show for Auburn Gear. It gives us the opportunity to display new products, network within the industry, meet new potential warehouse distributors and visit with a number of distributors that have supported Auburn Gear for many years. We are seeing a slow turnaround in our aftermarket sales. The industry we all serve is one that is very resilient; our customers have always found a way to buy products for their cars and trucks.”
—Ralph Traycoff
Sales Manager, Auburn Gear Inc.
“Last year, both Tokico and Hitachi Automotive experienced business hardships due to the economic climate. This year, we are returning to the SEMA Show just to stay in the game. Although we’re not out of the woods just yet, our booth will be scaled back a bit but without limiting our products on display.”
—Sam van den Berg
Senior Manager of Information Technology and Trade Show Committee, HITACHI Automotive Products Inc. (USA)
“Our thought process in regards to attending the SEMA Show has always been weighted more toward the benefit from attending rather than the economic conditions. I think that, regardless of the state of the economy, the SEMA Show is the best avenue to show new products, meet with existing customers, find prospective customers and learn more about your competitors. Our goal at the 2010 SEMA Show is to showcase new products, which is why we are attending. The additional benefit this year is that we see business is on an upturn, so we feel attendance will be great and attitudes will be positive.”
—Randy Malowski
Director of Sales & Marketing, Fia Inc.
“We sat out last year for a few different reasons: 1) We had a pessimistic view of the market; 2) we were developing new products, but they were not ready yet; and 3) we were focused on other projects. We decided to come back this year because we were pleased to see the high level of participants. We do see economic progress going forward this year.”
—PJ Harvey
President, PJH Brands
“We decided to participate in the SEMA Show this year because we believe there will be a significant economic improvement worldwide in the coming years, especially in the automotive industry, and people will start to spend their money again more freely.”
—Rungarun Bunvitaya
CS Section Manager, Maxliner
“Last year, Eastwood did not attend the SEMA Show simply because the economy was down and we were looking for ways to reduce expenses and also thought Show attendance would be down. This year, Eastwood will attend the Show because business has been picking up, and we are looking to expand our business-to-business sales. There has been a lot of interest by other retailers looking to expand their product lines. The Show gives us exposure and an opportunity to meet with retailers, both domestic and international, who are looking to add new products to their existing lines.”
—Steve Hurter
Inside Sales Manager, Eastwood Company
“The SEMA Show really seems to draw more of the buyers, WDs and bigger jobbers. Coming up on our second quarter, we are seeing an increase in sales to WDs and jobbers. It appears consumers are starting to feel better about the economy, which leads them to invest more in the care of their vehicles.”
—Merrick Browne
CEO, Forever Car Care Products
The 2010 SEMA Show is set for November 2–5, in Las Vegas. More information on the 2010 SEMA Show is available here.
Fast Facts
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Gavin Monn |
Gavin Monn was appointed president and CEO of BOGE America Inc. In his new role, Monn is responsible for leading, managing and developing North American business for BOGE. He previously spent nearly two decades working within the compressed-air industry for an international manufacturer and gained extensive experience on three continents, managing and developing both sales and aftermarket businesses. BOGE America Inc., Powder Spring, GA; 770/874-1570.
JATO Dynamics hired David Hirst to the new position of global marketing director. Hirst will sit on the board of directors and take on full responsibility for managing marketing communications, product development, business development, strategic solutions and customer services. He joins JATO from Capgemini UK PLC, a subsidiary of the global Capgemini Group, where he held the position of marketing director for its United Kingdom consulting and technology services businesses.
Granville Dennison has joined the Truck Accessories Group as national fleet and commercial sales manager. Dennison previously served in sales and executive management with Sterling Corp. and Fontaine Truck. Truck Accessories Group also appointed Bob Hill sales manager for Truck Accessories Group Midwest. Hill’s career in sales and operational management includes his previous position with marine retailing giant Marinemax Inc. of Clearwater, Florida. Hill also held key sales management positions with Bombardier Recreational Products and the Kubota Corp. Truck Accessories Group, Elkhart, IN; 574/522-5337.
Philips Automotive Lighting North America, a division of Royal Philips Electronics, named Dennis Samfilippo general manager in March, replacing David Davoudi, who was appointed to head up Philips Consumer Luminaries North America, a newly established business unit of Royal Philips Electronics, based in Elgin, Illinois. Samfilippo has more than 20 years of automotive and distribution industry experience in various positions. He will be based out of Philips Automotive Lighting North America corporate headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
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Jennifer Walter |
Cie Studios appointed Jennifer Walter vice president of production. Based in Baltimore, Maryland, Walter heads the company’s Baltimore and Long Beach, California, offices. She has been with Cie Studios for more than 10 years and has helped develop next-generation interactive solutions for Scion, Pioneer Electronics, Nitto Tire, DreamWorks and more. Cie Studios, Long Beach, CA; 562/285-0505.
After months of testing and tweaking, driver Gary White and the team at Titan Motorsports set out on a quest to join the exclusive Mickey Thompson 3 Second Club with its Scion tC. After two passes at the ADRL Georgia Drags in May were hampered by technical letdowns, the team received the solid run it was hoping for on its final run and saw the scoreboard light up with a time of 3.996 seconds at 182.45 mph, officially landing Team Titan in the coveted Mickey Thompson 3 Second Club. Not only did the team solidify its position as running one of the fastest imports in the country, but it was also the first ever to make a 3-second pass on 10.5-inch tires. Titan Motorsports, Orlando, FL; 407/277-8423.
