International business is built on relationships. In most global markets, a trusted partner is critical to success and trust can only be built with long-term relationships. The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) helps foster these relationships with existing and potential trade partners through its Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) network of global aftermarket trade professionals.
OAC utilizes regional, international directors to support its far-reaching members and to provide its North American manufacturing community with contacts that can deliver an “on the ground” pulse of the business environment in global markets.
Federico Quintero is one of these invaluable resources for members of the OAC network; he serves as OAC’s International Director for South America. When I took responsibility for OAC in 2009, Quintero immediately called to welcome me to the group. Within weeks, we had plans for dinner during the Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas, and to my surprise, when the event arrived, he brought his lovely wife and other OAC friends from Slovenia and Venezuela.
Quintero is vice president at Quinteros S.A. – a manufacturer’s representative primarily in the automotive, hardware and industrial sectors – headquartered in Bogota, Colombia.
Established in 1941, the company works with principals not only on the marketing and sales of their products, but also in the setup of their distribution network. Indeed, the company reaches beyond Colombia to assist with entrance into Venezuela and Ecuador as well. Quinteros S.A. specializes in top-quality products and advises customers and foreign executives alike on international commerce and market developments that impact their businesses in his region.
After graduating from Assumption College (Worcester, Massachusetts) in 1987 with degrees in International Business Administration and Marketing, Quintero started work in the family business. As a commercial vice president of the automotive and hardware divisions today, he is the second generation leader from the company’s original founder and owner.
In addition to looking over daily business activities and guiding Quinteros’ 32 employees to success, Quintero is involved in long-term financial and sales planning both internally and for executives from well-known aftermarket name brands he supports. In the next three to five years, he hopes to continue the company’s expansion to more international markets – good news for the aftermarket brands that work with him – and drive its diversification to new product lines and sectors, such as alternative energies and mining.
As Quintero quickly demonstrated to me through a friendly dinner during AAPEX, networking with industry leaders in foreign markets will kick start your understanding of foreign cultures, build your global trade knowledge base and provide key allies throughout the globe.
In international markets where miles of geography separate you from success in a foreign market, the aftermarket is still a people business. If you want to gain access to the Colombian market, developing a relationship with someone like Federico Quintero would be a wise first step. Taking him out to dinner during AAPEX and asking him to bring along friends in other markets is a good move too!
International business is built on relationships. In most global markets, a trusted partner is critical to success and trust can only be built with long-term relationships. The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) helps foster these relationships with existing and potential trade partners through its Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) network of global aftermarket trade professionals.
OAC utilizes regional, international directors to support its far-reaching members and to provide its North American manufacturing community with contacts that can deliver an “on the ground” pulse of the business environment in global markets.
Federico Quintero is one of these invaluable resources for members of the OAC network; he serves as OAC’s International Director for South America. When I took responsibility for OAC in 2009, Quintero immediately called to welcome me to the group. Within weeks, we had plans for dinner during the Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas, and to my surprise, when the event arrived, he brought his lovely wife and other OAC friends from Slovenia and Venezuela.
Quintero is vice president at Quinteros S.A. – a manufacturer’s representative primarily in the automotive, hardware and industrial sectors – headquartered in Bogota, Colombia.
Established in 1941, the company works with principals not only on the marketing and sales of their products, but also in the setup of their distribution network. Indeed, the company reaches beyond Colombia to assist with entrance into Venezuela and Ecuador as well. Quinteros S.A. specializes in top-quality products and advises customers and foreign executives alike on international commerce and market developments that impact their businesses in his region.
After graduating from Assumption College (Worcester, Massachusetts) in 1987 with degrees in International Business Administration and Marketing, Quintero started work in the family business. As a commercial vice president of the automotive and hardware divisions today, he is the second generation leader from the company’s original founder and owner.
In addition to looking over daily business activities and guiding Quinteros’ 32 employees to success, Quintero is involved in long-term financial and sales planning both internally and for executives from well-known aftermarket name brands he supports. In the next three to five years, he hopes to continue the company’s expansion to more international markets – good news for the aftermarket brands that work with him – and drive its diversification to new product lines and sectors, such as alternative energies and mining.
As Quintero quickly demonstrated to me through a friendly dinner during AAPEX, networking with industry leaders in foreign markets will kick start your understanding of foreign cultures, build your global trade knowledge base and provide key allies throughout the globe.
In international markets where miles of geography separate you from success in a foreign market, the aftermarket is still a people business. If you want to gain access to the Colombian market, developing a relationship with someone like Federico Quintero would be a wise first step. Taking him out to dinner during AAPEX and asking him to bring along friends in other markets is a good move too!
