MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association and Gemini Shippers Association announced a strategic partnership aimed at offering top-tier international transportation procurement services to automotive OEM and aftermarket suppliers.
The collaboration brings together the strengths of both associations, combined expertise of more than 200 years and exclusive benefits to their members, the associations asserted.
Through the partnership, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers and MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers members will get exclusive access, as a member benefit, to join Gemini Shippers Association at no cost, allowing them to increase their purchasing power with ocean shippers.
Because Gemini Shippers Association pools all of its members together, the association is able to provide better pricing per container for members’ shipping needs. This will give suppliers more pricing options without committing to any particular option beforehand. If they do go with a Gemini option, suppliers will get access to real-time tracking and tracing information on ocean and rail shipments, gaining far greater visibility into their shipments.
“This is a great opportunity for supplier members to boost their competitive advantage when it comes to ocean shipping,” explained Ben Brucato, vice president of membership & engagement at MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. “Bringing MEMA and Gemini Shippers members together for greater leverage is one of the great benefits of our association.”
Ken O’Brien, president and CEO of Gemini Shippers Association commented: “This partnership agreement marks a milestone achievement in successful collaboration across both of our associations. Leveraging Gemini’s longstanding leadership in ocean transportation, we are excited to work with MEMA’s exclusive membership and strong position in the automotive sector.”
In addition to the aforementioned benefits, the partnership will include Gemini Shippers Association’s sponsorship of the MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Supply Chain & Operations (SCO) Forum. The SCO Forum provides its members with a venue for learning about and discussing the challenges facing suppliers in procuring raw materials and components as well as inbound and outbound movement of goods, logistics, shipping, labor, packaging, warehousing robotics and more.
Learn more about the partnership at mema.org/memageminialliance.