AWDA to Unite With AAIA

Motor, Dec 2003 by Nash, Tom

The Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) and its nearly 300 member companies will join the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) as a new segment, effective Jan. 1, 2004.

The AWDA Board of Governors unanimously recommended that its members vote to join forces with AAIA. AWDA, founded in 1947, is the oldest organized group of warehouse distributors and their respective suppliers. AAIA is the only automotive aftermarket trade association in the United States that represents the shared interests of suppliers, distributors, retailers, program groups and manufacturers' representatives.

The two associations have worked together closely for many years in a number of key areas, including education, government affairs and most recently with the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign. This agreement, according to Association officials, will help capitalize on the economies of scale by fusing market research, technology, trade shows and meetings and marketing/communications.

"On behalf of the officers and board of directors of AWDA, I am extremely pleased and excited that we made a monumental decision that is in the very best interests of our members," said Ron Levene, AWDA chairman.

"The coming together of AAIA and AWDA will further strengthen our industry through solidarity and create the foremost multidimensional channel associations," said Michael Moshontz, AAIA chairman.