With more than 18 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket, Kim Cottle has built a distinguished career focused on battery service, charging technology, and equipment leadership. In 2007, she joined Associated Equipment Corp., a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in automotive battery chargers and related service equipment, as Vice President of Operations. In 2012, she was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, where she leads the company’s strategic direction, product development, and industry engagement within the battery and electrical service sector.
She is an active member of the Auto Care Association’s Tool & Equipment Committee and currently serves as its Immediate Past Chair, contributing to initiatives that support standards, education, and best practices for battery service tools and equipment across the automotive aftermarket. Her industry involvement also includes participation in Women in Auto Care and AMRA/MAP, reinforcing her commitment to leadership development, compliance, and fair-market practices.
Her engagement with the Equipment & Tool Institute (ETI) began in 2010 and has included service on the Program Committee. In April 2024, she was elected to the ETI Board of Directors, where she supports collaboration between equipment manufacturers, OEMs, and service providers—particularly in the advancement of battery diagnostics, charging systems, and emerging vehicle technologies. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member for PTEN.
Throughout her career, Kim Cottle has worked closely with technical committees and working groups across the automotive industry, offering the perspective of a U.S.-based battery equipment manufacturer while helping align OEM requirements with aftermarket service capabilities. As a long-tenured senior executive, she is passionate about advancing battery service technology, strengthening the role of professional-grade charging and diagnostic equipment, and expanding the industry’s ability to support evolving electrical and energy storage systems across both OEM and aftermarket channels.