Industry Distributors and Suppliers Raise $95,000 for Workforce Education

April 30, 2018

Distributors and suppliers who participated in the most recent Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) Business and Education Conference made a record-setting donation of $95,000 to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.

The donation will be used to support the foundation’s scholarships and grants to help develop a strong, knowledgeable aftermarket workforce.

The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Automotive Distribution Network, Automotive Parts Services Group, Federated Auto Parts and National Pronto Association contributed $25 for every one-on-one meeting held between their member distributors and vendor partners during the conference.

“Together these program groups donated more than half of the total raised by the AWDA Challenge, increasing their donations by over $10,000 over last year,” says Bob Egan, chairman, University of the Aftermarket Foundation. “We are extremely grateful to all distributors and suppliers who took the AWDA Challenge to ensure a solid future for the automotive aftermarket industry.”   

“This was the first time supplier partners generously committed to five-year pledges to support the

AWDA Challenge,” says John R. Washbish, senior vice chairman, University of the Aftermarket Foundation. “We thank them, and all our donors, for showing a true commitment to education and strengthening our great industry. We look forward to even more participation this year.”

84 companies make 5-year pledge

Many supplier partners also participated in the AWDA Challenge, with 84 companies making an all-new five-year pledge. These companies are: Advics North America Inc., Akebono Brake Corp., Amalie Oil Co., AP Emissions Technologies, Autologue Computer Systems, BBB Industries, Blue Sage Software, Bostech, Centric Parts, Citgo Petroleum Corp., Continental / VDO, Continental Contitech, Crowne Group, LLC, Dash4 Brake Products, Dayco Products LLC, Delphi Product & Service Solutions, Denso, DMS Systems Corp., Dorman Products, DST – A Solera Company, Dupli-Color/Krylon/VHT, East Penn Mfg Co. Inc., ErlingKlinger AG, EnerSys Batteries, Epicor Software, Exide Technologies, FCS Automotive Int., Inc., Fram Group, Fuse5 Automotive Software, Gates Corporation, GB Remanufacturing, Inc., GK Industries Ltd., Global Parts Distributors LLC, GMB North America, Grote Industries, Henkel (Loctite), IAP/DuraGo, Idemitsu Lubricants America, Innova Telematics Solutions, Interstate Batteries, ISC Industries, Inc., Johnson Controls, KYB Americas Corp., Lisle Corp., Mahle Aftermarket, MAM Software, Mann+Hummel, Mevotech LP, MotoRad of America, Moveras, NewTek Automotive USA, NGK Spark Plugs, NTN Bearing Corp. of America, Onix Automotive, OptiCat, LLC, OSC Automotive Products, Penray Inc., Peterson Mfg., Powerstop LLC, Premium Guard Inc., Pro-King Automotive Products, Recochem Inc., Remy Power Products, Robert Bosch LLC, Schaeffler Group USA Inc., Schrader Performance Sensors, SKF USA, Inc., Spectra Premium Industries, Standard Motor Products, Stant Corp., Sunsong North America, Tenneco Inc., Timken Co., TYC/Genera Corp., Undercar Express LLC, Unity Automotive, Uquality Automotive Products, Valeo Service, Valvoline, Warren Distribution, WD-40 Company, Winhere Brake Parts, and ZF Aftermarket.

1-year pledges

Supplier partners making a one-year pledge to support the AWDA Challenge are: ACDelco, A.I.T/TrakMotive, AMS Automotive, ASC Airtex Performance Pumps, Dana Inc., Elite Extra, Federal-Mogul Motorparts, GCommerce Inc., Lumileds, NewTek Automotive USA, Plews & Edelmann, and UAC.

To learn about supporting the mission of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.uofafoundation.com.

AWDA represents more than 600 top distributors and manufacturers of motor vehicle parts and suppliers nationwide. The 68-year old organization is a key segment of the Auto Care Association. For more information, visit www.awda.org.