THE 12VOLT CENTRAL STUDIOS (12.31.2021) – It goes without saying the COVID-19 driven world of 2021 was truly upside down.

With COVID-19 news front and center every day there was a cloud overhead every day. With normal travel and in-person activity on a daily basis curtailed the mood across the nation was not good. Product shortages, caused by factory slow-downs and shipping delays, added considerable stress across the 12volt world. Rep firm staff members were swamped daily with requests to track orders for their dealers. Vendor staffs were swamped replying to rep firms regarding inventory questions.

With all the above 12volt retailers for the most part had a positive year fueled by stimulus money the first part of 2021. With many not working, time was spent time upgrading home and vehicles.

During 2021, industry show activity was definitely impacted in a negative way with no CES 2021 and no distributor shows in the spring. The SEMA Show resumed in November but overall exhibitor count was down as well as attendance.

Strong online Holiday sales activity was also not positive for 12volt brick and mortar retailers.

With that… let’s wash off and say Good Bye to 2021 and get ready for a New Year 2022.

LEXINGTON, SC – Dec. 29, 2021 – Tint World® Automotive Styling Centers™, a leading auto accessory and window tinting franchise, has expanded its reach by opening a second location in Lexington, South Carolina. Both stores are owned by father-and-son team Tom and Drew Nixon.

“We are excited to open our second location in South Carolina,” Tom Nixon said. “Our whole team is looking forward to providing the Lexington area with the same high-quality products and services that we provide at our Charleston location!”

Drew Nixon agrees.

“It gives us a great sense of pride to continue our growth in South Carolina,” Drew Nixon said. “We’re excited to bring the full array of customization and automotive styling services Tint World® offers to Lexington residents at this brand-new location!”

Tint World® Lexington, South Carolina will offer the latest in automotive aftermarket accessories, ultra-premium window tint, expert installation, and a staff of highly experienced installers and technicians.

“The Nixons opened their Charleston location in 2019 and we’ve enjoyed tremendous success in South Carolina. This new Lexington location will expand on that prosperity,” said Charles J. Bonfiglio, president and CEO of Tint World®. “Drew and Tom are real go-getters. I know their initiative and drive will result in another home run for the Tint World® family. We are fortunate to have them as part of our team.”

The address of this new location is 520 N Lake Dr., Lexington, SC 29072 and they can be reached at (803) 828-0008. It will be open Monday – Saturday. For more information about the products and services Tint World® Lexington offers, request a quote, or to book an appointment, visit their website at https://www.tintworld.com/locations/sc/lexington-071/.

Tint World® Automotive Styling Centers™ offer sales and installation of auto accessories, mobile electronics, audio video equipment, security systems, custom wheels and tire packages, window tinting, vehicle wraps, paint protection films, detailing services, nano ceramic coatings, maintenance and repair services, and more. Tint World® is also the leading provider of residential, commercial and marine computerized window tinting and security film services with locations throughout the U.S. and abroad, with franchise opportunities available worldwide.

KNOXVILLE, TN, December 28, 2021 – Scottie Johnson, a Knoxville-based leader in after-market battery applications, has purchased the Knox News property from its parent company, Gannett, which has pursued a strategy of selling properties and leasing back office and production space.

All Knox News operations, including printing of the News Sentinel and other regional newspapers such as The Tennessean and the Lexington (Kentucky) Herald Leader, will continue at the facility, one of the nation’s busiest newspaper presses. The newsroom, advertising, circulation and human resources offices will remain in the building under the lease-back deal.

In all, Knox News will continue to use more than 115,000 square feet of the approximately 190,000 square feet of the building on News Sentinel Drive near the Mechanicsville neighborhood.

Johnson’s business will occupy much of the office space on the ground floor, and he will lease out additional office space on the first and second floors.

“This is a ideal relationship for everyone,” said Joel Christopher, Knox News executive editor. “Scottie Johnson gets a great location to expand his rapidly growing, locally based businesses, Knox News locks in a long-term deal for its production and office needs, and other businesses get an opportunity to lease in a location with tremendous access to downtown, the airport and the interstate system.”

He plans to construct a manufacturing facility on site before moving his employees in 2023 to the current building that was built less than 20 years ago.

“This opportunity to not only buy a building but buy a building with such a respected and well-known main tenant, the newspaper, was a no-brainer for me,” Johnson told Knox News. “I have a very solid understanding that the newspaper is not leaving any time soon. The plan is for that business to still grow here.”

SHREVEPORT, LA (12.27.2021) – We truly wish all across the 12volt industry had a Merry Christmas and will enjoy this week as the Happy Holidays Season and 2021 come to a close.

2021, that was driven by the COVID-19 Pandemic, certainly has been such a very strange year on so many fronts. Many retailers posted record sales in the first part of the year while vendor companies within the 12volt industry struggled with the impact of product delays. Travel restrictions by many companies added to the difficulties that impacted the overall day-to-day business across the 12volt industry.

The tremendous spike in online holiday sales no doubt impacted recent traffic in brick and mortar storefronts. Online holiday sales in 2021 were estimated at $209 BILLION.

As 2022 dawns, there will still be considerable uncertainty on many fronts….including product shortages. Even CES 2022 has been impacted by new COVID-19 Omicron variant spike across the US and around the world. General Motors, Amazon, Facebook, Google, Waymo, T-Mobile, AT&T and Twitter will undoubtedly be joined by more high profile consumer electronics firms. A significant number of major 12volt vendors announced months ago they would not exhibit as CES 2022.

The huge North Hall of the LVCC was occupied 100% by 12volt vendors less than a decade ago. Assuming CES 2022 happens, 12volt vendors will certainly make up less than 10% of the North Hall floor space. The rise in the popularity of the SEMA Show has certainly impacted the number of exhibitors attending CES. That said, the recent SEMA Show was also impacted in a negative way by the current state of the world.

