Auto Care Assn. collaborates with U.S. Consulate's Commercial Service Office to host data standards conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil; event focused on adoption of ACES and PIES standards in the auto care industry, as part of trade promotion initiatives

The Auto Care Association, in collaboration with United States Commercial Service Office of the U.S. Consulate in São Paulo, hosted a data standards conference on March 19, 2024, in São Paulo, Brazil. The conference was part of the association’s trade promotion initiatives, made possible by the Market Development Cooperator (MDCP) award from the U.S. Department of Commerce and International Trade Administration.

With over 70 local auto care industry executives in attendance, the conference focused on industry standards development and maintenance, including adoption methodologies for existing standards like the Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard (ACES)® and the Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES)™.

Auto Care Association staff, alongside Integrate Data Facts (IDF), a Michigan-based firm specializing in automotive aftermarket market intelligence, presented at the conference. IDF is a strategic partner to the association in Latin America, dedicated to facilitating standards adoption in the region. Additionally, the delegation spent two days meeting with key industry stakeholders to identify partners for standards development and implementation in the Brazilian market.

"Product data standardization is instrumental in streamlining operations and enhancing supply chain management, ultimately benefiting both businesses and end-users," said Arthur Strommer, vice president, MTE Thomson, and member of the Auto Care Association. "We understand the importance of consistent and accurate product information, which is why we advocate for the implementation of robust cataloguing standards."

The conference also featured presentations from:

• Jonathan Austin, Acting Consul of the United States in São Paulo;
• Sindipeças, the National Association of Brazilian Auto Parts Manufacturers, which supports the development and strengthening of the Brazilian auto parts sector; and
• MTE-Thompson, a prominent Brazilian supplier of auto parts with a global presence.

These presenters provided valuable perspectives on the importance of product data standardization.

The conference's success highlights the Auto Care Association's commitment to promoting the benefits of ACES® and PIES™ standards and best practices in new markets. The association plans to host similar data standards conferences in other key Latin American markets over the coming year.