HOUSTON, Texas – At the Automotive Parts Associates‘ (APA) 33rd Annual Shareholders’ and Manufacturers Conference this week, the group’s 2014 award recipients were announced.
Headquarters Manufacturer of Choice Award was given to Bosch. This award recognizes Bosch for having the fastest turnaround time from application of part to product availability, the ease of doing business with them and their responsiveness to member and headquarter needs.
Federal-Mogul was recipient of the Marketing Partner Award. According to APA, Federal-Mogul continually supports and sponsors the APA promotions, and was also recognized for its national ad campaigns, seasonal promotions and the company’s strong technical training programs.
The Professionals’ Choice Vendor of the Year went to AMS for its excellent fill rate, outstanding cataloging, new numbers, ease of doing business with and the company’s long-term commitment to APA.
The Branded Manufacturer of the Year recipient is DENSO. DENSO was recognized for consistently being first-to-market with new model year parts, as well as for its quick turnaround time and high fill rates on replenishment orders, and its new product categories and superior cataloging.
UCI-FRAM Group was recognized at this year’s meeting for its success at last year’s meetings, receiving the “Largest Total Manufacturers Orders at the 2013 One-on-Ones”
In addition, APA recognized members for their longevity and dedication to the aftermarket and the APA group. Automotive Warehouse Co. is celebrating 60 years in business in 2014 and Stempf Automotive Industries is celebrating more than 75 years in business. Retiring APA President and CEO Dan Freeman also was recognized for his 25 years of service to APA and the automotive aftermarket. “We could never put a value on the amount of time and hard work Dan gave us over the past 25 years. His leadership and steady hand kept APA on a continued course of growth and prosperity for the time of his tenure at APA,” said Gary Martin, APA’s new President and CEO.
APA’s Annual conference ran Thursday, March 20 through Saturday, March 23. In addition to a very crowded and exciting one-on-one event, the attendees enjoyed a private dinner at George Ranch, many played a round of golf in the annual tournament. A telematics panel and a business-building ideas panel consisting of members and manufacturers was brought back for a second year and APA shareholders were updated on all the new an impending business for the group at their business session.
