AASA’s New Channel Excellence Award Presented by Epicor to Recognize Aftermarket Innovation and Collaboration

New award to recognize collaborative initiatives that help drive growth for channel partners

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) has established a new industry recognition: The Channel Excellence Award. This newest industry honor will be presented by Epicor during the 2019 AASA Vision Conference on Wednesday, April 3, in Dearborn, Mich.

“The AASA Channel Excellence Award’s goal is to both recognize innovation and to encourage collaboration between suppliers and valued channel partners to drive aftermarket growth,” said Bill Long, AASA president and chief operating officer. “Suppliers are innovators and the drivers of new technologies, but greater achievements are possible when suppliers and channel partners develop new products and new ways of getting the right part to the right place at the right time.”

“As the aftermarket’s premier provider of solutions that drive business growth, Epicor is proud to play a central role in developing and presenting this exciting new award,” said Scott Thompson, senior vice president, automotive and business services, for Epicor. “The Channel Excellence Award stands alone in encouraging and rewarding collaborative initiatives that benefit participants throughout the aftermarket value chain.”

Application details for the AASA Channel Excellence Award are available here and are due by Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. Programs or initiatives launched in the past 18 months are eligible for the award. Entries should detail a collaborative effort between an aftermarket supplier and a down-channel partner, including retailers, distributors, e-tailers, repair facilities, etc. In addition, the program should be innovative and utilize technology, such as data analytics, robotics, artificial intelligence and/or digital business processes.

The goal of the award is to highlight the fact that, through innovation and collaboration, suppliers and channel partners can:

• Advance the industry
• Increase sales
• Reduce costs
• Prepare the industry to become more competitive in the new digital world
• Enhance efficiencies
• Support the independent repair community’s ability to compete and service advanced vehicles.

A panel of experts representing aftermarket leaders, AASA and Epicor will select three finalists by Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. Each finalist will submit a short video, which will be posted on the AASA and Epicor websites and played at the 2019 AASA Vision Conference on April 3. The winner will be announced at the event.

More information is available at the AASA Channel Excellence Award webpage or by contacting AASA Vice President Chris Gardner at cgardner@aasa.mema.org.

About AASA

AASA (www.aftermarketsuppliers.org) 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”

About Epicor Software Corporation

Epicor Software Corporation drives business growth. We provide flexible, industry-specific software designed to fit the precise needs of our manufacturing, distribution, retail, and service industry customers. More than 45 years of experience with our customers’ unique business processes and operational requirements are built into every solution―in the cloud or on premises. With this deep understanding of your industry, Epicor solutions dramatically improve performance and profitability while easing complexity so you can focus on growth. For more information, connect with Epicor or visit www.epicor.com.