By Jason Howell, All Import Auto Parts, ARA Interchange Committee Member 

As we begin a new year, we are excited about the opportunities and changes ahead for us as auto recyclers. Change is inevitable and happens in every industry, and is happening at a faster rate now more than ever. As electronic sourcing of parts continues to grow, so does how we sell our parts. With the ease of electronic sourcing comes many questions and changes that need to be made.  

Over the past several months, ARA’s Interchange Committee has worked on door-shell interchange. Since we sell to body and repair shops, most repair shops are swapping out as many of the internals as they can. The committee has been working with Hollander to create an interchange for door shells only, with those parts displayed on electronic platforms such as Car-Part.com, PartsTrader, and OPSTrax. This will allow us to show more inventory to our customers, as interchange written at the door shell level will allow greater fluctuation in what fits. 

The ARA Interchange Committee discussed the possibility that our interchange could be too detailed for our customers’ needs. If the repair shops are only interested in the door shell alone, then that is what we should be selling them. What we changed is the alphanumeric interchange on doors, where the regulator, glass, and handles affect the interchange number. The main difference is the alphanumeric number at the end of the interchange. For example, if you have a door with an A-D interchange at the end and you have one of each in stock, when the shop sources that door, they only see one door in inventory rather than all four. Or worse, if you have them all under B interchange and the shop only ever looks up a D interchange, your parts never make it to the estimate. This situation is exactly what the Interchange Committee is trying to change for us this year and moving forward. If the shops only want a shell, we are going to show them all the door shells in their area so we can sell more within the collision industry.  

We have been working diligently with URG and Hollander to get the interchange written so it can be displayed on platforms like Car-Part.com, PartsTrader, and OPS-Trax. Instead of the shops narrowing down their options, they are selecting the door shell and seeing more inventory available from the yards in their area. There is an abundance of doors available that will work for them. We want to make sure they can see all available inventory.  

Body shops and insurance companies are some of our biggest customers. These relationships are a big part of what we do, yet our market share is ever-shrinking. As electronic sourcing of parts continues to grow, so must our interchange and our ability to adapt to what our customers need. The ability of our experienced sales staff to sell the correct parts the first time is shrinking. We must improve our inventory and how it is displayed to our customers. 

Since we were on the path of creating a new interchange for doors, we have also worked on fenders, bed boxes, trunk lid, and hatches. As we continue down the path of electronic sourcing of parts, it will become even more important to understand how customers search for parts and which ones they are most likely to find. If we can stay ahead of the curve, we can continue to grow strong in the markets we are already selling in.  

If you would like to start displaying non-exact interchange through URG, contact URG and request that they update your data feeds settings to display it through PartsTrader and OPSTrax. 

Updates to Parts Prep & Shipping Guidelines 

The industry’s uniform set of standards guiding part preparation and shipping were recently updated and are currently available. First published in April of 2024, the standards are the result of a collaborative effort between ARA, URG and Team PRP and have been promoted throughout industry conferences, training, and organizational resources. 

Updates include adding the use of nylon banding of proper width and strength for engines and transmissions, as well as requiring that engines must be in a cradle, banded to an appropriate size pallet. For suspensions/crossmember and carrier/transfer cases, language was added about the use of a pallet if over 50lbs. 

To review the Part Preparation and Shipping Guidelines, please visit https://www.youtube.com/@AutomotiveRecyclersAssociation/playlists to view 12-part series of two-to six minute videos. 

“The collaboration between ARA/URG/Team PRP on these guidelines and other initiatives continues to move our industry forward in a way that benefits all auto recyclers,” said Vince Edivan, ARA Executive Director. 

ARA’s Earth Day Social Media a Success! 

The Earth Day campaign was materials put together by the Awareness Committee. The goal was to provide a coordinated set of ready-to-use social media graphics that ARA members could utilize.  

The Committee and ARA are working to create more plug-and-play marketing materials that will be made available as a member benefit. The graphics were designed by the Awareness Committee and future similar resources will be posted in the Member Portal – soon to be released. 

