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MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers’ BMC to Host Summer Meeting
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By Counterman
The APA/Trustar 2025 Annual Meeting, held March 21-24 in New Orleans at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, was a success on many levels, from recognizing supplier and shareholder achievements to forging and renewing business partnerships. Automotive Parts Associates said it prides itself on prioritizing in-person connection opportunities for members, suppliers and shareholders, with this event being an ideal forum for networking.
Guests heard from leaders across the industry, including Ted Hughes with the Auto Care Association and Simeon Gutman with Morgan Stanley. Group sessions on topics ranging from electric vehicles to cybersecurity were offered, as well as the opportunity for one-on-one meetings between members, shareholders and suppliers.
“The business is still people to people, and I think get-togethers like this prove that even more. A lot of business was written, a lot of friendships renewed, and a lot of business relationships renewed, so we had a lot of fun,” said
link hidden, please login to view link hidden, please login to view President Steve Tucker. “We did a lot of business and it was good to see everybody get together. We had a little over 300 people total in attendance and multiple countries [represented], including Germany, Switzerland, the United States and Canada.” The long weekend was capped off by a special awards banquet hosted at the WWII Museum. Attendees wined and dined under restored war planes and got a chance to view one of the exhibits. After dinner, an awards ceremony was held to honor those making significant achievements in the past year.
DENSO came home with the coveted “APA Supplier of the Year” Award, saying it’s through hard work and good partnerships through
link hidden, please login to view that they are able to accomplish everything over the past 365 days. “It just shows that everybody’s efforts are recognized from my sales guys to the people in the warehouse, to all the key functional departments in our business. It’s a team effort, and to be recognized from this group is super important,” Jose Ramirez, senior manager of light-duty and heavy-duty aftermarket sales for DENSO, said. “For us, it’s a big deal, but I think it’s something for all of us to be proud of as a company. Not just the sales guys, but everybody.”
“We value our suppliers, we value our shareholders and members. We are able to get to come together and promote the industry and promote the business as one,” Tucker said.
All of the award winners from this year’s gala, as well as additional images, are showcased below.
2025 Supplier Awards
APA Supplier of the Year Award – DENSO Distinguished OE Partner Award – Hitachi Outstanding Marketing Partner Award – Bosch Cornerstone Award – Standard Motor Products Ambassador Award – Wheeler Fleet Solutions Technology Award – Pricedex Phoenix Award – Holstein Parts APA Supplier Champion Award – David Arriaga APA Shooting Star Award – Judy Sanell 2025 Shareholder Awards
Dan Freeman Excellence Award – Singh Auto Parts
Milestone Awards – 80 Years APA Shareholder
AB&S Warehouse Factory Motor Parts Milestone Awards – 30 Years APA Shareholder
Royal Auto Parts Schulz Motor Parts Wheeler Fleet Solutions Tinker Auto Parts Milestone Awards – 10 Years APA Shareholder
Ideal Auto Parts Inc. Victory Imported Parts New Shareholder
Bob’s Speed & Auto Parts Hamilton Discount Auto Parts New TruStar Members
Parts Universe Technology Auto Parts Axon US The post
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view N.A. announced the promotion of Scott Howat to director of sales and marketing. In this new role, Howat will oversee all sales channels across the region, driving strategic growth and market expansion, the company said. Howat joined Litens in 2022, bringing over 30 years of experience in sales, marketing and product management. Most recently, he served as national sales and marketing manager.
“As Litens Aftermarket continues to grow across North America, we are committed to ensuring our leadership team reflects our vision for the future,” said John Lussier, president of
link hidden, please login to view “Scott’s extensive industry experience and strategic approach to sales and marketing make him the ideal leader to drive our continued success and growth.” Over the past two years, Litens Aftermarket said it has experienced significant growth, and this promotion—along with other upcoming leadership changes—is part of the company’s strategic effort to align its internal talent with the areas in which those individuals can deliver the most value. By positioning leaders like Howat in key roles, the company added it is strengthening its aftermarket team and ensuring continued success in an evolving market.
