Aftermarket eForum to Include ‘All Star’ Industry Leaders Panel
Organizers for the 2006 Aftermarket eForum have lined up a number of industry “all stars” to speak at the event, which takes place July 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago. The last session on Tuesday, July 18 will feature past eForum speakers to reflect on their forecasts for IT and a technology-enabled aftermarket.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Goes to Washington
At MEMA’s recent Legislative Summit, congressional representatives discussed aftermarket issues with the association’s members. Counterman Managing Editor Michael Freeze spoke with a number of industry execs at the event, and asked: As an attendee at the MEMA Legislative Summit, what industry issue do you feel most passionate about?
Federated Inducts Two Members into the Federated Vendor Hall of Fame
Federated Auto Parts recognized two Hall of Fame inductees at its annual meeting in Orlando, FL, according to Mike Schultz, president of Federated Auto Parts. “Each year Federated selects an outstanding individual to be part of the Federated Hall of Fame. This year, we are proud to include two outstanding individuals: Matt Forner of Grote (2004) and Frank Doria of USA Industries (2005),” said Schultz. “Matt and Frank have been tremendously dedicated suppliers and friends to Federated, and we want to honor them for their service.”
LIVE FROM GAAS: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to GAAS
Dennis Welvaert, president of Dayco’s North American aftermarket division, sparked memories of the late 60’s movie (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) with his presentation, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to GAAS. The 34-year industry veteran poked fun at himself as he proclaimed his aloofness towards e-business implementation a few years ago.
Federated Presents Vendor of the Year Awards
Federated Auto Parts presented its Vendor of the Year Awards for 2005 at its recent annual meeting in Orlando, FL. Federated selected Hastings Filters as its Outstanding Vendor of the Year. Additional Vendor of the Year awards were presented to Grote, Dayco and BWD – Standard Motor Products.
Mark Iasiello Joins HDMA as Director, Member Development
Mark Iasiello has joined the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) in the newly created position of director, member development. HDMA is the heavy-duty market segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). Iasiello’s duties will include expansion of HDMA’s program and services to its members, and new member development. He also will lead the association’s heavy-duty aftermarket efforts, including serving as staff liaison to HDMA’s Heavy Duty Aftermarket Council and be one of the organizers of the annual Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week.
Network Amid Automotive History GAAS Reception on May 17
The Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Reception scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17, will offer participants the opportunity to network with industry colleagues while experiencing automotive history at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, MI. Sponsored by Universal Underwriters Group and Industrial Market Research, the event concludes the symposium’s first day of presentations by top-level industry leaders and analysts. GAAS participants will be taken from the symposium venue at the Hyatt Regency to the nearby Automotive Hall of Fame via buses, sponsored by BB&T Capital Markets.
University of the Aftermarket to Present ‘Advanced Selling Strategies for the Heavy Duty Aftermarket’ in March
Northwood University’s University of the Aftermarket will present “Advanced Selling Strategies for the Heavy Duty Aftermarket” March 6-8 at Northwood’s Cedar Hill, TX, campus. The seminar will be presented by two veteran aftermarket sales professionals, Robert Gracey MAAP, senior vice president, sales for Affinia Under Vehicle Group; and Mark Iasiello MAAP, heavy-duty national sales manager, Dayco LLC.
This Year’s Aftermarket eForum Downloads in Chicago
The automotive aftermarket industry gathered in Chicago for the three-day event known as the Aftermarket eForum yesterday. This year’s theme, Solutions Today for Tomorrow’s Technology Challenges, featured various speakers from the OE market to the AAIA’s tech guru on the first day.
Detroit Diesel to Discuss its ‘Holistic’ Approach to Product Info
The light-vehicle aftermarket meets the heavy-duty market at the 5th annual Aftermarket e-Forum when Detroit Diesel Corporation, a global supplier of heavy-duty diesel engines and parts dealers and distributors worldwide, takes the podium and reveals how implementation of a new Product Information Management solution helped the company stop a $1.5 million a month revenue leak while reducing time-to-market by 80 percent for new parts, pricing and catalogs.