ARA Convention & Expo Sponsorship Packages Now Available 

Showcase your brand, connect with industry leaders, and position your company at the forefront of automotive recycling by sponsoring ARA’s 83rd Annual Convention & Expo. 

Explore our sponsorship packages—from Premier to Bronze—and find the level that fits your goals. 

Looking for even more ways to stand out? A variety of à la carte opportunities are also available, giving you the flexibility to customize your presence and  

connect with attendees in the ways that matter most to your business. 

Secure your spot today and build the sponsorship experience that works for you. 

By Maura Keller 

At Conrad’s Auto Salvage, expertise and service go hand in hand. The Mondovi, Wisconsin–based operation has built its reputation on providing quality used auto parts for late-model vehicles, serving both foreign and domestic cars and light trucks. But behind that offering is a family-driven business that has steadily evolved over three decades—adapting to industry shifts, embracing technology, and maintaining a strong commitment to its community.  

From its humble beginnings with a single building and no inventory to a thriving, multi-building operation processing thousands of vehicles each year, Conrad’s Auto Salvage exemplifies the resilience and adaptability of a family-run business. By embracing innovation while staying grounded in customer service and community values, the company is well-positioned to navigate the evolving landscape of automotive recycling for years to come. 

In this Q&A, Jerry Conrad shares insights into the company’s origins, growth, operational strategies, and the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of automotive recycling. 

Automotive Recycling magazine: Conrad’s Auto Salvage has built a strong reputation in the region. Can you share the company’s history and how it first got started in Mondovi?  

Jerry Conrad: Ronald Conrad owned a salvage yard in Baldwin, Wisconsin, and sold that to pursue other things. In 1994, Ronald and I found a small ad in The Trading Post advertising a salvage yard for sale. We purchased that yard in Mondovi—it had one building and zero cars—and that’s where we began our journey. 

In 2019, I bought Ron out when he “retired,” and in 2021, our son Cody began buying into the business. He’ll continue the operation moving forward. It’s always been a family business, and that continuity is something we’re proud of. 

AR: How has the business evolved over the years in terms of size, capabilities and the types of vehicles or materials you process? 

Conrad: We started out with just the two of us, and after 30 years, we’ve grown to more than 20 employees. Early on, we were processing a couple of hundred cars a year. Today, we’re processing more than 1,000 vehicles annually. 

That growth has been supported by several building expansions over the years. In 1996, we built our first addition, which started as a dismantling space and is now used for warehouse storage. In 2001, we completed a full office remodel and added cold storage.  

In 2005, we added an inventory shop where we catalog incoming vehicles. 

By 2014, we expanded again with a tear-down building that has four bays, allowing us to dismantle multiple vehicles at once. Then, in 2019, we connected the original office building to the tear-down facility, creating additional inventory space and a dedicated area for quality checks and shipping. We also added a fluids shop, originally designed to drain vehicles before tear down, which has since evolved into a space for tire and oil services as we expanded into additional offerings. 

AR: What have been some of the key milestones or turning points that shaped your growth and long-term success? 

Conrad: One of the biggest turning points came in 2009 with the Cash for Clunkers program. While it was controversial in many ways for the broader economy, it brought a major influx of vehicles into our yard. Our inventory doubled, and we had significantly more parts to process and sell. 

That growth led us to open a retail location in Altoona, Wisconsin. Later, in 2015, we added a second retail location in Menomonie to better serve our local communities. 

In 2019, when we completed the remodel of our main yard, we made the decision to close the Menomonie location due to staffing challenges. Then, in 2021, we sold the Altoona location and moved operations to a larger facility in Eau Claire, where we could offer additional services, such as oil changes and tire installation. 

Most recently, in 2025, we made the difficult decision to close the Eau Claire location due to ongoing staffing shortages and bring everything back under one roof in Mondovi. That move allows us to focus on what matters most – customer service and satisfaction. 

