Additive Manufacturing: Opportunities and challenges for the aftermarket

Potential applications for 3D printing include producing hard-to-find parts that are no longer manufactured or tooling is not available; printing parts in non-manufacturing locations or environments; and creating temporary-use parts, Elfering explained. “We are working with manufacturers in several traditional industrial verticals,” he commented. “The automotive aftermarket industry is ripe for 3D printing to facilitate access to unique and difficult-to-find parts. We will address these and other opportunities at the Conference.”

“Aftermarket manufacturers have to consider ramifications of distributed manufacturing technologies like 3D printing as well as the need to control intellectual property (IP) and the distribution of engineering and design data,” said Chris Gardner, AASA vice president and group executive of the ATC. “Greg’s presentation and subsequent small group discussions at the ATC Fall Conference will provide the perfect forum for peer discussions of this technology.”

The 2013 ATC Fall Conference is focused on the theme: “Convergence: Business & Technology.” AASA’s Marketing Executives Council (MEC) will join with the ATC to learn about, discuss and collaborate on emerging technologies that will help AASA members address future aftermarket challenges. The MEC will hold its Fall Meeting during the Conference, and MEC members and other AASA member company marketing leaders will identify new directions for technology/business processes, applications and use of data.

Details about ATC Fall Conference 2013, including hotel accommodations and event registration, are available at www.aasatechnology.org. ATC Fall Conference highlights include:

• Keynote: “e-Tailing Success Strategies for Suppliers,” Paul McCarthy, AASA vice president of industry analysis, planning and member services
• Keynote: “The Autonomous Vehicle and its Impact on the Aftermarket,” Dr. Andy Brown, vice president and chief technologist, Delphi
• “e-Tailing, Autonomous Vehicle & Additive Manufacturing,” strategic small group discussions of emerging/disruptive technologies facilitated by Gardner and Bill Hanvey, AASA vice president
• “Managing Marketing & Technology Expectations,” Gardner and Hanvey
• “Data Visualization: Converting Complicated Information to Decisions,” David Froning, principal product manager, SAS Institute
• “Using Big Data to Create Store DNA and Customer Satisfaction,” Jon Rubich, president, Insights2Action
• “Mobile App for the Shop,” presenter from Dana Corp.
• “Customer Spotlight: Pep Boys,” Malcolm Davidow, vice president, digital operations
• “Customer Spotlight: CARQUEST,” Tim Folks, senior director, enterprise architecture and content services
• "Member Spotlight: MAHLE Clevite,”  Ted Hughes, manager of marketing ; Jonathan Larsen, data management coordinator

Registration information is available on the Fall Conference page of the ATC Web site, www.aasatechnology.org. For conference details, contact Chris Gardner, [email protected].

Pricedex Software is the premier sponsor of the 2013 ATC Fall Conference. Other sponsors to date include: Welcome Reception – Polk; Luncheon – Experian; Networking Reception – Infor; Elite – Autologue Computer Systems Inc., Corcentric, Datalliance/HDeXchange, Epicor, InterTrade, MAM Software and OptiCat; Lanyard – WHI.

The ATC is a peer group of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). It serves as a medium for industry interaction, education and idea exchange regarding matters of common interest to information technology (IT) and e-commerce professionals in the automotive aftermarket industry. ATC provides industry leadership and information through semi-annual conferences, committee activities, monthly newsletters and IT education.

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