The aftermarket still needs to 'Know Your Parts'
LAS VEGAS – The Automotive Aftermarket Supplier’s Association (AASA) took another step forward Monday in its efforts to promote quality parts in the global supply chain. The latest venture is the launch of new “Supplier Evaluation Standards” designed to combat the spread of low quality aftermarket parts.
Steve Handschuh, president and COO of AASA, presented the new initiative during a news conference at the Sands Expo Center here.
“AASA developed the ‘Supplier Evaluation Standards’ in an effort to provide all channel partners with standardized criteria for supplier selection,” said Handschuh. “By using this form to query suppliers before making a final buying decision, aftermarket channel partners and resellers can ‘know their parts,’ and protect their business’s good name, as well as the good reputation of the entire aftermarket.”
The Know Your Parts campaign was launched in 2009 to get all people in the supply chain to care about product quality, and to help them understand the detrimental impact of poor quality parts on the market. On top of that is the need for all of us to protect consumers from poorly built products, he said.
The standards focus on these specific question categories:
- Product specifications and quality
- Line content and completeness
- Application research and catalogs
- Product availability and distribution
- Sales representation and manpower
- Marketing programs and support
- Technical support and training
- Product liability and warranty
- Intellectual property protection
- Terms and conditions
“Determining a part’s quality can be difficult. Generic, low quality parts may appear identical to quality parts – but it’s impossible to see the poor quality inside,” Handschuh said. “These parts pose a potential threat to the safety of the motoring public and repair professionals.
Viewers interested in the new standards can download them free at the AASA Know Your Parts website.
