Yudu - November/December 2016

President’s Let’s ApplyOurselves Hello Fellow Auto Recyclers, It has been a few weeks since the 73rd Annual ARA Convention & Expo in Baltimore.

If you did not make it, you missed a great opportunity to attend educational semi- nars and to participate in an excellent roundtable session. This roundtable session illus- trated how auto recyclers around the world – from the UK to Poland to Australia to Texas – are facing many of the same challenges. We also learned that some of our over- seas comrades have been very creative in facing these issues. After discussions with our vendors, we realize they also have expertise in many of the fields that we all agree we need to address.

My first effort as President will be meeting with existing committees to make sure

we have a clear focus on the current issues that affect the ability of ARA members to be profitable, provide for our families, our employees, and be an asset to our com- munities. There will be a planning session coming up early next year to set priorities for the next two years. Every region is assigned an ARA director. It is through com- munications with your regional director that ARA can know what the challenges our members face to better serve their needs. Your directors need your help to report accu- rate information from their district when they participate in monthly calls and plan- ning sessions. We must have your help. Please take time to fill out questionnaires and give feedback when contacted by your director. A map and list of directors will soon be added to the ARA website. It is an honor to be the president of such a hard working group of entrepreneurs. This industry and those who have made it what it is today have been a blessing to me and my family. I promise I will fight to make this industry stronger and better for all worldwide. We will make sure we leave the light on for the next generation of recy- clers that will take our work to the next level.

One issue that I plan to seek input on is finding a way to reward the body shops that

use alternative parts to save money for insurance companies. As you know, currently body shops are punished by diminished profit on parts when saving money on esti- mates. If there is one thing I have learned, people will do what you incentivize them to do, good or bad. Why are body shops punished for good behavior? They do not understand it any more than we do. I will be looking for key people from around the world to help us stop this insanity. There has to be a way for everyone to win and ben- efit from saving insurance companies’money.Whenbody shopsmakethe samemoney on our parts as they do using the more expensive, new parts we will see a big change in alternative parts usage.Theonly problemwhenthis happens will be buying enough inventory to meet demand. Let’s do it. With the right people in the right places at the right time we can make it happen.

I sat at the table this weekend with two daughters of a WWII veteran who was being inducted to the ArkansasVeterans Hall of Fame. One of them said that when her dad came back from the war, saw the price that was paid, and realized how short and frag- ile life was he applied himself.We all have our life’s work invested in this industry and our families and employees count on us. “Let’s apply ourselves.” Thank you for choos- ing me to be your voice. Keep me posted on your ideas and I will do the same.

R.D. Hopper ARA President 2016-2017

4 Automotive Recycling | November-December 2016

ARA Officers

Comments By R.D. Hopper, ARA President

Sonny’s Auto Salvage Jacksonville, AR rd@sasparts.com

PRESIDENT R.D. Hopper

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT David Gold

david@standardautowreckers.com

Standard Auto Wreckers Scarborough, ON Canada

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT/TREASURER Jonathan Morrow M & M Auto Parts, Inc. Stafford, VA

jonathan@mmauto.com SECRETARY

Counselman Automotive Recycling, LLC Mobile, AL