Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association

History

As the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers turns 100, we salute the motor vehicle product manufacturers who have driven the advancement of the automotive and heavy duty industries through superior innovation, technology, service and support.

MEMA and its market segment associations – the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and the Original Equipment Manufacturers Association (OESA) – are proud to have assisted members in their efforts to advance our industry over the last century. We appreciate the support of our members and look forward to the next 100 years.

In recognition of how far our industry has come, MEMA has commissioned a series of scale models of classic automobiles – each emblazoned with the MEMA 100th anniversary logo. The “Old Timer” cars from the 1920s and 1930s are 1:36-38 scale and the “Superior Swinging Series 2: 50s & 60s” cars are 1:43 scale . All are die cast metal with plastic parts with doors that open and “pull back and go” action.

1904	A group of 37 automotive businessmen meet in Newark, N.J., and organize the county's first aftermarket association, the Motor & Accessory Manufacturers Association (MAMA).
1914	The association forms its collection division.
1916	The credit reporting division is formed.
1919	MEMA president Charles E. Thompson addresses the issue of global markets, saying, "The challenge of world markets is one we cannot evade. It is a challenge we can best meet by presenting a united front, and by adopting, as an industry, a broad-gauge, far-seeing, consistent policy."
1920s	In the post-war prosperity, MAMA becomes active in Washington, D.C., and expands its trade show plans. The association also forms its Traffic Advisory Group and Advertising Managers Council.
1929	The association merges with the Automotive Equipment Association to broaden the spectrum of services offered, and the new organization is called the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). Its headquarters is in the MEMA Building, New York, N.Y. MEMA debuts its national ad campaign: "Care Will Save Your Car."
1930s	MEMA establishes a new membership category, Automotive Affiliated Representatives.
1933	Determined that the industry should not only survive the Great Depression but also thrive, MEMA co-sponsors the first Automotive Service Industries Show along with Motor & Equipment Warehouse Association and the National Standard Parts Association (NSPA). This forerunner of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) is held at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.
1940s	MEMA introduces the first collection and customer rehabilitation program for the industry.
1960s	MEMA sets up its Washington, D.C., office to become more involved in health and safety issues. The association initiates its campaign for the remission of the 8% excise tax on automotive parts.
1970s	Transportation Safety Equipment Institute(TSEI), one of MEMA's product line groups, is formed.
1973	MEMA headquarters is moved to Teaneck, N.J. Its credit reporting division, MCRI, is located in Cleveland, Ohio.
1973	The Automotive Brake Manufacturers Council (ABMC) is formed as a product line group for companies that manufacture brakes and brake products.
1974	The Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC), and MEMA peer group, is formed. MEMA forms a new product line group, the Automotive Cooling System Institute (ACSI).
1977	Management Information Systems Group, Inc., (MISG) and TRANSNET® are formed.
1982	MEMA's anti-counterfeiting task force is formed under the leadership of Robert R. Miller, now president emeritus of MEMA. By 1984, the task force achieves its goal of helping dramatically decrease the amount of counterfeit parts in the country.
1982	MEMA establishes the Automotive Presidents Council (APC), another of its peer groups.
1983	The Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), the heavy duty division of MEMA, is established.
1985	The Automotive Chemical Manufacturers Council, a MEMA product line group, is formed. MEMA's headquarters moves to Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
1987	The U.S. Automotive Parts Industry Office opens in Japan. The MEMA-JAMA Liaison Committee is formed.
1990	The first MEMA-JAMA One-on-One® Business Conference is held, allowing top-level U.S. OE suppliers to meet senior purchasing executives of Japanese vehicle builders.
1992	MEMA president Bob Miller spearheads the aftermarket's effort to consolidate fragmented trade show activities into one comprehensive market-segment education and show week. AAIW is set for early November in Las Vegas— and is destined to become the global aftermarket show mecca.
1992	The Overseas Automotive Club changes its name to the Overseas Automotive Council and becomes MEMA's international aftermarket division. MEMA's office in Cleveland, Ohio, moves to the association's new headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.
1993	The MEMA Environmental Institute is established as the association's environmental awareness and education arm. The formal grand opening of the association's new headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C., is held.
1994	MEMA is a key player in the development of the U.S.-Japan Automotive Agreement and actively monitors its results.
	The MEMA-JAPIA (Japan Automotive Parts Industry Association) Liaison Committee is formed.
	MEMA's U.S.-Pan American Automotive Industry office opens in Mexico City, Mexico.
1996	The Automotive Human Resources Council (AHRC) is formed.
1997	MEMA establishes the U.S.-MERCOSUL Automotive Industry Office in São Paulo, Brazil, and forms the Automotive Chief Financial Executives Council (ACFEC), a peer group.
1998	MEMA organizes the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) and opens its office in suburban Detroit, Mich.
2000	The aftermarket tradeshow during AAIW assumes its new brand identity: the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo or AAPEX, held annually the first week of November in Las Vegas, Nev. The show is co-sponsored by MEMA and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). In June, MEMA breaks ground for its second building, a 27,000 square foot addition which doubles the size of its North Carolina headquarters.
2001	In February 2001, Christopher M. Bates becomes president and CEO of MEMA, succeeding Bob Miller.
2002	The Human Resources Council is formed by MEMA and OESA to serve HR professionals in the aftermarket, heavy duty and OE market segments. MEMA joined with AAIA and SEMA to create Automotive Specialty Products Alliance (ASPA) for members engaged in the automotive chemical and vehicle appearance product markets before state, regional and federal legislators and regulators. In order to better serve the distinct supplier market segments, MEMA established the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), and redefined the roles of HDMA and OESA as market segment associations, all under the MEMA parent association.
2004	MEMA celebrates its centennial anniversary. Bob McKenna joins MEMA as its president and CEO. Tim Kraus joins as the executive director of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), MEMA’s HD division. AASA formed its council structure, which includes: the China Aftermarket Forum, the Fuel Pump Manufacturers Council and the Marketing Executives Council AASA formed its Small & Medium Manufacturers Council and its Automotive Aftermarket Forecasting Council (AAFC), consisting of analysts from aftermarket manufacturers.
2006	MEMA creates its affiliate association, organizing its programs and membership into its three affiliate associations: AASA, HDMA and OESA. Neil DeKoker serves as OESA president. Tim Kraus is promoted to HDMA president and COO. Steve Handschuh joins AASA as its president and COO.
2007	MEMA releases its landmark study of the economic impact of the motor vehicle parts supplier industry, conducted by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR). The study not only highlights the economic significance to the United States of the motor vehicle parts industry, it also establishes that the industry is the core of U.S. manufacturing.
2008	The Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) becomes an AASA Council, joining the MEMA Information Services Council and the MEMA Brand Protection Council, also managed by AASA.
2009	MEMA updates its economic impact study, showing that the industry constitutes the largest manufacturing sector in the United States, directly employing nearly 686,000 individuals across the country and contributing to more than 3.29 million jobs.