In response to appeals from its members calling for a national platform to represent the exclusive interests of independenvehicle service and repair businesses, AAIA has created the new Independent Service Providers (ISP)segment to operate within the association.

     The announcement was made by David Caracci, AAIA chair, at the conclusion of the AAIA Town Hall during AAPEX in Las Vegas.

     According to Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA's president and CEO, "AAIA is the only national trade association that vertically integrates the entire aftermarket distribution channel from manufacturers, to distributors, reps, program groups and retailers. Connecting with maintenance and repair companies is logical, necessary and in the best interest of our members and the aftermarket industry as a whole. The ISP segment completes the circle at AAIA."

     AAIA will rely heavily on the input and participation of various industry groups, in particular state aftermarket associations and program groups.

"We want to be absolutely clear that the new segment is non-competitive and non-threatening to current AAIA member program groups, franchises and state and regional associations," Schmatz said. "In fact, the ISP segment will actually reinforce and complement our existing small business affiliate program and reinforce the value of AAIA membership to all group members."