AASA Vision Conference to Share Valuable Insights on Critical Trends and Issues Affecting the Aftermarket

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The automotive aftermarket is undergoing transformational changes that will require suppliers to keep close track of the latest trends and opportunities. The AASA Vision Conference, set for March 26 in Rosemont, Ill., will host a series of sessions, panels, and networking opportunities focused on providing attendees with valuable industry insights and perspectives.
 
Randy Buller, Parts Authority President, will discuss how Parts Authority is participating in an innovative and disruptive business model by exploring the intersection of traditional and online distribution channels. The distributor is managing customers’ growing expectations and is working with suppliers to adapt accordingly to remain competitive.
 
Mark Barrott with Plante Moran will lead the session, “Three Dragons, Last Battle.” The “dragons” will debate the future of the economy and the aftermarket and will include Bill Strauss, economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Simeon Gutman, Wall Street Analyst with Morgan Stanley, and Brad Smith, Aftermarket Analyst with Experian. The “dragons” session is a growing Vision Conference favorite, in which attendees hear different perspectives during uncertain times.
 
Since vehicle data access continues to be a major issue for the automotive aftermarket, Paul McCarthy, AASA President & COO, will take the stage to discuss Your Car. Your Data. Your Choice.™ alongside Auto Care Association CEO, Bill Hanvey. This session will provide attendees with the latest updates and developments on the fight to educate and engage car owners, policymakers, and other stakeholders on car data.
 
Barry Neal, Partner with Roland Berger, will lead an exclusive discussion about the urgent challenges facing the global automotive supply chain. “Supply Chain Disruption: How Trade Wars, Vertical Integration, and the End of Cheap China Challenge the Global Automotive Supply Chain” will address the uncertainties caused by USMCA negotiations, trade wars, tariffs, and other macroeconomic factors.
 
In response to Roland Berger’s analyses and forecasts related to the disruptive forces in global supply chains, session leader and panelist Jeff Jorge, Baker Tilly, will lead a timely discussion to dive deeper into the trade war, its effects on global sourcing and manufacturing, and the post-trade war environment. Panelists for “New Global Sourcing: Where Should We Be Post-Trade War?” also will include Jay Burkhart, TRICO Group President, Selwyn Joffe, Motorcar Parts of America CEO, and Howard Laster, Continental Executive Director & General Manager.
 
Attendees will hear directly from the Ford Motor Company about its strategy in developing a battery electric version of a popular sports/muscle platform. Mark Kaufman, Ford’s Global Director of Electric Vehicle Marketing & Distribution, will discuss the company’s decision to launch the Mach-E and its future plans for EVs. Brian Daugherty, MEMA Chief Technology Officer will then address the aftermarket impact of battery electric vehicles and share insights from the AASA Strategy&/PwC Report on the effect of vehicle technologies on replacement rates.
 
The Vision Conference’s previous highest rated speaker, Gary Silberg, Partner with KPMG, will discuss KPMGs newest study, “Automotive Semiconductors: The New ICE Age” and the future of automotive innovation. He will review the shift from the internal combustion engine to the internal computing engine and the impact this change in the electrical architecture of vehicles will have on the repair industry.
 
Derek Kaufman, Managing Partner with Schwartz Advisors, will present “It All Starts with the Repair Shop” to explore why suppliers should consider all market forces and develop strategies “from the shop floor up” to gain a competitive edge.
 
Paul McCarthy will share the results from the AASA research interviews in “Talk from the Top,” which will provide AASA supplier members with exclusive access to unfiltered feedback from customer executives, insights, and ideas for the future of industry collaboration.
 
A regular highlight of the AASA member-only session, the Customer Spotlight features an AASA supplier member customer who shares insights on the future of the aftermarket industry. This year, AASA is pleased to welcome Scott Sonnemaker, Group President, North American Automotive, with NAPA / Genuine Parts Company. Scott will answer suppliers’ questions and share his thoughts on 2020 becoming a pivotal year for collaborating with suppliers.
 
The AASA Vision conference also will feature a special track with insights for organizations that support the aftermarket supplier community. First, Roland Berger will take a deeper dive into AASA’s newest landmark study, “Navigating the New Supply Chain Environment Amid Tomorrow's Global Uncertainty,” identifying specific takeaways for distributors and service professionals. “How the Investment Community Views Aftermarket Distributors” will feature a panel of experts from leading investment companies who will share insights into the future of the aftermarket industry and how aftermarket distributors play a role. 
 
The conference also will highlight the need for close industry collaboration and innovation through the annual AASA Channel Excellence Award presented by Epicor where the 2020 winners will be announced.
 
AASA members attending the Conference also can take advantage of an additional benefit: attendance at the association council meetings held in conjunction with the event. Member conference participants can attend the AASA Intellectual Property Council (IPC), AASA Marketing Executives Council (MEC), and AASA AAPEX Event Committee (AAEC) meetings on March 25 and meetings for the AASA Technology Council (ATC) and the AASA Modern Industry eXpertise (MiX) Council on March 27. Council meeting attendance is limited to AASA members only; some limitations apply, and pre-registration is required. Contact info@aftermarketsuppliers.org for more information.
 
Additional information about the 2020 AASA Vision Conference can be accessed by visiting aasavision.com. This year’s event will focus on “Collaborating for a Vibrant Aftermarket Future” with sessions covering everything from emerging technologies & hybrid distribution to the global supply chain and how the industry can work together to succeed.

About AASA
AASA exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products, an important part of the automotive parts manufacturing industry which supports 871,000 American jobs. AASA is a recognized industry change agent – promoting a collaborative industry environment, providing a forum to address issues and serving as a valued resource for members. AASA is the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “AASA, The Voice for the Automotive Aftermarket Supplier Industry”