AMN Drivetime: Marc Blackman, Bill Long, Paul McCarthy

In mid-November, the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) made a major announcement about a new business structure to better position the organization and the vehicle supplier community for the future. The 118-year-old organization will now operate under one umbrella — MEMA — and will represent automotive and commercial vehicle suppliers with two groups: MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Group and MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers Group. The association will formally kick off the new brand and organizational structure in January 2023, however in the meantime, Bill Long, president & CEO, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association; Paul McCarthy, president MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers; Marc Blackman, president & CEO, Gold Eagle and Chairman, MEMA Board of Directors; sat down with Bill Babcox to share a few updates on the reorganization.

In this AMN Drivetime podcast, Babcox, Long, McCarthy and Blackman discuss the following:

0:55 Updates on the initial announcement and the significant benefits this realignment will offer MEMA members
02:52 – Who makes up membership in the two new divisions
05:15 – Primary areas of industry disruption the new MEMA will focus on
13:11 – Marc Blackman’s perspective as the leader of a supplier business
15:42 – How issues like Reshoring and Labor Reform impact the vehicle supplier industry
18:25 – How the aftermarket specifically will be strengthened by this realignment and how it offers a stronger voice on Right to Repair
23:43 – Keeping members informed and educated on the latest emerging technologies
26:13 – Expectations for supply chain challenges this coming year
33:01 – What are the MEMA Centers of Excellence

AMN Drivetime is sponsored by Litens.

As MEMA commemorates its 120th anniversary, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the organization’s profound impact on the automotive aftermarket. Founded on March 2, 1904, MEMA has evolved from a modest gathering of parts manufacturers in Cleveland to a pivotal force in the global automotive landscape.

Over the decades, MEMA has been at the forefront of several key initiatives, including: the introduction of credit reporting services in 1914 to ensure financial stability within the industry; the co-sponsorship of the inaugural automotive service industry show in 1933, paving the way for what would become the AAPEX events; the establishment of divisions and market segments within MEMA to cater to the diverse needs of its members, from heavy-duty manufacturers to the aftermarket suppliers; and the advocacy for critical legislative measures, including the National Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, the USMCA in 2019 and today’s battle for the Right to Repair.