SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – A group of professionals new to the motor vehicle aftermarket attended the University of the Aftermarket’s Aftermarket 101 Seminar on May 29-30 at Federal-Mogul Corp.’s world headquarters in Southfield, Mich. The class included nearly 60 aftermarket professionals representing warehouse distribution, program groups, publishing, association management and manufacturing.
 
The program’s goal is to educate new aftermarket employees about the industry from a North American and global perspective, covering every level of the supply chain from manufacturing through end-user issues.
 
“This annual seminar is an invaluable tool for organizations that want to help new employees better understand our complex industry,” said Brian Cruickshank, MAAP, director of the University of the Aftermarket. “We cover the industry from top to bottom and participants left the program with a solid foundational understanding of the industry.”
 
The day-and-a-half program included presentations on the structure of the aftermarket, aftermarket history, the state of the aftermarket, channels of distribution, service dealer issues, the global aftermarket and a class discussion on the image of the aftermarket among consumers. Presenters included Cruickshank; Bob Egan, Federal-Mogul; Rick Guirlinger, Bourke Services; Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA; Jim Dykstra, Dykstra’s Auto Service; and Matt Leuchtmann, Federal-Mogul. The program also included a field trip to Federated-member warehouse Motown Automotive Distributing Co. in Farmington Hills, Mich.
 
For additional information regarding Aftermarket 101 and other University of the Aftermarket programs, visit www.universityoftheaftermarket.com or call 1-800-551-2882.