AR: What core services and products does Conrad’s Auto Salvage offer today, and how have those offerings evolved in response to market demand? 

Conrad: Our primary focus continues to be the sale of used auto parts to individuals, body shops, and other salvage yards. That’s the backbone of our business. 

More recently, we’ve expanded into services like tire sales and oil changes. Offering those services has helped us build stronger relationships with customers and bring them back more often, especially those purchasing used tires. It’s about meeting customer needs where they are and providing more value in one place. 

AR: How has the rise of newer vehicle technologies—such as electric vehicles and advanced driver-assistance systems—impacted your operations and inventory? 

Conrad: Electric vehicles present a unique challenge for our industry. They’re much more complicated to dismantle, and there are safety concerns when working on them. Because of that, we limit the number of electric vehicles we purchase. We don’t buy fully electric vehicles, and we only take in a small number of hybrids. 

There are also risks, particularly with battery fires. If an electric vehicle catches fire, it can take days to fully extinguish and requires extended monitoring to make sure it doesn’t reignite. That’s a significant concern for any salvage yard. 

As the industry continues to evolve, figuring out how to safely and effectively handle these vehicles will be a major focus. 

AR: What role does technology play in your business today, from inventory management to parts sales and dismantling processes? 

Conrad: Technology is a big part of our day-to-day operations. It starts the moment a vehicle enters our yard. We use systems like Powerlink and Inventory Buddy to catalog both the vehicles and the individual parts we plan to sell. 

We also rely on EZ-Suite to assign parts and vehicles to different departments. That helps streamline workflows­—for example, moving a part from being pulled off a vehicle to quality control and then to shipping. 

On top of that, we use Power DB to locate parts and vehicles quickly within our system. All of this technology helps us stay organized, efficient, and responsive to customer needs. 

AR: Workforce development remains a challenge across the industry. How are you attracting, training, and retaining skilled employees? 

Conrad: We’re fortunate to have a great group of employees. They’re like family to us, not just workers. That culture makes a big difference in retention. 

Like many in the industry, we face challenges in finding new, qualified employees. We rely heavily on word-of-mouth referrals from our current staff. If an employee refers someone who turns out to be a good fit, they receive a bonus. That approach helps ensure we’re bringing in people who align with our values and work ethic. 

AR: Sustainability is central to automotive recycling. How does Conrad’s approach environmental responsibility and resource recovery? 

Conrad: Environmental responsibility is a core part of what we do. We work with JAK Environmental to manage our stormwater permits and maintain our CARS certification. 

We also make sure that all fluids and materials are properly handled and recycled. Used oil is repurposed through waste oil burners to heat our facility. Antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, and batteries are all recovered, recycled, and resold whenever possible. 

At the end of the day, our business is about giving materials a second life, and we take that responsibility seriously. 

AR: What sets Conrad’s Auto Salvage apart from other recyclers in the region, and how do you maintain strong relationships with customers and partners? 

Conrad: We go out of our way to locate parts for our customers, even if it means looking beyond our own inventory. That level of service helps build trust and long-term relationships. 

We’re also very involved in our local community.  

We host training sessions at our facility, attend community events, and volunteer whenever we can. Being active in the community helps us stay connected and reinforces the relationships that have supported our business over the years. 

AR: Looking ahead, what opportunities and challenges do you see shaping the future of your business and the automotive recycling industry as a whole? 

Conrad: One of the biggest challenges will be figuring out how to handle electric vehicles and their components. As more of those vehicles enter the market, the industry will need to develop safe and effective methods for recycling them.

Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Maura Keller is  

a seasoned writer, editor, and published author, with more than 20 years of experience. She frequently writes for various regional and national publications. 

 Send your photo(s) as high resolution JPG format, along with a description or identification of the people/things included to caryn@a-r-a.org.

I’ve been finishing off a building that I put up in Ottawa. It is brand new construction, and it’s going to be a distribution center between Toronto and the Montreal auto recyclers. 

