DIAMOND BAR, Calif. — The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is considering opening a second SEMA Garage to complement the group's existing West Coast development facility.
SEMA said it is considering locations on the East Coast for a second innovation facility to help members develop new products.
"There are plans in place, but nothing is confirmed at this time," Tyson Boyer, chairman of SEMA's Wheel & Tire Council, said during a WTC telephone conference call May 6.
"We'll share more details on that as it is ironed out and as we receive completion or acceptance that it is 100%."
The existing SEMA Garage is near to the trade group's headquarters in Diamond Bar.
"A little bird on the window said that it's potentially on the East Coast," Mr. Boyer said about the possible new SEMA Garage. "I know that's one of the questions for many who are on the East Coast. 'Hey, it's so far to go to the headquarters.' So, stay tuned."
SEMA Garage is 15,000 square feet and provides tools and equipment to help association members develop new products.
"It's the only known facility of its kind in the United States," according to SEMA.
Establishing a second SEMA Garage would help members in the eastern U.S. because they would not have to travel as far to take advantage of the services, Mr. Boyer told members who were on the call.
The SEMA Garage is filled with nearly $2 million of equipment, including tools specialty product developers use, including two vehicle lifts, a portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) for 3D scanning, a 3D printer for fast prototyping, digital race car scales for precise vehicle weight measurements, a dynamometer for precise emissions measurements and more, according to SEMA.
SEMA members create thousands of new vehicle tools and accessories each year, some with universal fitments, the group said, but others are "model-specific applications that require significantly more research and development."
This is where the SEMA Garage can help members with their new creations. The garage provides a variety of services, including technology transfer, installation, custom scanning, 3-D printing, measuring, emissions compliance and training.