AASA Vision Conference Work Session to Discuss Industry Collaboration on Cataloging, Purchasing

January 7, 2008, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The member collaboration work session slated for Saturday, March 1, at the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Vision Conference will feature open discussions of “Cataloging a Better Way” and “Collaborative Purchasing for Indirect Items.”

The AASA Vision Conference 2008 – scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 28, through Saturday, March 1, at the Swan and Dolphin Resort, Orlando, Fla. – will feature presentations, panel discussions and two additional Vision Work Sessions. The conference is exclusive to AASA member companies.

Led by Dil Kulathum, vice president – international, CARDONE Industries Inc., the work session on cataloging will identify ways AASA members can support industry efforts to streamline the flow of catalog data to customers. Discussion points will include the costs of lost business due to slow movement of data and possible alternative solutions.

Susan Ulrey, executive director, sales operations and customer service, Tenneco, will facilitate the collaborative purchasing discussion. The group will examine ways to reduce costs by leveraging membership purchasing power on indirect supplies and services. Topics will focus on areas that do not create a product competitive advantage, such as MRO, office supplies, printing, shipping, etc.

In addition to a keynote address by Peter Marks, chairman, president and CEO of Robert Bosch LLC, the AASA Vision Conference 2008 presentation topics will include:

* panel discussion of the aftermarket’s global outlook;
* expert panelists examining health care and other critical issues that keep aftermarket suppliers executives up at night;
* case studies of manufacturers collaborating with customers to affect improved business transactions and relations; and
* keynote presentation by an executive from a leading aftermarket distributor/retailer.

The other two Vision Work Sessions and facilitators include:

* Global Sourcing & Selling – Jeff Brekke, Gates; Jeff Stauffer, Affinia
* Education/Training – “Mac” McGovern, KYB; Doug Viedler, Delphi Corp.

Early bird discounts save members $100 off the regular registration fees, and all member company attendees can take advantage of the discount. The first registrant from a member company will pay $595 ($100 off the regular $695 fee) and each addition attendee will pay $495 ($100 off the regular $595 fee for each).

Members have two options for registration: complete the online registration form or download the fax-back form, both available online at the AASA Vision Conference Web site, www.aasavision.org. Hotel reservations also can be made at the AASA Vision Conference Web site.

The AASA Vision Conference activities begin on Thursday, Feb. 28, with meetings of AASA councils and the Board of Governors. The conference opens at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 29, and continues through 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 1.

About AASA

AASA (www.aftermarketsuppliers.org) exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products. It 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 a market segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “AASA, Leadership in the Global Automotive Aftermarket”

Source: MEMA

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