Brian Kaner, president of service for Icahn Automotive, will share key insights on how Icahn Automotive is responding to changing industry dynamics, in a presentation at the upcoming 2019 Vision Conference.
Hosted by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the Vision Conference will take place on Wednesday, April 3, at The Henry in Dearborn, Michigan.
Icahn Automotive Group, part of billionaire investor Carl Icahn’s empire, has made its mark on the aftermarket through the pursuit of an aggressive acquisition strategy, the introduction of a mobile service format, new installation partnerships with leading online retailers and investments to bring more professionals to the skilled trades – all to meet the increased demand for service from both the individual and fleet customer.
Kaner is leading one of the largest service networks in North America, which includes more than 10,000 service bays across 2,000 company-owned and franchised Pep Boys, AAMCO and Precision Tune locations.
“Icahn Automotive has emerged as a potent competitor in the service and parts sector, poised to evolve the current business models,” said Bill Long, MEMA president and chief executive officer and AASA president and chief operating officer. “At our conference, Brian will share the company’s perspective about the future of our industry and the opportunities they see that exist as they drive their strategy.”
Kaner, who has a two-decade track record of driving growth and leading teams through business transformations, has been instrumental in Icahn Automotive’s acquisitions of more than 1,000 service locations, as well as the launch of Pep Boys Mobile Crew, a state-of-the-art mobile repair unit that provides customers convenient, on-location maintenance.
“Icahn Automotive has enhanced our service model by investing in new business initiatives, and in people, programs, training and technology to meet the expectations of our customers,” said Kaner. “We’re now better-positioned than any other company in the aftermarket to capitalize on the growing demand for automotive service and to offer technicians a broad range of career opportunities.”
Paul McCarthy, AASA executive vice president, added: “New business models are evolving almost everywhere you look. Innovation and change are the key drivers for increased profits, and we will begin to see an acceleration of creative approaches to value creation going forward. Icahn Automotive’s unique approach will be of great interest to the Vision audience.”
Regarded as the aftermarket’s premier thought-leadership event, the AASA Vision Conference is dedicated to advancing the business interests of the aftermarket industry and the association’s members.
The 2019 event opens on Tuesday, April 2, with an industry networking reception at The Henry Ford Museum. The conference convenes the morning of April 3 with industrywide sessions examining critical aftermarket business issues, such as:
- “The Road to Achieving Freedom of Choice for the Aftermarket”
- “The Great Tariff Debate”
- “How the Aftermarket Will Unfold in 2019-2020”
- “Repairing High-Tech Vehicles”
The conference will close with an AASA member-only segment, which will feature Mark Finestone, executive vice president of merchandising for AutoZone, as the “Customer Spotlight” speaker, and also will include a presentation by Adam Goetsch, director of automotive for Amazon.
More information about the AASA Vision Conference agenda, registration and hotel reservations is available at aasavision.org.
AASA Vision Conference supporters to date include premier sponsor Epicor Software Corp. and APA Search, AutoNetTV Media, Corcentric, Experian, Gold Eagle, IHS Markit, MontAd Media, N.A. Williams, OptiCat, Plante Moran, Snap36, Surys, Syndigo and Tasco Sales Reps. For more information about promotional opportunities at the event, contact Ben Brucato.
