Every so often, our editorial staff selects one aftermarket-industry professional to get to know a little better. Participants are asked to respond to a series of questions that can be answered in about the same amount of time you might spend chatting at the office coffee pot or waiting for an elevator. In this installment of “5 Minutes With,” we get to know a little more about Larrow Kaufman, senior sales manager, North America aftermarket, for AISIN World Corp. of America.
AISIN World Corp. of America is part of AISIN Corp., the fifth-largest automotive supplier in the world and the eighth-largest automotive supplier in North America. AISIN works with nearly every OEM globally, which means the vehicle you drove or rode in today likely is equipped with AISIN parts or technology.
As senior sales manager, North America aftermarket, Kaufman’s responsibilities include budget planning, sales forecasting and managing AISIN’s regional sales representatives and its network of manufacturer representative agencies across the United States and Canada. Before working for AISIN, Kaufman was the Western region sales manager for Rich Porter Technologies. Prior to that, he managed the entire aftermarket business for Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas for 10 years covering the following markets: traditional WD, industrial, co-man and high-performance business sales divisions.
Tell us about your role at AISIN World Corp. of America and what you like best about it.
I serve as the senior sales manager responsible for all AISIN/ADVICS-brand aftermarket sales in the United States and Canada. This business is still about the people, and I love meeting and interacting with people all across the world.
What career would you pursue if you didn’t do what you do now?
Wow, so many choices. Maybe a psychologist since I like to help people so much.
What advice would you give your 20-year-old self just starting out?
Really the same advice I live by today: Be a person of integrity in whatever you do.
Favorite podcast or YouTube channel?
Tough one as I have so many interests. One in regular rotation is “GolfwithAimee.”
Name a favorite trip you’ve made or one that’s on your “bucket list?”
The first time we, as a family, went to Hawaii (Maui).
What one word would your co-workers use to describe you?
Fun 🙂
