PartsTrader LLC, a Web-based parts sourcing, quoting, and ordering platform supporting the collision repair industry, announced it has created an industry advisory council. The intent of the council is to ensure that each of the core market segments using the PartsTrader platform has a regular, structured opportunity to provide direct input on the system.
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The inaugural group will include Michael Quinn, Collision Industry Conference (CIC) Chairman (Tucson, Ariz.); Steve Tomaszewski of Alpine Collision Centre (Grand Rapids, Mich.); Michael LeVasseur of Keenan Autobody (Clifton Heights, Pa.); Lou DiLisio of Automotive Industry Consulting (Mt. Kisco, N.Y.); Amber Elenbaas of Pete's Auto Parts (Jenison, Mich.); and Christopher Northup of General Distribution Consultants (Glendora, Calif.) Additional council members will be named in the upcoming weeks.
"Creating an industry advisory council is both necessary and appropriate" said Rob Cooper, PartsTrader Chief Executive Officer. "While we spoke with many collision repairers and parts suppliers during our first two years of research and initial building of our US product offering, it is only through an ongoing, open engagement with our primary customer groups that we can ensure our product truly meets the needs of those using it."
The PartsTrader Advisory Council's main function is to provide its two primary user groups - the collision repair industry and all segments of the automobile collision parts industry (OEM, Aftermarket, Recycled and Remanufactured) - with an opportunity to provide timely and critical feedback on the platform in order to maximize the value created by the platform for each group.
The council will consist of representatives from each user community. It will be large enough to represent the interests of both large and small businesses in each of these industry segments, but small enough to be an effective working group, the company said. The initial group will include four to five repair facility advocates, with both multi-shop operators and single location operators being represented. Likewise, the group will include five to six supplier advocates, with OEM, aftermarket and recycled each being represented.
"We were very careful in choosing who to invite to participate in this initial group," said Dale Sailer, PartsTrader Vice President of Business Development. "It was critical that we assemble a group of individuals who will not be shy about expressing their opinions and are willing to hold us accountable for our stated commitments to the industry, while also being forward thinking and business savvy. We think we've put together a group that will be very demanding of PartsTrader on behalf of their peers, to the ultimate benefit of both user groups."
The first meeting of the PartsTrader Advisory Council will be held later this month.
For more information about PartsTrader, visit www.partstrader.us.com or contact Rob Cooper at (312) 794-7801.
