HDMA looks back on first quarter century

Oct. 1, 2008
September 2008 marked the 25th anniversary of the formation of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), a market segment association of the Motor

September 2008 marked the 25th anniversary of the formation of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), a market segment association of the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). To mark this milestone, a new logo and updated website have been launched.

HDMA was founded in 1983 at the International Truck Show Annual Dinner in Anaheim CA by 16 members of the Heavy Duty Business Forum, a discussion group of industry executives formed in 1978. The group collectively felt the heavy-duty industry required a strong voice for industry-related government legislation, market specific tradeshows and events, as well as industry research studies focused on heavy-duty issues and trends.

Soon after, MEMA was approached to formally establish HDMA. Twenty-five years later, HDMA is a market segment association of MEMA, along with the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association and the Original Equipment Suppliers Association.

HDMA's annual meeting, Heavy Duty Dialogue, is a business conference designed to bring HDMA members, guests and other industry leaders together to participate in a forum designed to foster conversations on industry issues with carefully selected experts focused on key issues within the commercial vehicle industry. HD Dialogue also focuses on trends and the challenges of growing businesses globally.

The group is also a sponsor and an organizer of Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW), the heavy-duty business conference for executives from the aftermarket supplier and distributor business segments.