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The LATIN TYRE & AUTO PARTS EXPO, recently held in the vibrant Panama City, has established itself as a benchmark event in the tire and auto parts industry in Latin America. With over a decade of history, this fair brings together the sector's key players, creating an ideal space for exchanging ideas, presenting innovations, and exploring new business opportunities. This year, with 70% of exhibitors coming from China, the fair highlighted its crucial role in creating a bridge between Asia and Latin America. Alephee had a prominent presence at the event, leading us to speak with its CEO, Gaston Zelerteins, about his experience and vision for the industry's future.
How would you describe Alephee's experience at this year's LATIN TYRE & AUTO PARTS EXPO?
It was a great experience to participate in this event. It was our first time attending this fair and also our first visit to Panama. In addition to demonstrating that we have many solutions to offer to all exhibitors and visitors, we are currently relaunching our platform with the goal of providing brands, wholesalers, and resellers with the best supply and online sales solutions.
What are your overall impressions of the event in terms of participation and organization?
I was truly impressed by the number of Chinese manufacturers exhibiting excellent products for different segments and of very high quality. At the same time, manufacturers from the United States, Brazil, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, and other countries in our region showcased very good products and a strong desire to expand their businesses. It is a great opportunity to develop new tire and auto parts business in various markets across the Americas and the world.
From your perspective, what are the main challenges facing the tire and auto parts industry in Latin America today?
The main challenges are increasing sales through supply and online sales. This relates to brands and distributors seeking geographic expansion, regionalization, launching new product lines, and collaborating with their resellers to provide better purchasing experiences for vehicle owners. This is where Alephee comes in to digitally transform processes and create value in pursuit of these goals.
What motivated Alephee to participate in this edition of the LATIN TYRE & AUTO PARTS EXPO?
We thought it was a great moment to showcase to exhibitors and the large number of visitors what we have been doing since 2018 across Latin America. For several years, we have been helping global automotive aftermarket brands such as General Motors, Stellantis, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Bosch, as well as regional or local brands, to digitize their supply and online sales processes. Many exhibitors and visitors are our clients, and we want to continue supporting the evolution of their businesses.
How does Alephee's participation in this fair align with the company's short- and mid-term strategic objectives?
For us, there is no doubt that we must participate. Over the past year, we have been developing new solutions and products that have already started to be used by our main clients, and we will soon communicate them to the market. We aim to be the heart of E-Commerce for the automotive aftermarket, which is why we attend all industry fairs and events to continue leading the industry's future.
Alephee showcased innovative solutions at this event, such as "Communities," "Supply," and "Sales." Could you tell us more about how these tools can help automotive brands and distributors?
"Communities," "Supply," and "Sales" arrive at the right moment for the market. The automotive aftermarket has great potential for continued growth. Being a particular sector with car manufacturers, dealerships, tire and auto parts manufacturers, wholesale distributors, parts and accessory stores, and repair shops, it is necessary to align and collaborate to improve vehicle maintenance and repair experiences.
"Communities" encourages brands to improve marketing and communication strategies to deliver product offers to their commercial networks, generating new business opportunities. It is a digital meeting space connecting brands, distributors, and resellers to foster relationships and increase supply and online sales. This new solution was developed together with our clients after understanding their needs for years, complementing our "Supply" and "Sales" solutions. "Supply" is a wholesale purchasing portal redefining supply processes across the commercial network, while "Sales" connects brand product catalogs with their resellers, automating sales management on marketplaces like Mercado Livre. B2C sales innovations will follow soon!
Which Alephee innovations or products stood out at the fair and how were they received by participants?
Fortunately, participants provided positive feedback. Many approached us so we could discuss their current and future E-Commerce plans in the following days.
In your opinion, how do you see the tire and auto parts market evolving in the region in the coming years?
Latin America will have great business opportunities in the automotive sector. Firstly, benefiting those looking to maintain or repair their vehicles, which is the start of manufacturing and selling tires, parts, and accessories. Secondly, the industry will need to adapt to new digital market trends and consumer habits. We strongly believe there will be opportunities for the entire commercial chain, provided each sector organizes digitally to add value and leverage their expertise. It is a great time to innovate and grow.
What opportunities do you see for Alephee after participating in the fair?
Alephee can undoubtedly help exhibitors develop regional digital strategies to supply commercial networks and assist them in selling on marketplaces like Mercado Livre, today’s leading B2C e-commerce channel. Additionally, for all visitors, potential distributors, and resellers, we can help establish new digital relationships with suppliers and be part of the digital transformation of brands.
Finally, how do you assess the impact of the LATIN TYRE & AUTO PARTS EXPO on Alephee’s international projection?
Undoubtedly, we have much to collaborate on with event organizers like the Latin Tyre & Auto Parts Expo, as together we can offer digital solutions that represent the present and future of the industry. I believe that physical fairs should be complemented with digital solutions that continue to offer exhibitors and visitors new experiences to generate business and increase sales.
Alephee's participation at the LATIN TYRE & AUTO PARTS EXPO highlights the company's commitment to advancement and innovation in the tire and auto parts industry. During the event, Gaston Zelerteins presented key solutions such as "Communities," a platform acting as a digital showcase for brands, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers to connect, communicate, and generate new business opportunities. Furthermore, Alephee's "Supply" and "Sales" solutions focus on enhancing E-Commerce strategies in both B2B and B2C, with a particular focus on marketplaces like Mercado Livre.
As the market continues facing challenges and opportunities, Alephee positions itself as a key player in seeking effective and sustainable solutions. This event marks the beginning of new collaborations and the construction of a bridge between global manufacturers, many of them Chinese, and Latin America. For those in the sector sharing this vision and facing similar challenges, the door is open to collaborate and build a stronger and more competitive future for the industry in the region.
