Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota

What Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota does

AASPMN is a Minnesota-based non-profit trade association founded in 1955 that serves approximately 600 independently-owned automotive service and collision repair businesses across the state, plus a smaller set of out-of-state shops, industry suppliers, and educational institutions. Its core offering is membership in four tiers: Regular Member (tiered by employee count at $295, $455, and $615 per year), Regular Out of State Member ($150), Associate Member ($475), and Educational Member ($100), with bundled access to CARS Connection PLUS cooperative benefits. Core services consist of legislative and regulatory advocacy at the Minnesota State Capitol and before the MN Department of Commerce, education and training programs (annual Leadership Conference, B.S. Sessions for collision shops, Mech XChange for mechanical shops, regional meet-ups, webinars via Automotive Seminars), a peer-connection database for benchmarking, and group-purchasing discounts across credit card processing, insurance, uniforms, legal consultation, technical repair information, and OSHA compliance services.

The organization does not develop or sell a proprietary technology product. Its underlying infrastructure is a member-management platform (site-ym.com) supporting online registration, a monthly AASPMN News Magazine (produced via Greco Publishing), and event/meet-up logistics. The association publishes a website with blog content, runs an email newsletter, and maintains an active sponsorship stack anchored by Platinum sponsors (LKQ, Lube-Tech, Optimize Digital Marketing) and Gold/Silver sponsors across refinish coatings (BASF, PPG, Axalta, Sherwin-Williams), parts distribution (O'Reilly, Auto Value, Suburban GM Parts), insurance (Gallagher), and other categories. In 2016 it founded MNCARS, a separately governed non-profit subsidiary dedicated to recruiting young people into technical college programs for mechanical and collision repair careers. Governance is member-led: President Randy Notto (Lenfer Automotive & Transmission) leads a Board composed of shop owners and supplier representatives, with paid staff comprising Executive Director Linden Wicklund, Lobbyist Sam Richie (via Larkin Hoffman), Office Manager Jodi Pillsbury, and membership outreach manager Todd Grothe. Revenue is generated entirely from membership dues, sponsorship fees, and program revenue; figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota

Legal name

Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota

Website

https://aaspmn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

AASPMN is a Minnesota-based non-profit trade association serving approximately 600 independent auto service and collision repair shops with advocacy, education, peer networking, and group-purchasing programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from four categories: Regular Member (tiered by employee count: $295 for 1–3 employees, $455 for 4–10 employees, $615 for 11+ employees), Regular Out of State Member ($150), Associate Member ($475), Educational Member ($100). Additional CARS Connection PLUS membership is included.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AASPMN is a non-profit trade association founded in 1955 that provides membership-based services to nearly 600 independent automotive service and collision repair shops in Minnesota. Its core offerings include legislative advocacy at the Minnesota State Capitol, industry-specific education and training programs, a peer networking database of member shops, and group-buying discounts on business services (credit card processing, insurance, uniforms, legal consultation, technical information, and training) through preferred vendor partnerships.

Product overview

AASPMN is a professional trade association serving nearly 600 independent auto service and collision repair businesses across Minnesota. Founded in 1955, the organization provides a portfolio of membership services including advocacy at the State Capitol, education and training programs (Annual Leadership Conference, B.S. Sessions, Mech XChange events), peer connection networking, and group-buying savings programs through preferred vendors. The association publishes the monthly AASPMN News Magazine and operates the non-profit MNCARS initiative for automotive workforce development. Member benefits include access to discounted services from partners like Mitchell 1, Identifix, CARS Cooperative, and Automotive Seminars. The organization does not offer a software product or technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AASPMN Membership Programs Annual membership tiers (Regular Member $295-$615 by employee count, Out of State Member $150, Associate Member $475, Educational Member $100) providing independent automotive service and collision repair shops with access to advocacy, education, savings programs, and peer network access.

Quantifiable outcome

• 23 scholarships totaling $20,000 awarded to automotive and collision repair students for the 2026-27 school year.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered platinum, gold, silver, core and minor.

• LKQplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerLKQ is a Platinum Sponsor of AASPMN. Sponsorship support from associate members and industry vendors helps underwrite the cost of educational programming and other initiatives.
• Lube-TechplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerLube-Tech is a Platinum Sponsor of AASPMN. The company provides lubricant and related products to the automotive industry and supports AASPMN's programming through sponsorship.
• Optimize Digital MarketingplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerOptimize Digital Marketing is a Platinum Sponsor and provides all-in-one digital marketing solutions to AASPMN members, including social media, digital advertising, website and software solutions.
• 3M Automotive AftermarketgoldGTM or Marketing Partner3M Automotive is a Gold Sponsor of AASPMN, providing automotive aftermarket products and supporting educational programming for member shops.
• Auto ValuegoldGTM or Marketing PartnerAuto Value is a Gold Sponsor and partner. Companies in Automotive Parts Headquarters' Auto Value Certified Service Center program receive full access to AASPMN membership at a discounted rate.
• BASFgoldGTM or Marketing PartnerBASF is a Gold Sponsor of AASPMN, providing automotive refinish coatings and supporting association programming.
• National Coatings & SuppliesgoldGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Coatings & Supplies is a Gold Sponsor of AASPMN, supporting educational programming for member shops.
• PPGgoldGTM or Marketing PartnerPPG is a Gold Sponsor of AASPMN, providing automotive refinish products and supporting member events and education.
• Axalta Coating SystemssilverGTM or Marketing PartnerAxalta Coating Systems is a Silver Sponsor of AASPMN, providing automotive coating solutions and supporting association initiatives.
• Colonial LifesilverGTM or Marketing PartnerColonial Life is a Silver Sponsor providing voluntary employee benefits to AASPMN members, including competitive rates, value-added services, and complimentary legal document preparation.
• Enterprise MobilitysilverGTM or Marketing PartnerEnterprise Mobility is a Silver Sponsor of AASPMN, supporting the association's programming and member services.
• O'Reilly Auto PartssilverGTM or Marketing PartnerO'Reilly Auto Parts is a Silver Sponsor of AASPMN, providing automotive parts and supplies to member shops.
• Sherwin-WilliamssilverGTM or Marketing PartnerSherwin-Williams is a Silver Sponsor of AASPMN, providing automotive finishing products and supporting association events.
• Suburban GM PartssilverGTM or Marketing PartnerSuburban GM Parts is a Silver Sponsor of AASPMN, providing GM OEM and aftermarket parts to member shops.
• VestissilverGTM or Marketing PartnerVestis is a Silver Sponsor and preferred provider of uniform and linen supplies to AASPMN members, offering discounted pricing and an annual 10% rebate exclusive to members.
• Minnesota State I-CAR CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Minnesota State I-CAR Committee provides generous donations to AASPMN's Automotive Education Fund, supporting scholarships for automotive and collision repair students.
• CARS CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAASPMN membership includes a CARS Connection PLUS membership providing access to more than 50 value-added programs, products and services including cash-back rewards, discounts, and CARS pricing negotiated specifically for independent automotive businesses.
• Gallagher (Insurance)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGallagher is a Bronze Sponsor and preferred insurance broker for AASPMN members, offering garage liability, workers' compensation, health, and dental coverage with better product and pricing negotiated for members.
• Larkin Hoffman Law FirmcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLarkin Hoffman provides free over-the-phone legal assessment and consultation to AASPMN members (some restrictions apply). Sam Richie serves as AASPMN's in-house lobbyist through this firm.
• Langer ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAASPMN members receive free consultation on general project concepting and guidance for both small- and large-scale construction projects and maintenance through Langer Construction.
• MNCARS (Minnesota Careers in Auto Repair and Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded and funded by AASPMN in 2016, MNCARS is a non-profit dedicated to securing a future workforce for Minnesota's automotive industry by raising awareness and recruiting young people into technical college programs for mechanical and collision repair. AASPMN continues to support MNCARS through advocacy and career promotion efforts.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• I-CAR (Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair): Industry training and credentialing body for collision repair; partners with AASPMN via the Minnesota State I-CAR Committee and operates as a broader incumbent across training, standards, and certification.
• Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA): National aftermarket supplier association; serves the same ecosystem as AASPMN's associate (supplier/distributor) members and several of AASPMN's Platinum/Gold sponsors (LKQ, 3M, BASF, PPG —) operate within AASA's wider industry remit.
• Automotive Service Excellence (ASE): National certification body for automotive technicians and service professionals; broad incumbent in workforce credentialing that touches AASPMN's technician-training and scholarships agenda.

Regional players

• Midwest Auto Care Alliance: Regional Midwest alliance serving independent mechanical repair shops with education, networking, and advocacy; comparable in mission to AASPMN but operating across multiple Upper-Midwest states rather than a single state.
• Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association (MADA): Minnesota trade association representing dealer/franchised auto retailers; the structural counterpart to AASPMN within the same state, illustrating how regional automotive trade-association coverage typically splits between independent and dealer channels.

Direct peers

• Automotive Service Association (ASA): National trade association for independent automotive service professionals; AASPMN's predecessor was 'ASA-MN', making ASA the most direct historical and structural analogue as a peer of comparable scope.
• Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS): National trade association specifically for collision repair operators; directly comparable for the collision half of AASPMN's dual-mechanical/collision mandate, including industry advocacy at the OEM and insurer level.
• CARS Cooperative: Cooperative providing the 'CARS Connection PLUS' savings program embedded in AASPMN membership; a direct peer in the group-purchasing and member-benefit model serving independent repair businesses.
• AASP National (Alliance of Automotive Service Providers): National-level federation with which AASPMN coordinates and on whose board members such as Dan Sjolseth serve; offers the same advocacy/education/savings framework as AASPMN at a multi-state scale.

Others

• National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF): Industry-wide task force on vehicle security, diagnostics, and technician training; surfaced via AASPMN's Leadership Conference content as a complementary non-duplicative peer that AASPMN members access for technical resources.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/aaspmn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alliance-of-automotive-service-providers-of-minnesota-inc-aasp-mn-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota