SEMA Magazine December 2024

This issue includes an article examining some noteworthy 2024 trends poised to reshape our industry in 2025 and beyond. But December is also an ideal time to recap some important 2024 association benchmarks as well. All are part of our quest to better serve you, the SEMA member. As this went to press, the annual SEMA Show was on track to meet and perhaps exceed 2019 participation levels. Moreover, the 2024 additions of a new Industry Night @SEMA party and enhancements to SEMA Fest promised to make the Show more relevant than ever for our industry. This is important because the Show supports everything we do for members—and we have good news to share on many levels. Industry advocacy remains a major priority, and we racked up several victories in…

While many people assume that lawmakers aren’t working when Congress is not in session, most members are visiting businesses run by the people they were elected to represent. Hellwig Products, a SEMA and PRI member company, took advantage of congressional recess earlier this year by hosting U.S. Representative Jim Costa (D-CA) for a tour and conversation at its 57,000-sq.-ft. location in Visalia, California. Hellwig Products was founded in 1946 by Rudy Hellwig and his son and has remained family-owned and-operated to this day. It manufactures sway bars, suspension components and steel products in California’s Central Valley. Vice President Mark Hellwig and CEO and President Melanie White represent the third and fourth generations leading the company. SUPPORTING THE AFTERMARKET “Hosting Rep. Costa at our business further solidified the relationship that we…

XDP XDP DIFFERENTIAL COVER xtremediesel.com Constructed of thick A356.0-T6 aluminum to provide enhanced durability, a reinforced center bar with load bolts that tighten against the bearing caps to reduce deflection and increase durability, a smooth internal back for consistent fluid flow over the ring gear, and a magnetic drain plug that helps protect your differential by capturing ferrous metal particles. HELLA AUTOMOTIVE SALES X-TREME LED CUBES myhellalights.com Introducing the HELLA X-TREME Driving Lamp Cube Sets, available in 4.3-in. and 3.6-in. with 7,000 lumens from four high-output LED modules, these lamps redefine road visibility. The innovative “X” position light design offers white or amber illumination, while the 4.3-in. model features a lateral light that serves as a side turn signal. 1-800 EVERYRIM OEM WHEELS RIM TEXT SYSTEM 1800everyrim.com Match and replace…

December is the traditional time to look back on the momentous events and achievements of a past year and forecast how the new year might build on them. The specialty-equipment industry not only racked up some major wins in 2024, but saw several trends emerge and accelerate that will have broad implications for SEMA member businesses going forward. To help make sense of the changing landscape, we turned to the heads of several SEMA departments—each experts in their field—for their assessments of last year’s more noteworthy developments. Here they are, in no particular order… “[THE CHEVRON DECISION] WAS A MAJOR DECISION IN TERMS OF HOW THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES CAN ACT… IT OVERTURNED 40 YEARS OF PRECEDENT…” THE POST-COVID REALIGNMENT Yes, we’d all like to permanently consign COVID…

The Specialty Equipment Market Association is governed by a Board of Directors who volunteer their time to provide leadership and guidance to the organization. Board members are nominated and elected by the association’s membership at large. They represent the organization’s key membership categories: manufacturers, distributors/retailers, manufacturers’ reps and services. Directors serve a three-year term, while the chairman serves for two years immediately after completing a two-year term as chairman-elect. The current Board was introduced at the SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala held on July 19, 2024, with four newly elected members inaugurated during the event. Melissa Scoles took her place in the open Manufacturers category, joining Kim Pendergast who was re-elected to another term. Also, Doug Lane and Kelle Oeste joined the Board under the distributor and retailer category, with…

Within the aftermarket, professional restylers occupy a unique position at the nexus of automotive dealers, consumers and specialty-equipment manufacturers. Although normally invisible to the end consumer, restylers are often influential in enticing new-vehicle buyers and moving metal off the car lot. They likewise move product for parts manufacturers and have a keen eye for popular trends in enhancing vehicle appearance, comfort and value. “Our retailers really have evolved over the years,” explains Trim Illusion President Colby McLaughlin, who chairs the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) council. “Whether it’s trends or new technology, they’re always the ones that are on the front line right at the dealership level, hearing directly from the dealerships what consumers are wanting and making those changes to vehicles.” Of course, evolution can take an unpredictable path,…