The Automotive Parts Services Group (The Group) held its 2024 membership conference in conjunction with AAPEX and AWDA, bringing together Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Inc., Federated and Pronto Network core The Group members, along with Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF), University of the Aftermarket and Check The Part.

JC Washbish, president, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Inc., took to the stage during The Group’s Wednesday morning breakfast to highlight the industry expertise of The Group’s membership, emphasize the importance of partnerships with suppliers, manufacturers and other key industry partners, and demonstrate the strength of The Group’s community in the automotive aftermarket.

“We have seasoned veterans. We work and live in our communities, in the businesses that we have created and built over generations,” Washbish said. “It’s always about people. And that’s why we’re doing it, because we’ve realized that, together with best practices, we are a formidable unit. We are the independent aftermarket.”

One of the most impactful examples of The Group’s community support was its response to a call for assistance following severe flooding in North Carolina.

“A few weeks ago, we got a call from a member in Asheville, North Carolina. They had no power, they had no water, people were hurting. It was a terrible situation,” said Larry Pavey, chief executive officer, The Group. “They said: Is there any way we can find a power generator? There’s nobody in the southeast that has one; they’ve all been taken. But they were thinking maybe there’s a Group member [that could help]. A person in the Federated office called Kris Goldman, General Manager at Alliance Parts Warehouse, and five power generators were on their way within six hours to Asheville, North Carolina.”

The Group’s collaboration clearly extends beyond business and into supporting each other as people. But, when it comes to business, The Group is committed to helping its members compete effectively against larger companies with significant resources. The organization works to create opportunities for one-on-one meetings and engagements that support mutual growth and build trust within the industry.

“From Sunday morning until now, the number of one-on-one meetings that have taken place have been record-breaking. The energy has been fantastic,” said Ted Hughes, executive director, AWDA. “It’s been a thrill for us to have all of the APSG partners with us this week. I think that when we look back on it, the results are positive across the board.”

Washbish made a big announcement for The Group regarding AAPEX 2027:

“We want to announce right now that at AAPEX 2027, for the first time collectively as The Group, we will have a technician convention right here—Aftermarket Jackpot—together collectively in 2027.”

The Group also stressed the importance of teaching and training the next generation of automotive aftermarket professionals and encouraged everyone to support the University of the Aftermarket Foundation through scholarships. The Group is proud to support the program. Click here to make a donation to the UAF.