The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is a vital lifeline of the automotive aftermarket. Consisting of a diverse group of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, publishing companies, auto restorers, street-rod builders, re-stylers, car clubs and race teams, the association looks out for the best interests of the automotive enthusiast and industry members. SEMA has been around for 46 years works diligently on supporting Federal and State regulations that are good for motor and gear heads.

Located next to the association’s headquarters in Diamond Bar, California, the SEMA Garage is an industry owned tool box in the shape of a building. The Garage houses an in-ground dyno, complete with a massive ventilation system and built-in slider tracks for wheel stops to ensure no vehicle will jump off the dyno while making hard pulls.

The dyno section is also set up for emissions testing to help association members with certification of their performance products. In another room of the garage there is a 4-post lift specifically for members to use for product development, test fits, and measuring sessions. Loaded with Craftsman tools and 5 different welders, the entire garage is a mechanic’s and product developer’s dream. SEMA regularly brings new vehicles in for measuring sessions to help member companies see if their existing part will move up with the next year of vehicle and help stir innovation of new products by having the car or truck available to sneak a peek at. Last year alone, SEMA hosted 18 measuring sessions on site and at OE facilities and they have 24 scheduled for this year.

The automotive industry thrives on innovation. SEMA’s Technology Transfer program houses CAD files covering all major vehicle components from Ford, GM, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge, Fiat and Scion. OEs voluntarily share those files with SEMA-member manufacturers to aid in product development. In addition to those files, SEMA also have a laser FaroArm.

The FaroArm is a highly sophisticated 3D measuring tool designed to help reverse engineer products and mounting surfaces. “Maybe a member has cut and welded a complete exhaust system, air intake, or some other product and wants to reverse engineer it for CAD information,” Mike Spagnola SEMA vice president of OEM and product development programs explained. “We can actually scan that product and create a CAD file for them.”

On July 17th, 2014, the SEMA Garage Open House brought in 1,000 automotive aftermarket industry members to show off the newly built innovation center. The event was loaded with good food, music, and drinks. The facility was open for self-guided tours through the rooms and sections. Spinning up the dyno was a sleek black 2015 Mustang turbo charged 4-cylinder and over on the 4-post lift was another 2015 Mustang, but this time in GT form with a 5.0L monster under the hood with the FaroArm mapping out the front bumper.

Industry celebrities roamed the halls, rubbing shoulders with the crowd. Ivan, Ironman, Stewart, and George Barris chatted the night away. Barris’ Batmobile was nestled away in the custom built photo cove and was available for attendees to get a picture with. Classic cars, trucks, rat rods, drift cars, Jeeps, and so many more were on display throughout the areas outside.

The SEMA Garage may be an industry and member-only facility, but it does directly help the general public. SEMA is comprised of more than 6,000 companies that build products for our automotive obsessions. Stay tuned in early November for coverage of the massive 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada where thousands of companies will display their products and services to industry-only attendees.