Throughout his career, Howat made a notable impact while working at the Auto Care Association, Affinia Group, Dana, Echlin and Gates Corporation. Howat holds a Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designation from the University of the Aftermarket. Additionally, he has served in leadership roles with various industry associations, including as a member of the Automotive Communications Council, member of the Auto Care Association Marketing and Communications Committee, and Chairman of the Marketing Executives Council for the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (now known as the Motor and Equipment Manufacturing Association), among others, according to Litens.
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By Counterman
Automotive Parts Associates (APA) announced it is excited to “let the good times roll” with its 2025 Annual General Meeting, which will take place from March 21-23 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside hotel in New Orleans.
Each year, APA shareholders, TruStar members and valued supplier partners come together to mix, mingle, and network, and the 2025 AGM promises to deliver all that and more with a vibrant New Orleans twist,
link hidden, please login to view said. The meeting will kick off with a lively welcome reception followed by APA’s popular Date Night, where suppliers have the opportunity to take a shareholder or member to dinner for a more personal connection. Attendees will also hear valuable insights from industry leaders, added
link hidden, please login to view. Ted Hughes from the Auto Care Association and Simeon Gutman from Morgan Stanley will provide updates on the state of the industry, while Rob Haslehurst from L.E.K. Consulting will discuss the evolving landscape of electric vehicles. In addition, cybersecurity expert Gary Beadle will deliver a timely presentation on protecting businesses in an increasingly digital world. Alongside these informative sessions, scheduled one-on-one meetings between shareholders, members and suppliers will allow for dedicated business discussions.
The meeting will conclude with a memorable awards dinner at the renowned National WWII Museum, where APA said it will celebrate outstanding achievements within its network. Guests can expect a night filled with celebration, fun and a dash of New Orleans charm.
“Our Annual General Meeting is more than just a gathering; it’s where connections are made, ideas are sparked, and partnerships thrive,” said Steve Tucker, president of APA. “By bringing our shareholders, members, and supplier partners together, we set the stage for shared success in the year ahead.”
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view announced “The 3 Dragons: Aftermarket Outlook” session returns to the 2025 Vision Conference, April 2 in Chicago. “This annual favorite will set the stage for the conference, enabling attendees to understand where the industry currently stands with a 360-degree view of the economic, financial and industry factors shaping the aftermarket,” MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers said.
link hidden, please login to view for the event is now open. 3 Dragons, 3 Perspectives
Kristin Dziczek, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago – The macroeconomic forces impacting consumers, manufacturers and the aftermarket Simeon Gutman, Morgan Stanley – Wall Street’s perspective on the health and future prospects of the aftermarket Todd Campau, S&P Global Mobility – The latest data on vehicle population and driving trends that will shape demand Why It Matters
The 3 Dragons session frames everything that follows at the Vision Conference, explained
link hidden, please login to view. Sessions like Talk from the Top, A Landmark Study from McKinsey and Associates, and the O’Reilly keynote—to name a few—will build on insights from our 3 dragons, helping you translate today’s realities into tomorrow’s strategies. The post
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By Counterman
Bill Long, president & CEO,
link hidden, please login to view, The Vehicle Suppliers Association, issued this statement regarding the implementation of China tariffs to its membership. Dear MEMA Members,
On February 1, 2025, President Trump signed an
link hidden, please login to view which imposed new tariffs on the majority of items coming from China into the U.S. These new tariffs are being implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The IEEPA tariffs, set at 10%, went into effect at 12:01 am ET on February 4, 2025. There is currently no date by which the tariffs will sunset. Further, the 10% tariffs articulated in this Executive Order will be imposed on top of any prior and existing “duties, fees, exactions, or charges applicable to such imported articles.” China subsequently announced retaliatory tariffs of between 10-15% on certain U.S. goods and further imposed export controls on five critical minerals.
Additional Details:
Goods in Transit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a
link hidden, please login to view on February 5, 2025 and link hidden, please login to view via the Cargo System Messaging Service which provide more information on the items covered by the new tariffs. Consistent with the language included in the Executive Order, CBP noted that items that are onboard a vessel before 12:01 am EST on February 1, 2025 are exempt from the newly imposed Chinese tariffs of 10% as long as they are entered for consumption (or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption) before 12:01 am EST on March 7, 2025.
