Three collaborative projects by automotive aftermarket companies have been selected as the finalists for the inaugural Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Channel Excellence Award presented by Epicor.
Representatives of AASA and Epicor will present the award during the 2019 AASA Vision Conference on Wednesday, April 3, in Dearborn, Michigan.
The 2019 AASA Channel Excellence Award finalists and projects are:
- Brake Parts Inc and Genuine Parts Co. – Integrated systems and teams to improve customers’ end-point sales
- Gates Corp. and XL Parts – Collaborative category management program to provide channel partners an expanded data source
- Tenneco and Parts Warehouse – Inventory and sales optimization through extensive use of shared data analytics
The AASA Channel Excellence finalists have submitted short videos about their respective projects. The videos will be posted on the AASA website and played at the 2019 AASA Vision Conference. The final winner(s) will be announced at the event.
“The applicants for our first award were all outstanding, as were the projects these aftermarket companies initiated to drive innovation in the industry,” said Bill Long, president and CEO of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), and president and COO of AASA, MEMA’s light-vehicle aftermarket division. “We are confident that our annual award will continue to inspire further collaboration in our industry.”
The 2019 AASA Channel Excellence Award selection committee included:
- Rod Bayless, senior director, industry data analytics, Epicor
- Brian Cruickshank, director, University of the Aftermarket – Northwood University
- Chris Gardner, senior vice president, AASA
- Rick Guirlinger, partner, Schwartz Advisors
- Tony Molla, vice president, Automotive Service Association (ASA)
- Joe Pomaranski, president, Pomaranski Consulting
“The finalists are prime examples of the initiatives between suppliers and channel partners that benefit the entire aftermarket value chain,” said Scott Thompson, senior vice president, automotive and business services, for Epicor. “We have enjoyed working with AASA developing this award and look forward to recognizing these finalists and the winners at the upcoming Vision Conference.”
For more information, visit the AASA Channel Excellence Award web page or contact AASA Senior Vice President Chris Gardner at [email protected].
“We are encouraged by the innovation and collaboration already taking place in the aftermarket and by the number of suppliers and channel partners developing new processes together,” said Paul McCarthy, AASA executive vice president. “Our selection committee, who represented the diversity of the aftermarket, rose to the challenge of selecting these finalists from the field of excellent candidates and projects. Our thanks to them all for their efforts.”
