Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue conference to address distribution changes
The Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), the commercial vehicle division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), announced a panel discussion at the 8th annual Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue (HDAD) conference, titled The Blurring Lines of Aftermarket Distribution.
The aftermarket is a sought-after market, whether it pertains to dealers, distributors, auto parts chains, engine distributors, or independent garages. Dealers are opening independent stores, and independents are adding to their networks. The channels of distribution are blurring as business models are changing to increase customer reach and grow market share. The panel discussion will address how this market is changing and what further blurring can be expected in the future.
In the discussion led by Tim Kraus, president and COO of HDMA, and John Blodgett, vice president of sales and marketing for MacKay & Company, industry experts will provide insights into their aftermarket distribution channels. The panelists, Chris Baer of VIPAR Heavy Duty, Ryan Hadley of Premier Truck Group, Greg Klein of Inland Truck Parts, and Tom Wiers of Wiers, will explore the traditional and non-traditional aspects of their respective business models, including selling fleet-direct, channel crossover, the e-commerce market, and the composition of the future channel.
Additional HDAD sessions will feature individual presenters and separate distribution executive panel discussions with primary topics that include:
- The Real-World View: A Global Perspective
- Trade Policy & Impacts on the Aftermarket
- The Global Economic Overview
- Aftermarket Industry Economy & Outlook
- Future Aftermarket Technology
- Parts & Service: The Fleets’ Perspective
HDAD will be held on Monday, January 27, 2020 from 7AM – 4:45PM in the Texas Ballroom at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas. The conference is co-presented by HDMA and MacKay & Company and will immediately precede Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) 2020. Conference registration is open.