Industry Leaders Step Forward to Support AASA’s Channel Excellence Award Presented by Epicor

Reviewers for new industry recognition award include aftermarket executives, analysts and educators

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The selection committee for the Channel Excellence Award, the new industry recognition established by Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and presented by Epicor, includes well-known leaders, analysts and educators from the aftermarket to review applications and select the winner. The first-ever Channel Excellence Award will be presented during the 2019 AASA Vision Conference on Wednesday, April 3, in Dearborn, Mich.

Participants in the 2019 AASA Channel Excellence Award Selection Committee represent all major levels of the aftermarket industry, including repair shops, distributors and suppliers, which will ensure a broad perspective. They are:

• Rod Bayless, senior director, Industry Data Analytics, Epicor
• Brian Cruickshank, director, University of the Aftermarket – Northwood University
• Chris Gardner, vice president, AASA
• Rick Guirlinger, partner, Schwartz Advisors
• Tony Molla, vice president, Automotive Service Association (ASA)
• Joe Pomaranski, Pomaranski Consulting

“The AASA Channel Excellence Award Presented by Epicor is focused on recognizing industry collaboration and will help prepare our industry to prosper in the new digital world,” said Bill Long, AASA president and chief operating officer. “We’re pleased to have this outstanding group of reviewers representing a wide range of organizations and experiences join with us to advance industry innovation and collaboration.”

“This new award is unique in its mission of promoting collaborative, technology-enabled initiatives that will benefit all facets of the aftermarket industry,” said Scott Thompson, senior vice president, automotive and business services, Epicor. “We are pleased to bring our expertise as the aftermarket’s premier provider of industry data analytics and other solutions to the review panel.”

Applications for the AASA Channel Excellence Award Presented by Epicor 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 must detail a collaborative effort between an aftermarket supplier and channel partner, including retailers, e-tailers, distributors, repair facilities, national service chains, etc. In addition, the program must be innovative and utilize technology, such as data analytics, robotics, artificial intelligence and/or digital business processes. The award application process is unique in that finalists will submit short videos, which will be used to select the ultimate winner. The finalists’ videos will be posted to the AASA and Epicor websites and will be played at the 2019 AASA Vision Conference.

More information about the award and application process are 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.