LENEXA, Kan. – Automotive Parts Associates (APA) wanted to see what could happen if they invited three key manufacturers to meet with some forward-thinking WDs for a couple of days of constructive discussions. While they didn’t solve all the aftermarket industry’s problems in eight hours, APA says the group was successful in sending the manufacturers away as better suppliers, the shareholders away as better customers and APA as a better resource to both sides. As Mike Maloof, owner of World Auto Parts put it, “It’s better to build a partnership rather than just have a good relationship.”
This first annual Manufacturer Advisory Council event was hosted Sept. 10-11 at APA’s headquarters in Lenexa, Kan. Manufacturers in attendance included Roy Kent, VP of sales, wholesale channel for Federal-Mogul; Mike Fiorito, VP at KYB; and John Beale, VP, traditional aftermarket with UCI-Fram Group. APA shareholders in attendance were Robert Duxler with A.I.M.S. in Simi Valley, Calif.; Dale Devlin and Jeff VandeSande representing BestBuy Distributors out of Canada; T.J. Faley for IWI Motor Parts, headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa; Ben Yelowitz representing Crest Auto Stores and POJA Warehouse in Philadelphia, Pa.; and Mike Maloof of World Auto Parts in Cleveland, Ohio.
According to APA, the conversation was lively at times, but always circled back to a positive exchange of ideas. Boiled down, both sides are faced with similar issues, including the shifting business on the Internet, swings in the global market and the constant need to stay ahead and on top.
“While computers and phones are wonderful tools in business, nothing beats the spark of coming together in person to understand each other and explore new ideas,” said Gary Martin, executive vice president of APA.
