Industry Leaders Explore International Aftermarket Opportunities at 2019 AASA Global Summit

Industry Leaders Explore International Aftermarket Opportunities at 2019 AASA Global Summit

The agenda for the 2019 Global Summit focused on growth opportunities in Latin America, China and the Middle East.

More than 100 aftermarket professionals from a dozen countries gathered in Coral Gables, Florida, to explore opportunities in the global automotive aftermarket at the Global Summit, presented by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Overseas Automotive Council (OAC).

“Since 1923, our Overseas Automotive Council has gathered to promote growth in international markets. Our second annual Global Summit focused on the international aftermarket, drawing participants from Canada, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United Arab Emirates and others,” AASA President and COO Bill Long said. “Attendees praised the quality and depth of speakers and presentations and rated the AASA and OAC event as a highly valuable and relevant.”

The agenda for the 2019 Global Summit focused on growth opportunities in Latin America, China and the Middle East, explained Paul McCarthy, AASA executive vice president.

“In addition, participants left our conference with insights about the global aftermarket outlook and how the current trade and tariff landscape will impact their aftermarket business,” McCarthy said. “We learned the global aftermarket presents significant growth opportunities: Over the next couple of decades, growth rates in the global aftermarket are likely to exceed growth rates in light-vehicle sales.”

In addition to McCarthy, speakers at the Summit included:

  • David Barbeau, CEO, Barbeau Consulting
  • Gazi Bilikozen, show director, Automechanika Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh
  • Jack Garcia, director, J.M. Garcia
  • Miguel Garcia, general manager Latin America, Federal Mogul Motorparts
  • Caroline Perrotta, manager, operations, Intraco Corp.
  • John Price, managing director, Americas Market Intelligence
  • Jose R. Sera, vice president sales – LATAM, Gates Corp.
  • Norm Young, operating principle, Industrial Opportunity Partners
  • Ann Wilson, senior vice president, government affairs, MEMA

The next AASA Global Summit presented by OAC is set for Feb. 6-7, 2020, at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables in Coral Gables, Florida. Program details will be announced later this year on the AASA events web page.

2019 AASA Global Summit sponsors were Aftermarket International, Automechanika Dubai, J.M. Garcia, Latin Parts Expo and WHI. For information about promotional opportunities at the 2020 event, contact Ben Brucato, AASA senior director of membership – sponsorship programs and member services.

You May Also Like

Customer Service: How It’s Done

Customer service should be your number one priority, and it all starts with the greeting.

This is always an important topic to discuss, because I consider excellent customer service one of the most important tools you can have to earn trust, respect and repeat business from the customers that come through your door. Whether that customer is do-it-yourselfer from across town or the professional repair shop across the street, your business depends on a solid relationship.It’s a subject that I am passionate about, and it’s one that many people are losing touch with. Whether you are communicating to someone in person, on the phone or using some type of social media, good customer service and bad can both exist. You can’t afford the latter, so this is the first in a series of topics which can and should be shared from the front of the shop to the back. No matter which role you hold, you represent the shop and yourself. Customer service should be your number one priority.First on the list is the greeting. From the second a customer walks in the door, they need to know you appreciate them coming in and how important they are to your business. First impressions are everything and here’s the correct way to do it each and every time: look them directly in the eye, smile and say hello!Of course, you can say “Good morning” or “Welcome to Joe’s Autocare,” but it should be a formal greeting and the most important thing is that you have smiled, looked them in the eye and recognized that they have walked through the door.You should always retain a formal greeting until you are on a first-name basis with a customer. Only once you have established that level of relationship is it OK to use the less formal greeting of “Hi,” followed by the person’s name.This greeting does more than just indicate respect and appreciation for someone walking through the door. Most likely there are customers both new and old who are in earshot of your conversation. For newer customers, this continues to build rapport and reinforce their positive view of your shop; they see that you demonstrate respect and treat everyone in the same manner. For repeat customers, even ones that have been coming for years, the greeting is important because the way you treat them is the reason they continue to come.And when a long-time customer comes in and you greet them with “Hi [First Name],” this indicates your appreciation for them and that you’re glad to see them as a person, more than just a customer. New customers that witness this will see that your repeat customers are comfortable enough to be on a first-name basis, another indication of the trust they have in you.

AAPEX Named One of 50 Fastest-Growing Shows in 2023  

This is the second consecutive year that AAPEX earned a spot in TSE’s Fastest 50 Class. 

AAPEX 2023
The Group Moves Conference to November to Align with AAPEX, AWDA

“This is an important time for our industry to come together to advance its strength and opportunity,” said Larry Pavey, CEO of The Group.

AAPEX Accepting Proposals for Joe’s Garage Training Program

AAPEX will announce the final selection of training sessions in mid-April. 

Joes Garage Training
MEMA Announces Remanufacturing Roadshow & Annual Conference

The event is scheduled for June 25-26 in Greenville, South Carolina.  

MEMA Greenville

Other Posts

MEMA Launches At-Home REPAIR Campaign

The next step in the campaign to get the REPAIR Act passed is to get aftermarket suppliers involved.

Shaw Assumes Leadership of MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers

Collin Shaw succeeds Julie Fream who served 10 years in the position.

AACF Launches 65th Anniversary Fundraising Initiative

The campaign aims to raise $65,000 through 1,000 donations of $65 each.

Schaeffler Publishes 2023 Sustainability Report 

Schaeffler was awarded an “A” score in the climate change category for 2023 by the global non-profit environmental organization CDP for corporate transparency and performance.

Schaeffler Sustainability Report