RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Fotios Katsardis, managing director, TEMOT International Autoparts GmbH, will present "Opportunities in the Changing European Aftermarket" at the 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) on Tuesday, May 20, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago.
Katsardis, the head of Europe’s largest aftermarket parts program group, will provide a brief overview of the European aftermarket structure that existed before the new block exemption took place. In addition, Katsardis will present a more detailed overview of the European aftermarket as it stands today and its future outlook. He will also address the opportunities for U.S. manufacturers and distributors to work with the EU independent aftermarket.
Katsardis has been the managing director and CEO for TEMOT International Autoparts GmbH for the past three years. Prior to joining TEMOT, Katsardis worked in the automotive aftermarket for 12 years with Robert Bosch GmbH. He held various managerial positions with the company, including director of global accounts. For three years, he worked in the wire and construction industry as general manager for Ergon GmbH. He began his career as director of European relations for AMOCO S.A. in its lubricants business.
Born in Patras, Greece, Katsardis is a graduate of Aristotle University (Greece) with a B.A. in economics. In addition, he holds an M.A. in European economic studies from the University of Exeter (UK) and an MBA from European University (Belgium). Katsardis is fluent in English, German, Italian, Greek, French and Finnish.
For GAAS 2008 program details and registration information, go to: www.globalsymposium.org.
