Aftermarket Insider - August/September 2009 - (Page 12)

MEMbER PRoFiLE MARk RichARdsOn, MAAp All About the data Ma r k ric ha rdso n, Ma aP POsitiOn : Director of Catalog Data Services, Falcon Steering Systems Years in the aFterMarKet: WOrds tO liVe bY: 23 “It’s all about the data!” PhOne : Fa X : 734-326-4885 734-326-4993 mark@libtrade.com e-Mail : I believe our industry associations like NCMA, AAIA and standards like parts cataloging. What started as a ACES and PIES, along with training by simple typesetting process has grown schools like Northwood University and to a full blown computerized data testing from ASE are necessary to keep driven process,” said Mark Richardson, director of catalog data services, Falcon the aftermarket viable in the future.” Steering Systems. “What used to simply “Also, our vendor community of data be a catalog manager has evolved and solutions providers who develop into the gatekeeper for all electronic better products to accomplish our data including applications, parts, goals and get our data to the end user images, pricing and a whole list of must be supported for the aftermarket. possible specifics related to products.” Without these entities, we would not be able to operate as efficiently, or invest Richardson was recently named in the future technology necessary to President of the National meet the challenges we all face in a Catalog Managers Association changing industry,” said Richardson. (NCMA) and has been involved with AAIA for 18 years. If not in the aftermarket, he would very likely be doing something related to “It’s all about the data! Until we can cars. “I would love to restore, buy, sell deliver the information to the parts or collect vintage and classic cars,” said counter to be looked up, nothing else happens,” said Richardson. “Delivering Richardson. He owns a 1967 German Amphicar, which he restored himself. this information to the various trading partners makes the job much more Richardson has a bachelor’s degree complicated than researching and in Business Administration majoring printing paper books for distribution.” in the Automotive Aftermarket and MAAP and AAP certifications Richardson got his start in the from Northwood’s University of the industry as an assistant manager for Aftermarket. He is currently enrolled a now liquidated automotive parts in the new Devos Aftermarket store chain called Action Auto. He Executive MBA program at Northwood has worked as an auto repair service University. He is also ASE certiwriter, sold custom wheels and as fied in P2, a parts designation. a dealership service writer before moving into parts manufacturing cata“The industry offers a wide variety of loging. He currently works for Falcon opportunities for lifelong continuing Steering Systems in Romulus, Mich. education; I enjoy the challenge and knowledge that I am keeping current “In the area of parts and application data delivery, the most important issues with this changing industry.” deal with the creation, coding, manipulation, and delivery of electronic data quickly and accurately to our partners. “I have seen the evolution of auto 12 | AFTERMARKET INSIDER | AUGUST • SEPTEMBER 2009 http://www.falconsteering.com/asp/falconhome_950.asp

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Aftermarket Insider - August/September 2009

Aftermarket Insider - August/September 2009
Contents
President's Message
Association News
Special Deliveries for AAPEX 2009
Industry Events
Member Profile
Toolbox
Three-in-One Market Intelligence
Segment Spotlight
Market Research
Company Profile
Market Research

Aftermarket Insider - August/September 2009