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MEMA Names John Chalifoux Chief Sustainability Officer
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By Counterman
MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association (MEMA) announced the retirement of its esteemed president and CEO, Bill Long, to be effective January 3, 2026. Under Bill Long’s visionary leadership, MEMA has seen significant growth and transformative changes that have solidified its position as a leading association in the industry.
“Throughout his tenure, Bill Long has been instrumental in fostering innovation, advocating for industry interests and strengthening
link hidden, please login to view role in shaping the future of motor and equipment manufacturing through some of the most challenging and transformative times in automotive history. His leadership, dedication and expertise have earned him widespread respect and admiration from colleagues and industry partners alike during his more than 40-year career,” said MEMA Chairman Kurk Wilks, president and CEO of MANN+HUMMEL.
In conjunction with Bill Long’s retirement, the link hidden, please login to view Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul McCarthy as the new president and CEO, effective January 3, 2026. Paul McCarthy brings a wealth of industry experience and a deep commitment to advancing MEMA’s mission. With his remarkable leadership skills and extensive industry knowledge, the MEMA Board is confident that in Paul McCarthy, they have selected the right leader to drive the association forward and take it to another level, building upon the strong foundation laid by Bill Long.
Paul McCarthy has been an integral part of MEMA’s leadership team, contributing significantly to its success as MEMA’s senior vice president of strategy and president of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. In his almost three decades in our industry, he has extensive experience in all of MEMA’s member segments: original equipment, commercial vehicles and the aftermarket. His vision for MEMA will enhance our value of member-centricity and our objectives of a powerful supplier voice, strong industry advocacy, innovation and excellence.
“I am deeply honored to have served as MEMA’s president and CEO and am proud of what we have achieved together,” said Bill Long. “I have full confidence in Paul McCarthy’s ability to lead MEMA into a bright and successful future.”
Paul McCarthy added, “I am excited to take on this new role, champion the supplier industry I am so passionate about and lead the talented team at MEMA. Together, we will serve our members and drive a growing, profitable, innovative and influential vehicle supplier community. We seek to be an association that is vital to our members’ success, protects suppliers and helps our members see the road ahead in a time of change.”
As MEMA embarks on this new chapter, the MEMA board extends its heartfelt gratitude to Bill Long for his exceptional service and contributions to the vehicle supplier community during his 13-year tenure at MEMA and his six years as president and CEO, and we look forward to the dynamic strategic vision of Paul McCarthy to lead us forward. The post
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By Counterman
Each year, Auto-Wares Group of Companies selects one top technician from its Certified Service Center Network. This individual represents the group at the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance’s Technician of the Year competition. Casey O’Sullivan, shop foreman at Interstate Auto Care, received this year’s title as Auto-Wares Group of Companies’ technician of the year.
Honoring Experience and Team Dedication
“Having had Casey on our team for over 25 years, I speak for the rest of my team in congratulating Casey and the other tech of the year nominees for this well-deserved nomination,” said Bill Nalu, owner of Interstate Auto Care. “Like every year, the field of competition promises to be challenging, but the fun and camaraderie that they will share during this event will be something they will never forget.”
Prize Package and National Alliance Technician of the Year Competition
O’Sullivan was honored with a prize package including a gift card, a Blackstone grill and a custom winner plaque. Casey will represent Auto-Wares Group of Companies at the National Alliance Technician of the Year competition, July 7-10, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan – The Motor City. During the competition, the finalists from the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance will take a written test to determine who will take home the title of Auto Value & Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year.
Dedication to Learning Sets O’Sullivan Apart
O’Sullivan earned the
link hidden, please login to viewtitle by excelling among many strong applicants. Auto-Wares praised his training log, which reflects a deep commitment to growth. Casey is an ASE Master Technician. He began working in the field at just 18 years old and now leads through experience and dedication. He also attends industry events such as Tech Expo to stay current with new developments. Leadership Recognizes Commitment and Skill
“I couldn’t be happier for Casey. His dedication to his craft is on another level. I’ve known Casey for about 18 years, and one thing that he has never stopped doing is learning,” said Michael Hellenberg, sales manager for Auto-Wares. “I am very proud of Casey for his accomplishments in the business and look forward to him representing Auto-Wares in the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year program.”
Program Recognizes Top Technicians Nationwide
The purpose of the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year is to honor and award the professional technicians in the automotive aftermarket service and repair industry. The program recognizes the top professional automotive technicians across North America. Nominees were evaluated on technical skill, diagnostic expertise and training record.
“Casey represents the best of the aftermarket — skill, professionalism, and pride in the work,” said Brian Burkett, director of sales at Auto-Wares. “We are proud to recognize him as our Technician of the Year.”