The above narrative is a harsh reality that each 12volt related business is facing.

From the 12volt Central Studios, we encourage all to evaluate their situation and play to their strengths. Build on your company’s strengths and highlight the positives in your every day activities.

Utilizing social media to put your company’s brand, products and activities in a must in today’s marketplace.

We look forward to continuing to showcase positives from companies across the 12volt industry in 2022.

SHREVEPORT, LA (12.24.2021) – We truly wish all across the 12volt industry a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Season.

2021, that continues to be driven by the COVID-19 Pandemic, certainly has been such a very strange year on so many fronts. Many retailers posted record sales while vendor companies within the 12volt industry continue to be severely impacted by the product delays.

The tremendous spike in online holiday sales no doubt has impacted recent traffic in brick and mortar storefronts. As 2022 dawns, there will still be considerable uncertainty on many fronts. Even CES 2022 will no doubt be impacted by new COVID-19 variant spikes.

Travel restrictions by many companies added to the difficulties that impacted overall day-to-day business across the 12volt industry.

The above narrative is a harsh reality that each business is facing.

From the 12volt Central Studios, we encourage all to evaluate their situation and play to their strengths. Build on your company’s strengths and highlight the positives in your every day activities.

We look forward to continuing to showcase positives from companies across the 12volt industry in 2022.

STILLWATER, OK (12.22.2021) – KICKER is deeply saddened to announce the unexpected passing of colleague Rob Limbaugh.  Limbaugh departed this life Friday while at home.  An 18-year KICKER employee and longtime industry veteran, Limbaugh first served as National Sales Director at Stillwater Designs, ultimately ascending to Director of Business Development and Vice President.

“He was an amazing visionary for the big picture,” said KICKER President and co-founder Steve Irby.  “We will certainly miss his contributions, his viewpoints, and his insightful plans.”

While under Limbaugh’s watch, KICKER expanded the Marine and Powersports lines of products, formed the Home and Portables division, and relocated 200 employees into the company’s new world headquarters in Stillwater, Okla. He was instrumental in keeping KICKER relevant into the 21^st century, playing an essential part of moving KICKER products into big-box retail and developing KICKER’s current UMAP (Unilateral Minimum Advertised Pricing) policy so dealers could grow their revenue.

He also got the KICKER brand involved in his auto passion, One Lap of America, for several years, and he co-drove a BMW during the 2018 road-course race.

Limbaugh started his audio career in 1975 at Pacific Stereo in Fresno, Calif.  His passion for audio led him to be vice president at Linear Power for six years. After that he led Polk Audio’s car-audio division for more than a decade before joining KICKER’s sales team.

“Rob was always extremely sharp,” said KICKER Director of Global Supply Chain Greg Lew. “He loved going to soundoffs. He loved loud audio.  He was witty, trustworthy, and a great friend – somebody you could chat with and challenge.”

Behind his famously dry wit and wry smile, Limbaugh was known to be a deep thinker and consistent voice among KICKER leadership.

“He had an amazing mind for seeing the overall plan,” recalled KICKER General Manager Jay Ralston. “He was an integral part of every major decision and had a gift for considering all the angles.”

“He was always presenting a bigger picture solution and played that role very well,” Irby said. “It’s important to have a diversity of opinions in a company to make balanced decisions, and we could always count on Rob.  He will definitely be missed.”

Visit kicker.com for more.

DRAPER, UT (12.20.2021) – The opportunity to experience new products, attend trainings and network with industry members across the US drew 4 members of the Laketown Speed and Sound Team to travel from Draper UT to KnowledgeFest in Dallas December 10th-12th. Owner John Mueller, Angel Rivera, Craig Russell and Isai Hernandez spent the Friday through Sunday making the most of every minute over the 3 jam packed days.

John Mueller, Laketown Speed and Sound owner, stated, “Three members of our staff and I attended the recent KnowledgeFest in Dallas. I was excited to find other industry professionals like Ken Ward, Carlos Ramirez, Brian Mitchell and Jason Kranitz with whom I could collaborate with on the challenges we currently face across the 12volt industry.”

Mueller indicated there was excellent instruction for integration in newer vehicles and ways to improve design processes. “In updating our businesses practices, giving our personnel much needed tools plus instructions, time spent at KnowledgeFest delivered valuable direction,” Mueller added.

During time at the event Laketown Speed and Sound staff members selected training sessions and seminars to attend so they could gain as much knowledge and insight at possible. Angel and Isai were especially interested in checking out the latest products and installations in various demo vehicles on the event floor. The Slingshot and bike in the HKI booth, bike in the Hertz booth, pickup in the Metra booth and seeing the SEMA award winning 9500 in the Sony booth were top takeaways.

Dinners and time spent networking with industry members who traveled from across the US was an added benefit for the Laketown Speed and Sound team.

“I am personally very appreciative of the efforts MEA and its instructors invested in the KnowledgeFest Dallas event. I would highly recommend other retailers invest their time and money to attend future KnowledgeFest events. Now that we are back at our store we are excited to implement what we learned in Big D,” Mueller concluded.

The 12volt Central Studios staff has noted very well done and informative posts on social media by Anger Rivera. Those posts showcase a very impressive facility as well as superb custom work featuring top brands the company offers to consumers in their marketplace.

A very large 12volt News hats off to John Mueller for making the commitment to take team members to KnowledgeFest in Dallas and supplying words for this article. Also, a big thank you to Angel Rivera for suppling images and input.

Visit knowledgefest.org and laketownspeedandsound.com for more.