Emerging technologies are changing the automotive aftermarket today, impacting the industry’s future and providing new career opportunities for young professionals. Representatives of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and its Technology Council discussed advanced technology with future aftermarket leaders in the Northwood University management information systems (MIS) and aftermarket management curriculums in Midland, Michigan, this week.
Brent Berman, director of training and consumer satisfaction, Federal-Mogul Motorparts and chairman of the AASA Technology Council (ATC), along with Chris Gardner, AASA vice president and ATC executive director, reviewed current and emerging technologies with students pursuing degrees in MIS and aftermarket management.
“Advanced technologies are already changing ‘business as usual’ in the aftermarket, and the industry landscape these Northwood students will face after graduation will be vastly different than what we know today,” said Berman. “It was a pleasure to interact with these rising professionals and play a role in preparing them for their future careers.”
“This was a rewarding experience for Brent and me – a chance to meet our industry’s ‘next generation’ and examine the changes technology is bringing to the aftermarket,” said Gardner. “AASA is pleased to work with Northwood University in providing their students with this ‘real-world’ experience.”
“Students often wonder what types of jobs they can get after graduation. David Sanford, MIS chair, and I appreciate Brent and Chris presenting these opportunities to our aftermarket management and management information systems students,” said Donna Wagner, Northwood University’s aftermarket management chair. “They also showed students that they can learn a discipline like MIS and combine it with an industry program, which makes them more valuable to aftermarket companies.”
Berman and Gardner addressed classes on April 12 at Northwood’s Midland campus. They also presented an opportunity for Northwood students to participate in the AASA Technology Student Program. Students will be able to attend the AASA Technology Conference from Oct. 1-3 and network with more than 200 aftermarket technology leaders.
