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By Counterman
NEXUS Automotive International’s global event, the NEXUS Business Forum, took place at the SwissTech Convention Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, between March 31 and April 2. The forum gathered 300 companies and more than 700 attendees from 96 countries.
It included the fourth edition of NEXUS Climate Day, “The Future is Ours” plenary session, and more than 3,000 speed-dating meetings that created new business opportunities and strengthened relationships within the N! Community. NEXUS CEO Gaël Escribe issued the “Lausanne Appeal,” urging the N! Community to embrace greater collaboration, particularly in unpredictable times, to achieve success and contribute positively to the overall automotive aftermarket industry.
“The Future is Ours” plenary session: unprecedented discussion with aftermarket associations
During “The Future is Ours” plenary session, NEXUS Automotive International hosted a roundtable bringing together, for the first time, leaders from influential aftermarket associations such as Bill Hanvey from the Auto Care Association and Chris Gardner from MEMA, representing the United States; Frank Schlehuber from Clepa and Sylvia Gotzen from Figiefa, representing Europe; and Wilson Ni of the Chinese Automotive Intelligence Society. During the session, the leaders of these organizations shared their insights into the short- and medium-term challenges that are redefining the industry.
Beyond identifying trends, they established a framework for cross-functional collaboration designed to advance the aftermarket ecosystem, turning regional concerns into a collective drive for progress.
“The Wise Guys” session: leaders share perspectives on the market’s evolution
A major highlight was “The Wise Guys” session including Arnd Franz, CEO of Mahle; Neil Fryer, vice president and general manager, global aftermarket, for PHINIA; Todd Hertzler, regional president, MA North America, Bosch; Cedric Dackam, president and general manager, automotive aftermarket, MANN+HUMMEL; Randy Buller, co-founder and chairman, The Parts Authority; and Gaël Escribe, NEXUS Automotive International’s CEO. This platform featured key industry players who shared perspectives on the market’s evolution.
In a display of strategic transparency, these leaders examined short- and medium-term challenges redefining the ecosystem. By establishing a framework for cross-functional collaboration, they turned individual concerns into a collective drive for progress and reinforced the N! Community’s role across the industry.
NEXUS Climate Day: from competitive advantage to value creation
The fourth
link hidden, please login to view Climate Day convened more than 300 participants to develop tangible solutions and share best practices. The event brought together sustainability specialists, suppliers and members of the N! Community, representing the entire NEXUS value chain. Panel discussions and proof-of-concept (POC) projects developed by Bosch, MANN+HUMMEL, SKF and TotalEnergies provided concrete guidelines for embedding sustainability within the industry. Escribe appealed for the foundation of an alliance to structure battery repair in Europe and territories where the EV car parc will generate major maintenance soon.
While individual efforts within the industry are taking shape, forming alliances across ecosystems can create the only answer to this major challenge: a collaborative approach.
Redesigned award ceremony
The annual
link hidden, please login to view award ceremony named DRiV as Supplier of the Year and Goldwagen as Member of the Year. In the heavy-duty category, Europart & Wijlhuizen were both recognized as Members of the Year. Individual honors went to industry leaders: Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia from GSF was awarded Man of the Year, while Elodie Luce from TotalEnergies and Hasmeet Kaur from MANN+HUMMEL were both awarded Woman of the Year. North American partners Randy Buller from Parts Authority and Robert Roos from The Pronto Network were recognized with a Leadership Excellence Award and NEXUS Commitment Excellence Award.
ElringKlinger and MANN+HUMMEL shared Growth Champion in the Strategic Supplier category, while Purflux Group took the award for Preferred Supplier and ZF for Heavy-Duty. The bilstein group was named Customer Experience Champion.
NEXUS leadership on value creation and collaboration
“This Business Forum reflects the growing maturity of NEXUS and the new stage we are entering,” said Escribe. “We are becoming a group fully structured around high-value creation for our supplier partners, members, and the wider aftermarket ecosystem, in a context defined by transformation, growth, and collaboration. The 2026 NEXUS Business Forum has acted as a catalyst for building a more resilient aftermarket of tomorrow.”
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By Counterman
NEXUS Automotive International announced the appointment of Palle Willumsen as senior vice president of business development, effective March 16, 2026. Willumsen will lead business development efforts to support NEXUS’ market position and strengthen partnerships with major industry stakeholders. He will be responsible for executing NEXUS’ strategic objectives and ensuring continued growth.
Industry experience
Willumsen has more than 25 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket, holding senior positions across sales, marketing and general management. He began his career as a sales manager and later advanced to senior leadership roles including vice president of sales and marketing and general manager.
His extensive experience reflects his knowledge of the automotive sector and leadership capabilities. His commercial and strategic track record supports his new role at NEXUS Automotive International.
