Global E-Tailing Think Tank Wins Annual MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Business Technology Council Competition

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers' Business Technology Council announced the fourth annual winning BTC Think Tank presentation during the 2024 Aftermarket Technology Conference on October 15, 2024. The Global E-Tailing team was selected as the top group presenting challenges and solutions that could benefit the automotive aftermarket today. The winner was selected via voting by members during the recent BTC Fall Meeting: Part 1 last month.

The Global E-Tailing Think Tank was led by Dave Haun, director of Product Information Management & Data Standards at Gates Corporation, and the team lead was Jonathan Amo, Director of Global Content at Gates Corporation. Members of the Think Tank include:

• Jonathan Amo, Gates Corporation
• Todd Campau, S&P Global Mobility
• Vera Catalfo, Mevotech LP
• Ram ChandraSekar, PhaseZero.ai
• Brian Darby, Gates Corporation
• Dave Haun, Gates Corporation
• Kyle Johnson, JNPSoft OptiCat
• Rob Jones, Epicor Software Corporation
• Harry Josen, Schaeffler
• Debbie Kachalkin, Epicor Software Corporation
• Adam King, Gates Corporation
• Jennifer Kleinberg, Mevotech LP
• Rick Main, SPS Commerce
• Lauren McCullough, Tromml
• Josh McGee, Classy Llama
• Mladen Medunic, Pivotree
• Beth Mooney, Dana Incorporated
• Stephanie Morey, Hella Automotive
• Jon Motley, Robert Bosch LLC
• Jeremy Nesemann, Wells Vehicle Electronics L.P.
• Joseph Nguyen, Gates Corporation
• Brian Renner, Dana Incorporated
• Mark Richardson, NTN Bearing Corp. of America
• Sam Russo, Pivotree
• Kumar Saha, Eucon Americas LLC
• Joe Sepeda, SEMA
• Arthur Stankiewicz, Robert Bosch LLC
• Thadd Tucker, MANN+HUMMEL USA Inc.
• Wilson Usman, PDM Automotive
• Mark Vandergrift, PDM Automotive

The Global E-Tailing Think Tank’s mission is to explore issues and creative solutions in e-commerce/e-tailing as it relates to the automotive aftermarket. The group's goal was to discover best-in-class strategies to overcome both front-end and back-end hurdles for the benefit of the entire industry. In 2024, the e-tailing team explored the landscape of automotive aftermarket e-commerce in various parts of the world, including Europe, Central and South America including Mexico and Brazil, Australia/New Zealand/SE Asia/India, and China.

The Think Tank's findings were presented during the Aftermarket Technology Conference. Think Tank member Jon Amo shared key points from conversations with various global industry experts as well as the group's top 10 key takeaways on global e-commerce.

Previous Think Tank winners include:

• 2023: Emerging Vehicle Technologies
• 2022: Emerging Vehicle Technologies
• 2021: E-Commerce Readiness

"All of this year's Think Tanks did an incredible job, and the Global E-Tailing Think Tank was especially creative," said Chris Gardner, Senior Vice President, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. "It conducted significant research into and compared the e-tailing environment in all major aftermarket regions across the globe."

Other 2024 BTC Think Tank groups included Cybersecurity & AI, Emerging Technologies, AI Applications, and BI & Data Analytics.

The BTC Executive Committee is now selecting the 2025 Think Tank topics. Information on joining the 2025 Think Tanks—open only to BTC members—will be available at mema.org/networking-groups/BTC/btc-think-tanks.

About the Business Technology Council (BTC)

The Business Technology Council (BTC) is the aftermarket’s leading business technology forum. Members network and exchange best practices related to current and emerging technologies that support their efforts to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and pursue new business opportunities. For more information on how you can get involved and upcoming events, visit mema.org/networking-groups/BTC.

About MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers

MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products, an important part of the automotive parts manufacturing industry which supports over 900,000 American jobs in all 50 states. MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers is a recognized industry change agent—promoting a collaborative industry environment, providing a forum to address issues, and serving as a valued resource for member companies. Members represent all areas of the aftermarket including light vehicle, commercial vehicle, and remanufacturing. MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers is a membership group within MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association.

MEMA is the leading North American trade association for vehicle suppliers, parts manufacturers, and remanufacturers. Automotive and commercial vehicle suppliers are the largest manufacturing sector in the United States and lead the way in new vehicle innovations. MEMA has been the voice of the vehicle supplier industry since 1904. Its more than 1,000 members are Strong by Association.

Members supply the aftermarket with the parts that keep millions of vehicles on the road, fueling international commerce and meeting society's transportation needs. MEMA members are committed to safety and sustainability.

MEMA has offices in Southfield, Mich.; Research Triangle Park, N.C.; and Washington, D.C. Learn more at mema.org/aftermarket-suppliers.