However, products of China that are entered for consumption beginning February 4, 2025 would be subject to the new tariffs. Therefore, if there is a product of China that is placed on the vessel between February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2025, but it is not entered until February 4, 2025 or later, then it would still be subject to the tariffs.
CBP further issued guidance via its Cargo Systems Messaging Service on how companies can certify eligibility for this provision. Importers will need to use secondary HTS 9903.01.23 if they are eligible for this “on the water” exception. The use of HTS 9903.01.23 will only be available for those imports within those time-bound requirements.
Goods Covered by the Executive Order: The CBP notice covers the majority of goods coming from China into the U.S. There are very limited exceptions for donations (i.e., food, clothing, medicine used to relieve human suffering) and informational materials (e.g., publications, films, posters). In addition, an importer can make use of the Chapter 98 duty saving or reduction provisions (e.g., U.S. goods returned, goods exported for repair/alteration and returned). See below.
Excluded from the IEEPA Tariffs:
9903.01.21: Articles the product of China and Hong Kong that are donations, by persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, of articles, such as food, clothing, and medicine, intended to be used to relieve human suffering.
9903.01.22: Articles the product of China and Hong Kong that are informational materials, including but not limited to, publications, films, posters, phonograph records, photographs, microfilms, microfiche, tapes, compact disks, CD ROMs, artworks, and news wire feeds.
CHAPTER 98: The additional duties imposed by heading 9903.01.20 shall not apply to goods for which entry is properly claimed under a provision of chapter 98 of the tariff schedule pursuant to applicable regulations of CBP, and whenever CBP agrees that entry under such a provision is appropriate, except for goods entered under heading 9802.00.80; and subheadings 9802.00.40, 9802.00.50, and 9802.00.60. For subheadings 9802.00.40, 9802.00.50, and 9802.00.60, the additional duties apply to the value of repairs, alterations, or processing performed (in China and Hong Kong), as described in the applicable subheading. For heading 9802.00.80, the additional duties apply to the value of the article assembled abroad (in China and Hong Kong), less the cost or value of such products of the United States, as described.
Drawback: The Executive Order states that drawback will not be available for items covered by the IEEPA tariffs.
De Minimis: The Executive Order revoked duty-free “de minimis” treatment for goods coming into the U.S. from China that are subject to the order. According to CBP: “De minimis provides admission of articles free of duty and of any tax imposed on or by reason of importation, but the aggregate fair retail value in the country of shipment of articles imported by one person on one day and exempted from the payment of duty shall not exceed $800.” For more information, see the CBP Guidance on De Minimis Shipments from China:
link hidden, please login to view NOTE: De Minimis Update on 2/7/2025: The White House issued an Executive Order which announced the suspension of the afore-mentioned revocation on de minimis treatment for goods coming from China. MEMA is still analyzing the new order but it indicates that the revocation would return once “adequate systems are in place to fully and expediently process and collect tariff revenue applicable.”
Source:
link hidden, please login to view CBP is expected to issue an updated guidance document to help inform the trade community of the details concerning this change. MEMA will share this information as soon as it becomes available.
Free Trade Zones (FTZ): Beginning February 4, goods subject to these IEEPA tariffs must be admitted in a zone as “privileged foreign status” (with limited exceptions for goods eligible for “domestic status”). When withdrawn from the zone and entered for consumption, the goods will be subject to the IEEPA tariffs (and other applicable duties) related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading in effect at the time of admission.
Exclusions: At this time, there is no language in the Executive Order concerning an exclusion process.
Escalation: The Executive Order includes language stating that the U.S. may escalate these actions if China takes steps to retaliate against U.S. exports and goods.
MEMA will continue to update member companies on any new developments regarding the tariffs. As new details may evolve, we will promptly notify members of any changes as soon as more information becomes available.
If you wish to join the MEMA Trade Working Group, contact Bill Frymoyer.
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