The Alliance Wraps Up One Convention, Sets Sights on Another
In a four-day event that ran March 21-24, the Alliance provided members with educational opportunities at 34 seminars as well as three days of vendor expo, inspirational speeches and entertainment.
The Alliance Selects the Virtual Inventory Cloud (VIC) Special Order Solution
Called the “Virtual Inventory Cloud” (VIC) solution, it automates the special order process all the way from the parts counter to the manufacturer and back. Developed by GCommerce, the VIC will integrate with MyPlaceForParts.com, the Alliance’s eCommerce portal.
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) Announces Fall Seminar Line-Up
Four seminars offered covering business and tech topics.
The Alliance’s Dale Hopkins to Discuss e-Commerce Initiatives at MIS Council Fall Conference
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Dale Hopkins, vice president of information technology for Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, will be a featured speaker at the 2008 Fall Conference presented by the MEMA Information Services Council (MIS Council), slated for Sunday, Oct. 12, through Tuesday, Oct. 14, at Marco Island, Fla. Hopkins will discuss the e-commerce and
NGK Spark Plugs Named Preferred Vendor by the Alliance
NGK Spark Plugs has been granted preferred vendor status by Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance for its NTK oxygen sensor product line. NGK earned this status at the recently held Alliance shareholder meetings in Nashville, Tenn. Among the reasons the Alliance chose NTK is for its strong OEM placement, the company said.
The Alliance’s Richard Morgan Speaks Out about Fuel Surcharges
The U.S. Energy Dept. has predicted that gas prices this summer would peak at $4.15 a gallon and then drift down to $4 a gallon, probably remaining for the rest of the year. As both consumers and businesses struggle with the increasing burden of high fuel costs, the issue has become one of heated debate, particularly in the automotive warehouse distribution segment. At the recent shareholder meeting of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc., its President and CEO Richard Morgan, recommended that in order for each automotive warehouse distributor to survive in the face of escalating oil prices, it should consider having a fuel surcharge policy to fairly pass on the increased fuel costs at all levels of their distribution.
Car Care Council Partners With the Alliance to Save Energy
In a move to strengthen a call to action to consumers that vehicle maintenance will improve gas mileage, the Car Care Council has partnered with the Alliance to Save Energy, The Wal-Mart Foundation and more than a dozen other companies and organizations to help promote their new “Drive $marter Challenge” as part of the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign. The “Drive $marter Challenge” campaign, which will be launched May 20, reinforces the ongoing activities of the Car Care Council by educating and inspiring Americans to increase the efficiency of their cars.
MPA Gets Vendor Approval from the Alliance
Motorcar Parts of America (MPA) has received certification as an approved vendor by Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance. MPA’s starters and alternators will be offered to the Alliance’s members, which operate more than 5,000 stores and certified service centers under the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper names.
O’Reilly Auto Parts to Leave the Alliance, O’Reilly Announces New Parts City Auto Parts Jobber Program
O’Reilly Auto Parts and Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance (Alliance) announce with great regret that after almost 30 years of affiliation O’Reilly will be terminating its shareholder status effective Dec. 31, 2007. O’Reilly also announced a new jobber marketing program for all of its independent jobbers. It will be called “Parts City Auto Parts” and will have strong ties to the O’Reilly Auto Parts programs, advertising and appearance.
Activant Named Exclusive Primary Technology Provider to the Alliance
Activant Solutions has been named exclusive primary provider of store systems and electronic catalogs to Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance. With 56 independent distributor members serving more than 4,200 auto parts stores and 2,200 vehicle service centers, the Alliance is among the leading users of Activant’s distribution management systems including the Paperless Warehouse business management software, PartExpert suite of eCatalog services and AConneX eCommerce marketplace. According to Activant, Alliance shareholders also have been among the first distributors to utilize Activant’s data warehouse solution.