WASHINGTON, DC -- In its 2007 report, "Motor Vehicle Suppliers: The Foundation of U.S. Manufacturing," the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) dubbed the automotive aftermarket supplier industry an “invisible giant" for its quiet, behind-the-scenes impact on the U.S. economy. And when you consider that MEMA’s study shows that the automotive supplier industry, virtually unknown to the average consumer, contributes 4.5 million private industry jobs and $253 billion in annual compensation to the nation's economy, invisible giant seems like an apt moniker.

One hundred and thirty senior executives from the automotive and heavy-duty industries gathered in Washington, DC, last week to meet with members of Congress and educate legislators on just how much of an impact this industry has in the United States. The attendees of MEMA’s 2007 Legislative Summit set out not only to educate U.S. legislators on the issues that are affecting aftermarket suppliers today, but also raise the image of the industry and turn that ‘invisible giant’ into a leading player on Capitol Hill.

“The 2007 MEMA Legislative Summit, combined with our Ride & Drive event that takes place here Oct. 4-5 and the supplier impact study are helping to build the status and voice of the supplier industry in D.C.,” said MEMA President and CEO Bob McKenna.

The event kicked off on Wednesday, May 16 with legislative briefings to prepare MEMA members for their Congressional visits, followed by a Congressional Reception & Supplier Fair, which allowed legislators to get a firsthand look at some of the technologies the industry has developed – technologies ranging from driver safety systems such as stability control and tire pressure monitoring, to brand protection products.

MEMA arranged for 70 meetings between MEMA members and legislators last week. The meetings, which were comprised of 19 small groups of members, organized geographically, focused on meeting with legislators in states where aftermarket suppliers have manufacturing facilities. The primary issues addressed at the Summit included health care, technology mandates, Card Check legislation (the Employee Free Choice Act), energy/fuel efficiency, steel, China’s currency policy, permanent R&D tax credits and brand protection.

Also during the event, MEMA presented its annual Joseph M. Magliochetti Industry Champion Award to Sens. Carl Levin (D-MI) and George Voinovich (R-OH) for their focused attention to issues surrounding motor vehicle suppliers.

During the awards breakfast Sen. Levin announced the launch of the American Manufacturing Initiative (AMI), a comprehensive agenda to revitalize the domestic manufacturing industry and respond to the loss of millions of U.S. manufacturing jobs.

Andrew Magliochetti (far left), son of the late Joe Magliochetti and MEMA Chairman Al Stecklein, group president, Worldwide Aftermarket, Gates Corp. (far right), present the Joseph M. Magliochetti Industry Champion Award to Ohio Senator George Voinovich.

The bill, introduced by Levin and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) Thursday in Washington, DC, is also supported by Michigan Democrats including Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, Rep. John Dingell, Rep. John Conyers, Rep. Dale Kildee, Rep. Sander Levin, Rep. Bart Stupak and Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick.

AMI would bring together government, private industry and academia in a partnership aimed at turning around the manufacturing sector of the U.S. economy. It focuses on six areas:

• manufacturing incentives;
• trade policies, including currency manipulation and barriers to U.S. products;
• health care support;
• advanced vehicle development;
• fuel conservation and biofuels, and
• Department of Defense initiatives.

Through major government investment in the development of advanced technology vehicles and vigorous promotion of the use of alternative fuels, the AMI would stimulate manufacturing job creation in America, reduce dependence on foreign oil and help the environment by reducing greenhouse gases and emissions.

Levin urged attendees at the MEMA Legislative Summit to keep manufacturing on the agenda during the upcoming elections. “I urge you to press candidates on their positions on manufacturing. Ask them what steps they would take to support U.S. manufacturing,” he said.

Sen. Levin (second from left) accepts his award from Magliochetti, Stecklein and MEMA President and CEO Bob McKenna.

The 2007 MEMA Legislative Summit concluded with a presentation by Dennis Fitzgibbons, majority staff director, Energy and Commerce Committee. The program began with a keynote address by Dave McCurdy, president, Alliance of Automotive Manufacturers, and also included a presentation on health care reform by Stephen Northrup, senior government relations director, Arent Fox.