The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced the acquisition of the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), a leading a 501(c)(6) organization dedicated to representing businesses and professionals in the off-road and powersports industries, company officials stated in a press release.
Off-road products and services are the largest and fastest-growing segment of the automotive aftermarket industry. SEMA says this acquisition enhances its ability to support the advocacy and business needs of the off-road and powersports communities and the innovators who sell their products to millions of enthusiasts nationwide.
Mike Spagnola, SEMA President & CEO
“Today is a great day for off-road and powersports enthusiasts and the businesses who cater to them, because it further unifies efforts to advocate in Washington, D.C., and statehouses nationwide on their behalf,” said SEMA president and CEO Mike Spagnola. “By acquiring ORBA, SEMA further unifies our shared efforts to preserve motorized access to our nation’s open spaces and secure policies that strike a tenable balance between land use and conservation. SEMA has sought ways for our Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) to work more closely with ORBA, out of an immense respect and appreciation for their work and the individuals whose blood, sweat and tears over the decades gave a voice to businesses and enthusiasts in the off-road and powersports communities. By bringing ORBA under the SEMA banner, we’re scaling up our ability to speak on behalf of the off-road and powersports communities and further extending ORBA’s legacy of service to our industry and enthusiasts.”
Fred Wiley, ORBA CEO
“ORBA was formed to bring the added resources to support the off-road Industry through business acumen and advocacy, and by directly joining forces with SEMA, this industry will remain at the table on the important issues affecting motorized access to public lands, protecting the right to modify, race, and other important issues to the off-road community,” said ORBA CEO Fred Wiley. “SEMA, since ORBA’s inception, has been a great partner, and I firmly believe our work is in the right hands, with the right partners in the trenches for our great off-road community. I’ve always said that the issues facing the off-road industry never truly go away; they just evolve. SEMA is uniquely qualified to serve as a steward for future efforts to protect land access and champion the viewpoints of off-road businesses and enthusiasts.”
Dawson Druesedow, TORA Chair
“The Truck and Off Road Alliance (TORA), a SEMA Council, was formed to represent the collective interest of its member companies who manufacture, distribute, sell and/or install accessories for off-road vehicles, light-duty pickup trucks, ATVs, or provide services to this industry,” said TORA chair Dawson Druesedow. “We are excited to have the additional firepower of ORBA under the SEMA brand and to expand the advocacy and litigation efforts to not only protect our community but to advance policies that will allow our industry to thrive for generations to come.”
Transaction Details of the ORBA Acquisition
Under the terms of the agreement, SEMA would acquire all ORBA assets, noted the release. Wiley would remain a senior strategic advisor to SEMA on off-road and powersports issues.