The Business Technology Council (BTC), a council under MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, announced it is now accepting applications for its Technology Innovation Award.

The award recognizes technology solution/service providers that introduce innovations that support, enhance and/or advance aftermarket processes. Applications must be submitted by August 15, 2025. 

Technology innovations must have been launched during the past year or will be launched soon. Innovations must also support one of the BTC’s areas of focus. These types of technologies can include:

• Customer-Facing Technologies: cataloging and product data, EDI/e-commerce, mobile, web services, e-tailing, RFID, QR codes, bar codes, POS data, data warehouses, S&OP. 
• Information Technologies: cyber and network security, big data, BI, AI, AR/VR/MR, blockchain, RPA, DAM, data analytics, cloud computing, IT outsourcing, ERP, MES, CRM.

“The future of the automotive aftermarket requires partnerships on data management and other business technologies that solve problems and building efficiencies,” said Jim Naso, applications data manager at Continental ContiTech Power Transmission Group and BTC Chair.

“Our competitive market demands flexibility to be adaptive to ongoing changes that will allow us to improve processes, secure, organize and share information with each level of the industry. I would like to emphasize the importance of our relationships with affiliate members by encouraging their participation to submit their latest program innovations.” 

“We’re calling on all vehicle solution and service innovators to step forward and share their achievements,” said Sara Kaderly, director of programming at MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. “Each year, we’re inspired by the creativity in the aftermarket, and we look forward to celebrating the forward-thinking ideas shaping the future of our industry.” 

After the application submission deadline, finalists will be notified on August 31. The finalists will then present their innovations during the BTC fall meeting on September 16 and BTC members will vote on the winner. The winner of the award will be announced at the 2025 Aftermarket Technology Conference October 5-7 in Springfield, Mo. 

Past winners of the award include Repairify’s asTech ® Driven by Repairify (2024), PDM Automotive’s AI-Generated Omnichannel Content (2023), Dorman’s “Where to Buy” platform (2022), VizSeek’s Visual Search (2021) and OptiCat’s Automated Loadsheets (2020). 

More information about the award can be found at mema.org/tech-innovation. Those interested in applying can do so here. 

Learn more and register for the 2025 Aftermarket Technology Conference at MEMATech.org.