New world order for engine remanufacturers

Engine remanufacturers say they can play an important role in the long-term reduction of emission levels on a worldwide scale and that the establishment of a new organisation will give them an opportunity to promote their case.

The World Engine Remanufacturing Council (The WERC) has been established in a Memorandum of Agreement signed in London (April 2008). The move follows an inaugural conference of senior representatives from engine remanufacturing associations in New Zealand, Australia, North America and South Africa who were invited by the UK’s Federation of Engine Remanufacturers to meet their counterparts from associations throughout the EU.

“The independent engine remanufacturing industry already plays a significant role in the recycling of engine parts. They tackle emission problems on a daily basis, reducing overall outputs on the existing vehicle parc. Collectively, our combined activities have a significant influence on the reduction of carbon emissions on a global scale. With greater governmental support, there is potential to expand the market for remanufactured engine products and increase quality standards within the industry significantly. This would have even further implications for emissions savings, worldwide,” says FER secretary Brian Ludford.

Although used by the Original Equipment manufacturers to support their own remanufacturing programmes, the existence of the independent engine remanufacturers often conflicts with the new business strategies of the OE suppliers and vehicle manufacturers themselves. The result is that the very survival of independent engine remanufacturers is under constant threat.

“While lobbying governments for more responsibility with respect to recycling issues, the vehicle manufacturers are quietly acquiring greater control of the scrap vehicle market and putting a stranglehold on the availability of product for recycling,” says John Goodman, US delegate from the American Engine Remanufacturing Association (AERA). “Meanwhile, our expertise and potential influence on emission reduction is being eroded. We hope The WERC will open a few political doors so that our views can be heard at the highest level.”

The WERC will be based in Brussels, a move designed to provide the new body with greater credibility from day one:

“If our message is going to be heard anywhere, it needs to be heard in Brussels. The OE manufacturers have lobbying groups based there. The major automotive bodies, such as FIGIEFA, are already based there. Our own European body, FIRM, already has an office there. It makes sense that The WERC is there, too,” says Philipe Maerten, the representative of the Belgian engine remanufacturing association, ARSA.