Executive comments
“We’re thrilled to welcome Palle to lead our business development. His deep understanding of
link hidden, please login to view and his extensive experience will reinforce our status as a global leader and will further align NEXUS with the expectations of our suppliers,” said Gaël Escribe, CEO of NEXUS. “Palle’s remarkable career within the industry will play a key role in shaping the future of the NEXUS group.” “I am very excited to join
link hidden, please login to view and to work with such a dynamic and forward-thinking community,” said Willumsen. “Having spent many years in the automotive aftermarket, I truly value the power of strong partnerships and collaboration. I look forward to working closely with the NEXUS team, members and suppliers to drive growth and create new opportunities.” The post
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view has hired Jeremy Whiting as director of business development, supporting the East Coast and Southeast distributor territories. He will be based in Jacksonville, Florida. Whiting brings more than 15 years of experience in the heavy-duty industry and a multigenerational connection to the aftermarket. His role will focus on aftermarket distribution support, distributor engagement and supplier strategies across the two regions.
Role and Territory Coverage
Whiting will work with distributors across the East Coast and Southeast to strengthen regional coverage and support growth initiatives. His responsibilities include account development, network alignment and coordination around
link hidden, please login to view’s IMPACT Conference and related programs. “I’ve been attending the IMPACT Conference for several years, and the culture of this organization always stood out,” Whiting said. “VIPAR Heavy Duty feels like a family business. When the opportunity appeared, it felt like the right next step at this point in my life and career.”
Background and Industry Experience
Whiting began his career as an account manager for J.B. Hunt. In 2013, he joined his family’s business, Brookline Machine Company Inc., a long-standing member of the Power Heavy Duty network.
“Some of my earliest memories are going to truck shows and visiting Brookline as a kid,” said Whiting, reflecting on his history in the heavy duty industry. “I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
At Brookline Machine, Whiting progressed from inside sales/shop tech to operations manager. He managed $3 million in inventory across five branch locations in four states and led development and implementation of the company’s first e-commerce platform.
Distribution Strategy and Network Alignment
Whiting later expanded his industry experience at Neapco, a driveline supplier. As a regional sales manager, he managed distributor relationships and revenue operations across the East Coast and Southeast U.S., organized customer support efforts, managed rep agencies and oversaw VIPAR Heavy Duty IMPACT Conference participation.
Whiting notes that his transition comes with an advantage—he is already familiar with many distributors across his territory, including those he supported through Neapco and contacts from Brookline Machine. “I’ll be walking into meetings with people I’ve known for years,” he said. “It makes the transition feel natural.”
Leadership Transition
Whiting fills the position held by Dick Croft, who has served as a director of business development since 2001 and will retire Jan. 31, 2026. The transition supports continuity in distributor relations and regional coverage for the VIPAR Heavy Duty network.
“Jeremy’s extensive experience in the heavy duty aftermarket, combined with his deep understanding of distributor operations, makes him a strong fit for VIPAR Heavy Duty’s culture,” said Joe Meyer, vice president of business development. “He brings a relationship-driven approach, and we are confident Jeremy will seamlessly support our East Coast and Southeast territories.”
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By Counterman
aftermarketNews (AMN): How has the global supply chain disruption over the past few years impacted your operations or sourcing strategies?
Anan Bishara: The disruptions of the past few years validated a strategy we’ve embraced since the beginning: building a diversified and flexible supply chain. From the outset, we prioritized geographic diversification, establishing manufacturing partnerships across Southeast Asia, Latin America, and more recently, expanding our footprint in North America—both in the U.S. and Mexico.
We’ve always believed that maintaining optionality is critical—not just for cost control, but for resilience. When the global supply chain came under stress, our ability to pivot between sourcing regions allowed us to minimize delays, contain costs and continue serving our customers with consistency. The disruption reinforced our conviction that flexibility and preparedness are not just operational advantages—they’re strategic necessities.
AMN: The filter category is highly competitive. How does Premium Guard differentiate itself in terms of product, pricing or service?
Bishara: Being ahead is a core commitment at PGI—that’s what sets us apart in such a competitive space. We differentiate by leading in five key areas: customer focus, innovation, product quality, coverage and speed to market.
PGI played a key role in transforming private labels from a choice line to a coverage line within the segment. What once sat at the bottom of the shelf as a short line of opening-price-point products has evolved into leading coverage across two or three tiers of quality and performance. We built the platform that enabled our customers to transform their brands from followers to leaders.
We invest heavily in product development and engineering to ensure we’re first to market with new applications and solutions. Our products are built to deliver consistent, best-in-class performance, backed by rigorous quality control. Coverage is another area where we lead the industry.
Not only are we investing in innovation in filters, we’re also developing technology to better forecast the life of a part and determine vehicle interior air quality (ViAQ). Technicians with more tools to diagnose problems are able to provide better solutions and manage inventory more effectively.
We’re not the lowest-cost supplier, but we offer premium quality, dependable supply and competitive pricing. What truly sets us apart is our approach to partnership—working closely with our customer teams to deliver exceptional value. Our customer service and speed-to-market give us an edge that other brands have trouble matching.
AMN: How are you preparing Premium Guard for long-term success beyond your own leadership?
Bishara: People, culture and process—that’s where the foundation for PGI’s long-term success lies.
