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Original Equipment Suppliers Ass Reports Vigorous First-Year Results

5 August 1999

Original Equipment Suppliers Association Reports Vigorous First-Year Results

    GRAND TRAVERSE VILLAGE, Mich., Aug. 4 -- The Original
Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) today announced that membership
approached nearly 150 companies in its first year.
    Speaking at the University of Michigan Management Briefing Seminars, Neil
De Koker, OESA managing director, recalled his hopes of reaching 100
automotive supplier members by the end of 1999.  "As OESA begins its second
year, we are extremely grateful for the support of nearly 150 companies who
have joined OESA during our inaugural year," he said.
    Individually, OESA supplier members' annual sales range from below
$1 million to multi-billions.  Combined, their annual sales total
$220 billion.  They represent the entire automotive supply chain including:
components, modules and systems suppliers; machinery, tool, die and mold
makers; software and information technology firms; engineering, testing and
prototype companies; and materials producers.
    In addition to choosing the name Original Equipment Suppliers Association
and opening offices in Troy, Mich., OESA in its first year launched a campaign
to recruit members; organized an advisory board of 20 industry leaders;
established services and activities; and through its affiliate, the Motor &
Equipment Manufacturers Association, publishes monthly newsletters covering
global markets and economic trends.
    OESA also has begun work with other international automotive supplier
associations to harmonize global automotive standards and terminology.
    OESA is also forming an OE Sales and Marketing Council to address
automaker and supplier issues.  The first Council meeting in September will
consider: roles and responsibilities of leading suppliers; supplier warranty-
sharing and responsibilities; intellectual property rights and
responsibilities; and implications of supplier-owned tooling and costs passed
on to suppliers.
    Also, OESA will soon publish the first annual Automotive OE Industry
Review, including a summary of global automotive statistics and analysis.
    "OESA has a great start, but our work is just beginning," said De Koker.
"Our industry continues to face unprecedented challenges.  We know that our
success depends on the value we create for each individual member company, and
for the industry as a whole."
    OESA was founded in August 1998 to provide a forum for original equipment
suppliers to address issues of common interest; serve as a reliable source of
information and networking; promote the OE supplier industry as a whole; and
provide a collective voice for the OE supplier industry when appropriate.
OESA's goal is to continuously expand its services to meet changing needs of
the industry.