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Truck Cap Association Merges Into SEMA

3 November 1999

Truck Cap Association Merges Into SEMA

    DIAMOND BAR, Calif., Nov. 2 -- The Truck Cap & Accessory
Association has merged into the Specialty Equipment Market Association,
according to a joint announcement by SEMA President Charles R. Blum and
Hartmut Schroeder of SnugTop, current president of the TCAA Board of
Directors.
    Under the terms of the alliance, TCAA, a trade group catering to the
light-truck accessory market, will function as SEMA's largest niche-market
council.  TCAA members, more than 800 companies in all, represent all segments
of the truck accessory market, including manufacturers, cap dealers,
distributors and accessory retailers.
    The announcement came after months of speculation that the two
associations were poised to join forces.  "By endorsing the merger of TCAA
into SEMA, both the TCAA Board and our membership have given a clear mandate
to move forward and expand our potential for future growth," said Schroeder.
"It's an auspicious occasion that augers well for SEMA, TCAA, our respective
members, and most importantly, the future of the specialty equipment
industry."
    According to Blum, the merger will afford current TCAA members the best of
both worlds, insofar as they will continue to enjoy existing industry-specific
benefits as well as receive the many exclusive advantages of SEMA membership.
Blum also observed that TCAA's annual trade show, the Light Truck Accessory
Expo, will be produced jointly by SEMA and TCAA, beginning in 2001.
    Said Blum: "All around us, companies are forming strategic alliances for
the purpose of pooling their resources and forming mutually beneficial
relationships.  The long-standing relationship and synergy that exist between
SEMA and TCAA were the catalysts for this new alliance.  We are excited by the
prospect of embracing TCAA and its members within SEMA and look forward with
much anticipation to building on this relationship in the years to come."