Auto Value Latin America members from Mexico, Belize, Columbia, El Salvador and Honduras joined the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance headquarters staff from May 30 to June 2 in Guadalajara, Mexico, for a LATAM-only shareholder meeting.
The intent was a collaborative business meeting focused on channel-partner relations, IT initiatives, category management, and sales and marketing efforts.
“The Latin American members of the Alliance continue their impressive business growth,” said John R. Washbish, president and CEO of the Alliance. “Their efforts in information technology, particularly the last several years have been substantial. This is a unique market, with unique needs and it’s important as a member-driven organization to come together to discuss objectives and outline initiatives for the future.”
The meeting kicked off Tuesday night with a rooftop welcome reception and dinner at the Grand Fiesta Americana hotel where Alliance staff including Eduardo Barrera, LATAM consultant for the Alliance, officially welcomed the LATAM members and attending channel partners.
“Coming together in Guadalajara was very beneficial for everyone,” said Margot Pescador, marketing director for DAPESA, based in Veracruz, Mexico. “Having the manufacturing channel partners attend and present to the members generated lots of conversation and initiatives moving forward. We thank them for their attendance and participation.”
Both Wednesday and Thursday were full days of meeting presentations, with Alliance headquarters providing industry updates and content related to B2B and B2C efforts and category management. Several key manufacturing channel partners were in attendance, joining the Alliance group and their members for a series of informative discussions and product-focused presentations.
“We appreciate the opportunity to join the LATAM Auto Value members and Alliance headquarters team in Guadalajara,” said Ron Aparicio, vice president – traditional aftermarket sales, Motorcar Parts of America. “Face-to-face meetings like these, particularly when the focus is on the business relationships between distributors and channel partners, is beneficial for all involved. First-class event all around.”
It was a productive week in Guadalajara, with excellent attendance and collaboration between members and product partners. Twice a year, the Alliance hosts LATAM shareholders for a face-to-face meeting.
“This has been our most productive and impactful LATAM meeting to date. The channel-partner presentations have been focused and tailored to our LATAM members and that provides us many opportunities for discussion and objectives to move forward,” said Jeffrey Martinez, principal owner, Triple A Autopartes in Honduras. “The personal, face-to-face nature has been very rewarding and it means a lot to our organization and others that this meeting has come together so effectively.”
The meeting concluded Thursday evening with a celebratory dinner, and plans for a similar meeting in 2024.
“We at Bosch sincerely appreciate the invitation to attend and present to the LATAM membership,” said Todd Hertzler, vice president of aftermarket sales – North America at Robert Bosch LLC. “Our partnership means a lot to our organization, and it’s great to be directly involved with these family owned and operated Auto Value distributor organizations.”
In December, the Alliance will host the Winter shareholder meeting, which will include a LATAM-only session for those in attendance and will be a touchpoint from many of the initiatives garnered at the Guadalajara meeting.
“We value our continued partnership with the Alliance, and this meeting was a unique opportunity to focus on our relations with the LATAM Auto Value members,” Scott Street, director of sales at Valvoline, concluded. “The interactions and discussions were excellent, and we look forward to continue building strategic relationships throughout the Alliance organization.”
