For Immediate Release
February 16, 2012

HDMA/MEMA PR 5-12

For more information, contact:
Ann McCulloch
202.393.6362
amcculloch@mema.org

MEMA Legislative Summit to Focus on Issues Critical to Supplier Community

Washington, D.C. - February 14, 2012 - Over 100 senior representatives from the motor vehicle parts manufacturing industry will gather in Washington, D.C., on February 29 – March 1 for the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association’s annual Legislative Summit.  The group will be taking its message of what is needed to help the nation’s parts suppliers to Capitol Hill.

“We need Washington to understand what it is doing well and what it is doing that is harmful to the ability of our industry to sustain and create jobs,” said Bob McKenna, MEMA’s president and CEO.  “The Legislative Summit brings the industry together to have a constructive dialogue with elected officials on advanced vehicle technology, research and development, burdensome regulations, and other critical issues.”

Participants will visits to approximately 140 Congressional offices during the course of the Legislative Summit.  The program also features respected political and policy experts, including: Stu Rothenberg, noted political commentator and publisher of the Rothenberg Political Report; the Honorable Phil English, senior government relations advisor at Arent Fox and seven-term Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania’s Fourth District; Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM); Karen Harbert,  president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for 21st Century Energy; Gregory M. Cohen, president, American Highway Users Alliance; and Geoff Burr, chairman of the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace.

Additionally, the industry will be presenting the Joseph M. Magliochetti Award to Rep. Todd Rokita of Indiana’s Fourth District.

“With the focus in Washington on what is needed to help the nation’s economy grow, suppliers have a great opportunity to work with Members of Congress on policies that will help the industry prosper,” McKenna stated.  “We look forward to the conversations and the work that will be needed to move the industry and the nation forward.”

About MEMA 

Suppliers manufacture the parts and technology used in domestic production of new cars and trucks produced each year, and the aftermarket products necessary to repair and maintain more than 248 million vehicles on the road today.

MEMA supports its members through its four affiliate associations, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA) and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). MEMA represents more than 700 member companies with global motor vehicle parts sales exceeding $600 billion and 65 percent of North American automotive supplier sales. For more information on the motor vehicle parts supplier industry, visit www.mema.org.

About HDMA

The Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) has served the strategic needs of its 170+  member companies and the commercial vehicle industry since 1983. A market segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), HDMA’s mission is to be the industry’s primary advocate for the members of the commercial vehicle supplier community. With a continuous focus on its members, HDMA strives to advance the image and interests of the industry and its member companies. More details are available at www.hdma.org.