CRC Industries Showcasing Commitment to Skilled Trades at SEMA

CRC Industries, a global provider of specialty chemicals for automotive maintenance and repair, announced it is expanding its investment in tomorrow’s automotive professionals at SEMA 2026 through initiatives designed to build awareness of skilled trades careers, create greater access to technical education, and support hands-on learning opportunities.

Through its Build for the Future initiative, created in partnership with TechForce Foundation, CRC is bringing each of these priorities to life. The program builds awareness of skilled trades careers through one-of-a-kind vehicle builds created alongside influential builders and automotive personalities; expands access to technical education through scholarship funding; and supports hands-on learning opportunities designed to help professionals build their skills.

At SEMA 2026, CRC said it will showcase the initiative’s latest build—a 1977 Chevrolet C10 Pro Street truck, which will cross the auction block at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in January 2027 to generate additional scholarship funding—alongside a new training trailer designed to support hands-on technical education.

“For generations, CRC has helped move the automotive industry forward through products and innovations professionals rely on every day. As industry leaders, we understand the importance of investing in the people who will shape its future,” said Len Mazzanti, CEO of CRC Industries. “Build for the Future brings our partners and the broader automotive community together to turn that commitment into meaningful opportunities for the next generation of skilled professionals.”

Building Awareness of Skilled Trade Careers

To generate scholarship funding, CRC partners with automotive personalities to create one-of-a-kind vehicles that generate excitement and visibility around careers in the skilled trades. Each build is showcased throughout the automotive community before heading to auction, where proceeds are turned into financial support for students pursuing technical education.

Built alongside longtime CRC collaborators Jeff Lutz of Lutz Race Cars and NHRA Top Fuel champion Clay Millican, the 1977 Chevrolet C10 brings together contributions from partners across the automotive industry. At its heart is an Edelbrock/Musi 555 carbureted big-block engine paired with an 8-71 supercharger, giving the classic C10 modern Pro Street performance.

Contributors to the project include Willie B (Two Guys Garage), Shaun Umscheid (“What No Way” Guy), Emily and Aaron Reeves (Flying Sparks Garage), and Mike Cotten (Faster with Newbern and Cotton), who served as the project’s Pro Street consultant.

The 1977 Chevrolet C10 Pro Street truck will be on display at CRC’s booth, No. 24677, in Central Hall.

Scholarships and Hands-On Technical Education

Through Build for the Future, CRC generates funding to award financial support to students pursuing technical school education, with each recipient receiving a minimum of $2,500. In 2026, CRC awarded 40 CRC Build for the Future scholarships of $2,500 each, totaling $100,000 across 17 automotive and industrial trades.