Have you seen our latest edition of Aftermarket, our e-magazine? You can read it in full here. Below is the first in a series of stories from ‘The Parts Issue’.
‘Sustainability’ as a word is all around us. You seemingly can’t go an hour without something being ‘sustainably grown’ or being the ‘sustainable choice’.
And while your garage might seem a world away from being green or eco-friendly with all the used oil, discarded service parts and worn punctured tyres that have to be disposed of daily, parts remanufacturing could well be the future when it comes to using fewer resources.
Remanufactured parts, the short story
As you probably know, remanufactured parts are used OEM items that are effectively given a second chance at life. But these aren’t used. These are thoroughly refurbished parts that undergo disassembly, cleaning, and inspection before any worn components are replaced.
This attention to detail, time, and care mean remanufactured parts meet or even exceed original specifications, so they can actually offer the same performance and reliability as a brand-new OEM sealed part.
Better for the planet, how?
This is where the ‘sustainability’ aspect comes in. Because only the worn parts are replaced inside, whatever it might be, remanufactured parts can use up to 80% less energy and 75% less raw materials than creating that same part brand new. Which makes them the obvious choice when it comes to being greener.
Autoelectro, a Bradford–based remanufacturer of starter motors and alternators, has been restoring parts to OEM spec since 1986. Company Director Harnek Bhogal reinforced the importance of refurbished parts.
“Remanufacturing is considered one of the most environmentally friendly practices. By restoring units, like starter motors or alternators to a like-new condition, remanufacturers reduce waste and conserve resources compared to manufacturing new products
Where traditional manufacturing processes demand substantial amounts of raw materials and energy-intensive procedures, remanufacturing circumvents these resource-intensive practices by restoring existing components, thus, reducing the need for new materials. This conservation of natural resources also helps decrease the environmental footprint associated with traditional manufacturing.”
Likewise, Brake Engineering has built a strong reputation for its remanufacturing capabilities. Known for its meticulous remanufacturing process, specifically its 10-stage core process for calipers. This process has been perfected over the past 43 years to ensure every caliper is rigorously tested, meticulously rebuilt and completely traceable.
Recently, an independent study by the company revealed 29 defects in new aftermarket brake calipers from three competitor brands, all of which failed to meet OEM standards. Despite their appearance, these calipers had structural weaknesses that could compromise braking performance, raising serious safety concerns for the automotive industry.
The brand’s Centre of Excellence in Wrexham is pivotal in Brake Engineering’s operations. Every caliper that passes through this facility undergoes an in-depth assessment and rebuild, utilising a labour-intensive but quality-focused approach to remanufacturing. Brake Engineering has produced well over eight million remanufactured calipers to date.
Environmental responsibility is a core aspect of their approach. By remanufacturing, the company reduces waste, conserves raw materials and keeps valuable resources in circulation. This not only supports a more sustainable future but also aligns with industry efforts to lower environmental impacts.
A recent YouGov survey actually points to the general public being more environmentally aware than we think. 82% of UK consumers believe that businesses have a responsibility to protect the environment. And 75% are willing to pay more for sustainable products – so it could be worth suggesting remanufactured items when it comes to giving your customers the choice of parts to be fitted.
The cost element
But there’s another win for garages and customers alike when it comes to remanufactured parts. Cost.
Although remanufacturing parts is labour-intensive, with the human aspect of strip down, inspect, repair being the main cost, they aren’t always the cheapest option. We all know inferior copies litter the market for nearly every part you can imagine, and the age-old adage of ‘Buy cheap you buy twice’ stands.
Opting for the cheapest part can lead to failure sooner, which means more inconvenience for the customer and more cost for removal and refitting. In the grand scheme of things, this totally negates the original savings.
Remanufactured parts will be cheaper than brand new OEM options, by how much can often be a point of contention, but if you’re buying from a well-known, reputable remanufacturer, you can be pretty safe in the knowledge that expert technicians have thoroughly inspected, repaired and then tested that part. It’s not a cheap copy thrown together in some faraway land that may or may not see out the year.
Hard to find, sorted
Another thing that remanufacturing helps with is end-of-life products, or, as I used to see working for Peugeot and Citroen, the feared ‘NFP’ mark meaning ‘No Further Production’. Once you saw those dreaded three letters, you’d have to scrabble around the parts system to see if the main warehouse in France had stock. No. Next up, the rest of the dealerships in the country. No.
Then you have to tell the customer, ‘Sorry, Sir, but that ignition coil for your 1989 205 Junior is no longer available’.
Remanufacturing solves this. Hard-to-find, rare or even discontinued items can be given a new lease of life. Keeping someone’s beloved first car on the road that bit longer.
So, while ‘sustainability’ grows across every domain and facet of our lives, remanufactured parts could well be poised to become the go-to choice for garages and car owners alike. They offer a win-win when it comes to the balance of price and performance compared to brand-new OEM, all while being the sustainable choice for the planet.