In today’s global economy, aftermarket suppliers must explore international markets to expand their business around the world. Exporting products and components to serve customer needs around the world is key to suppliers’ success – but determining what markets are best for their products is a challenge.
Since 1923, North American aftermarket suppliers have had a valuable partner in creating global business opportunities: Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).
The OAC’s latest initiative is the development of a series of trade missions in key international markets certified by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC). Certified trade missions are hosted by Department of Commerce’s Commercial Service overseas offices. These meetings bring representatives of U.S. companies into contact with potential agents, distributors, joint venture partners, licensees, local businesses and government contacts.
A typical DOC Certified Trade Mission includes:
· one-on-one business appointments;
· market briefings;
· networking receptions; and
· selective sessions on local business practices, site visits, or seminars.
Top aftermarket supplier industry leaders from AASA and OAC are conducting ongoing meetings with representatives of the DOC in Washington, D.C. to discuss further collaboration between the associations and the agency, and lay the groundwork for future DOC-certified trade missions.
“Our goal is to support our AASA and OAC members by helping them export in new parts of the world and I believe partnering with the Department of Commerce is a step in the right direction,” said OAC Chairman Mick Jordan, vice president of marketing at Cloyes Gear & Products Inc., who is spearheading this project.
More information about OAC’s planning of trade missions throughout the global will be announced soon. For more information about the trade missions, OAC, its programs and events, visit www.oac-intl.org or contact Ben Brucato: [email protected].
Editor’s note: AASA exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products, which support 710,000 employees in the United States. AASA promotes a collaborative industry environment, providing a forum to address issues and serving as a valued resource for members. MEMA represents more than 1,000 companies that manufacture components and systems for use in motor vehicles and equipment in the light vehicle and heavy-duty, on- and off-highway commercial vehicle markets for the original equipment and aftermarket industries. Motor vehicle component manufacturers are the nation’s largest manufacturing sector with a total employment impact of 3.62 million employees. For every direct job in the motor vehicle supplier industry, another five jobs are created. For more information on the motor vehicle component supplier industry, visit www.mema.org.
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