Eric Johnson, president and managing partner of Arnold Motor Supply/Merrill Company, will be visiting Northwood University this week to meet with students taking automotive aftermarket courses.
“The efforts to inspire and educate students are incredibly worthwhile because they not only help individuals, but also shape the future of the industry,” said Johnson. “Equipping students with the mindset, skills and knowledge they need to succeed contributes to growth and innovation across the aftermarket.”
Johnson, a member of the board of directors for the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, spoke to students taking courses including Aftermarket Category Management, Aftermarket Management Studies and Aftermarket Manufacturing Management.
“As an Aftermarket University alumnus and supporter of Northwood University, Eric wanted to invest in the industry's future leaders by sharing some real-world examples related to his aftermarket classwork,” said Dr. Thomas Litzinger, Aftermarket University/Northwood Aftermarket Industry Chair.
Aftermarket Category Management prepares students for the role of a product manager through inventory modeling techniques and data analysis. Aftermarket Manufacturing Management courses teach students the role manufacturers play in the aftermarket and the business functions they employ. Aftermarket Management research teaches students research techniques that involve formulating hypotheses and sampling data to reject or not reject the hypotheses.
“Our students are eager to interact with industry leaders and learn from their expertise,” said James O'Dell, assistant director of aftermarket education. “This real-world industry experience sets Northwood students apart, uniquely qualified and prepared them for career success.”
The aftermarket industry has a global market value of over $400 billion. Northwood's Aftermarket Management program is truly unique and one of a kind. Students in this program are driven by a passion for automobiles and the aftermarket, and hope to one day turn this passion into a career.
The program has a nearly 100% employment rate for graduates, and one of the reasons for its success is that Northwood helps its graduates gain real-world experience and network with industry leaders like Eric Johnson.
