A LOOK BACK ON SEMA 2024
BY ALLISON ROGERS AND SARAH PERKINS
This year’s SEMA Show——which took place from November 5 to 8, 2024—may have come and gone, and with it, the afterimage of the bright lights of Las Vegas, Nevada in attendees eyes, but when it comes to the hottest products for the collision repair industry, the glitz and glamour of the spotlight stage is never far behind.
More than just a showcase of the latest products and innovations, the SEMA Show is a vibrant gathering of like-minded professionals eager to share knowledge and insights.
When looking at all the SEMA showroom had to offer, Bodyworx Professional’s first visit was a special unveiling at AkzoNobel’s Central Hall booth. Here, the coatings company once again hosted brand ambassador, custom car builder and designer and painter Dave Kindig—owner of Kindig-It Designs and star of Motor Trend’s Bitchin’ Rides.
Alongside some truly impressive car designs, on the scene Bodyworx reporters also had the opportunity to see PPG’s Moonwalk automatic paint mixing system in action.
Held at the ‘Moon Walk’ van outside of the convention centre, PPG representatives discussed how digital tools are helping to reshape the way paint is mixed and applied in the collision repair sector. The exclusive media tour further allowed attendees to engage directly with the representatives to discuss the impact of technology on paint processes.
And, when considering the future of technology within the industry, another highlight of the event was the announcement of the 2024 winners of the New Product Showcase. Here, I-CAR Academy walked away with the top prize as the best new Collision Repair/Refinish product. Runners-up were Sagola SPRAY (Sagola by Elcometer) and the RTS app from I-CAR, respectively. Additionally, the best new ADAS product was awarded to Revv ADAS Plus by Revv ADAS. Here, runners-up were Revv ADAS Mechanical by Revv ADAS and Solar Wireless Driving Assistant by Vision Automobile Electronics Industrial.
Overall, more than 1,600 products were entered into the 18 different Showcase categories to be considered for a SEMA New Product Award. Winners were selected based on a variety of factors, including superiority of innovation, technical achievement, quality and workmanship, consumer appeal and marketability and more.
So, while the glitz and glamour may be finished for another year, relive the highlights by checking out exclusive photos and product descriptions here.
SATAJET X 5500 LOWRIDER LIMITED SPECIAL EDITION BY SATA
This limited-edition SATAjetX 5500 Lowrider is a topquality spray gun available in both HLVP and RP compliant technologies. SATA says the spray gun is perfect for spraying all types of topcoats, sealers and clears. Plus, the SATAjet X 5500 Lowrider is a limited production special edition surface coating that will help you stand out. This spray gun is available across the United States and Canada at authorized SATA distributors.
HUNTER UNIVERSITY BY HUNTER ENGINEERING
Launched in Summer 2024, Hunter University is a new global learning platform designed for easily accessible training for customers, technicians, technical school instructors, students and other interested parties. The Hunter University platform, which is available in 21 languages, collects all of Hunter’s extensive learning content in a single place, offering dozens of free online courses worldwide, as well as streamlined registration for hands-on, in-person courses at training centres around the United States. Hunter Engineering notes that all existing content was updated and refreshed as part of the nine-month effort, often converting from dynamic modules with narration and video. The online courses are generally presented in five-minute segments, so even a 10-module course can be completed in approximately one hour.
SAGOLA SPRAY BY SAGOLA BY ELCOMETER
Experience hands-on spray painting training without the mess! Developed by expert spray paint technicians, the Sagola SPRAY VR program allows refinishers-in-training to master essential techniques in a safe and eco-friendly environment. Practice repeatedly to refine your skills while saving paint and materials. Receive instant feedback to learn from your mistakes and improve your technique. Discover the perfect gun distance for a flawless finish, adjust your hand positioning for optimal fan patterns, and understand the ideal speed for effective spraying. Elevate your craftsmanship and gain confidence in your abilities with our innovative virtual reality training!
REVV ADAS PLUS BY REVV ADAS
The winner of the SEMA Best New Product — ADAS Category, Revv ADAS is a SaaS platform that allows collision repair facilities and calibration businesses to identify new revenue streams from required ADAS, safety, steering and functional calibrations on repaired vehicles. According to the company, Revv ADAS Plus delivers a complete calibration identification solution with an advanced rules engine, workflow management, CCC and Mitchell integrations, as well as customizable options for each shop. The program allows for advanced quoting based on labour rates, insurance or vehicle make, plus seamless billing and invoicing via Quickbooks integration.
PRO SPOT ERGO LIFT ASSIST™
The revolutionary Pro Spot Ergo Lift Assist™ System (ELA) is the tallest and most versatile motorized boom mechanism for spot welding applications. Designed to reach higher (9.25’ / 2.82 m) and lower (5’ / 1.5 m) than most conventional booms, the ELA makes spot welding any area on today’s high reach/wide footprint vehicles accessible and ergonomic. The Ergo Lift Assist™ is designed for today’s high-profile SUVs, vans and trucks, and the battery-powered ELA has over nine feet of vertical reach.
TRAINING CONTENT BY 3M AND AXALTA
3M and Axalta have announced a collaboration to introduce a new training content series focused on automotive refinishing. The series will feature five co-branded training modules, each intended to meaningfully help technicians and shops improve their understanding of repair process practices and drive greater operational outcomes. The first three training modules from the series centred on optimizing process productivity, efficiency and quality in refinishing, are scheduled for release globally on December 2, 2024, and will be accessible through the 3M™ Collision Repair Academy and Axalta Academy platforms. The training content will also be made available on 3M and Axalta’s social media channels. Additional training modules focused on safety and sustainability will become available in 2025.
GPR STAR VORTEX COOLER FOR GLUE PULL REPAIR BY KECO BODY REPAIR PRODUCTS
The GPR Star Vortex Cooler is a cooling solution designed to improve the performance of glue pull repair (GPR). It rapidly cools down hot glue, allowing technicians to work faster and more efficiently by minimizing wait times during the repair process. The GPR Star Vortex Cooler—not yet available in Canada—is said to be ideal for shops and locations where ambient temperatures are elevated. The cooling effect of the vortex action reduces temperatures and times between pulls, according to KECO.
FORMOSA VCU BY FORMOSA EV
Winner of SEMA’s Best New Electric Vehicle Product, Formosa EV’s Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) simplifies EV conversions by acting as a universal translator between components. The company says this eliminates the need for CAN bus programming. Normally, setting up the communication between car parts requires a lot of technical programming, though Formosa says its VCU removes this hassle. The product itself is designed for DIY enthusiasts and is said to offer easy set-up via a user-friendly mobile app. The VCU is said to be automotive-grade and OEMtested, according to Formosa EV.
