The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the leading nonprofit trade association representing the automotive aftermarket, has officially acquired the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA). The move strengthens SEMA’s presence in the off-road and powersports sector, one of the fastest-growing areas of the aftermarket.
Founded in 2001, ORBA has been a dedicated advocate for businesses and enthusiasts in the off-highway vehicle space, representing manufacturers, dealers, and service providers for ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles, and snowmobiles. ORBA has focused on protecting land access, defending modification rights, and ensuring off-road communities have a seat at the table in policy discussions.
With this acquisition, SEMA unites ORBA’s mission with its own broad-based advocacy. The result is a stronger collective voice for builders, racers, and aftermarket manufacturers.
What This Means for the Industry
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Stronger Advocacy: Together, SEMA and ORBA will amplify efforts to defend motorized access to public lands and protect the rights of enthusiasts to modify and race their vehicles.
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TORA Benefits: SEMA’s Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) gains additional resources and influence, expanding its reach across the off-road and powersports industries.
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Leadership Continuity: ORBA CEO Fred Wiley will remain involved as a senior strategic advisor, ensuring a smooth transition and keeping ORBA’s expertise active within SEMA.
Industry Leaders Respond
Mike Spagnola, SEMA President & CEO, emphasized the importance of the move: “By bringing ORBA under the SEMA banner, we’re scaling up our ability to speak on behalf of the off-road and powersports communities.”
ORBA’s CEO, Fred Wiley, added: “Joining forces with SEMA means our industry stays at the table on critical issues—rights to modify, race, and access public lands. I believe our work is in the right hands.”
TORA Chair Dawson Druesedow agreed, noting: “We’re excited to have the additional firepower of ORBA under the SEMA brand… to advance policies that will allow our industry to thrive for generations.”
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