Feature

New Sights at SEMA
Show Sparks Interest in Vehicle Add-Ons
by Katie Hodge

Companies from all over the world will gather in Las Vegas to display the best they have to offer at the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s (SEMA) annual show. SEMA, which takes place November 2-5 in Las Vegas, has divided the more than 1,500 exhibitors into 12 sections to make the show more visitor-friendly.

In addition to auto glass business opportunities, attendees will be looking to add new services to their companies. Once of the most popular add-on’s for auto glass shops is window tinting, and shows like SEMA can provide an introduction to new products for companies testing the water. Attendees can talk to window film manufacturers and learn about the product, observe demonstrations and mingle with other tinters who know the challenges and benefits to learning the window tint business.

Read on for more information on growing and expanding your business with window film.

Film Debut
Booth #12225: Sun-Gard
Sun-Gard® will debut its newest film lines at this year’s SEMA show, including the new charcoal automotive window film series. This 1.5 premium-grade film is available in high-performance or non-reflective films.

Sun-Gard will also show its new paint protection product, DefenZall paint protection film, which has a seven-year manufacturer’s warranty. Both products will be available for hands-on installation demonstrations.
www.solamatrix.com

Happy Anniversary
Booth #12325: American Standard Window Film
American Standard Window Film (ASWF), a division of Erickson International and based in Las Vegas, will celebrate its one-year anniversary at the SEMA show this year. ASWF will be showcasing its five lines of automotive films. The lines also feature point-of-purchase marketing materials and retail displays.
www.aswf.com

Super Solar
Booth #11925: SunTek/Commonwealth Laminating & Coating
This year at SEMA SunTek/Commonwealth Laminating & Coating will offer a close-up look at its newest automotive window film. The company will showcase its CarbonXP™ film, which is available in seven different VLTs (5, 18, 35, 45, 55, 70 and 80 percent) and has a lifetime warranty against peeling, cracking, adhesive failure and fading.
www.suntekfilms.com

Interactive Activity
Booth #11959: Nexfil USA
Nexfil USA will provide booth visitors with a first-hand look at its line of films. The company will have demo cars on-site for attendees to see actual installation of its films. Nexfil USA has also made its Nano IR films interactive by allowing attendees to perform heat-rejection testing, which will allow them to see the results first-hand.
www.nexfilusa.com

Enjoy the View
Booth #12317: WINTECH
Buena Park, Calif.- based WINTECH will showcase a few of its film products including NANO technology-based, environmentally friendly, energy-saving films. These films are designed to protect the consumer from the sun’s harmful UV rays and feature spectrally selective coatings.
www.wintechfilm.com

Taking Care
Booth #11811: Solutia
Solutia will roll into Las Vegas with plenty to show. The St. Louis-based company will display its various film lines including LLumar, Hüper Optik, FormulaOne high -performance auto tint and V-Kool. In addition to the film lines, paint protection film and high-performance film installation demonstrations, Solutia also will feature its new line of car care kits for consumers. The Window Film Care Kit and a Paint Protection Care Kit will both be available and can provide businesses an add-on option for customers, according to the company.
www.llumar.com

Six Picks
Booth #11911: 3M
The 3M Company will exhibit a full display of its window film lines. The St. Paul, Minn.-based company will bring its color-stable automotive window film, ceramic series automotive window film, Crystalline automotive film, FX HP automotive window film and its newest addition—FX Premium automotive window film. Each of the six lines offers 99 percent UV protection and a sun protection factor up to 1,000.
www.3M.com

Revisit Repair
While visiting new companies to learn about add-ons don’t forget about old favorites. Along with window film exhibitors, auto glass repair companies will be showing their latest products and services on the SEMA show floor.

Independent Referrals
Booth #12265: Delta Kits
Delta Kits, based in Eugene, Ore., has developed and launched a new referral website. The website, www.windshieldreferral.com, is a portal for independent windshield repair companies to gain visibility and attract customers. Companies can obtain a free listing on the website and other analysis options are also available. Representatives from Delta Kits will be available to answer questions about the new website and show attendees how it works.
www.deltakits.com

Ride the Wave
Booth #12610: Glass Technology Inc.
Durango, Colo.-based Glass Technology will bring its new UV curing technology called Diamond BluWave™, which can be paired with the company’s product, Diamond Clear Resins™. According to the company, the high-intensity LED UV technology of Diamond BluWave allows for a break to cure quickly and with a strong bond.

Glass Technology also will provide information about its headlight restoration technology.
www.gtglass.com

Beyond the Floor
Outside of the show floor, SEMA also educates and entertains. There are plenty of educational opportunities available to those in attendance. On the schedule this year are seminars on topics ranging from “New Car Buyer’s Aftermarket Intentions” to “Borrowing Money in Today’s Credit Jungle” to “Stand Out From the Crowd: Defining Your Company’s Value Proposition.” And for those in attendance who learn better hands-on, SEMA also has an enormous volume of demonstrations taking place on the show floor.

Entertainment and special guests will grace the stages and entertain attendees during the show. James Gregory, once described as “America’s Funniest Man,” will keep the crowd laughing at the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet. Other special guests include legendary off-road racer Rod Hall, Stacey David from SPEED’s show “Gearz,” MTV host Funkmaster Flex, the
“Queen of Cars” Genevieve Chappell and many more. Visit www.semashow.com for more information including hotel reservations, show registration and a complete list of exhibitors.

Katie Hodge is an assistant editor for AGRR magazine.
AGRR
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