Leveraging global relationships to achieve value improvement goals

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The Road to IQ

IQ Integrated Quality is a strategic merging of two storied companies in the automotive aftermarket.

Vantage Marketing Global began in 1998 as a consulting company providing services to a leading brake parts manufacturer-distributor, and quickly added to its portfolio by providing resource management services to quality European manufacturers looking for seasoned professionals to help them navigate the ever changing North American market. A cost effective and experienced team led more than a dozen suppliers to robust growth and brand reputation within North America through sales, marketing, product development, and a growing number of other services. Together, the Vantage team and their European partners were providing quality products to leading automotive distributors, retailers, and Original Equipment Manufacturers across the continent.

In 2007, one Vantage customer came to us with an interest in finding a specialized, high performance version of a product. We had the sources, the experience, the framework, and the engineering capability to deliver, and thus VMG Distributors was born. Over the years a group of quality manufacturing partners was established, and the product portfolio continued to expand.

As the automotive landscape has continued to evolve, so had these two entities and it was time to simplify. What hasn’t changed, however, is our commitment to integrate quality into every aspect of our businesses. So in 2020, at the dawn of a new decade, Vantage Marketing and VMG Distributors were merged, to form… IQ Integrated Quality.

Meet Our Team

Get to know the faces behind our road to success.

<b>Michael Antonelli</b>
Michael AntonelliPRESIDENT
Grand Island, NY
Michael is a product guy. The kind that has to see it being built before he can instill confidence in selling it. Touring and auditing manufacturing plants is a special passion of his where no opportunity is wasted. Over the years he’s reviewed several hundred manufacturing facilities on 5 continents covering everything from automotive to industrial, Con-Ag, and powersport OEM production, and essentially every automotive related process and product group.
<b>Ivonne Forsthoefel</b>
Ivonne ForsthoefelVICE PRESIDENT,
SALES & MARKETING
Gurnee, IL
Ivonne is the people person. The one that remembers your kid’s birthday and knows your dog’s name. Confident and charismatic, she will call you out of the blue just to talk about food, or mojitos. Relationship building is where she shines. Her name is her brand and you will instantly understand that you can depend on her to fulfill your requests and anticipate your needs. A Spanish-speaking native, tried-and-true team leader, and master of organization.
<b>Michelle Christenson</b>
Michelle ChristensonSTRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGER
New Bern, NC
Michelle is the details buff. She ensures that every project gets its i’s dotted and t’s crossed, and never contains extraneous commas. Tackles everything from new product development to marketing, logistics, and whatever other flavor-of-the-day that comes along. Knows our clients, knows our products, and knows the metrics. Recognizing the importance of securing our long-term future, she is a passionate advocator of legislation affecting our industry.
<b>Amy Pelletier</b>
Amy PelletierBOOKKEEPER
Grand Island, NY
Amy is our numbers girl. The “you spent how much on dinner?!” girl. Keeping us in line and balancing our books, a true steward of the financial journal. She stays abreast of new laws and regulations, and diligently cracks the whip on our troupe. She is accounting, she is human resources, she is administration… she is every department on the back end that makes our business flow.
<b>Xi Su</b>
Xi SuCONSULTING ENGINEER
Vienna, VA
Dr. Su is the technical brains behind our sometimes-lofty production dreams. He holds a doctorate in metallurgy and not just one, but two masters degrees: in engineering and business administration. Our bilingual correspondent with China, but also our multicultural correspondent – navigating the waters of international diplomacy with sophistication and finesse to get the deals done.

Global Industry Professionals Agree

If there was a trophy for the Best Business Developer – I believe you and your people would deserve this. Whatever it was, market expertise, network, strategy, a frank opinion, a small favor, or a long and costly research – nothing was ever too big or too small. We always got what we needed; quick and in the most professional way. Never any doubt on that. Always part of the solution, never part of the problem.

CHRISTIAN WESTERKAMP • HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE, Espelkamp, GERMANY

The decision to partner with IQ was a great move. Their skills are top notch and we now have all the confidence to move forward and grow our business.

WALTER BARBIERI • COFLE, Milan, ITALY

“IQ has been our face and head in the US from the very beginning of our incursions in the North American market. Over the years, we have achieved greatly successful business as well as the deepest trust of our customers. All this is thanks to a team of expert and professional people who have become partners and friends.

SONIA LOPEZ CABALLERO • NAGARES, Motilla del Palancar, SPAIN

IQ provided critical strategic insight for our business through a lot of uncertain and unprecedented changes in the industry. They are innovative and committed to success, a perfect partner to deal with.

GIANNI CRESPI • COFLE, Milan, ITALY

“Working for many decades with the former Vantage Marketing team has allowed Prenco to successfully market our products while leveraging their industry expertise.  Their unparalleled market knowledge and service-oriented account management helped us identify and develop untapped market potential.  Consistent communication and feedback from the ‘front lines’ allowed us to improve our product mix and add new product lines while focusing on the two great market differentiators – Quality and Value.

STAN VIEZNER • PRENCO, Ontario, CANADA
We appreciate IQ’s dedication and support for Auto Care’s government affairs agenda.  They have taken a leadership role in building our industry’s image with elected officials and in helping the association to achieve support from government officials for our legislative and regulatory initiatives.
AARON LOWE • AUTO CARE ASSOCIATION, Maryland, USA

IQ is one of our go-to resources for aftermarket distribution. They’re professional, efficient, and very giving of their time, even at odd hours from across the globe. Their marketing expertise has made our product a growing household name.

VALENTINA RESSA • COFLE, Milan, ITALY

My relationship with the IQ team spans 20 years. They respond to questions, keeping everyone on the team informed about what to expect at each step along the way. Their integrity and professional approach to our business has developed into a wonderful friendship.

MARC MELILLO • IMC PARTS, California, USA

“I have found the IQ team to be very dedicated to the auto care industry with their business relationships, as well as, giving back to the industry, particularly with their involvement and contributions to CAWA. I wish them the best in business and thank them for their passion in assuring they deliver quality service and value to their customers.”

RODNEY PIERINI • CA AUTOMOTIVE WHOLESALERS' ASSN, California, USA

“Working with the IQ team is always a pleasure.  They have a knowledge base that solves problems before they happen, and with long lead time global business, this is crucial.  I’ve collaborated with Mike on projects for over thirty years and the knowledge an integrity he has infused in the culture of IQ is evident in the results that they bring to their clients.  Five stars all around!

BILL BORIS • IPC GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, Massachusetts, USA

We have had the pleasure to work with the IQ team over the years. Through mutual success we have built a strong friendship. They are a certainly a great choice for a long term partner that won’t disappoint you.

HALIL BILGIN • COFLE, Istanbul, TURKEY

“I have had the privilege of working with Michael and Ivonne for about 10 years now through the CAWA organization and can speak for their passion, integrity, and experience in the automotive aftermarket industry.  Their participation all these years proves how involved and committed they are to the industry and how important it is to them to have their fingers on the pulse. They are industry experts when it comes to global sourcing, importing, product development and marketing. The way they service their customers is second to none.  I call on the same customers and when I mention the team at IQ I only hear very positive things.  Over the years I have witnessed the close relationships they have with their customers as well as the vendors they work with.  They are the ideal partner to have in this very challenging business and during these trying times.

JEANETTE LORENZO • J. LORENZO ENTERPRISES, LLC, California, USA

“The IQ team has been a pleasure to work with over the years.  We consider them friends, and a great long term partner to our success.  If you get the chance to work with them, do it.  You won’t be disappointed.”

FRANK PAGANO • REGENERATION ADVISORS, New Jersey, USA

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