LAS VEGAS -- Chris Baer, president of Vipar Heavy Duty, described the parts-buying group as entering its “third generation of growth” at a press conference here during Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week. Baer said Vipar now HD has 820 points of sale in the U.S. Canada and Mexico. 

Under its Game Plan for Growth (G3), Baer said Vipar will help its existing stakeholders grow their businesses. That’s why, he explained, while there may be a slowdown in the number of members joining the group, he expects existing members to add locations in the coming year. 

Vipar has set an aggressive goal for growth of trying to take its parts purchasing program to $1 billion dollars. “In order to do that, we have to have a $350 million or 9% increase over the next five years,” he said. 

“As part of our third phase we have outlined a ‘Game Plan for Growth’ to ensure our distributor network remains on top of the market for years to come. We can never lose sight that at our fundamental core, we are a truck parts-buying group working to help enhance and grow our stockholders’ businesses while looking to grow market share with our supplier partners. Not only will we remain focused on that core mission, as an organization we must be able to adapt to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by the aftermarket,” he added. 

Baer introduced key initiatives in the Game Plan for Growth that focus on: being data driven, especially in relationship to marketing; driving operational efficiencies through continual improvements and benchmarking; and fully utilizing its wholly owned subsidiary, Global Parts Network, LLC, as a competitive advantage in the marketplace. 

The Game Plan for Growth will also emphasize the organization’s active involvement in the global aftermarket community, supported by joining the global aftermarket trade group NEXUS Automotive International SA and partnering with Automotive Distribution Network (The Network) and Automotive Parts Associates (APA Group) to form NEXUS North America, LLC in 2016. 

Baer has assembled a new leadership team to help him achieve this goal. He named Larry Griffin as vice president of program management; Andrei Katibnikov as vice president of information technology; and Jeff Paul as vice president of marketing.

All three had previously served as directors within the organization. Baer also announced that Griffin, Katibnikov, Paul and Jim Pennig, vice president of business development, have been named to the organization’s new executive management team. 

In addition to the executive management team, the other members of the organization’s leadership team include Beth San Filippo, controller; Wendi Frederick, manager of rebate administration; Jay Pagano, general manager of Global Parts Network, LLC; and Mark Iasiello, general manager of Power Heavy Duty. 

“As we enter our third generation of leadership, we have been diligent in assembling a strong and respected team to best serve our customers,” Baer said. “Collectively, this group represents a vast amount of aftermarket industry knowledge and experience, with the vision to fully support our organization’s goals.”