LIVE FROM GAAS: Respecting Cultural Norms is Key When Doing Business in New Markets
by Amy Antenora CHICAGO — Mirroring similar comments made earlier in the day at the 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium, Ernst & Young’s (E&Y) Mike Hanley stressed the importance of respecting cultural norms when looking to do business in another country. This was just one of the many recommendations he made during his presentation on
LIVE FROM GAAS: Hastings, VIP Garner Polk Inventory Efficiency Awards
Hastings Manufacturing, of Hasting, Mich., and VIP Parts, Tires and Service of Lewiston, Maine, were recognized yesterday with R.L. Polk’s Fourth Annual Inventory Efficiency Awards in the manufacturing and retailer/distributor categories. The awards were presented during the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium in Chicago.
LIVE FROM GAAS: Former Legislator — Get to Know Your Elected Officials
By Mark Phillips Former Florida House of Representatives member Leslie Waters believes aftermarket executives need to be engaged with local politicians because their businesses could depend on it. “Are you for good government?” Waters asked the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium audience on Tuesday. “What is good government? Good government is not those gray granite buildings
NCMA Raises $6,500 for the Aftermarket Foundation
The National Catalog Managers Association (NCMA) raised another $6,500 for the Aftermarket Foundation at its 35th annual Knowledge Exchange conference this month in Tampa, Fla. Since 2004, the organization has used its annual meeting as an opportunity to raise money for the Aftermarket Foundation, the industry’s only charity organization. Founded in 1959 as the Jesselson Benevolent Association, the Aftermarket Foundation assists individuals and families in the automotive aftermarket through difficult times.
LIVE FROM GAAS: We’re Not in a Recession … Yet
“Clearly we are in turbulent times.” This was the heady statement that William Strauss used to start off his presentation today at the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium in Chicago. Strauss, senior economist and economic advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, was asked to be keynote speaker at the event for a second year in a row. This year, he updated the crowd on the changes that have taken place in the U.S. economy over the past 12 months. Playing off the theme of this year’s symposium, Strauss’ presentation asked the pivotal question: “Will the U.S. and World Economy Shift Forward?”
LIVE FROM GAAS: Video Feature — A Truly Global Symposium Kicks Off Today in Chicago
Dave Caracci, chairman of the board of directors of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS), wants to emphasize the truly global nature of this year’s event. Global is not just a word in the title, it is the axis around which the whole event revolves. Caracci pointed out that on this first day of the event alone, presentations would cover industry issues relating to Europe, Asia, India and the U.S. The day-and-a-half symposium, themed "Shift Forward," will feature dynamic speakers and industry experts discussing a wide range of relevant topics — from opportunities in the changing European aftermarket, to telematics, to private label products, just to name a few.
LIVE FROM GAAS: The Delicate Process of Wooing New Markets
by Amy Antenora CHICAGO — While the U.S. economy struggles, many North American companies are increasingly turning to globalization as a way to balance out their portfolios, and tap into some powerful emerging markets. One of the most talked about emerging markets today is China. Steve Ganster, managing director of Technomic Asia based in Shanghai,