Delphi Executive Chosen To Head OE Suppliers Group

Autoparts Report, Nov 18, 2001

The Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) has named Alan S. Dawes, executive vice president and CFO, Delphi Automotive Systems, to serve as the chairman for the 2001-2002 year.

Two vice chairmen also were appointed: William J. Carroll, president, Automotive Systems Group, Dana Corp., and Lawrence (Larry) A. Denton, president, Dow Automotive. Dana Corp. was a founding member of OESA, and has supported OESA's affiliate, the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) since its early inception.

"Suppliers are facing challenges this year that are tougher than ever, and OESA provides supplier companies with a forum to discuss, and when appropriate, address some of these issues," Dawes said. "Increased responsibility, a softening demand, and margin compression are all issues facing the supplier industry."

Joseph C. Day, chairman and CEO, Freudenberg-NOK, served as founding chairman of OESA from 1999 to 2001 and plans to continue as a director and member of the executive committee. "I have enjoyed the opportunity to contribute value to the entire automotive supplier industry by serving as OESA's founding chairman," Day states. "Suppliers need to be able to discuss the impact of various practices and behaviors on the overall operation of the industry; OESA provides that."

Also the OESA membership has elected the following new directors to the board: Bill Kozyra, president, Continental Teves; Kurt Liedtke, chairman and CEO, Robert Bosch Corp.; Jane Warner, managing director, Global Automotive Sector, EDS; Fred Hubacker, vice chairman, Venture Industries; George Perry, president and COO, Yazaki North America; and Wally Tsuha, president and CEO, Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc.

The Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) provides a forum for the automotive industry's original equipment suppliers. Membership comprises suppliers of components, modules, systems, materials, and equipment used by the original equipment automotive industry.

Founded in 1998, OESA addresses issues of common concern through its peer group councils; serves as a reliable source of information and analysis; and provides an industry voice, when appropriate, on issues of interest. With more than 260 members having global automotive sales exceeding $280 billion, OESA represents more than 60 percent of North America's automotive supplier sales. OESA is affiliated with the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association.