The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance was honored with the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association’s (AWDA) 2016 Pursuit of Excellence Award.
Established in 1983, this award is given annually to an AWDA member in recognition of excellence in business performance and the setting of high standards as an example for others to follow.
Don Bickle Jr., president, Warehouse Inc., presented the award on behalf of AWDA at the association’s 2016 Annual Business and Education Conference in Las Vegas. Megan Hastings, digital marketing and training manager, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, accepted on behalf of the Alliance.
The Pursuit of Excellence Award is presented exclusively to AWDA member companies or employees of those companies in the auto care industry.
The Alliance’s commitment to its shareholders and the auto care industry was never more in evidence than at AAPEX 2015 when, in cooperation with the Auto Care Association, the Alliance flooded the show floor with more than 3,000 affiliated repair shop owners, managers and technicians, completely changing the dynamic on that final day of AAPEX.
“The Alliance exemplified the essence of this award when they took the risk to become the first program group ever to conduct their convention, dubbed the Aftermarket Jackpot, in conjunction with AAPEX,” said Bill Collins, national group sales director, Standard Motor Products.
Through the Alliance’s efforts, the number of service center personnel attending AAPEX last year more than tripled, including many that attended for the first time. Exhibitor booths were redesigned to accommodate training sessions for attendees. Sessions were taught by exhibitors, and focused on training the automotive technician the value of aftermarket parts. The Alliance incentivized the training by offering coupons to customers attending the sessions for a chance to win a vintage muscle car.
“Our booth was swarmed with thousands of professional technicians. We were able to share all of our product innovations and new product ideas that we could bring to the aftermarket,” said Jeff Darby, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Dorman Products, Inc.
“What they pulled off on Thursday last year at AAPEX, with not only the service technicians, but also their shareholders, created excitement on a day that really needed it. It was just a fantastic,” said Jeff Blocher, director of sales and marketing, MANN+HUMMEL Filtration Technology Group Inc.
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