AAIA Video Shows Aftermarket’s Efforts to Protect the Environment

A new video developed by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) features the aftermarket’s widespread efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle in order to protect the environment. The video, AAIA Green, is designed to build greater awareness of the industry’s extensive contributions to a cleaner environment and is part of AAIA’s initiative, “Driving Toward a Cleaner Environment: The Automotive Aftermarket’s Green Story.”

The video explains how the aftermarket contributes to better gas mileage, less energy consumption and cleaner air by keeping vehicles operating properly, efficiently, safely and cleanly. Auto repair facilities routinely use remanufactured parts, which save energy, and recycling is everyday business within the industry. Aftermarket businesses recycle everything from tires, batteries, cleaning solvents, used engine oil and oil filters, to a/c refrigerant, wood pallets, cardboard, scrap metal, dunnage and plastics.

“When you add up the many different ways we can help the environment, the automotive aftermarket is a big part of the solution,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. “The aftermarket industry has been green, long before being green was mainstream.”

The video is one of several ways AAIA is telling the automotive aftermarket’s green story. The association also has created a portfolio, available online and in printed format, that summarizes company practices already in place in recycling, remanufacturing and operations. The green story is being told by AAIA representatives at meetings and events, and as well as on blogs and through an aggressive public relations campaign to the industry and consumers.

Companies that would like to share their green story or help tell the aftermarket’s green story should contact AAIA’s Rich White at [email protected], or call 301-654-6664, ext. 1030. For more information, visit www.aftermarket.org/green.

About AAIA 
AAIA is a Bethesda, MD-based association whose more than 23,000 member and affiliates manufacture, distribute and sell motor vehicle parts, accessories, service, tool, equipment, materials and supplies. Through its membership, AAIA represents more than 100,000 repair shops, parts stores and distribution outlets. 

When Your Shop Is Worth Much More Than You Thought

Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.

Case Study: Owner of San Francisco-based Import Service Shop Delighted to Discover Just How Valuable His Business is to Qualified Buyers
I sometimes share case studies of the clients I have been able to assist in my role as an aftermarket business broker and provider of intermediary and advisory services. I do that when I think the story will provide a reader in similar circumstances with new insights or helpful information.
In the case of Cowden Automotive, Inc., I acted in a consulting capacity assisting the owner and his broker in valuing the business, creating a marketing plan, finding a qualified buyer, and arranging financing for the sale.
Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.
Needless to say, delivering that kind of good news to a shop owner is a rewarding experience. Discovering that the sale of his business would result in his retirement nest-egg being substantially larger than he had ever thought was a fitting tribute to someone who had spent his entire working career as a busy automotive service shop owner.

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