BETHESDA, Md. – July 1, 2009 marked the 10th anniversary of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), the only automotive aftermarket trade association that represents the shared interests of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, service and repair businesses, program groups, manufacturers' reps, educators, publishers and other specialized membership organizations.

On July 1, 1999, AAIA was established upon the consolidation of the Automotive Service Industry Association (ASIA) and the Automotive Parts & Accessories Association (APAA). Today, AAIA has 23,000 member companies and affiliates, representing more than 100,000 repair shops, parts stores and distribution outlets.

Looking back on this milestone, AAIA President and CEO Kathleen Schmatz acknowledged that what the volunteer leaders envisioned and accomplished for the newly merged groups was no easy task.

“Ten years ago aftermarket volunteer leaders worked hard to merge the talents and know-how of what was the ‘retail’ side of the business (APAA) with what was the ‘traditional’ side of the business (ASIA). ‘Twas no small feat,” Schmatz said. “The architects of this ‘coming together’ knew that they could accomplish more in concert: more member benefits, more legislative victories, more market research, more e-commerce solutions, more education, more marketing services and create a much more responsive association as the industry’s advocate."

While those involved in founding the organization mapped out a specific game plan, many changes within the automotive aftermarket in the past decade allowed those plans to expand and evolve, says Schmatz.

"Not long after the original merger, other important aftermarket trade associations joined with AAIA so that today we truly represents every link in the supply chain --- from the largest manufacturers to the independent repair shop and everyone in between,” she commented. “Why would prominent groups all come together to create one collective association? Because like any successful association, AAIA’s volunteer leaders know that much more can be accomplished when we work together, rather than separately and that strong industries speak with a single voice. It just makes sense. All of our members work to make the industry a major contributor to the economic prowess of the United States and the time is right for what was a ‘splintered’ collection of business with many different business philosophies, to work together and be recognized as the important industry we are -- we keep America on the road, guarantee the perpetuation of the American love affair with our vehicles, and guarantee our freedom of mobility. I believe that’s what the founding leaders really had in mind for AAIA. What we celebrate today is how quickly and gracefully it all came together.”

So what’s ahead for AAIA? There is much to do, says Schmatz.

“AAIA needs to continue to possess the strength, leadership, resources, influence and stature to actively advocate for the more vehicle aftermarket,” Schmatz said. “We have much to do in Washington to guarantee that legislators and regulators appreciate the intensity of the industry and our many contributions to the motoring public. We need to re-double our commitment to our members through leadership, community and public education. We need to be life-long students of the industry and market changes to anticipate future requirements for our members. And we need to always recruit future leaders to all levels of the industry.”

A timeline of AAIA's milestones over the past 10 years is featured in the June/July issue of Aftermarket Insider, posted on www.aftermarket.org.