Your Issues…Our Concern!

The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) is here to serve your interests - the interests that affect today's automotive aftermarket products manufacturers. AASA will focus its efforts exclusively on aftermarket parts manufacturers and provide numerous services and programs including: representation before legislators and regulators, strategic market research, international business support, valuable networking opportunities and the latest industry news and insight.

AASA will aggressively represent its members on critical business issues by generating dialogue, education and action, which will help provide a stronger, unified voice for aftermarket suppliers. Once the issues are identified as critical business issues by the AASA Board of Governors, AASA staff will lead the effort in developing a solution by collaborating with other industry organizations and decision makers and through AASA member interaction and input.

AASA is one of three market segment divisions of MEMA, which serves suppliers of vehicular components and systems to the OE, aftermarket and heavy duty truck industries.

NEW PUBLICATIONS

AASA 2008-2009 Automotive Aftermarket Status Report   AASA Automotive Aftermarket Status Report, your single source for current statistics and analysis of the trends shaping the aftermarket, is now available. The 2008-2009 Status Report marks the debut of the aftermarket channel forecasting model, which was developed by AASA and other leading aftermarket associations. The new model provides a single point of reference to anchor the various estimates of the aftermarket’s size and outlines the complex structure of the channels of distribution The Status Report also includes sections on emerging markets in China and India, as well as the latest figures on unperformed maintenance. Other sections include: Global vehicle summary North American aftermarket Traffic safety statistics Vehicle sales, registrations and usage Aftermarket demand variables Aftermarket size and sub-sectors International parts trade This all-inclusive publication also contains the directory of AASA members and the products and services they provide. To order online, click here. Note: AASA Members can purchase copies for $125.
Remanufacturing: Operating Practices and Strategies   Remanufacturing is a significant part of the aftermarket’s green initiatives, and AASA members can now receive “Remanufacturing: Operating Practices and Strategies,” a new report highlighting the industry’s contributions to the economy in terms of employment, energy and materials conservation published by Boston University. Prepared by professors William Hauser and Robert T. Lund, the 111 page report focuses on the business of remanufacturing, the industry dedicated to restoring life to a wide range of durable products, from lubricating oils to locomotives. The report draws on the authors’ decades of study of the industry, and from their database of thousands of remanufacturers and case studies of successful companies in the industry. “Remanufacturing: Operating Practices and Strategies” is intended for members of the industry and their suppliers and customers, for students of the industry, and for public policymakers who are interested in promoting the activities of the industry. Very little has been published about this industry, despite its contributions to the economy in terms of employment, energy and materials conservation, and as an income source for many small to medium-sized firms. The report expands the horizons of the industry by identifying 112 different product areas, such as motor vehicle parts, electric motors, industrial valves, medical equipment, and even guided missiles, in which remanufacturing is being done. It looks at the means that firms use to obtain their “raw material” – the worn-out, discarded, or traded-in products that can be restored to like-new condition. It examines the different strategies that are used to grow the firm and to remain profitable in a changing, increasingly global economy. Click here to order.
Special Report: Recent Scams Prey Upon Your Corporate Goodwill   Theft of your intellectual property may not be limited to counterfeit goods. A recent string of fraudulent e-mail and mail scams have revealed a new concern for business entities – corporate identity theft. This report, "Recent Scams Prey Upon Your Corporate Goodwill," details how companies can safeguard against fraud and describes what to do if your company is hit by corporate identity scammers.
2008 AASA Top 100 List   The 2008 AASA Top 100 List is a multi-page, full-color publication featuring information on the largest suppliers to the automotive aftermarket and ranking suppliers by annual North American aftermarket sales. This year’s edition also includes an exclusive analysis by Ernst & Young, “As the Aftermarket Expands, Custom Practices Become More Critical.” This annual report is published by AASA, produced by Babcox Publications and sponsored by Ernst & Young. To download the PDF version of the AASA Top 100, click here. Printed copies can be ordered by e-mailing publications@mema.org.
Manufacturing Incentives from State Development Offices   States often provide incentives for the building, maintenance and expansion of manufacturing facilities within their boundaries through their State Development Offices. Through AASA and the MEMA Washington office, this list of state development offices throughout the country is available to members. Members are encouraged to contact these officials and learn about programs and assistance available to manufacturers – and to invite the officials to visit in-state facilities. In some instances, other agencies within a state’s government may be responsible for these manufacturing incentive programs. The development office should be able to provide more information. Additional details also are available at the state development Web sites included on the list.