SpeedFactory was selected to be the exclusive distributor for BBS’s new flow-formed CH-R road wheel for all Chrysler and Dodge applications. The prototype CH-R road wheel for Chrysler/Dodge applications was first introduced to the U.S. market when it appeared in Mopar Alley at the 2009 SEMA Show on SpeedFactory’s 700hp “SF700R” Challenger. BBS of America, Braselton, GA; 770/967-9848.
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Tom Medley |
Tom Medley, father of the “Stroker McGurk” hot-rod cartoon, co-founder of the Street Rod Nationals and former publisher of Rod & Custom magazine, will be honored as the “Hot Rod Hero” of the Goodguys 24th West Coast Nationals, August 27–29, at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California. Medley joined Hot Rod magazine on its third issue in 1948 as “humor editor.” He was instrumental in creating Hot Rod’s success, juggling cartooning, photography, how-to articles, advertising sales and design. In the mid-’60s, he took over as publisher of Rod & Custom, steering the book’s editorial direction toward street rods and “vintage tin”—thus ushering in the modern era of street rodding.
Spectre Performance hired Tim Inglee as national sales manager to lead the company’s automotive aftermarket sales efforts across the country. Inglee has worked in the automotive sector for 35 years, selling both hard parts and accessories. His most recent posts include national sales manager for Global Accessories Inc. and vice president of sales for Wolf Automotive. Spectre Performance, Ontario, CA; 909/673-9800.
Comp Cams brought back its Engine Builder Duel for the 2010 Hot Rod Power Tour. Two teams squared-off during the contest to see who could completely assemble and run a small-block Chevy engine in the shortest amount of time. The contest took place at three different locations during the tour: Bowling Green, Kentucky (Tuesday, June 8); Chattanooga, Tennessee (Wednesday, June 9); and Birmingham, Alabama (Thursday, June 10).
Bestop Inc. launched a promotion that will send one lucky authorized dealer to Las Vegas for the 2010 SEMA Show. The package includes airfare for two to Las Vegas, two nights’ accommodation, admission to the 2010 SEMA Show and dinner and a night out with Bestop. All Bestop authorized dealers will be sent a brief survey for their chance to enter and win. The offer is valid through August 30, and the drawing for the winner will be held on September 7. Bestop Inc., Broomfield, CO; 800/845-3567.
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Pioneer's Sound Build-Off |
310/952-2000.
Holley Performance Products announced that its 2010 Holley LS Fest is scheduled for September 10–12 at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Holley LS Fest is a celebration of everything and anything powered by the GM LS engine. Activities planned include a drag race, autocross, 0-60-0 speed stop challenge and a show ‘n’ shine. More information on the event, including class rules, online registration and updates, will be posted on www.holleylsfest.com. Holley Performance Products, Bowling Green, KY; 270/782-2900.
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) elected Robert Egan, AAP, as chairman of the AAIA Board of Directors for 2010–2011. Egan is vice president for North America global aftermarket of Federal-Mogul, headquartered in Southfield, Michigan. For the past three years, Egan has been heavily involved with AAIA and served on the show committee, board of directors and executive committee. In 2008, he was honored with the Leader of the Year Award from the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association.
The deadline to register for Standards Testing Laboratories (STL) 2010 Tire Technology seminars at the company’s Massillon, Ohio, headquarters is October 1 for the October 19-21 class. The three-day seminar will feature a technical team of automotive and tire speakers from the engineering, chemistry and engineering mechanics/vehicle dynamics fields. Experts at STL will address topics that will include tire nomenclature, materials, compounding and manufacturing, tire and wheel design and construction, tire testing, evaluation and application. Standards Testing Laboratories, Massillon, OH; 330/833-8548
National Performance Warehouse (NPW) of Miami acquired the wholesale operations of Speed Warehouse of Hayward, California. NPW President/CEO Larry Pacey noted that it was the company’s second acquisition in four years, including the 2008 acquisition of Southern Performance Warehouse in Clearwater, Florida. Speed Warehouse was recognized as SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year in 1985, 2000 and 2005. Former Speed Warehouse President Gary Light retains the operations of Vic Hubbard Auto Supply, the retail and installer segment of the original Speed Warehouse business, which was not part of the deal. Pacey said that his company is also considering further acquisitions. National Performance Warehouse, Miami, FL; 305/953-7270. Speed Warehouse, Hayward, CA; 510/786-3555.
Delta Kits Inc. announced that it broke a 26-year sales record for March. The company attributes the 11% increase over the previous sales record to two proprietary Delta Kits products: the MagniBond resin and HLPRO302 headlight restoration system. Delta Kits, Eugene, OR; 541/345-8554.
Federated Auto Parts presented Outstanding Supplier Support Awards to its supplier partners who demonstrated excellent performance in each of five categories in 2009. The awards were presented on April 16 at the company’s annual meeting held in Tampa, Florida. The recipients were East Penn, Order Fill Vendor of the Year; Standard Motor Products, Education/Training Vendor of the Year; Federal-Mogul, Marketing Vendor of the Year; Affinia, Sales Representation Vendor of the Year; and Dorman, Electronic Catalog Vendor of the Year.
Deeza Chassis Parts recently adopted environmentally friendly packaging for all of its products. The company now ships all of its metal parts in anti-corrosive packages to ensure that they remain rust-free during transportation and storage. The moisture-preventative bags help protect against humidity and salt, contain no nitrates or phosphates and are completely biodegradable.
