AERA Engine Builders Association introduces brand new look, broader mission

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL. – For most Octogenarians, birthdays tend to be quiet affairs more prone to fond reminiscence than bold new adventures. But that’s not the case for the AERA Engine Builders Association (AERA). The organization, which turns 89 this year, is celebrating with an overhaul, a fresh coat of paint, and an ambitious mission to deliver both the mechanics and the business of the internal combustion engine to a new generation.

“We’re responding to a changing industry,” said AERA president, John Goodman. “The engine building business isn’t just a guy with a garage and a set of wrenches anymore. These days it’s a sophisticated field that requires skill and plenty of training, as well as a fair amount of business smarts.”

As evidence, Goodman pointed to the numerous technological advances that have occurred over the past decade. “Thanks to the help of precision instruments, computerized tools and new manufacturing processes, gas and diesel engines — even ones 30 or 40 years old — run much cleaner, longer and more efficiently than ever before.”

But Goodman notes that these changes have also proven to be a double-edged sword. As engines have become more efficient and durable, the demand for the services AERA members provide has declined. In addition, information technologies like the Internet have become an integral part of business operations, forcing many to wade into territory where they are not entirely comfortable.

“Ten years ago nearly all the questions our experts fielded from members were technical ones related to rebuilding and machining engines,” Goodman said. “These days, nearly a third are about marketing, pricing, advertising, accounting and other general business inquiries. It’s quite a shift.”

In response, the AERA decided to broaden the scope of its mission from a strictly technical information and training resource for members to become a support system and public voice for those in the engine building business. As part of that, the association recently launched a new website with a fresh look and new features such as a newsroom and career center. In the coming months it also plans on rolling out new business information and consulting services for members, an affiliate program for hobbyists and enthusiasts, and a new outreach effort to let the public and elected officials know how much the organization’s members contribute to their local community.

As ambitious as the new mission is, however, it’s not the first time the AERA has undergone a major evolution in its near 100 year history.

“The AERA was founded just as automobiles and trucks were replacing horse-drawn wagons as major modes of transportation,” Goodman said. “Since then we’ve grown from a handful of Midwestern automotive machine shops into an international association with thousand of members involved in everything from high performance racing engines to massive diesels that can haul mountains. Engine technology is always evolving, and it’s the AERA’s responsibility to keep on evolving with it,” he said.

About the AERA Engine Builders Association
The AERA Engine Builders Association is the preeminent technical resource and industry voice for internal combustion engine builders, re/manufacturers, machine shops, OEMs, suppliers and service providers worldwide. Established in 1922, it is the industry’s oldest and most authoritative organization, serving an international membership made up of thousands of small and large businesses serving industries ranging from mining and manufacturing to Formula 1 racing. As a technical organization, the AERA provides engine specifications and technical assistance for internal combustion engines manufactured worldwide. The AERA’s staff of experts and vast technical libraries provide members with unparalleled access to information, expertise and assistance regarding engines and internal components of every conceivable size and use. As an industry representative, the AERA acts as an influential voice, promoting the common interests of our members by educating and informing the public, and advocating sensible government policies that support an industry that is a critical component of local, nation and global economies. For more information on the AERA contact Jim Rickoff, AERA Marketing, 500 Coventry Lane, Suite 180, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 USA. Tel: (507) 457-0755, email: jrickoff@ridge-runner.com