MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Business Technology Council Announces Winning Think Tank

Research Triangle Park, N.C. – MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers’ Business Technology Council (BTC) announced the third annual winning BTC Think Tank presentation during the 2023 Aftermarket Technology Conference. The Emerging Vehicle Technologies 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.

Group members include:

• Ben Johnson, Mitchell1 (BTC Committee Sponsor)
• Jeff Marshall, Pricedex Software (Team Facilitator)
• Mark Hough, East Penn Batteries
• Scott Nash, Spectra Premium
• Andrew Ciszczon, Freudenberg-NOK Sealing
• Scott Tompkins, Epicor
• Matt Zerilli, Mann+Hummel
• Jolene Castillo, Robert Bosch
• Jeff Weaver, Walker Products
• Adam Sworski, Valvoline
• David Williams, OptiCat/JNPSoft

The Emerging Vehicle Technologies team determined that insights into electrification and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies would provide the industry with some thought-provoking insight and, accordingly, produced four whitepapers as Volume 3 of the Emerging Technologies Series:

• “Battery Insights – Batteries in Operation and Chemistry Breakdown”
• “Electric Vehicle Service Readiness”
• “The Truth About the Grid”
• “AI and Implications for the Automotive Ecosystem”

“All of this year’s Think Tanks did an incredible job, and the Emerging Vehicles Technologies Think Tank absolutely hit it out of the park,” said Chris Gardner, Senior Vice President, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. “The group’s deliverables have been added to the BTC Aftermarket Technology Roadmap and offer deeper insights into the aftermarket’s state of readiness for servicing vehicles with advanced technologies and the overall industry’s willingness to adapt to multiple technology trends.”

The BTC Executive Committee is now selecting the 2024 Think Tank Topics. Information on joining the 2024 Think Tanks—open only to BTC members—will be available at https://www.mema.org/btc-think-tanks.

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.