My focus has been on developing a strong, empowered leadership team that is not only highly capable, but also deeply aligned with our mission and values. We’ve been intentional about fostering a culture rooted in a commitment to innovation, and one that is both customer- and product-centric. At the core, our goal is to consistently deliver and build value for our customers, our team and our stakeholders.
This culture is aspirational in vision but fully operational in practice. It guides how we lead, how we serve and how we grow. By embedding these principles into the fabric of PGI, we are building a company that is resilient, forward-looking and capable of thriving well beyond any single individual’s leadership.
AMN: Premium Guard is sponsoring classrooms on 13 UTI campuses in partnership with NAPA. Why is it so important to be part of the aftermarket’s next generation of technicians and shop owners?
Bishara: The aftermarket is facing a labor shortage. As vehicle technology advances, we need highly skilled professionals to service the vehicles we drive daily. By
link hidden, please login to view to sponsor classrooms, we’re helping train the next generation of technicians. Supporting them is not just the right thing to do, it’s a strategic investment in the sustainability and success of the entire aftermarket ecosystem. AMN: What inspired you to start Premium Guard, and what gap in the aftermarket were you aiming to fill?
Bishara: I was fortunate to secure a Fulbright scholarship to pursue my graduate degree at a time when my career in marketing consultancy in Tel Aviv was beginning to flourish. Leaving that behind to move overseas with my wife and two young children—especially with limited resources—was a challenging decision.
During that period, while helping a friend who had experienced setbacks in the automotive aftermarket, I discovered an industry that resonated deeply with my passion for cars and innovative products. It quickly became apparent that the market lacked comprehensive, high-quality private-label solutions, especially as automotive retail was expanding rapidly. Recognizing this gap and the significant opportunity it presented, I founded Premium Guard Inc. (PGI) in 1996.
Our goal from day one was clear: to create a consumer-focused private-label brand offering outstanding value, comprehensive product coverage, and turnkey solutions that empower retailers and service providers without compromising quality.
AMN: What key milestones do you believe have been most critical to Premium Guard’s success in the aftermarket?
Bishara: After several years of cold calling and repeatedly facing closed doors with our private-label business concept, I decided to launch the Premium Guard filter line in 2000 as a proof-of-concept. This marked our first and most critical milestone, as it allowed customers to experience firsthand the quality of our products and the value of our service and support. Establishing credibility through our own branded products helped build trust, ultimately enabling customers to confidently entrust us with their private-label brands.
The foundational work we did with buying groups and customers in the traditional market served as a launching pad, propelling PGI into partnerships with national retailers—a significant step that was essentially like starting a new business in many ways.
Another transformative moment came in 2020 with the acquisition of Tenneco’s filter business and manufacturing facility in Mexico. This strategic move provided vertical integration, enhancing our control over quality and costs. That same year, we further expanded our market presence in the fast-lube segment through the acquisition of IPC Global Solutions and the ECOGARD brand.
These milestones collectively positioned PGI as the third-largest filtration company in North America and established us as the leading provider of private-label filtration solutions in the automotive aftermarket.
AMN: What’s been your most valuable lesson as a founder in this industry?
Bishara: Trusting yourself—your instincts, your judgment and your passion—has been the most important lesson. While that advice may sound obvious, the real challenge lies in learning to distinguish between noise and true insight. With time and experience, you develop the ability to invest in the right ideas and ignore distractions. It’s a skill that comes with maturity and is foundational to long-term success.
Equally important is learning to trust others. As a founder, your role evolves. In the beginning, you’re involved in every detail from start to finish. But, as the business grows, you must begin to delegate, empower others and shift your focus toward vision and strategy.
What has made this transition possible for me is the culture we’ve built—one that values constructive feedback and respectful debate. This allows us to consider multiple perspectives, challenge each other productively, and make thoughtful, well-rounded strategic decisions as a team.
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By Counterman
The Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), a community of the
link hidden, please login to view, announced registration is open for the 78th annual AWDA Business Conference. The event will take place Nov. 2-3, 2025, in Las Vegas. The AWDA Conference is a yearly business conference that brings together premier companies in the industry for one-on-one business meetings. This year, the one-on-one meetings will occur in the newly renovated Venetian guest tower of the resort.
A Longstanding Business Tradition in the Industry
AWDA, founded in 1947, is the oldest organized group of warehouse distributors and their suppliers of parts, accessories and supplies for the motor vehicle aftermarket. Celebrating the 78th AWDA Conference marks a significant milestone. Everyone involved with AWDA feels honored to continue this tradition within the industry.
Business Conference One-on-One Meetings Drive Real Results
“Coming off the best AWDA Conference in recent memory, we are so excited to continue that momentum because this is the most meaningful engagement in the industry,” said Ted Hughes, executive director, AWDA. “These meetings are more productive than ever, giving distributors and suppliers unmatched access to high-level conversations that drive real business results. If you’ve never experienced it—or it’s been a while—this is the year to be part of it.”
Registration Deadline Set for August 15, 2025
All companies must register by Aug. 15, 2025, to participate in the AWDA one-on-one meetings. For further details, including company eligibility, hotel and registration information, visit the
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