AAPA earns AWDA 'Pursuit' award

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 10, 2016) — The Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) has selected Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Inc. (AAPA) as its 2016 Pursuit of Excellence Award winner in recognition of excellence in business performance and setting high standards.

The AWDA — part of the Auto Care Association — presented the award at its annual business and education conference in Las Vegas the week of Oct. 31.

AAPA is comprised of more than 50 independent shareholders operating under the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper brands.

In particular, the AWDA cited AAPA's commitment to the Automotive Aftermarket Expo (AAPEX) in 2015 when it held its annual shareholders' convention in Las Vegas at the same time, allowing more than 3,000 affiliated repair shop owners, managers and technicians the opportunity to visit AAPEX.

“The Alliance exemplified the essence of this award when they took the risk to become the first program group ever to conduct their convention, dubbed the Aftermarket Jackpot, in conjunction with AAPEX,” said Bill Collins, national group sales director, Standard Motor Products.

Through the Alliance's efforts, the number of service center personnel attending AAPEX last year more than tripled, including many who attended for the first time.

In part because of this effort, the AWDA said exhibitors redesigned their booths to accommodate an expanded cadre of training sessions for attendees.

AAPA incentivized the training by offering coupons to customers attending the sessions for a chance to win a vintage muscle car, the AWDA said.

Established in 1983, the award is given annually to an AWDA member company or employees of those companies in the auto care industry. Bethesda, Md.-based AWDA represents more than 600 distributors and manufacturers of motor vehicle parts.