Players in the automotive aftermarket are facing unprecedented challenges. With big box retailers continuing to gain market power, increasing penetration of low cost county imports, and growing competitive pressures from the OEMs, the industry seems to be responding through more than just horizontal consolidation. A potential trend seems to be forming towards vertical consolidation among channel players (including installers/retailers, wholesalers/distributors and now, manufacturers) resulting in a potential shift in the competitive landscape. The session will outline the implications of M & A trends in the North American aftermarket and their impact on aftermarket players.
Attendees will learn:
- What key factors are driving the acquisition trends.
- How will different players be affected; who is likely to benefit and who could be left behind.
- What should aftermarket suppliers be thinking of and how might they prepare for a potential reshaping of the industry.