MEMA Restructures Association to Reflect Industry Changes

The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) has restructured its supplier association, a move that will give heavy-duty truck equipment and parts manufacturers accessibility to a broader range of suppliers and resources.

Previously, MEMA was comprised of four divisions: the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Associations (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), Motor Equipment Remanufacturing Association (MERA), and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA).

Under the new structure, which MEMA President and CEO Bill Long called a “structural simplification,” all members will now be convened under just two groups: aftermarket and original equipment. The association also underwent a brand update to reflect the change, including updated logo and slogan, “ MEMA, the vehicle suppliers association.”

Why Did MEMA Restructure?

“Rapid changes are impacting our industry,” Long said, referencing trends common across automotive and commercial vehicles in both the aftermarket and OE space, including new technology, supply chain disruptions, electrification and a greater focus on sustainability. “It was the right time to rethink our strategy to better address member needs. Our member companies have more in common today than ever before. We will provide more effective programming and agility to react to industry changes by streamlining the organizational structure.”

In the prior division structure, for example, an aftermarket supplier would have had to join three MEMA divisions to benefit from all available information. Now, they can just belong to one.

What Will MEMA’s 2023 Restructuring Mean for its Members?

The restructuring will not change specific market segment events or meeting structures, but it will allow the organization to “concentrate the supplier voice,” said Julie Feam, president and CEO of MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers, in a press briefing.

“It allows us to have a stronger voice to talk about the need of suppliers… and address government issues with that stronger voice, regardless of whether it’s light duty or heavy duty, original equipment or aftermarket,” she said.

Recently named MEMA's Chief Commercial Vehicle Officer and Chief Operating Officer of MEMA Original Equipement Collin Shaw said the restructuring will help build collaboration, and ultimately create industry-wide solutions to common issues.

“I have spent, in my career, time at OEMs, time at commercial vehicle suppliers, time at light-duty vehicle suppliers, Tier 1s... and what I can say is that there are far more things that bring us together that we have to solve than differences in our market,” Shaw said. “There are peculiarities between the light vehicle and the heavy-duty market, but there are so many more things as a supplier community to bring us together that we have to solve."

Shaw was formerly president and chief operating officer of MEMA’s HDMA division. In his new role, he will drive the strategic direction in support of commercial vehicle suppliers, across both the OE and aftermarket membership groups.

Other MEMA developments include:

• A new platform, The Center for Sustainability, which will help members navigate the increasingly complex processes and requirements of a successful sustainability program.
• A resource for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion where staff and members can engage in meaningful dialogue and share best practices to develop safe and welcoming business environments.
• Greater access to member councils, programming, events, and MEMA’s advocacy staff in Washington, D.C.

What Happened to AASA, HDMA, MERA, and OESA?

The former membership divisions of MEMA (Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Associations (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), Motor Equipment Remanufacturing Association (MERA), and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA)) were convened into one of two new membership groups in January 2023: MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, or MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers.

• AASA, MERA, and HDMA Aftermarket are now one under MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers
• OESA and HDMA OE are now one under MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers

The restrucuting did not impact market-specific events, or regular meetings.