MEMA

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., June 18, 2008 – ABeam Consulting will sponsor the third annual MIS Council Supplier Forum, hosted by the MEMA Information Services (MIS) Council from noon until 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, Ill.

The event is free and open to individuals who work for suppliers/manufacturers and who are responsible for information technology, information services, e-commerce, cataloging, business process support, networks, web services, finance and plant floor computer support.

Research Triangle Park, N.C., May 6, 2008 – Panels featuring aftermarket industry veterans and experts will discuss a wide range of topics focusing on the conference theme of “Shift Forward” at the 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) on Tuesday, May 20, and Wednesday, May 21, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, Ill.

“Let’s Know Them Before We Need Them,” moderated by Ray Pohlman, vice president government relations, AutoZone, and featuring panelists Leslie Waters, former legislator, Florida House of Representatives and Randel K. Johnson, vice president, Labor, Immigration and Employee Benefits, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The panel will examine the importance of government affairs and political action as a part of a company’s annual business planning.

March 17, 2008, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Bill Rhodes, chairman, president and CEO of AutoZone Inc., will address the Executive Breakfast presented by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, the kick-off event at Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas, Nev.

Rhodes will be the featured speaker at the fourth annual event offered by AASA on the opening day of AAPEX. The breakfast is sponsored by Ernst & Young.

“We are pleased that Bill is joining us for the 2008 AASA Executive Breakfast. AutoZone is one of the leading retailers in the automotive aftermarket, and Bill’s insights will be of particular interest to our members,” said Steve Handschuh, president and COO of AASA.

March 17, 2008, Research Triangle Park, N.C. – Early bird registration for the 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) ends Monday, March 24. By registering now, attendees save $200 and can hear an exciting lineup of speakers and industry leaders as they discuss “Shift Forward” on Tuesday, May 20, and Wednesday, May 21, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, Ill.

Registration fees are $745 for the sponsoring associations’ members’ first registrant and $645 for each additional representative. After Monday, March 24, fees increase to $945 for an association member company’s first registrant and $845 for each additional representative.

March 10, 2008, Research Triangle Park, N.C. – Steve Ganster, managing director, Technomic Asia, will present “Developments in China’s Aftermarket” at the 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) on Tuesday, May 20, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, Ill.

Steve Ganster, who lives and works in Shanghai, will characterize trends in the most dynamic auto market in the world, highlighting recent developments in vehicle growth, aftermarket size and segmentation, distribution dynamics, quality issues and sourcing. He will also present a perspective on opportunities and challenges for western auto suppliers.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., February 12, 2008 – David O’Reilly, chairman, O’Reilly Automotive Inc., Springfield, Mo., was presented the prestigious Triangle Award by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) during the O’Reilly Auto Parts National Sales Conference on February 11, in Dallas, Texas.

For more than 30 years, the MEMA Triangle Award has been presented periodically to that person, persons or organization whom the association’s members choose to honor for selfless contribution to the automotive industry.

February 4, 2008, ORLAND PARK, Ill. – Nearly 1,800 heavy duty aftermarket executives and professionals attended Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week ‘08 (HDAW) held in January at The Mirage, Las Vegas. In its third year, this annual business conference is the industry’s largest gathering of the independent heavy duty aftermarket.

Although primarily North American in focus, HDAW drew attendees from 17 different countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Mexico and Russia.

January 24, 2008, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), the Transportation Safety Equipment Institute (TSEI) and the Motor Vehicle Lighting Council (MVLC) jointly submitted a petition asking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to reconsider certain changes made to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, which specifies requirements for motor vehicle lighting.

Meeting Set at AASA Vision Conference 2008 in Orlando

January 21, 2008, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) is establishing a Technicians Advisory Council to work cooperatively with the Car Care Professionals Network (CCPN) and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) at the AASA Vision Conference 2008, slated for Thursday, Feb. 29, through Saturday, March 1, at the Swan and Dolphin Resort, Orlando, Fla.

January 21, 2008, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — The Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) recently inducted four new members into its Quarter Century Club, which honors members on the 25th anniversary of their enrollment.

The inductees for 2007 are:

* Andres R. Angulo, international sales manager, Heavy Duty - Stemco LLC, Enpro, Miami, Fla.;
* Giora Bsor, director, G.B.I. Ltd., Tel Aviv, Israel;
* Michael R. Flad, president and owner, DanCor Sales Co., Levittown, Penn.;
* Gilberto Gonzalez, president and owner, Gilberto Gonzalez C., Medellin, Colombia;
* Edward V. Heath, Honorary Life Member, Heath Automotive Appraisals Inc., Centennial, Colo.; and
* F. Carl Smith, vice president and general manager, Intraco Corp., Troy, Mich.