Here’s how aftermarket suppliers will now be represented

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The group representing automotive aftermarket suppliers has formally announced its new structure.

What was formerly the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) has merged with its sister groups under the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association — Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association — to form MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers.

A second group has also been formed to align with the original equipment industry — MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers, which will be made up of Original Equipment Suppliers Association and OE members of the HDMA.

What this will see is rather than four membership associations under the MEMA umbrella, there will now be two. Those with similar interests, such as the aftermarket, will work together under one name.

For example, one supplier may have been a member of three different groups based on the markets they serve. Now, they may be under just one. Or, a supplier that was a member of just one group now has access to content, events and partnerships of all three.

“The future clearly will look differently and MEMA must embrace that change much as most of our members have gone through this similar transformation to position their businesses for the future,” said Bill Long, president and CEO of MEMA.

MEMA’s new logo

Under the aftermarket group, Paul McCarthy will serve as president and chief executive officer.

“The biggest change may be the simplification,” McCarthy said during a press conference announcing MEMA’s new brand and structure. “It’s now easier and simpler to access all of the value created by MEMA.”

He reiterated the fact that companies won’t have to join three different organizations to access all that MEMA has to offer — it’s all within on group now.

“So the bottom line is very simple: More value more easily for our members,” McCarthy said.

Long noted a number of shared challenges among members that pushed the organization to find a way to simply, such as black swan events, “unprecedented” uncertainty, the advancement of new vehicle technology, sustainability, talent shortages, the regulatory and legislative landscape, electric vehicles and supply chain disruption.

Coming together will help the group enhance members’ abilities to address future needs more effectively, Long said.

“Also, to enable greater access and engagement for members … to have a seat at the table with a broader range of suppliers and leadership strengthens and lifts all boats.

Moving up

Coinciding with the restructuring, MEMA announced a pair of promotions.

Megan Gardner has been named executive director of marketing and communications. Apart from leading those functions, she will also oversee strategy and execution for MEMA’s digital platforms, branding, advertising, event marketing, and media relations. She was most recently senior director of marketing, membership and sponsorship for AASA, MEMA’s former aftermarket division.

Mike Jackson was named executive director of strategy and research.  He was most recently executive director of strategy and research for MEMA’s light duty original equipment division. Jackson’s expanded role will support all segments of MEMA, including the OE, aftermarket, remanufacturing, commercial vehicle and government affairs.

Collin Shaw is now MEMA’s new chief commercial vehicle officer and chief operating officer for the MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers membership group. He most recently served as president and chief operating officer of MEMA’s former heavy duty manufacturers division.

Finally, Liz Goad was promoted to executive director of events at MEMA. She now manages and executes all events for MEMA and its two membership groups: MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers and MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers. Most recently, Goad was senior director of events and meetings for MEMA’s former light vehicle aftermarket division.