Ottawa is strategically centered in a great spot. This new building, which took a year to finish, was completed in early April. It’s pretty exciting for our team in Ottawa to be able to have other recyclers use this as a hub-and-spoke distribution center. 

The building is on a 60’ x 80’ new concrete pad, and the building itself is 80’ Length x 40’ Wide x 18” High, (3200 sq. ft). There are four oversized doors (10’ x 14’) for the trucks so the facility can exchange parts between the two provinces (Quebec & Ontario)!  

We hired Tower Steel Buildings to do everything for us, including permitting, design, construction—everything except the garage doors, the man doors, and the windows. 

We overdid it. It is commercial strength quality (for the snow load, etc.), so it’s a building for the future! 

Our anticipation is that there will be six partners using the building. We are currently reviewing the hub-and-spoke distribution model to plan how that will work going forward.  

Currently, we are doing it now, but not as sophisticated and seamless as we will be next month. Other parts trading trucks have inquired to use the building and we are open to that as well. Anything we can do to help grow the recycled parts marketplace, we will do!   

“Retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of the open highway.”  

— Unknown 

When most people think of retirement, they imagine stopping work completely at 65, living off savings, and perhaps traveling a little. But for entrepreneurs, retirement looks very different. Business owners don’t simply clock out one day; their work and identity are deeply intertwined.  

The challenge, then, is not just financial; it’s psychological. Retirement for entrepreneurs requires redefining purpose, maintaining identity, and ensuring stability. It is about freedom, not just the absence of work. 

The Financial Reality 

Many small business owners underestimate what they’ll need in retirement. Unlike traditional employees, they don’t always have pensions or 401(k) matches. Instead, they must create their own safety nets through: 

• Personal savings and investments. 

• Selling or passing down the business. 

• Real estate or rental income. 

• Retirement accounts like IRAs, Roths, or SEPs. 

Christine Benz, retirement planning director at Morningstar, highlights that the biggest risk isn’t outliving money, it’s outliving health and being unprepared for healthcare costs.  

Smart retirement planning includes both financial and health security. 

Benjamin Graham, in The Intelligent Investor, reminds us that wealth is not about chasing every hot opportunity but about discipline, patience, and building a foundation of safety.  

For entrepreneurs, that foundation means not putting every egg in the “business basket. 

Why Entrepreneurs Struggle to Retire? 

1. Business Dependence. All wealth is tied up in the company. 

2. Identity Crisis. Work is life; without it, who are they? 

3. Lack of Diversification. Too much focus on growth, not enough on personal wealth building. 

4. Denial. Believing they will “work forever,” only to face sudden health or family crises. 

Robin Ryan, in Retirement Reinvention, explains that the most successful retirees are those who create new identities and projects, not those who stop working  

cold turkey. 

Building the Retirement You Deserve 

1. Define What Retirement Means to You. For some, it means full stop: no more business responsibilities. For others, it means scaling back, consulting, or mentoring. Clarity here shapes all financial decisions. 

2. Diversify Income Streams Early. Real estate rentals, dividend-paying ETFs, and side investments create passive income. This way, when business slows, life doesn’t. 

3. Create a Business Exit Plan. Whether selling, passing to family, or winding down, a clear succession plan ensures maximum value. Without it, years of hard work can vanish. 

4. Focus on Health Now. Retirement is worthless without the energy to enjoy it. Nutrition, exercise, and preventive care should be treated like financial planning. 

5. Build Community Beyond Work. Entrepreneurs often neglect friendships outside the business world. Retirement can feel lonely without new communities. Clubs, hobbies, and volunteering create purpose. 

Balancing Saving and Living 

One of the most overlooked parts of retirement planning is balance. Your Money or Your Life teaches us that every dollar represents hours of life energy. If you spend 30 years working and save diligently, only to never enjoy the fruits of that labor, have you really lived? 

Bill Perkins, in Die With Zero, argues the goal is not to die with the largest bank account, but to maximize life experiences while you are healthy enough to enjoy them. Retirement planning must therefore include both “security” and “memories.” 

