Building Your Passion by Supporting the Passions of Others: Spotlight on Derek Suen
Even though he hadn’t planned on a career in the automotive aftermarket, Derek Suen quickly found himself part of a tightknit community of industry professionals. And through his involvement in the Young Professionals in the Aftermarket (YPA) Committee, he realized that this community is as broad and diverse as the products and opportunities the industry provides.
Derek Suen
North American Manager – New Product Development/Innovation
Company: Dorman Products
Years in the Automotive Aftermarket Industry: 9
Was your education related to the automotive aftermarket?
I went to Wilfrid Laurier University and received an Honors Degree in Economics in 2006. In 2017, I also completed my MBA at Laurier’s downtown Toronto campus with a specialization in Strategic Management. Luckily enough, Dorman provided a full scholarship and provided support as I was completing this journey.
Did you know you wanted to work in the automotive aftermarket?
Not initially, I had brief exposure to it while working as a Supply Chain Analyst at Canadian Tire in Toronto. What spawned my interest was the diversity of products within the industry, the close-knit relationships and community across the country, and the vast opportunity for personal growth and advancement.
What does the YPA Committee mean to you and what would you like to see the committee achieve in the future?
It’s been a great opportunity to learn about other people’s experiences and journey within the aftermarket. It’s a great networking opportunity, as well as a place to bounce off ideas of similar liked-minded passionate individuals.
About Dorman Products
Dorman supplies new products that match the fit, function and performance of original equipment manufacturer parts, and reengineer parts to fix common flaws in original part designs. Our talented team is constantly evaluating what parts are failing on today’s vehicles, so that we can steadily deliver reliable replacements. Our mission is to give repair professionals and vehicle owners greater freedom to fix cars and trucks by releasing more exclusive, labour-saving and cost-effective replacement solutions than anyone else. Automobiles are usually the second largest expense people have in their lives. Shouldn’t we all be able to protect these investments in a reliable, cost-effective way?
Find out more about careers at Dorman.
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About the Young Professionals in the Aftermarket
Young Professionals in the Aftermarket (YPA) is an Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada) committee comprising of young executives, of 45 years or younger, in the Canadian auto care sector. The Committee’s mandate is to ensure the future growth and prosperity of the aftermarket industry.
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