LKQ Europe, a division of LKQ, and IAA, an RB Global company, have announced the formation of LKQ SYNETIQ, a new joint venture. This collaboration brings together SYNETIQ Ltd, the UK’s leading vehicle parts, dismantling, and recycling specialist, with LKQ’s extensive distribution and logistics network.
The new entity, LKQ SYNETIQ, will leverage SYNETIQ’s expertise in dismantling, reuse, and remanufacturing – which saw approximately 27,000 vehicles processed across four UK sites in 2024 – with LKQ’s distribution capabilities. This joint venture is a crucial step in LKQ Europe’s strategy to develop its salvage channel, supporting SYNETIQ’s goal of maximising the environmental and financial potential of every vehicle. The leadership team for LKQ SYNETIQ includes Annick Jourdenais from LKQ Europe and Michael Hill from SYNETIQ, working with Magnus Tagesson.
This partnership, combined with LKQ’s existing remanufacturing businesses like Rhenoy in the Netherlands and Poland, reinforces LKQ’s commitment to sustainability and circularity. It will significantly expand LKQ’s capacity to distribute recycled parts across its regions, helping to meet future EU regulations such as Fit-for-55 and End-of-Life Vehicle directives.
By integrating new aftermarket parts, certified remanufactured parts, and quality-assured recycled parts into a single catalogue, LKQ SYNETIQ aims to provide workshops and bodyshops with affordable and sustainable options for complex repairs, including hybrid and EV models. This also helps access OEM parts often restricted from the independent aftermarket. The increased demand from LKQ’s scale is expected to drive further investment into the wider UK salvage sector.
Andy Hamilton, President and Executive Managing Director, LKQ Europe, stated: “This joint venture is a major milestone in our mission to put sustainable, affordable mobility within reach of every workshop and bodyshop in Europe.” Kevan Wooden, CEO, LKQ UK & Ireland, added: “Independent garages and bodyshops tell us they want the flexibility to source new, recycled or remanufactured parts from a single trusted provider, and with LKQ SYNETIQ this is exactly what we’ll be doing in what is a first for the UK aftermarket.”
Karl Werner, Chief Business Development Officer, RB Global, concluded that the partnership will accelerate the flow of quality reused and remanufactured components into Europe’s repair networks, offering a seamless supply of sustainable parts.