A special presentation during the 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium will focus on the need to improve communication between aftermarket parts manufacturers and automotive service technicians.


Steve Handschuh, president and COO, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), and Ron Pyle, president, Automotive Service Association (ASA), will present "Let's Talk: Promoting Dialogue Among Suppliers and Technicians." The presentation will take place Tuesday, May 20, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago, Ill.

Handschuh and Pyle will discuss the market shift that has occurred within the past two decades that has led to a decrease in dialogue between aftermarket parts manufacturers and automotive service technicians. During the presentation, Pyle will report on visits made to AutoZone and Auto Value distribution centers in February by the ASA Mechanical Operations committee. Pyle will focus primarily on questions the committee has for these suppliers about how they select parts for their commercial programs. Handschuh will join Pyle to provide commentary, from a manufacturer's perspective, on questions generated during these visits.