AAIA Participates in Capital Roundtable in New York City
Kathleen Schmatz Moderates Panel Before Private Equity Community
BETHESDA, MD – February 8, 2011 – Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), moderated a panel of industry leaders during the Capital Roundtable’s 2011 MasterClass in New York City on Thursday, Feb. 3. More than 60 representatives of middle-market private equity firms attended the event held at the University Club.
The panel, “War Stories – Perspectives from CEOs Who Have Been Through the Cycle,” featured Marc C. Graham, American Driveline; Matt D. Jordan, Eckler Industries Inc.; Robert E. Lee, OE Quality Friction Inc.; and Steve Scharnhorst, Vista-Pro Automotive LLC. The panel was part of the class, “Private Equity Investing in Auto Aftermarket Products and Services – How to Build Companies That Drive These Fast-Growing Sectors.”
Schmatz led the panel in a candid discussion of their experiences through the recent recession, and the efforts made by their businesses to adjust to the new economic climate. Insights from the panelists included:
- the importance of considering the needs of customers their businesses don’t currently have;
- the necessity of updated technology to reach the right customers and stay in business;
- the essential value of pride and confidence in the quality of their products; and
- the imperative need for involvement in careful category management for the good of the industry.
“The automotive aftermarket is a powerful, viable industry, as evidenced by the participants in this Capital Roundtable MasterClass,” said Schmatz. “We are honored to have been invited to share the message about the strength and resilience of the industry with these private equity investors, their colleagues and portfolio company managers.”
Founded in 1984, The Capital Roundtable is America’s leading conference company for the middle-market private equity community. They are known for their day-long MasterClass series, which focuses on the “need-to-know” information needs of general and limited partners. More than 4,000 people and 1,500 speakers have participated in their MasterClasses since 2003, and almost 30 classes are planned for 2011.