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MEMA Forms Automotive Original Equipment Suppliers Association

6 August 1998

MEMA Forms Automotive Original Equipment Suppliers Association

    TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 5 -- The Motor & Equipment
Manufacturers Association (MEMA) will form the Automotive Original Equipment
Suppliers Association (AOESA).  AOESA will provide benefits and services to
companies supplying original equipment materials, components, subsystems,
systems, modules, equipment and contracted services to motor vehicle
manufacturers.
    Auto industry veteran Neil De Koker has been appointed managing director
of the organization, headquartered in metropolitan Detroit.
    The new organization will conduct activities to further the growth,
development and success of its members, such as facilitating constructive
dialogue on industry issues, conducting cooperative research, promoting
strategic information exchange among automotive suppliers, participating in
OEM and government regulatory activities and complementing existing
organizations working in behalf of the industry.
    "AOESA will address the full range of management and business issues
original equipment suppliers face worldwide," said De Koker.  "While other
associations do an outstanding job regarding technical issues or individual
career development, there is no single organization whose sole mission is to
help suppliers address today's key business issues.  AOESA will fill that
gap."
    "Neil has spent his career developing a broad, practical knowledge of
management issues and business trends affecting the original equipment
supplier community and international vehicle assemblers," said Robert Miller,
MEMA president.  "His experience at General Motors, supplier companies and as
president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association (Canada) makes
him perfect for the job of developing this new organization and providing
leadership for its members."
    The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) was founded in
1904.  It exclusively represents and serves more than 700 U.S. manufacturers
of motor vehicle components, tools and equipment, automotive chemicals and
related products used in the production, repair and maintenance of all classes
of motor vehicles.  MEMA is headquartered in Research Triangle Park, N.C., and
has offices in Washington, D.C.; Yokohama, Japan; Brussels, Belgium; Mexico
City; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.