Remanufactured Parts Highlighted at GAAS 2001

Research Triangle Park, N.C. - The growing automotive aftermarket segment of remanufactured parts will be the focus of a panel discussion during the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) 2001, scheduled for Thursday, May 17, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Rosemont, Ill.

GAAS continues until noon, Friday, May 18.

"Consumers can have confidence in the remanufactured product, both in its quality and its value," said William Gager, president of the Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association (APRA) and moderator of the GAAS panel discussion, "The Winning Product Line - A Panel Discussion on Remanufacturing."

Panelists include Michael Cardone Jr., Cardone Industries; Dave Deegan, Engine Lab of Tampa; Joe Felicelli, Delco Remy International Inc.; and Gordan Fenwick, Fenwick Automotive Products.

The rebuilding/remanufacturing sector’s $35 billion annual production includes rebuilding of automotive "hard" parts, such as alternators, brakes, clutches, drive shafts, starters, and transmissions, for passenger cars, trucks, off-road equipment, and industrial use.

"Remanufacturing is at the forefront of the automotive aftermarket, a growing segment," said Gager. "Remanufacturers provide outside, professional services for technicians and the service industry."

The panelists bring an average 25-years experience in the automotive aftermarket and rebuilding/remanufacturing sector - for a combined total of 105 years.

Cardone, president and CEO of Cardone Industries, has received numerous awards and accolades over the span of his 30-year career, including the Automotive Hall of Fame Young Leadership and Excellence award in 1982. Cardone Industries started 30 years ago with five employees and now employs 3,700.

Deegan is vice president and COO of Engine Lab, an engine remanufacturing and installation company he and his wife founded in 1994. He brings 30 years experience in the automotive aftermarket arena to the panel.

Felicelli, group vice president of the Delco Remy aftermarket group, has more than 20 years experience in the aftermarket. He joined the company after ten years with Moog Automotive Division of Cooper Industries, where he served in various positions including vice president of operations.

Fenwick is CEO and general manager of Fenwick Automotive Products (Fenco), a Canadian-based multiline remanufacturer. His 25-years experience with Fenco has covered all areas of the operation from manufacturing to finance and sales to marketing.

Outstanding Program
The remanufacturing panel is one feature of the outstanding GAAS 2001 program. The automotive aftermarket’s premier educational conference, GAAS provides industry professionals with information vital to success in the aftermarket. Its proceeds fund scholarships for students seeking automotive aftermarket careers.

Innovative entrepreneur Donald E. Panoz, founder of Panoz Motor Sports and pharmaceutical companies Mylan Laboratories and Elan Corp., is the Thursday luncheon speaker. Dr. Roger Blackwell, The Ohio State University professor of marketing and Blackwell Associates president, opens Thursday’s program, which also includes: J Ferron, PriceWaterhouseCoopers; Charles German, IBM Wholesale Distribution Industry in the Americas; Steve Handschuh, NAPA; John F. Smith, GM Service Parts Operations; and Matt Stover, SalomanSmithBarney.

Derek Kaufman of Kaufman Peters LLC opens Friday’s program, followed by Buck Mathews, The Ohio State University.

GAAS 2001 concludes with a panel discussion of the aftermarket and the service industry featuring panelists Fred Bunting, Auto-Wares Inc.; Tom Elmer, Cardone Industries; Tom Morrison, Florida Automotive Industries Association (FAIA); and Ken Walker, Meineke Discount Muffler Shops Inc.

Registration Fees
Registration fees for GAAS 2001 are $895 for sponsoring associations members’ first registrant and $795 for each additional representative.

Registration for individuals whose firms or organizations are not members of any of the sponsoring associations is $1,095 for the company’s first registrant and $995 for each additional representative.

Program details and registration forms are online at www.globalsymposium.org.

GAAS Invests in the Future

The Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium scholarship (GAASS) fund awarded 69 scholarships to students in two-year technical college programs or in four-year college programs in 2001. GAAS has provided a total of 248 scholarships since 1996.

Scholarship program details are online at www.automotivescholarships.org.

The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA), Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association (APRA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Tire Association of North America (TANA), and University of the Aftermarket.