Importing into the United States: A Guide for Commercial Importers   This edition of Importing Into the United States by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol contains material pursuant to the Trade Act of 2002 and the Customs Modernization Act (Title VI of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act), commonly referred to as the Mod Act. The Customs Modernization Act (Title VI of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act [P.L. 103 182, 107 Stat. 2057]) became effective December 8, 1993. Its provisions have fundamentally altered the relationship between importers and CBP by shifting to the importer, the legal responsibility for declaring the value, classification, and rate of duty applicable to entered merchandise. Visit the CBP Web site (www.cbp.gov) for the latest information on specific laws, regulations or procedures that may affect your import transactions.
Marking of Country of Origin on U.S. Imports: Acceptable Terminology and Methods for Marking   This brochure produced by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol is strictly about marking of country of origin on U.S. imports and is for general information purposes only. Reliance solely on this general information may not be considered reasonable care. Recognizing that many complicated factors may be involved in origin issues (raw materials are from one country while the product is assembled in another), an importer may wish to obtain a binding ruling from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. For more information please see determining the correct Country of Origin to use under the Customs Regulations, 19 CFR Part 177. Please be aware that in addition to this information, certain products are subject to additional labeling requirements. For example, clothing must have labels indicating fabric content and washing instructions. Other products with special labeling requirements include tobacco (the Surgeon General’s Warning Statement), food and pharmaceuticals, and automobiles. Visit the CBP Web site (www.cbp.gov) for the latest information on specific laws, regulations or procedures that may affect your import transactions.
Report to the President and Congress on Coordination of Intellectual Property Enforcement and Protection   This is the sixth annual report on the activities of the National Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordination Council (NIPLECC). NIPLECC is charged with coordinating and overseeing the Federal Government’s intellectual property protection and enforcement efforts.
Distributor Liability on Will-Fit, Private Label and Counterfeit Products   Liability for counterfeiting, product safety issues and recalls could fall upon distributors in certain instances. This Special Report reviews the recent court decisions in this area and discusses instances where distributors have been found liable. AASA is committed to providing members and the motor vehicle parts supplier industry with the latest news and information regarding industry trends such as direct importing, counterfeiting and intellectual property rights violations. This Special Report is a continuation of the information provided in the October 2007 Special Report, “Direct Importing: Do the Risks Outweigh the Reward?”
Intellectual Property: Protecting Valuable Assets   This Special Report discusses the problems associated with intellectual property rights violations and describes the Brand Protection Council's efforts to protect suppliers from the harmful effects of automotive parts counterfeiting.
Special Report: Protection of Part Numbers and Electronic Catalogs in the Automotive Industry   This article examines various strategies that members of MEMA may employ to protect the words, symbols or numbers used to identify the source of the parts they manufacture and sell and electronic catalogs, including but not limited to lists of Part Numbers, vendors and suppliers.
Internal Data Management: Critical Program for the Aftermarket Supplier   Automotive aftermarket suppliers manage more types of data than other manufacturing industries due to the added complexities of automotive applications. This paper, "Internal Data Management: Critical Program for the Aftermarket Supplier," depicts the impetus for and benefits of implementing a program to manage critical data across a manufacturer's operations. This Special Report was developed for the members of the MEMA Information Services Council, which is an organization of information technology, information service and e-commerce executives from automotive aftermarket and heavy duty parts suppliers. A free copy can be downloaded by clicking the "View" link at right.
Special Report: “Direct Importing: Do the Risks Outweigh the Reward?”   To meet the challenge of the increase in direct importing by some warehouse distributors and retailers and the growing concern on product safety of imported products, AASA has published a Special Report: “Direct Importing: Do the Risks Outweigh the Reward?” This Special Report is designed to be used by AASA members to educate their customers on the costs and risks associated with direct importing. A free copy can be downloaded by clicking the “Download” link below. A print quality electronic file (PDF) is available by request from Wayne Fulford of AASA, publications@mema.org.