Suppliers Gather for First-Ever AASA Vision Conference

Nearly 140 North American automotive aftermarket suppliers gathered in Orlando, FL, Feb. 29-March 1 for the first-ever Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Vision Conference 2008. “Our members accomplished something very important at our inaugural Vision Conference,” said Steve Handschuh, AASA president and COO. “We’ve laid the basis for future collaboration, for engaging on issues that will make a difference and for which the effort we invest will return to us many times over.”

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – Nearly 140 North American automotive aftermarket suppliers gathered in Orlando, FL, Feb. 29-March 1 for the first-ever Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Vision Conference 2008.

The conference featured a stellar line-up of keynote speakers, which included Darren Jackson, president and chief executive officer of Advance Auto Parts Inc.; Jeff Rachor, president and chief executive officer of Pep Boys Auto; and Peter Marks, chairman, president and CEO of Robert Bosch LLC.

“Our members accomplished something very important at our inaugural Vision Conference,” said Steve Handschuh, AASA president and COO. “We’ve laid the basis for future collaboration, for engaging on issues that will make a difference and for which the effort we invest will return to us many times over.”

AASA also held the organizational meeting of its Technicians Advisory Council (TAC), which will work cooperatively with the Car Care Professionals Network (CCPN) and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). Mitch Schneider, CCPN director, reported in the closing session of the AASA Vision Conference that the TAC will meet again in April in Bonita Springs, FL.

In addition to the keynote speakers, Mike Hanley, partner, global automotive industry leader, Ernst & Young, discussed the global marketplace and trends. Michael Newkirk, manufacturing industry marketing manager, SAS, moderated a panel of leading manufacturing experts for a discussion of “Lessons Learned from Other Industries,” which featured Eric Arnum, editor of Warranty Week; John Brandt, CEO and founder of MPI; and Richard Miller, program manager, ServicePower Field Service Solutions, GE Consumer and Industrial.

Neil De Koker, president and CEO of OESA, and Paul Johnson, general director – global independent aftermarket, General Motors Corp., discussed emerging automotive technology and its effect on the aftermarket in the Technology Forum.

Representatives of three member companies shared innovative programs and solutions their companies have implemented: Ed Rammel, vice president of marketing, Dayco products LLC; Bob Soroosh, director of benefits administration, Affinia Group Inc.; and Brian Tarnacki, director of global brand strategy, Federal-Mogul Corp.

The Vision Conference also held three workgroup sessions for member collaboration. Sessions and facilitators included:

• “Education/Training” – “Mac” McGovern, KYB; and Doug Vidler, Delphi Corp.

• “Cataloging a Better Way” and “Collaborative Purchasing for Indirect Items.” – Dil Kulathum, CARDONE Industries, and Susan Ulrey, Tenneco

• “Global Selling and Sourcing” – Jeff Brekke, The Gates Corp., and Jeff Stauffer, Affinia Group Inc.

AASA members will be able to access Vision Conference 2008 presentations at the association’s exclusive members-only website soon.

More details on the AASA Vision Conference 2009 – including dates, location and online registration – will be available soon at www.aasavision.org.

Premier sponsors of the AASA Vision Conference 2008 were: Babcox Publications (parent company to aftermarketNews), Ernst & Young, R.L. Polk & Co. and SAS. Provisional sponsors were Catevo, Pricedex Software and Diamond Plate Productions.