Cobb Tuning was named Manufacturer of the Year, and The AAM Group was named Channel Partner of the Year at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The announcement was made at the SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast, which honored both companies for their contributions to the automotive specialty-equipment industry during the past year, officials stated in a press release.
“Both Cobb Tuning and The AAM Group are shaping the future of the aftermarket through a dedication to excellence that is truly inspiring,” said Mike Spagnola, SEMA president and chief executive officer (CEO). “Their contributions—on the manufacturing floor and throughout the distribution channel—are enhancing the industry for the better, and we are proud to honor the impact they’ve made.”
Cobb Tuning – Manufacturer of the Year
When addressed with the challenge of manufacturing 15 new intercooler designs in short order due to Original Equipment (OE) redesigns, Cobb Tuning implemented a rapid response model to manufacturing that enabled them to turn around tooling and get its machines running on new products within a business day, all in-house, noted the release. The engineering team and production team worked together to review new tooling designs, and using a Markforged printer, printed new tools that Cobb Tuning put into use the next day.
This solution allows Cobb Tuning to create better components to meet its quality control needs more easily, faster, with less cost and waste at every step of the process, the company said. This process has been rolled out into other product lines, such as intake and exhaust systems, with equal impact.
Additionally, Cobb Tuning has been at the forefront of emissions-compliant tuning, helping set a new benchmark for responsible innovation within the ECU tuning and street-performance segment. Cobb Tuning also invests in its people by offering tuition reimbursement and on-the-clock training opportunities to help employees advance their technical and leadership skills.
The AAM Group – Channel Partner of the Year
The AAM Group is an automotive aftermarket-focused distribution group and specialty marketing firm, serving a network of warehouse distributors, jobbers and supplier partners.
A catalyst for brand growth and channel success, The AAM Group holds frequent training sessions with its brand partners to identify product features and benefits, while also ensuring their team understands the business models, context and needs of many types of SEMA channel partners and how to serve them, officials said.
The AAM Group is committed to product data enhancement and has extended its expertise beyond its own operations, teaching SEMA Data team members its validation and evaluation processes and actively coaching industry partners on the value of high-quality data. The AAM Group also makes product data usable for partners downstream of SEMA Data and enhances product data to improve customer experience for both wholesale and retail audiences.
Additionally, The AAM Group’s Ready Posts social media program has a scaled offering of social media posts designed to equip local shops across North America to introduce their products and cultures to different generations. AAM’s N-Store TV program is used by over 2,000 shops, introducing people of all ages to the value and benefits of the industry’s products.