Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/166113
IDA HISTORY First Annual Meeting of Association Independent Rebuilders & Parts Suppliers held in Roanoke, Virginia, November 1,2,3, 1959 General expansion and rebuilding following World War II saw a tremendous influx of heavy equipment machinery come on the market. Large manufacturers were so busy building new equipment they inadvertently created a new market which we call the heavy equipment "aftermarket." Heavy equipment operators asked the questions: "Is there an alternative source to service my equipment, sell me parts and take an interest in my problems?" With a resounding "Yes," independents sprang up from Amsterdam to Zurich. It began when a handful of distributors, specializing in undercarriage, crawler tracks and crawler track rollers, realized they all dealt individually with the same manufacturers on the same problems and generally arrived at the same solutions. Those distributors put their heads together and came up with an organization that has successfully weathered the changes in the independent parts market. When replacement parts for undecarriages could no longer be profitably manufactured in the U.S. independent parts market, members began importing them. As a result of these contacts, IDA began adding international members and today the Independent Distributors Association spans the globe. Eventually, this new alliance of rebuilders and parts suppliers wanted to form their own trade association. Shortly thereafter, the Association of Independent Rebuilders & Parts Suppliers, (what is now Independent Distributors Association) was formed to help those "pioneers" exchange important information and tips on this exciting and profitable new market...the heavy equipment aftermarket. IDA UNIVERSAL September-October 2013 11