On the Horizon By ARA CEO Michael E. Wilson

Support of Recycling Industry Trade Associations a Must for Survival T

he landscape of the professional au- tomotive recycling industry is chang- ing literally before our very eyes. Why is this happening? What’s coming next? How do you best adapt to these chang- ing times? You can get answers to many of these questions through involvement in your local, national and international trade association. Now more than ever, membership in specific industry trade associations pays for itself several times over. Automotive recyclers around the globe must work to- gether to address outside forces seeking to cut into market share and profit cen- ters or alter the way our product is deliv- ered. It should be our decisions that drive the future of the automotive recycling in- dustry, not the desires of individuals with conflicting interests.

Automotive recycling trade associ- ations play a significant role in the local, domestic and international marketplace. Trade associations like the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) and others actively engage industry part- ners to help advance the au- tomotive recycling profession and, at the same time, bridge gaps between professional auto- motive recyclers and those enti- ties that have minimal interest in supporting policies that promote the utilization of Original Equipment Man- ufacturer (OEM) recycled parts. The state, provincial and national asso- ciations that make up ARA’s vibrant affili- ate chapters community provide a critical link to individual recyclers at-large. Stake- holders rely on these associations to sup- port the industry with member benefits, including relevant news on a variety of media platforms, networking opportuni- ties, legislative and regulatory representa- tion, marketing tools, employee training and educational resources that provide

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Associations provide their members with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the challenges that new, more complex motor vehicles and an increasingly dynamic and global marketplace may bring.

recyclers with increased industry credibil- ity and tools to grow their business. Industry trade associations are focused on providing their members with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the challenges that new, more com- plex motor vehicles and an increasingly

sumer. Our mutual members continue to provide consumers with quality, low- cost alternatives for vehicle replacement parts, while preserving the environment for a “greener” tomorrow.

It is important that recycling trade asso- ciations continue to work collaboratively with stakeholders in the insurance esti- matics’ community to increase the avail- ability of recycled OEM parts in software platforms used by repair professionals. ARA is committed to the enhancement of industry access to and supply of more reliable, consistent, and ac- curate parts data. Access to qual- ity OE data as well as enhancing insurance-quality parts data through greater utilization of parts grading codes, standards and certification programs should be a top priority of ev- ery association.

When talking with others in

dynamic and global marketplace bring to professional automotive recycling fa- cilities. Working together, we increase public awareness of the need to conserve natural resources and protect the envi- ronment for future generations through automotive recycling and to promote the industry’s value to the automotive con-

the industry, we are good-will am- bassadors on behalf of our orga- nizations. Each of our associations’ success relies directly on the success of each other. The larger and more in- fluential our associations become, the more programs and benefits can be pro- vided that help each and every member. We appreciate recyclers’ support and continue to strive to make these the best associations for you, the members.

Email Michael Wilson at michael@a-r-a.org with your thoughts on this topic and other ideas pertaining to the advancement of professional automotive recycling. Your letter could be published in an upcoming Industry Letters column.

March-April 2018 • AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLING

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