A little more than 50 years ago, a small group of manufacturers got together to form an association to highlight the suppliers of their fledgling little cottage industry. This was the early days of hot rodding and they were the performance pioneers who got their start after WWII building machines to run on the Bonneville Salt Flats and drag racing around southern California. The little group that organized this association was known as the Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA).
SEMA eventually became the Specialty Equipment Market Association, embracing within its ranks all businesses in the distribution chain: manufacturers, warehouse distributors, jobbers, independent retailers, volume retailers, specialty stores, sales agents, subcontractors and publishing companies. The membership categories even include racing teams, clubs and special service organizations. The SEMA membership roster has steadily grown over the years and continues its upward climb. Today there are more than 6,382 corporate members. Products supplied by the industry are in demand not only in the U.S., but also throughout the world. SEMA-member companies contribute to the vitality and strength of a
$33 billion-a-year retail industry.
For most of its existence, SEMA has more or less been considered an automotive-related show. While this is still mostly true, the association has been trying to establish a foothold in the powersports industry with a dedicated section. In fact, MPN was an exhibitor for the very first year. Babcox Media, the publishers of MPN, have been a longtime member of SEMA and were part of the very first SEMA Show back when it was held under the grandstands at Dodger stadium in 1967 (Side note: my father was there representing Babcox’s Speed & Custom Dealer magazine at the time).
The powersports industry has not paid much attention to SEMA since they added an area in 2011, and there are many reasons why that we will not get into here, but the fact remains there are opportunities for dealers and manufacturers if you choose to take part in supporting its growth. I believe it will eventually come as it takes place during Automotive Industry Week, one of the largest trade-only gatherings in Las Vegas every year.
According to SEMA, the number of automotive accessory businesses branching off into the powersports market has increased in recent years. In particular, the UTV market seems to have piqued the interest of SEMA and its members, so much so that they recently released a 62-page report detailing the market and its growth opportunities.
“One of the ways companies grow is by expanding into related markets,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA VP of events and communications. “Buyers at the SEMA Show have increasingly expressed an interest in powersports products, particularly those already selling trucksand SUV products.”
The “UTV Accessorization” report is one of many market research reports that SEMA offers to help members make informed and strategic business decisions. Members may download a copy of the report at no cost.
SEMA Powersports & Utility Vehicles Exhibitors
Bug Buster Windscreen 37027
ProBoxRocks 37001, 63112
Torero Industries 38009, 62221
TrakMotive/SurTrack ATV-UTV CV Axles 36001
Lazer Star Lights 37011
Fit-Ear Inc. 37026
US HPI Inc. 24229, 37006
Inferno USA 38033
EZ-POUR 38000
Kolpin Outdoors Inc. 36033
TITAN LIFTS 36011
WetSounds/Rogue 4 36017
Ice Bear Powersports 37031
Vertically Drvien Products 36027
Segway Inc. 36005
SCT Performance/Bully Dog 21333, 37028, 61140
JRi Shocks 25151, 38034
IMMI/CargoBuckle 37035
BCS International 38003
Elio Motors 38025
Endeavor Trike Conversion Kit for Motorcycles 38029
Tread Lightly! 38031
Hisun Motors Corp. U.S.A. 38019
RapidPro Manufacturing Corp. 37004
Tie Boss 38017
STIFFY & Friends 36003
Doetsch Shocks 37005
Max Inc. International Co. Ltd. 37003
Fasty Straps North America Inc. 37000
Polaris RZR XP1K2 11001
