Webasto Partnerships Position It for Growth in Automotive Sunroof Aftermarket

Additional Training Partnerships will Provide New Job Skills for People in a Struggling Economy

FENTON, Mich., March 11 -- Even while economic news continues to be bleak, Webasto Product North America (WPNA), the leading provider of sunroofs to the North American automotive aftermarket, continues to pursue business strategies and partnerships to position it for current growth and future developments - while adding educational partnerships to expand job skills for people to improve their marketability for employment.

One such partnership is between WPNA and Insignia Group LC, the premier provider of accessories sales and management systems. Through the Insignia Accessories System, automotive retail dealerships may now more easily present accurate product information and customized installation pricing on Webasto sunroofs to automotive customers wishing to add one as a pre-delivery option to their vehicle.

"This partnership makes perfect sense from multiple points of view," said Michael Lee, Director of Marketing at WPNA. "Customers will have ready access to Webasto sunroofs at the dealership for the first time on a national level; and because Webasto is the global leader in OEM-fitted roof systems, it makes sense for the majority of dealerships nationwide to offer individualized sales of Webasto aftermarket sunroofs."

Webasto is the world's leading supplier of factory-fitted (OEM) and aftermarket sunroofs. Products destined for the aftermarket are designed and manufactured to the same exacting standards as those produced for OEMs.

Two other partnerships focus on properly training those wishing to pursue careers in refitting cars in the aftermarket. First, WPNA has partnered with the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) to provide a Training & Preparation Workshop, as preparation to individuals taking the ASE A6 examination, itself a key requirement of the SEMA Installer Certification Program. The next workshop takes place at Auto Trim of Denver, March 28 in Denver, Colo.

Second, WPNA is partnering with Wyotech, the official school of the NHRA, with six locations nationwide. Wyotech's Duane Tegels said a direct result of this partnership will be people receiving expert training to assist with finding new jobs. "Upholstery shops are now taking on the installation of additional accessories like sunroofs as a way to adjust and grow their business in a changing marketplace. This partnership with Webasto will greatly enhance our students' abilities to increase their job readiness and assist in finding new employment opportunities they would not have otherwise."