For more information about the program, visit
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view announced “The 3 Dragons: Aftermarket Outlook” session returns to the 2025 Vision Conference, April 2 in Chicago. “This annual favorite will set the stage for the conference, enabling attendees to understand where the industry currently stands with a 360-degree view of the economic, financial and industry factors shaping the aftermarket,” MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers said.
link hidden, please login to view for the event is now open. 3 Dragons, 3 Perspectives
Kristin Dziczek, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago – The macroeconomic forces impacting consumers, manufacturers and the aftermarket Simeon Gutman, Morgan Stanley – Wall Street’s perspective on the health and future prospects of the aftermarket Todd Campau, S&P Global Mobility – The latest data on vehicle population and driving trends that will shape demand Why It Matters
The 3 Dragons session frames everything that follows at the Vision Conference, explained
link hidden, please login to view. Sessions like Talk from the Top, A Landmark Study from McKinsey and Associates, and the O’Reilly keynote—to name a few—will build on insights from our 3 dragons, helping you translate today’s realities into tomorrow’s strategies. The post
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By Counterman
Bill Long, president & CEO,
link hidden, please login to view, The Vehicle Suppliers Association, issued this statement regarding the implementation of China tariffs to its membership. Dear MEMA Members,
On February 1, 2025, President Trump signed an
link hidden, please login to view which imposed new tariffs on the majority of items coming from China into the U.S. These new tariffs are being implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The IEEPA tariffs, set at 10%, went into effect at 12:01 am ET on February 4, 2025. There is currently no date by which the tariffs will sunset. Further, the 10% tariffs articulated in this Executive Order will be imposed on top of any prior and existing “duties, fees, exactions, or charges applicable to such imported articles.” China subsequently announced retaliatory tariffs of between 10-15% on certain U.S. goods and further imposed export controls on five critical minerals.
Additional Details:
Goods in Transit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a
link hidden, please login to view on February 5, 2025 and link hidden, please login to view via the Cargo System Messaging Service which provide more information on the items covered by the new tariffs. Consistent with the language included in the Executive Order, CBP noted that items that are onboard a vessel before 12:01 am EST on February 1, 2025 are exempt from the newly imposed Chinese tariffs of 10% as long as they are entered for consumption (or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption) before 12:01 am EST on March 7, 2025.
However, products of China that are entered for consumption beginning February 4, 2025 would be subject to the new tariffs. Therefore, if there is a product of China that is placed on the vessel between February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2025, but it is not entered until February 4, 2025 or later, then it would still be subject to the tariffs.
CBP further issued guidance via its Cargo Systems Messaging Service on how companies can certify eligibility for this provision. Importers will need to use secondary HTS 9903.01.23 if they are eligible for this “on the water” exception. The use of HTS 9903.01.23 will only be available for those imports within those time-bound requirements.
Goods Covered by the Executive Order: The CBP notice covers the majority of goods coming from China into the U.S. There are very limited exceptions for donations (i.e., food, clothing, medicine used to relieve human suffering) and informational materials (e.g., publications, films, posters). In addition, an importer can make use of the Chapter 98 duty saving or reduction provisions (e.g., U.S. goods returned, goods exported for repair/alteration and returned). See below.
Excluded from the IEEPA Tariffs:
9903.01.21: Articles the product of China and Hong Kong that are donations, by persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, of articles, such as food, clothing, and medicine, intended to be used to relieve human suffering.
9903.01.22: Articles the product of China and Hong Kong that are informational materials, including but not limited to, publications, films, posters, phonograph records, photographs, microfilms, microfiche, tapes, compact disks, CD ROMs, artworks, and news wire feeds.
CHAPTER 98: The additional duties imposed by heading 9903.01.20 shall not apply to goods for which entry is properly claimed under a provision of chapter 98 of the tariff schedule pursuant to applicable regulations of CBP, and whenever CBP agrees that entry under such a provision is appropriate, except for goods entered under heading 9802.00.80; and subheadings 9802.00.40, 9802.00.50, and 9802.00.60. For subheadings 9802.00.40, 9802.00.50, and 9802.00.60, the additional duties apply to the value of repairs, alterations, or processing performed (in China and Hong Kong), as described in the applicable subheading. For heading 9802.00.80, the additional duties apply to the value of the article assembled abroad (in China and Hong Kong), less the cost or value of such products of the United States, as described.
Drawback: The Executive Order states that drawback will not be available for items covered by the IEEPA tariffs.
De Minimis: The Executive Order revoked duty-free “de minimis” treatment for goods coming into the U.S. from China that are subject to the order. According to CBP: “De minimis provides admission of articles free of duty and of any tax imposed on or by reason of importation, but the aggregate fair retail value in the country of shipment of articles imported by one person on one day and exempted from the payment of duty shall not exceed $800.” For more information, see the CBP Guidance on De Minimis Shipments from China:
link hidden, please login to view NOTE: De Minimis Update on 2/7/2025: The White House issued an Executive Order which announced the suspension of the afore-mentioned revocation on de minimis treatment for goods coming from China. MEMA is still analyzing the new order but it indicates that the revocation would return once “adequate systems are in place to fully and expediently process and collect tariff revenue applicable.”
Source:
link hidden, please login to view CBP is expected to issue an updated guidance document to help inform the trade community of the details concerning this change. MEMA will share this information as soon as it becomes available.
Free Trade Zones (FTZ): Beginning February 4, goods subject to these IEEPA tariffs must be admitted in a zone as “privileged foreign status” (with limited exceptions for goods eligible for “domestic status”). When withdrawn from the zone and entered for consumption, the goods will be subject to the IEEPA tariffs (and other applicable duties) related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading in effect at the time of admission.
Exclusions: At this time, there is no language in the Executive Order concerning an exclusion process.
Escalation: The Executive Order includes language stating that the U.S. may escalate these actions if China takes steps to retaliate against U.S. exports and goods.
MEMA will continue to update member companies on any new developments regarding the tariffs. As new details may evolve, we will promptly notify members of any changes as soon as more information becomes available.
If you wish to join the MEMA Trade Working Group, contact Bill Frymoyer.
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