Building on the productive dialogue between aftermarket manufacturers and repair shop owner members of the Car Care Professionals Network (CCPN) at the recent Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Vision Conference, a repair shop/manufacturer forum will be hosted by CCPN at the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association’s (AAIA) Spring Leadership Days, April 9-11, in Bonita Springs, FL.

"Because AAIA represents all segments of the aftermarket including manufacturers, distributors, retailers and service providers, we believe that key to our value proposition is connection – to provide a forum under the AAIA umbrella for member companies to network, interact and communicate with each other and seek solutions," said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO.

"Combine AAIA’s more than 1,000 manufacturers that make up the largest percentage of our total membership, with CCPN’s 20,000 independent vehicle repair businesses members, and you have a powerful synergy that can tackle real issues that will benefit the entire industry. This is precisely why AAIA created a place at the aftermarket table for CCPN," Schmatz said.

In addition to participating in the Vision Conference, CCPN members have held valuable dialogue with members of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) during past AAIA Leadership Days. CCPN is also planning to increase its role in education, training and networking at this year’s AAPEX and is considering hosting regional symposiums for independent repair shops.

Representing CCPN at the AASA Vision Conference was:
• Mitch Schneider, Schneider’s Automotive, Simi Valley, CA
• Vic Tarasik, Vic’s Precision Automotive, The Woodlands, TX
• Jeff Walter, Zimmerman’s Automotive, Mechanicsburg, PA
• Mick Cipolla, Courteous Car Care, Largo, FL

Issues discussed at the conference included: the importance of brand; hard parts quality; availability; performance; country of origin; warranties and returns; and training and education.

Topics to be addressed at AAIA Spring Leadership Days include: shrinking margins; support for education and training; information accessibility; telematics; super warranties; and environmental regulations.

About CCPN
CCPN is the largest organization representing the exclusive interests of independent service and repair businesses. Its mission is to represent, support and improve automotive service and repair businesses by providing a national platform and to promote communication and networking between service professionals, manufacturers, distributors and others.

About AAIA
AAIA is a Bethesda, MD-based association whose more than 23,000 member companies and affiliates manufacture, distribute and sell motor vehicle parts, accessories, service, tools, equipment, materials and supplies. Through its membership, AAIA represents more than 100,000 repair shops, parts stores and distribution outlets.