11/18/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/18/2024 08:25
LAS VEGAS, N.V. - Eric Luftig, senior vice president at Dorman Products, was awarded the 2024 MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Member Advocacy Champion Award on November 6 at the AAPEX show in Las Vegas. This annual award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing the automotive aftermarket industry through advocacy, engagement, and leadership.
"Eric has truly gone above and beyond in representing our industry's interests," said Ana Meuwissen, senior vice president of government affairs at MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. "He has engaged tirelessly with our members, mobilized his team, and invested time and energy to ensure our voices are heard on Capitol Hill. His work exemplifies what it means to be a committed advocate for our industry."
Throughout the year, Luftig spearheaded several initiatives to support legislative efforts, including the REPAIR Act, which is crucial for protecting consumer choice in vehicle repair. Luftig dedicated time with company leadership to visit Capitol Hill and made connections with legislators, extending invitations for future visits to Dorman facilities to gain firsthand insights into the importance of the Act to local communities. His leadership helped ensure that key decision-makers understand the importance of repair-encompassing where repairs are made, what parts or tools are used, and who consumers can choose to support for these services.
Luftig also mobilized the Dorman team to serve as a valuable resource for legislators and regulators, providing expert insights and feedback on the evolving REPAIR Act language. His commitment extended beyond the federal level, as he represents the supplier community in Maine's committee to implement their repair bill.
"It is an honor to receive this recognition from MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers," Luftig reflected. "Protecting repair choice and vehicle owners' freedom to service their vehicles as they wish is critical to our industry, and I am proud to work alongside so many dedicated advocates. I believe that by investing in advocacy, we can help shape a more inclusive and resilient future for the aftermarket community and the millions of consumers who rely on us.
"I thank the many other companies and individuals playing a leading role in supplier advocacy and ask that everyone continue to keep this very important initiative-the Right to REPAIR-at the forefront of advocacy efforts as there is still work to be done in the coming year."
MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers congratulates Luftig and Dorman Products for their outstanding contributions to advocacy, underscoring the essential role that active engagement and principled leadership play in safeguarding industry priorities.
Also honored during the award presentation were Philip Austin, manager of Training & Development at Niterra North America and Rebecca Conway, vice president of Aftermarket Marketing at Clarios with the MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers DEI Leadership award and Selwyn Joffe, president and CEO of Motorcar Parts of America, who received the 2024 Michael Cardone Leadership Award for exceptional leadership in remanufacturing.
About Dorman Products
Dorman gives professionals, enthusiasts and owners greater freedom to fix motor vehicles. For over 100 years, we have been driving new solutions, releasing tens of thousands of aftermarket replacement products engineered to save time and money and increase convenience and reliability.
Founded and headquartered in the United States, we are a pioneering global organization offering an always-evolving catalog of products, covering cars, trucks and specialty vehicles, from chassis to body, from underhood to undercarriage, and from hardware to complex electronics.
About MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers
MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products, an important part of the automotive parts manufacturing industry which supports over 900,000 American jobs in all 50 states. MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers is a recognized industry change agent-promoting a collaborative industry environment, providing a forum to address issues, and serving as a valued resource for member companies. Members represent all areas of the aftermarket including light vehicle, commercial vehicle, and remanufacturing. MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers is a membership group within MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association.
MEMA is the leading North American trade association for vehicle suppliers, parts manufacturers, and remanufacturers. Automotive and commercial vehicle suppliers are the largest manufacturing sector in the United States and lead the way in new vehicle innovations. MEMA has been the voice of the vehicle supplier industry since 1904. Its more than 1,000 members are Strong by Association.
Members supply the aftermarket with the parts that keep millions of vehicles on the road, fueling international commerce and meeting society's transportation needs. MEMA members are committed to safety and sustainability.
MEMA has offices in Southfield, Mich.; Research Triangle Park, N.C.; and Washington, D.C. Learn more at mema.org/aftermarket-suppliers.