PartsTrader LLC, a Web-based parts sourcing, quoting and ordering platform supporting the automobile collision repair industry, has announced that it has created an industry advisory council. PartsTrader states that the intent of the advisory council is to ensure that each of the core market segments using the PartsTrader platform has a regular, structured opportunity to provide direct input on the system.
"Creating an industry advisory council is both necessary and appropriate," said PartsTrader Chief Executive Officer Rob Cooper. "While we spoke with many collision repairers and parts suppliers during our first two years of research and initial building of our U.S. product offering, it is only through an ongoing, open engagement with our primary customer groups that we can ensure our product truly meets the needs of those using it."
PartsTrader says that the advisory council’s primary function is to provide its two primary user groups – the collision repair industry and all segments of the automobile collision parts industry (OEM, aftermarket, recycled and remanufactured) – with an opportunity to provide timely and critical feedback on the platform in order to maximize the value created by the platform for each group.
The PartsTrader advisory council will consist of representatives from each user community. PartsTrader says it will be large enough to represent the interests of both large and small businesses in each of these industry segments, but small enough to be an effective working group. The initial group will include four to five repair facility advocates, with both multi-shop operators and single-location operators being represented. Likewise, the group will include five to six supplier advocates, with OEM, aftermarket and recycled each being represented.
The inaugural group will include:
• Michael Quinn, Collision Industry Conference (CIC) chairman (Tucson, Ariz.)
• Steve Tomaszewski, Alpine Collision Centre (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
• Michael LeVasseur, Keenan Autobody (Clifton Heights, Pa.)
• Lou DiLisio, Automotive Industry Consulting (Mt. Kisco, N.Y.)
• Amber Elenbaas, Pete’s Auto Parts (Jenison, Mich.)
• Christopher Northup, General Distribution Consultants (Glendora, Calif).
According to PartsTrader, all of these individuals are active in various industry associations and advocacy groups. Additional council members will be named in the upcoming weeks.
"We were very careful in choosing who to invite to participate in this initial group," said Dale Sailer, PartsTrader vice president of business development. "It was critical that we assemble a group of individuals who will not be shy about expressing their opinions and are willing to hold us accountable for our stated commitments to the industry, while also being forward thinking and business savvy. We think we’ve put together a group that will be very demanding of PartsTrader on behalf of their peers, to the ultimate benefit of both user groups."
The first meeting of the PartsTrader Advisory Council will be held later this month.
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