United Recyclers Group (URG) and Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) proudly announce a partnership agreement that will redefine industry standards with a new quality assurance program for professional automotive recyclers. The agreement was signed at the recent United Recyclers Group Annual Conference and represents collaborative discussions that have taken place over the past year about what a unified quality assurance program might look like.
“This agreement represents a new path forward in industry collaboration and excellence,” said ARA Executive Director, Vince Edivan. “Using the work that both organizations have done in this area, we look forward to continuing to work together to develop and promote this new program. By combining the strengths of both organizations, we’re laying the groundwork for a unified quality assurance program that will benefit recyclers, repairers, and consumers alike.”
“With a shared commitment to excellence and building upon the framework we have established through discussion over the past year, URG and ARA will work side by side to drive positive change within our industry,” said Kristi Werner, CEO at URG. “This joint effort marks the beginning of a new era in automotive recycling. We’re proud to be working with ARA to create a program that reflects the real value and professionalism of modern recyclers.”
The journey towards this milestone has been marked by unwavering dedication from representatives of both organizations. Building on the work of ARA’s CAR Certification and Gold Seal program and URG’s ISO 900, the new quality assurance program will reflect a collective dedication to advancing industry best practices and standardization and to gain recognition across insurance, collision, and mechanical sectors, the program reflects a shared commitment to raising the profile of certified professional recyclers and reflects a collective dedication to advancing industry best practices and standardization.
Shannon Nordstrom, longtime Chair of ARA’s Certification Committee and current ARA First Vice President, said of the agreement “With these organizations working together our goal is to create a legacy of excellence for the quality parts and service that automotive recyclers provide all consumers in the automotive repair industry, both mechanical and collision.”
“This partnership underscores the power of unity within our sector,” remarked Kristi Werner. “By leveraging our combined expertise and resources, we can establish a new benchmark for quality assurance in automotive recycling.”
URG and ARA will continue working together over the coming months to finalize the certification framework, pilot the program with select yards, and launch the first phase of implementation.