A practical rule: dedicate 70% of surplus funds to saving and investing, and 30% to experiences now. Travel, family milestones, and personal growth should not be deferred indefinitely. 

Lessons from Psychology and Coaching 

• Purpose is Power: Viktor Frankl taught that humans can endure any “how” if they have a “why.” Retirees with a clear purpose report higher happiness. 

• Habits Matter: Just as James Clear emphasized in Atomic Habits, daily routines determine fulfillment. Retirement routines are as critical as work routines. 

• Financial Mindset: Dave Ramsey reminds us that freedom comes not from income, but from living without debt and building assets. 

• Emotional Balance: Your Money or Your Life challenges us to measure wealth not only in dollars, but in time, freedom, and fulfillment. 

Which One Are You? 

Let’s talk about the unprepared owner and the planned retiree. One yard operator assumed he would sell the business to fund retirement. But when health issues forced him to step down, the company wasn’t attractive to buyers. With no savings, he faced financial stress during what should have been restful years. Another owner began diversifying at 40, buying rentals, investing in index funds, and training a successor. At 65, he worked part-time as a consultant, earned passive income, and finally had time for travel and family. His retirement was not an end; it was an evolution.  

In order to plan your retirement, you can work on these exercises: 

1. The Retirement Vision Board. Write or visualize what a perfect retirement day looks like. Where are you? What are you doing? With whom? 

2. Income Mapping. List all potential retirement income sources: business,  

investments, rental properties, etc.  

See if it matches your lifestyle vision. 

3. Succession Conversations. If family is involved, have early discussions about ownership, inheritance, and responsibilities. 

4. The Experience Ledger. Inspired by Die With Zero, list the top 10 experiences you want before age 70. Put them on a timeline. Start budgeting for them now. 

5. Try the “Test Retirement.” Take one week each year where you live as if you were retired. No business, no emails.  

Just the lifestyle you imagine. This reveals both what excites you and what gaps you need to fill—financially and emotionally. Also, borrow from The Intelligent Investor: create a disciplined portfolio that prioritizes long-term safety over short-term speculation.  

Retirement should never depend on luck. 

By mixing stoic and spiritual wisdom, Marcus Aurelius reminded himself daily of mortality:  

“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.”  

Retirement is not about the end—it is about the urgency of living fully now. In addition, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, in her reflections on death and renewal, highlighted that acceptance of life’s seasons allows us to embrace transitions with grace. Retirement is one such transition. 

Therefore, the retirement you deserve is not about stopping work; it’s about creating freedom, security, and joy. For entrepreneurs, that means planning not just for money, but for purpose. 

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” – Proverb. By planting seeds of savings, health, and community today, business owners can harvest a retirement that is not just comfortable but deeply fulfilling.  

Blessings.  

 Carlos Barboza is the owner of Eco Green Auto Parts, Orlando, FL. Their website is https://ecogautoparts.com and they can be found on Facebook @ecogreenautoparts.

 By Zach Schauls

The goal is clear: to equip automotive recyclers with the knowledge and skills necessary to process high-voltage vehicles safely and efficiently, while also preparing them for future developments that will continue to reshape the industry. 

By embracing these opportunities, the auto recycling industry can play a key role in the circular economy.

“I don’t recycle electric vehicles.”  

It’s a phrase still heard across the industry, but it no longer reflects reality. The truth is that many recyclers are already handling high-voltage vehicles, whether they realize it or not. A 10-year-old hybrid SUV may look no different from a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle on the outside, yet under the hood, or more often, beneath the floor, there may be a high-voltage system capable of causing serious harm if not properly identified and managed. The misconception that high-voltage vehicles are rare, obvious, or easy to avoid is precisely why updated training has become so critical. 

