By John Chalifoux, president & chief operating officer, MERA – The Association for Sustainable Manufacturing

“Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.”

Those powerful words were first spoken by Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company. He is also the person known for establishing the automotive remanufacturing industry in the United States. Henry Ford believed if you judge yourself to be capable of success, you will increase your chances of actual success. 

This quote captures the essence of today’s remanufacturing industry. If Henry Ford were here today, he would be proud of the progress of our great industry. He would see that remanufacturing has moved from the shop floor to the factory floor, and the quality of remanufactured parts is on par with new. In fact, in many cases, the quality of remanufactured parts has risen to the point where it is indistinguishable from new. 

This fact should not be a surprise because remanufacturing has more in common with new manufacturing than it does with any other process. Yes, some of the component parts happened to have had a previous life. Big deal. Those components are cleaned, inspected and validated – before they enter the manufacturing assembly process – so the overall part can perform like new.

The Virtual AAPEX Experience – hosted by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), which is MERA’s sister division, and the Auto Care Association – provides opportunities to learn more about remanufacturing and the benefits of remanufactured parts.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about remanufacturing during the AAPEX webinar from 11 a.m. to noon, (EDT) on Tuesday, Oct. 13: “Industry 4.0: The Digitization of Supply Chain and Manufacturing Strategies for the Automotive Aftermarket.” The team of experts from Ricardo Strategic Consulting will explore the impact of Industry 4.0 on remanufacturing and the automotive aftermarket. They will examine how companies can reduce costs, improve quality and grow revenue by adopting best practices in this area. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the quality and value of remanufactured parts during the Virtual AAPEX Experience. This year, when you meet with exhibitors, ask them if they offer remanufactured products. By using remanufactured parts, you will show a commitment to providing your customers with solutions that are like new, but better – like new quality, better value and better for the environment.

Remanufacturing is the new era of manufacturing. In today’s world – as we move closer to a circular economy – all manufacturing will be driven to reuse as much as possible. Let your customers know that you are leading the way by offering them parts with great quality and value – and they are eco-friendly too! 

We are all missing the opportunity to get together in person at AAPEX this year, but we’re excited to share the session on Oct. 13 and we hope you’ll connect with remanufacturers during your meetings at the Virtual AAPEX Experience on Nov. 3-5. 

Stay well. We at MERA and the Auto Care Association look forward to once again “rolling out the green carpet” to greet you in the Remanufacturing Section at AAPEX 2021.