ARMO

SEMA Member News - July/August 2010

Honors and Action for ARMO Members

Jim Barber Appointed to North Carolina DMV

	ARMO Immediate Past Chair Jim Barber was appointed to the vehicle classification review committee by the North Carolina DMV. The committee was established in response to enactment of SEMA-model legislation creating a vehicle registration classification for street rods, replicas and custom vehicles in the state.			Ernie Silvers and Egge Machine Co. were recently honored in a ceremony recognizing the contributions of small business to the state of California. The ceremony was part of “California Small Business Day, A Salute to Small Business.”

ARMO Immediate Past Chairman Jim Barber has been appointed to serve on the vehicle classification review committee by the North Carolina DMV. The committee was established pursuant to the enactment into law of SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle registration classification for street rods, replicas and custom vehicles. The new law retains the key components of the SEMA-model bill while relieving vehicle owners of unfair title branding and inspection concerns. The measure provides specific registration and titling classes for street rods and replicas; allows for the use of non-original materials; creates titling and registration criteria that assign replica vehicles the same model-year designation as the production vehicle intended to be replicated; and requires that the title of a replica vehicle clearly indicate that the vehicle is a replica and not an original. Barber and the rest of the vehicle classification committee will review grievances filed by vehicle owners regarding the DMV’s determination of the appropriate vehicle classification for a specially constructed vehicle. Barber has always been active on legislation that affects the restoration industry and, especially, the restoration enthusiast, and his experience will lend a positive perspective to the review process.

Egge Machine Recognized in California

Ernie Silvers, another ARMO past chairman, and Egge Machine Co. were recently honored in a ceremony recognizing the contributions of small business to the state of California. The ceremony was part of “California Small Business Day, A Salute to Small Business,” which took place at the Sacramento Convention Center on Tuesday, May 25. The event was sponsored by the California Small Business Association, a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization with a mission to provide small businesses with a meaningful voice in state and federal governments. Egge Machine was chosen to receive the recognition by California State Assemblyman Tony Mendoza.

ARMO New Products Showcase

	The ARMO New Products Showcase tent was located at “show central” in the Carlisle Fairground, right between the food court and the live-performance stage.			New hanging racks and vinyl table covers gave a much-upgraded look to the New Products Display.

The ARMO New Products Showcase was once again hosted by Spring Carlisle and Carlisle Events. The Spring Carlisle Swap Meet and Car Show is an icon in the restoration industry and attracts vendors and attendees from all over the world. Seventeen ARMO member companies participated in this year’s Showcase, displaying 42 individual products.

The ARMO new products display is an ARMO benefit available free of charge to any ARMO member company. ARMO and Carlisle Events partner on the logistics, staffing and resources for the event, offering participants a range of options to make the whole process as seamless as possible.

Participants register online on the ARMO website. They have the option of hand-delivering or shipping their products to the new products tent at Carlisle and picking up their products or having them shipped back. A product name, suggested retail price and complete description is solicited on the online registration form, and SEMA staff prepares printed signage for each product. On site, SEMA staff and ARMO volunteers unpack all of the products and arrange them on display tables and hanging racks. Each year, ARMO tries to improve the display, and this year was no exception. Fitted, heavy-duty vinyl table covers and hanging display racks were purchased this year, and both items gave a professional look and feel to the Showcase.

			Thanks to all the ARMO member companies who participated in this year’s New Products Showcase.
			American Autowire Ames Automotive Enterprises Armor Protective Packaging Auto Custom Carpets Cars Inc. Eastwood Company The Filling Station Keen Parts Legendary Auto Interiors Metro Moulded Parts Parts Unlimited Precision Replacement Parts REM Automotive Specialty Auto Parts USA Steele Rubber Products TrimParts USA Parts Supply

Ethan Landesman and the SEMA Action Network shared space under the Showcase tent. The SAN always pairs well with any ARMO event, as much of its good work is aimed at protecting the restoration industry and restoration enthusiast. Landesman did a great job of not only signing up new SAN members but also answering questions about the Showcase and the products on display.

“The SEMA Action Network (SAN) was very pleased to be included in the ARMO New Products Showcase,” Landesman said.

“The SAN and ARMO share a close bond with enthusiasts who have a love of classic cars, and the New Product Showcase provides the SAN with an opportunity to connect directly with these passionate hobbyists. These enthusiasts not only support ARMO-member companies through purchasing their products but also support the industry as a whole by working with the SAN to promote hobby-friendly legislation and stopping bad laws in their tracks.The SAN, together with members of the specialty-equipment industry and individual hobbyists, represents a powerful force working on behalf of car lovers everywhere.”

Never ones to miss a good networking opportunity, ARMO representatives hosted a mixer/reception on Thursday night, right in the Showcase tent. This year’s mixer had almost 70 attendees, and long after the two-hour affair was over, many people were still enjoying each other’s company.

“We ran out of food before it was over,” said ARMO Chair-Elect Alex Tainsh of TrimParts. “That’s never happened before. The mixer was supposed to run from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. The food was gone by 6:30 p.m., but people were still there having a good time until 8:00 p.m., at which time we just had to shut it down. I guess the word is out about Thursday night at Carlisle. Next year we’ll just have to order more food!”