EigenGraphs

If you are in the auto after market business then you will not want to miss the SEMA show, which is the world fifteenth largest show. What an incredible week we had at the SEMA show which beat all previous records. This years show had 88,000 pre-registrations before October 15 on the Internet as well as 90,000 during the show. There was an estimated 250,000 daily visitors from almost every country in the world, 4 countries on the planet did not have any guests. The show of course was great for my company, Detail Guys. as well as the 1400 exhibitors. This years show included passes to AAPEX which had over 500 exhibitors. Who did not attend? Well anyone who is not really in the running, we guess?

The SEMA Show is now ranked 15th in the World for size and that includes every Industry and even the World Fair and Oshkosh annual flyin. It is larger than Comdex now by another third the size and is the second largest show in all of Las Vegas as of 2002 and appears it will possibly break the record in attendance, however there are two more large shows coming still this year in Las Vegas, which might come close.

Every year my company sets up and attends trade shows to keep our team updated on new technologies, service issues, vendors, new products and industry contacts. It is not easy to go to all these shows and know the automotive aftermarket industry so well. It is a lot of hard work. We believe it is vital for anyone in the industry to stay informed and not be left in the dust. We are the dust makers, not the dust eaters.

For those of you who may not be familiar with SEMA or AAPEX; SEMA stands for; Specialty Equipment Market Association and you can check out their web site at; http://www.sema.org/ . Why is this important to those of us in the auto aftermarket biz? These are all the people who make everything that is attached to the modern and antique automobile. If it was made for a car, it was at the show. If it is a service for a car, it was at the show. If it was product for a car or the industry it was at the show. The only thing not at the show was, people and companies who are posers.

AAPEX stands for; Automotive Aftermarket Products EXPO. For more information check out; http://www.aapexshow.com . Between these shows everyone who was anyone as well as nearly all of our vendors were also there on display.

We discussed our purchases and group buying economies of scale with Mother’s Waxes, Auto Magic, Turtle Wax, Simonize, Pro, Eagle 1, Beauty Shine, Maguire’s, Production and at least 20 other brands which are new to the market. We also discussed our product purchases for equipment with at least as many companies. Was there anything new? Yes about 15 things we had never seen or heard of before from companies that no one really ever heard of. We are able to help our team to the best prices and services through these relationships with our vendors to make us number one and to beat the competition. Boy are we tired after standing on our feet for nearly a week straight. But all in all there is no place we would have rather been. I guess we will see you there next year along with some 1,000,000 other folks filling up all the hotels in Vegas.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

UK Parking Control Ltd (UKPC) have established itself as a leader in parking control management by providing parking enforcement services for a broad array of clients. They range from SME’s to major retailing names and from universities and hospitals to residential premises both large and small. The objective is to provide clients with an effective parking solution that is appropriate to every individual situation. This is the foundation of our parking management and control strategy and we have many satisfied clients who have found our approach to be a successful one.

UK Parking Control Ltd recognises that, for any parking enforcement agency, the use of new technology and innovative methods of managing parking are just as important as the more traditional methods. Today, there is far more to operating a car park than issuing parking tickets and parking permits. We have embraced the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition, Warden Patrol services, Self Ticketing Systems and Car Park Management as part of the innovative parking services we are able to offer.

Our aim is to provide tailored parking solutions for any location where parking problems may arise. UKPC prides itself in the professional approach it has adopted towards parking control management. Our front-line parking personnel and wardens are fully trained and the company is a member of the British Parking Association. UKPC operates throughout England, Scotland and Ireland - so get in touch now and let us help you solve your parking control issues.

If you are towing a trailer for the first time you will want to
have everything going for you. Changing from a single vehicle to
what is essentially double that, is not a step to be taken
casually. The hitch you use to link your tow vehicle to your
trailer is a key element in your safety and the safety of other
motorists on the road.

A great deal hinges on the choice of hitch in the world of
towing. There are a number of factors that you need to take into
consideration when making the decision. Before doing anything
else, you will need to consult your vehicle owner’s manual. This
comprehensive source of information will give you valuable
information regarding the towing specifications of your vehicle.

You will want to stay well within the parameters outlined in the
manual, being ever cautious not to place the rig under more
pressure than it can safely handle. Remember that what you can
tow under ideal towing conditions and what you can tow under
challenging conditions are two completely different things.

The tow combination that you put together needs to have capacity
to spare in order to handle these challenges when they arise.
Both the tow vehicle and the hitching system have weight
capacities that impact the safety of the whole rig.

Once you have determined the tow vehicle’s maximum towing
capacity you will be able to choose the trailer and hitch that
is the best fit. Tow hitches come in varying classes to match
the weight capacities of the vehicle and the gross trailer
weight, known as the GTW.

Trailer hitches are specific to each vehicle so you need to find
the exact hitch for your vehicle model and year. Most online
websites will have you key in these details before coming up
with the hitch for your vehicle.

The most common hitches are receivers. They are the ones that
you see on most SUVs, trucks, vans and RVs. They come in Classes
specific to their weight carrying capacity. Class I hitches have
a GTW of anything up to 2,000lbs. They are the best option for
light duty tow vehicles and commonly allow for the towing of
smaller loads like bike racks and utility trailers.

Class II hitches, with a GTW of 3,500lbs, are commonly used on
passenger vans and the less powerful SUVs. Class II hitches are
capable of towing smaller, lighter travel trailers safely. Some
class II hitches can have their tow capacities expanded in
combination with a good weight distribution system. Details on
this option should be available in your vehicle owner’s manual.

Class III hitches have a more generous tow capacity of up to
5,000lbs. They are the most common hitch for the more powerful
SUVs and trucks and allow for heavier duty towing and a broader
range of weight distribution systems that balance out the
trailer load between the wheels of the tow vehicle and those of
the trailer. The addition of this kind of hitch system offers
enhanced safety in the form of improved steering and brake
control.

Once you have selected the correct hitch for your vehicle and
trailer and you have had it shipped to your door you will be
faced with a mysterious bundle of odds and ends that bolts onto
your vehicle frame without welding. Installation times vary from
30 minutes to an hour so don’t rush. If you have doubts about
the finished product of your work you might want to invest in a
second opinion from a professional before heading out onto the
highway.