Registration Now Open for ARA’s 77th Annual Convention and Exposition ARA announced today the opening of registration for the 77th Annual Convention and Exposition taking place in Reno, Nevada on November 11-14. The registration launch follows the Association’s announcement last week that retired Navy SEAL Jason Redman will provide the meeting’s Keynote Address. “We fully realize that this year’s Annual Convention will not look like our previous annual gatherings,” said ARA Executive Director, Sandy Blalock. “But we are committed to providing the critical, industry specific educational content that our membership needs while at the same time, working diligently behind the scenes to ensure a safe and positive experience for all attendees.” The 77th Annual Convention will take place at the Peppermill Hotel and Casino. "ARA is coordinating with staff at the Peppermill to ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to address concerns related to COVID-19. This includes temperature checks, physical distancing, face coverings, and hand sanitizing stations,” said ARA President, Scott Robertson. “This will be a safe, high quality educational experience that will empower automotive recyclers with the skills and mindsets to succeed during these challenging times.” For more details on the Convention agenda or to register, please visit www.a-r-a.org. ARA COVID-19 Relief Fund Continues Distribution of Grants As we reported last month, the goal of the fund is to distribute seventy-five $1,000 grants to ARA Direct and Affiliate Direct members. A recipient of a grant has the flexibility to use grant funds either to help their business or employees. ARA is continuing the process of reviewing applications and distributing grants to ARA direct applicants. Payment of funds is based on availability to pay. ARA appreciates those who have donated to the COVID-19 Relief Fund and who have made this program possible. ARA would like to thank Car-Part.com, Rebuilders Automotive Supply, AB CatTech, Robertson’s Auto Salvage, Northlake Auto Recyclers, Reitman Auto Parts, We Buy Key Fobs, and VET Environmental Engineering for their generous contributions. Apply for a grant from the fund HERE. Please know, information on the application that would identify the applicant is removed before it is sent to reviewers for approval. ARA Congratulates SpaceX on Successful Commercial Space Launch; Applauds Commitment to Reutilization ARA congratulated SpaceX last week on its historic May 30th mission that successfully launched two NASA astronauts into space. The launch was the first time a private company has sent astronauts into orbit. “This is a proud moment for the American people,” said ARA President, Scott Robertson, “as well as for the professional automotive recycling industry. I commend SpaceX in the reutilization of rocket boosters for interplanetary transit and on the development of reusable rocket systems – a focus on recyclability that is proven to dramatically reduce costs and enable the United States to compete in space exploration.” Since 2017 the aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company has launched multiple attempts into space using recycled, gently used rockets. “Our profession is built upon that same focus of recycling genuine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) automotive parts to bring cost savings to consumers and keep vehicles on the road.” ARA believes that vehicle manufacturers should emulate Space X in promoting the reutilization of their product to reduce costs by supporting the reutilization of recycled parts in vehicle repairs. Single-use manufacturing is self-serving, intentionally forcing consumers to overspend on repairs to their vehicle. Presently OEM position statements and procedures only allow for new OEM manufactured parts in vehicle repairs. “If we can reuse parts to launch man into space, we can surely reuse parts to repair our vehicles,” emphasized Robertson. “For decades, our members and their employees have efficiently removed and reutilized genuine OEM automotive parts,” said ARA Executive Director, Sandy Blalock. “The value that safe, reliable, recycled OEM parts have in today’s automotive marketplace has never truly been recognized – in large part due to misinformation campaigns by the automobile manufacturers. Recycled original equipment automotive parts are manufactured by the OEMs and built to meet their requirements for fit, finish, durability, reliability, and safety. To see the investment that SpaceX has made in recycling their aerospace products and how proud the company is to tout the cost-savings and other advantages of using recycled products is to be applauded.” Ford Motor Company’s Termination of Lighting and Bumper Core Program Highlights Lack of Commitment to Recycling Ford Motor Company terminated its lighting and bumper fascia core recovery program on June 1st, a move that ARA responded to last week and characterized as a lack of commitment to recycling. Ford stated that it was ending the core recovery program, which has been in place for several years, due to the administrative burden it created for dealers and collision repairers. “ARA is concerned about the environmental impact that the termination of this core program will have, however, we are confident that the replacement parts market will find a solution to appropriately recovering and recycling these components,” said ARA Executive Director, Sandy Blalock in a press release. “ARA is concerned about the environmental impact that the termination of this core program will have, however, we are confident that the replacement parts market will find a solution to appropriately recovering and recycling these components,” said ARA Executive Director, Sandy Blalock in a press release. A 2012 statement attributed to Ford Recycling and Remanufacturing Manager, Kim Goering, promoted that the program demonstrated the automaker’s commitment to doing “whatever we can to extend the life of these components. Even more important, however, is that Ford strongly believes it’s just the right thing to do from an environmental perspective.” That same statement acknowledged a desire by the automaker to cut into the remanufacturing sector of the aftermarket, a motive that ARA maintains is just one example of the company’s efforts to stifle competition and raise the cost of repairs. “It’s clear that over the past several years, Ford and other auto manufacturers have taken aggressive steps to push the automotive recycling as well as remanufacturing and aftermarket industries out of the market,” said ARA President, Scott Robertson. “I find it highly suspect how in 2012, Ford can publicly acknowledge that their original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts still have a lot of life left, yet they’ve taken every position to the contrary when it comes to the recycled, genuine OEM parts sold by our members. The professional automotive recycling industry is the true champion of recycling here, and I think Ford’s termination of this program shows that.” Kinderhook Acquires Original One Parts Original One Parts, a leading provider of certified original equipment manufacture (OEM) auto parts used by collision and repair shops and dealership service centers among others, has been acquired by Kinderhook Industries LLC. Their primary proprietary VINtegrity™ Certification Process uses a six-step inspection and certification process to ensure that recycled and refinished parts meet the exact fit, form and function as a new part, thus giving repairers the solution for meeting OEM repair procedures with cost-effective refinished replacement parts. It was this process and attention to detail that drew Kinderhook into the partnership. One Parts will be led by industry veteran Wade Hilburn, as CEO and Jerry Sullivan, as Executive Chairman, who together have more than 60 years of experience encompassing manufacturing, reconditioning and insurance claims. Hilburn noted that, “This partnership will provide One Parts with the access to capital and the resources required to offer an even broader range of high-quality recycled parts to the automotive repair market in the U.S.” Kinderhook Industries, LLC is an American private equity firm based in New York City and a licensed Small Business Investment Company. Since 2003, the firm has raised over $2 billion under management and has made in excess of 170 investments, and has extensive experience with the automotive aftermarket business, which appealed to One Parts in that is will “provide and consistently deliver quality certified reconditioned OEM parts with a convenient electronic buying experience at an incredible value”, stated Wade Hilburn, co-founder of One Parts. ARA Announces Retired Navy SEAL |
Select Auto Parts & Sales, Inc. Natasha Broxton 2500 West Cornell St. Milwaukee, WI 53209-6217 (414) 763-3474 (414) 763-2917 Fax [email protected] www.selectautopartsmilwaukee.com WBI Midway Automotive LLC Todd Whitehurst 6600 Canyon Dr. Amarillo, TX 79109-7001 (806) 376-5583 [email protected] | Yes Unlimited LLC DBA-Nissan Unlimited/ DBA-OEM Unlimited Edwin (Joe) Luna 2900 De Soto St. Houston, TX 77091-3834 (832) 467-4400 (832) 467-4402 Fax [email protected] www.nissanunlimited.com |
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