NEW ORLEANS — The Automotive Parts Associates (APA) made several announcements today, adding to the coverage aftermarketNews and Counterman magazine provided from APA’s Annual Shareholders/Manufacturers’ Conference held March 11-12 in New Orleans.
During the conference, the program group recognized manufacturer and member achievements for the year. An awards ceremony was conducted and the following awards were presented:
* 2005 Branded Manufacturer – Bosch
* 2005 Preferred Vendor – KYB
* 2005 Superior Sales Volume Increase – Wagner Brake Products
Bestbuy Auto Parts of Mississauga, Ontario; North Hollywood Auto Parts of North Hollywood, Calif., and Arthur Pachter Automotive, from Scranton, Pa., each received recognition for 50 years of service.
“There were over 800 individual meetings held between APA members and the manufacturers,” Dan Freeman, president and CEO of APA said.
The general session included a presentation outlining APA’s national marketing and promotions for the next 12 months that are geared toward professional automotive parts installers, which included a Carnival Caribbean cruise incentive earn back program, a NASCAR Nextel Cup racing weekend sweepstakes and other promotional programs.
Also at the conference, APA announced record-setting membership growth. Twenty new WD member shareholders were introduced. In addition, the 2005 APA board of directors was announced. The two members selected were Robert Joshlin of Speedway Automotive Distributors Inc., in Indianapolis, Ind.; and Wayne Pare Sr. of Chicopee Automotive Warehouse, Inc., in Chicopee, Mass.
Joshlin oversees a warehouse with five stores that service the Indianapolis area. He has spent 32 years in the aftermarket industry and served as president of Speedway APA Auto Parts for 25 years.
Pare, whose warehouse/store provides auto parts for Western Massachusetts, has served 33 years in the automotive aftermarket. He is a second-generation owner of his family’s auto parts and auto paint business. He currently serves on the board as APA secretary.
For more information about APA, go to: www.ProfessionalsChoice.com.
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