RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- September 2008 marked the 25th anniversary of the formation of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), a market segment association of the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). To mark this significant milestone, a new logo and updated website have been launched to commemorate the years of service to a valued membership.

HDMA was founded in 1983 at the International Truck Show Annual Dinner in Anaheim, Calif., by 16 members of the Heavy Duty Business Forum, a discussion group of industry executives formed in 1978. The group collectively felt the heavy duty industry required a strong voice for industry-related government legislation, market specific tradeshows and events, as well as industry research studies focused on heavy duty issues and trends.

Soon after, MEMA was approached to formally establish HDMA. Twenty-five years later, HDMA is a market segment association of MEMA, along with the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association and the Original Equipment Suppliers Association.

HDMA reached a major milestone in 2004 with the addition of current President and COO Tim Kraus as the first executive director of HDMA as a market segment association. There are now six full and part-time employees dedicated to the service of the HDMA membership and its issues.

HDMA offers many benefits and opportunities to its members: strong, proactive government affairs initiatives with the MEMA D.C. office and HDMA staff; industry meetings and events designed to benefit members both educationally as well as provide networking opportunities; peer councils and forums for executives and technical representatives; publications such as the HDMA Supplier Barometer, Market Analysis, Diesel Download and a biennial market research study (HD Maintenance in the USA) to enhance member's knowledge of trends and timely news information from the heavy duty industry.

HDMA members are responsible for the development and manufacture of safety related systems for commercial vehicles. One of HDMA's main legislative initiatives is HR3820/S3480, the Heavy Duty Safety Equipment Tax Incentive Bill. This important legislation is a tax incentive package designed to reduce highway deaths due to truck crashes by the rapid implementation of several proven safety technologies. By offering tax incentives, HDMA members feel this legislation will encourage U.S. truck owners to adopt this advanced technology over the next five years.

For more information about HDMA, visit: www.hdma.org.