SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Professionals new to the motor vehicle aftermarket attended the University of the Aftermarket’s Aftermarket 101 Seminar on April 26-27 at Federal-Mogul Corp.’s world headquarters in Southfield, Mich. 
The program’s goal is to educate new aftermarket employees about the industry from a North American and global perspective. This year’s class included 54 aftermarket professionals representing warehouse distributors, program groups, financial analysts, associations, e-commerce and traditional manufacturing.
“It’s exciting to see so many companies invest in their futures through high-quality, industry-specific education,” said Brian Cruickshank, MAAP, director of the University of the Aftermarket. “This annual seminar is an invaluable tool for organizations that want to help new employees better understand the complex issues at play in today’s aftermarket. This program was sold-out for the second straight year and we’re now considering a second class on the West Coast.”
The day-and-a-half program included presentations on the structure of the aftermarket, aftermarket history, the state of the aftermarket, channels of distribution, service dealer issues, the global aftermarket and a class discussion on the image of the aftermarket among consumers. The program also included a field trip to the brand new Auto-Wares warehouse location in Farmington Hills, Mich. Presenters included Cruickshank; Bob Egan, Federal-Mogul; Rick Guirlinger, Bourke Services; Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA; Jim Dykstra, Dykstra’s Auto Service; Matt Leuchtmann, Federal-Mogul; and Barry Hill, Auto-Wares.
For additional information regarding Aftermarket 101 and other University of the Aftermarket programs, visit www.universityoftheaftermarket.com or call 1.800.551.2882.
