Despite the challenge economic times, the heavy duty aftermarket industry showed the need for suppliers and distributors to stay connected with a strong showing at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) in Las Vegas, according to HDAW organizers.


A total of over 1,700 aftermarket industry leaders attended the three-day conference, including 495 distributor executives and 229 exhibitors. More than 1,400 people attended the opening reception on Monday evening and started the week with an optimism and excitement for the growing relationship-based industry.

"HDAW '11 was all about bringing suppliers and distributors together for the betterment of our industry as a whole." said Dave Willis, HDAW '11 co-chair and president of CRW Parts. "Having our industry's key companies come together and support the conference in the numbers they did speaks volumes to the value the event provides all attendees."

Over 1,000 people attended the opening general session as Donald R. Knauss, chairman and CEO of The Clorox Company delivered a compelling address on the topic of Leadership Traits as the keynote speaker, and Dr. Martin Regalia of the US Chamber of Commerce gave the audience the U.S. Economic Outlook for 2011 and beyond.

"Our overall theme for HDAW '11 was Leadership: Strategies for Tomorrow," stated Terry Livingston, Willis's partner as 2011 co-chair and general manager - Americas, Aftermarket for ArvinMeritor. "Attendees took full advantage of the education sessions, the product expo, the numerous networking sessions as well as participating in the One-on-One meetings. From my meetings and conversations I had with colleagues, I truly believe that this year's attendees will share and implement new leadership strategies for their businesses."

The HDAW Product Expo was filled wall-to-wall with distributors visiting suppliers unveiling new products and services and overall effective ways for distributors to be more profitable and to serve the end-user smarter and better.

The Distributor of the Year Award was presented to Keith McLemore and Don Purcell of Stone Truck Parts by Denise Rondini, Editor in Chief of Truck Parts & Service magazine.

2010 Heavy Duty Aftermarket Industry Hall of Fame Award was presented to Don and Wayne Keller, brothers and co-founders of Keller Truck Equipment, which later became Keller Truck Parts by Mark Seng - Vice President of Polk's Commercial Vehicle and Automotive Aftermarket business units.

Heavy Duty Aftermarket Journal's Top 5 products were presented to the following suppliers by Kate Miller - President and Group Publisher of Newport Business Media:
* Alcoa - LvL One Lightweight Wide Base Wheel
* Bee Line - Mobile Alignment System Package
* Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake - Versajust Automatic Slack Adjuster
* Fontaine - Ultra Fifth Wheel Line
* Hendrickson International - TireMaax Pro

The annual All-Industry Reception and Pinewood Challenge, with live entertainment sponsored by Eaton Corporation, proved again to be an exciting event for all 18 race participants and an audience of over 700. Winners of the event were:

Pinewood Race Winners:
1st - Pascale Service Corporation - Jim Pascale (also the 2010 winner)
2nd - Triangle Innovation - Jeff Miller
3rd - Bendix Eversure - Randy Salvatora

Concours D'elegance Winners: (Best designed and best looking trucks)
1st - Marmon Highway - Jeff Miller
2nd - Franklin Truck Parts - Greg Franklin
3rd - Triangle Innovation - Jeff Miller

HDAW'12 will be held at The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, January 23-26, 2012.

More info: www.hdaw.org.