Auto Pride Unveils New Marketing Programs And IT Solutions To Growing Membership

Nearly 40 warehouse distributors were on hand as Auto Pride revealed several new marketing and product programs as well as the group’s latest IT solutions during its recent membership meeting in Nashville.

“The Auto Pride membership continues to expand under the Network umbrella, so it’s imperative the brand continually develops innovative programs that meet the real world needs of their customers at the street level,” said David Prater, Network president. “For such a niche group as Auto Pride to have all the Network’s tools at their fingertips is a strong competitive advantage in today’s landscape.”

During the proceedings, Auto Pride members gathered for several peer-to-peer roundtable discussions to effectively interact and share. Forty-one of the Network’s manufacturer partners hosted a vendor expo, showcasing their latest products and services while talking one-on-one with Auto Pride business owners.

“This meeting provided a unique opportunity for the Network headquarters staff, Auto Pride members and vendor partners to examine ways we can work together to further gain an edge in the marketplace,” said Cora Roark, director of Auto Pride.

The Auto Pride membership also voted to award the brand’s 2016 Pinnacle Awards to East Penn Manufacturing and Aisin in recognition of their outstanding products, customer service and representation.

Federated Auto Parts Distributors announced it is entering into a collaboration with the Association of Independent Oil Distributors (AIOD) – one it said will focus on mutual benefits for the respective members.

“Federated is constantly looking at ways to improve value for all constituents and this agreement provides that,” said Sue Godschalk, president of Federated. “This collaboration provides added volume and opportunities for our suppliers, new partners for our members, and added supply points and products for shop customers. We have enjoyed working closely with several AIOD members in the past and this agreement will expand and create further opportunities for both Federated and AIOD.”