Truck Pride and Heavy Duty America announced they are looking at a "formal collaboration" between the two organization, the same day HDA President Pat Biermann announced his retirement.

According to a press release distributed just prior to Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week in Las Vegas Monday evening, Truck Pride Partners LLC and Heavy Duty America said they had formed a project team to look into the collaboration.

At the same time, Biermann, who has served HDA and the commercial vehicle industry for 28 years, announced his retirement effective Aug. 31 of this year. He will then become an advisor to the board of HDA and will be available for special assignments. Don Reimondo will become president at that time.

Biermann is one of the five people on the project team working on the Truck Pride/HDA deal. The others are Truck Pride Partners Manager Jay Boggeman of Plaza Fleet Parts, St. Louis, Mo; HDA Director John Minor of Midwest Wheel in Des Moines, Iowa; Truck Pride CEO Bill Burns and Project Coordinator Tom Gosnell, formerly president of ArvinMeritor's commercial vehicle business.

After graduating from Washington University with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1972, Biermann began his career with Wagner Electric in St. Louis, Mo. After holding several positions there, he and several members started HDA in 1982. He was the primary driver behind HDA's strong, steady growth and astutely steered it through the tumultuous market during the industry's various consolidations and subsequent turmoil.

Bill Ryan, of HDA's board said "We wish Pat all the best in his retirement. His contributions have been enormous and we are fortunate to have access to Pat's ongoing input."

Reimondo, currently senior vice president, joined HD America in July of 2008. A graduate of Northwood University, his career spans over 30 years in the aftermarket. He has worked for The Affinia Group, Federal-Mogul and Tenneco and has held positions in Sales Management, Distribution & Logistics and Inventory Management.

"Don has been instrumental in helping HD America grow and redefine the goals and infrastructure of the company," said Biermann.