The rapid evolution of the automotive industry over the past two decades has fundamentally reshaped not only how vehicles are designed and manufactured, but also how they must be handled at the end of their life cycle. Nowhere is this transformation more evident than in the rise of high-voltage vehicles (HVVs), including hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and fully electric vehicles (EVs). As these technologies have advanced, so too have the complexities and risks associated with dismantling and recycling them. 

In response, the Automotive Recyclers Training Institute (ARTI) has undertaken an ongoing project to revise high-voltage vehicle training—an effort that represents a critical step toward ensuring the auto recycling industry remains safe, effective, and aligned with modern technological realities.  

From the earliest days of hybrid vehicle adoption, the organization recognized that high-voltage systems would introduce new challenges that traditional dismantling practices were not equipped to handle. This foresight led to the development of one of the industry’s first comprehensive guides focused specifically on high-voltage vehicle safety and dismantling procedures. 

The original training materials developed by ARA were built around early hybrid models, which at the time represented the cutting edge of automotive electrification. These vehicles introduced entirely new concepts to many in the recycling sector: high-voltage battery packs, electric drive motors, and complex power electronics. While those early hybrids were relatively simple compared to today’s vehicles, they marked a turning point. They required technicians to rethink how they approached vehicle systems—especially when it came to electrical hazards, stored energy, and safe deactivation procedures. 

As the automotive industry accelerated toward electrification, however, the limitations of those early training materials became increasingly clear. Modern electric vehicles are far more sophisticated than their predecessors. They operate at significantly higher voltages, utilize larger, more energy-dense battery packs, and incorporate advanced thermal management systems. In addition, integrated software now plays a major role in controlling safety mechanisms and system behavior, adding another layer of complexity for recyclers. 

Unlike traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, which are primarily mechanical, high-voltage vehicles are deeply rooted in electrical and electronic systems. This shift introduces a range of new risks, including electric shock, arc flash (essentially an electrical explosion), fire hazards, and chemical exposure from damaged battery components. These are not theoretical risks; they are real, and they require a new level of awareness and preparation. 

Vehicle design itself has also evolved in ways that directly impact dismantling. Many EV battery packs are mounted along the bottom of the vehicle, often forming part of the structural platform. This means that improper lifting—such as using forks or contact points in the wrong location—can damage the battery pack. That damage may not be immediately visible, but it can lead to delayed thermal events, including fires that occur hours or even days after the initial incident. For recyclers accustomed to lifting vehicles from traditional frame points, this represents a significant change in procedure and mindset. 

Recognizing these challenges, ARTI has taken proactive steps to revise its high-voltage vehicle training program. The goal is clear: to equip automotive recyclers with the knowledge and skills necessary to process high-voltage vehicles safely and efficiently, while also preparing them for future developments that will continue to reshape the industry. 

One of the most important advancements in this revised program is the transition from static written guides to a more dynamic, multimedia learning experience. Through ARA University, the organization has developed a training platform that delivers content in a virtual classroom environment. This approach allows learners to engage more deeply with the material, combining visual instruction with practical demonstrations. 

Visual learning is especially valuable when dealing with high-risk procedures. It reinforces critical safety concepts and helps ensure that technicians understand not only what to do but also how to do it correctly. In a field where mistakes can have serious consequences, this level of clarity is essential. 

Beyond technical procedures, the training also emphasizes situational awareness and decision-making. No two vehicles are exactly alike, and even within the same model, variations in condition, damage, or prior modifications can introduce new risks.  

Technicians are encouraged to assess each vehicle individually, identify potential hazards, and adapt their approach accordingly. This mindset—thinking before acting—is one of the most important safety tools available. 

A key strength of ARTI’s training initiative is its commitment to collaboration. By partnering with leading research institutions such as Argonne National Laboratory, ARTI has incorporated cutting-edge scientific knowledge into its materials. Argonne brings deep expertise in battery technology, energy systems, and advanced materials—areas that are directly relevant to the challenges recyclers face every day. 

