The economy continues to put pressure on many industries and the automotive aftermarket industry is no exception. Faced with challenges that include cost containment, anti-counterfeiting, and inventory management, the industry continues to seek ways to streamline operations, cut costs and improve profitability and at the same time apply green sustainability practices.
This two-part paper provides information that will help you assess reverse logistics opportunities within your organization.
"Agile Execution: Driving Strategic Results in a Changing Aftermarket" analyzes the gap between formulating strategic plans and carrying them out successfully. It also lays out the solution to enable your company to become strategically literate and effectively achieve your strategic objectives.
“Independent Aftermarket Image: Why Premium Aftermarket Products Deliver the Best Value” is the latest Special Report from the AASA Marketing Executives Council. The report specifically addresses the issue of low quality, low cost parts and the quality, name brand parts produced by full service aftermarket suppliers which meet or exceed OEM specifications.
AASA MEMBERS ONLY
Government regulations usually mean more red tape and more interference in the marketplace. But the proposed new federal fuel economy regulations may prove to be that rarity – a new regulation that turns out to be a positive for the automotive aftermarket. Paul McCarthy, AASA vice president of industry analysis and member services, examines why these regulations may actually be good for the aftermarket in the July 2011 Special Report: Market Analysis.
AASA MEMBERS ONLY
This report is from the MEMA Technology Council and the MEMA Brand Protection Council. It addresses risks suppliers and distributors face from counterfeiting and intellectual property rights violations when marketing their products online.
AASA MEMBERS ONLY
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology uses small tags to track the location and history of items that carry small tags.RFID is now being looked at by the automotive aftermarket in hopes that it will help the industry with issues like excess inventory, shrinkage and counterfeiting. This paper, produced by the MEMA Technology Council, defines RFID, its benefits and challenges, and the current and potential future use of the technology in the aftermarket.
AASA MEMBERS ONLY
Recently, two significant court cases have cited Section 292 of the U.S. Patent Act, which pertains to false marking with the intent to deceive, and both of these cases highlight the need for all manufacturers to develop a patent protocol.
AASA MEMBERS ONLY
The MEMA Brand Protection Council has updated its Special Report, "Intellectual Property: Protecting Valuable Assets in a Global Market." The fourth edition of the report examines intellectual property rights, one of manufacturers' most valuable assets. Intellectual property rights (IPR) violations can come in a variety of forms including counterfeiting, trademark infringement, gray market, diversion, country of origin or non-compliant parts.
AASA MEMBERS ONLY
The Brand Protection Committee of MEMA has produced this Special Report to demonstrate how these counterfeit parts enter the U.S. motive vehicle parts market supply chain.
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.