Original Equipment Suppliers Association Forms e-Business Council

25 April 2000
Original Equipment Suppliers Association Forms e-Business Council
    TROY, Mich., April 25 The Original Equipment Suppliers
Association (OESA) formed an e-Business Council consisting of senior
automotive supplier industry executives responsible for implementing e-
Business in their companies.
    The mission of the Council is to provide a forum for e-Business executives
in the automotive supplier industry to address B2B issues, recommend
solutions, and promote the welfare of the supplier industry and by
representing the collective views of the industry and by promoting the
effective implementation of e-Business throughout the industry.
    "The pace of change in the industry, especially in the rapidly evolving
B2B area, demands that we work more effectively together to achieve the true
potential of the Internet in our daily business practices," said Neil De
Koker, managing director of OESA.  "Bringing together this group of e-Business
leaders will help develop a common understanding of industry issues and
direction and provides a source of expertise to the supplier industry as a
whole," he added.
    The Council will also seek to serve as an interface with the recently
announced common trade exchanges of its customers.  "Suppliers need to seek
the best Internet solutions to stay competitive.  Providing active input to
our customers is vital to achieving the best business-to-business systems for
the automotive industry as a whole," De Koker added.
    The e-Business Council will initially include about 25 senior e-Business
executives from OESA member companies.  The Council will discuss a multitude
of business issues such as: (1) the role of multiple vertical exchanges; (2)
security and confidentiality in e-business transactions; (3) effective supply
chain integration; (4) interoperability with existing systems; (5) legal
issues with electronic transactions and contracts; (6) the sharing of
"sensitive" information to facilitate business planning, and more.  OESA was
formed in August 1998 and represents companies supplying components, modules,
systems, equipment, materials and services used in and by the OE automotive
industry.  OESA provides networking and a forum for constructive dialogue
among member companies to address issues of common interest, information
exchange, education and training and cooperative research and serves as a
voice for the industry.
    OESA has more than 200 members with global automotive sales of over $250
billion.  OESA is affiliated with the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers
Association (MEMA) founded in 1904 and headquartered in Research Triangle
Park, N.C.  MEMA and OESA have offices in Washington DC, Brussels, Sao Paulo,
Mexico City, and Yokohama.