This collaboration ensures that the training program is not just reactive, but forward-looking. As battery technologies continue to evolve—moving toward solid-state designs, new chemistries, and higher energy densities, the risks and handling requirements will also change. By integrating insights from Argonne, ARTI is helping to prepare recyclers for what’s next, not just what exists today. 

The pace of technological change in the automotive sector is unprecedented, and no single organization can keep up on its own. Collaboration between industry groups, researchers, and recyclers themselves is essential for developing effective, standardized approaches.  

This shared effort helps reduce variability across the industry and improves overall safety outcomes. 

It also addresses an important, often-overlooked reality: high-voltage systems are no longer limited to fully electric vehicles. Many modern internal combustion vehicles—including trucks and SUVs—now incorporate hybrid systems or high voltage components that may not be immediately obvious. These “hidden” systems can catch recyclers off guard if proper identification procedures are not followed. Updated training ensures that workers know what to look for, even when high voltage presence is not clearly marked. 

Safety remains the central focus of the training program, and for good reason. High-voltage systems store significant amounts of energy, even when a vehicle is powered down. Improper handling can result in electric shock, arc flash, or thermal runaway events. Understanding how to properly isolate and manage that energy is critical to preventing injuries and incidents. 

At the same time, the training emphasizes that safety is not just about individual knowledge; it is also about communication and teamwork. Dismantling high-voltage vehicles often requires multiple people, each with a specific role. Clear communication ensures that everyone understands the vehicle’s status, the steps being taken, and any hazards identified. A strong safety culture encourages workers to speak up, ask questions, and stop work if something doesn’t seem right. 

Looking ahead, the continued evolution of vehicle technology will bring new challenges.  

Autonomous systems, advanced sensors, and increased connectivity will further complicate vehicle design and dismantling processes. These developments will require ongoing updates to training programs and continued collaboration across the industry. 

ARTI’s proactive approach reflects a clear understanding of these challenges. By continuously updating its training and working with partners at the forefront of research, the organization is helping to ensure that recyclers are not left behind as the industry evolves. This is not just about keeping up—it’s about leading the way. 

Another major factor driving the need for updated training is the changing landscape of vehicle production. Many automakers have already committed to transitioning toward fully electric lineups within the next decade. As a result, the number of high-voltage vehicles entering the end-of-life stream will continue to grow. 

For recyclers, this means that handling high-voltage systems will soon become a core part of daily operations rather than a specialized task. It also presents new opportunities. Electric drivetrains and battery systems contain valuable materials, including rare-earth elements used in motor magnets, such as neodymium, cobalt, and nickel. Recovering these materials not only provides economic value but also supports the broader supply chain for future technologies. 

By embracing these opportunities, the auto recycling industry can play a key role in the circular economy. Recovering and reusing materials reduces the need for new resource extraction, lowers environmental impact, and supports the sustainable growth of electric mobility. But none of this is possible without the knowledge and training needed to do the work safely. 

Ultimately, the project to revise high voltage vehicle training represents a vital investment in the future of auto recycling. It acknowledges the reality that high voltage systems are already present across a wide range of vehicles—often in ways that are not immediately visible—and provides the tools needed to address that reality. 

“I don’t recycle electric vehicles” is no longer a safe assumption. The better approach is to assume the opposite: that any vehicle could contain high voltage components, and to be prepared accordingly. 

Through updated training, innovative learning methods, and strong industry partnerships, ARTI is helping recyclers make that shift. In doing so, it not only improves safety but also positions the industry to thrive in a rapidly changing automotive landscape.   

Zach Schauls graduated from Iowa State University, with a degree in mechanical engineering and a specialty in electric vehicle systems and sustainability for recycling. This passion began from dismantling hybrid transmissions, gaining hands-on experience with electric drivetrains and component recovery and sparked his interest in end-of-life vehicle processing and materials reuse, specifically for electric vehicles. Zach also conducts environmental and safety audits to help organizations improve compliance and reduce operational risks. His technical expertise brings a practical perspective to scaling electric vehicle recycling and advancing efficient, sustainable solutions in the evolving automotive industry.