AWDA Conference
What A difference a year makes!
Twelve months ago, the foundation of America’s economy was strong, even if some hidden cracks might have been visible if you looked hard enough. Detroit was still producing cars and our industry was providing the parts and services to maintain and repair them. “Stimulus” and “bailout” were not terms typically used in a financial discussion. Our political landscape was radically different. A trillion dollars actually meant something!
But here we are in 2009.
Although the aftermarket remains extremely resilient, most of us are still looking over our shoulders, searching for signs of trouble approaching. Many of us have pulled in our reins, controlled our costs, slowed our growth and maybe lowered our expectations.
A few of us might even think that it’s a good time to totally hunker down, slash our budgets to the bone and simply hope for the best.
But I don’t believe in that approach and I don’t think our industry does either. Fact is, the fundamentals of the aftermarket, and particularly distribution, might never have been better. We are looking at opportunities that didn’t exist 12 months or maybe even 12 years ago. For the following reasons and more, I am very bullish on our industry right now!
- People have virtually stopped buying new cars. That means they’re working harder than ever to keep their old cars on the road.
Advantage: aftermarket.
- Dealerships are closing all across the country, eliminating service bays, parts counters and the competition they bring. Independent repair shops and their suppliers are there to carry the load. Advantage: aftermarket.
- Fewer dealers means a surplus of trained mechanics entering the marketplace. Independent shops are suddenly awash in qualified techs.
Advantage: aftermarket.
- Parts suppliers who’ve always been focused on the OEs are looking for new outlets for their high-quality parts. This added competition favors distributors and their customers.
Advantage: aftermarket.
- A new study released by AAIA proves once and for all that there is a massive price advantage for motorists that use independent repair shops rather than dealers.
Advantage: aftermarket.
All this adds up to huge opportunities for those of us willing to invest now in our companies, our people, our knowledge and our business relationships.
And that’s exactly why I will be in Las Vegas this fall, attending the AWDA Conference, participating in one-on-one meetings with manufacturers, interacting with my peers, my competitors and my group members. I plan to soak up as much information as I possibly can, so when I return to Staunton, Va. I will be prepared to take maximum advantage of all the opportunities the current marketplace holds.
Use every resource available to get yourself and your employees to Vegas this fall. Come to learn, to network, to buy, to sell, to raise the visibility and stature of distribution and the terrific manufacturers that supply us.
They say it’s in times like this that lasting success is created. Make the AWDA Business & Education Conference part of your plan for success in 2009!
See you in Las Vegas!
Rusty Bishop, Chairman
2008-09 AWDA Board of Governors