By Nick Daurio
As I reflect on my years on the ARA Executive Committee, if I had to choose one of the many aspects to highlight that has had the most impact on me, I would have to choose certification – that’s become a passion of mine. I know I have written on this before, but I have an updated report you will want to hear, so keep reading.
When I joined the EC, I decided my first goal was to achieve CAR Certification at our facility. The investment in the CAR program is not so much about money. The fees that are charged for certification are very, very reasonable – it could easily be two or three times that amount. Time spent is the real investment, because you must do some hard work to work through the CAR checklist to qualify, you also must have a person managing the CAR records and you spend time in the audit process that occurs every other year.
Now, at our facility we do an audit every year because I make sure we’re always at the top of our game. One reason that we do annual audits – and I have mentioned this before – is on August 1, 2023, we had a site visit with five regulators: three from the state of Colorado Department of Health and Environment and two from the Environmental Protection Agency. If we had not prepared our facility several years prior with achieving CAR Certification, we could have been in a situation that could have cost us so much more money than what annual audits or certification costs.
The new part of our story is: In July 2024, we had another auditor from OSHA visit. A disgruntled employee filed four different violations on our facility with OSHA. The auditor came unannounced, and we had all the documentation needed to debunk those so-called violations, which were found to be falsely claimed. They also inspected the rest of our facility, and it passed.
This is a situation that any professional auto recycler has more of a chance happening than an EPA or related agency visit. If I look at the cost of our membership and the cost of CAR Certification, weighed against the potential financial cost of failing any part of the two separate audits we had in the last year – this is the reason I am passionate about being CAR Certified. I don’t have a thing to worry about, I can sleep at night and be proud of what we have here.
Furthermore, since CAR Certification is based on standards from OSHA, EPA, etc., this provides the staff buy-in and pride in their work environment. It is now a daily routine for us; what better feeling is that – what better investment could you make in your company? It ties quality control into your sales, which means more shops calling us, less problems, less damage, and less returns. The big picture of what certification has brought to our facility makes it my priority to promote the benefits.
When I look at ARA over the past four years, I am extremely proud to say that what I see from the leadership perspective is a strong, dedicated group of committee chairs and members, and foundation members, who have made a lot of progress. There are many great opportunities they’re working on for our industry. They are all volunteers, operating their own businesses, while serving the greater automotive recycling community. They’ve really done a good job, and they’re all good people. They keep the association moving forward.
One area with a lot of great potential is the importance of our digital footprint. Digital platforms are taking over, no segment of our life or business is excluded. Our industry must embrace it now, or we’re going to miss out on it. We have many opportunities to expand our reach and to communicate with each other – getting orders by text, asking advice in the Professional Salvage Yard Information Forum, embracing software to sell parts, engaging with insurance estimators electronically, and more.
As the industry moves more into a technological era, ARA will also widen its digital footprint, which is a main priority of the ARA Awareness Committee. Another footprint that is expanding is the sale of parts that are more interchangeable in application – stemming from the work of the Interchange Committee.
At the core of ARA is the membership, which includes a diversity of business models and owners. This year, the EC represents a cross section from Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Upper Midwest, and I would consider myself from the West. We are a variety of business models and sizes, but all are second- and third-generation owners. As a smaller, independent business in a smaller population farming community, and on our third generation of ownership, I felt that my involvement with the EC, and especially this year as president, proved to some recyclers that every member counts, no matter their size, geographic location, number of employees or vehicles that they tear down a year. If I could impact one recycler to take the next step, with certification, conference attendance, committee participation, or networking with people to get advice, it would be all worth my time spent.
I have learned more than ever these last four years – such as how valuable the professional auto recycler is in the supply chain and the circular economy than ever before. With the rise of the electronic vehicle, it is important to stay connected to the information that ARA offers to educate members on navigating the future with training, and being prepared for new opportunities.
The highlight of my executive committee journey was attending Hill Day this year in Washington, D.C. It provided a tremendous opportunity for strategy training. We spent an entire day learning how potential laws will impact our industry and how to share that with our representatives. When I met with mine, I felt that as a professional auto recycler that I was listened to and valued, and that I could make a difference.
There is so much change in a vehicle today. Our future will depend on identifying these parts, their value, interchangeability, and handling. We need to be educated on programming and testing tools, especially with electric batteries, whether it’s the state of health or the state of charge. For many years, we relied on the powertrain as our go-to parts. Now we must learn a different strategy for highest and best use of batteries and electronic parts. Emil Nusbaum and the Government Affairs Committee have made great strides with getting us to the table of many potential opportunities.
My best advice to offer you is get involved with ARA and your state association. If you’re not certified, please take a hard look at the program. If you need help, reach out for information about the Mentoring Program. We have tremendous industry leaders willing to share their time and experience. For a new, next generation or growth-oriented recycler wondering which direction to go, being mentored will get on the right path. It requires committed effort and hard work, but you’ll quickly see the pathway to lasting growth and success.
Use ARA University – it is absolutely free. Read this magazine, attend ARA conventions, participate in ARA advocacy and join one of ARA’s committees. All of these are ways to engage, learn and grow – and be a workplace that retains employees.
Lastly, I see a tremendous amount of young people in this industry, and I’d like to see them get involved. They are very intelligent. Many are second, third and fourth generation. As we migrate through change, these young stars will be an integral part of taking our next steps. They will be the next leaders of the industry’s growth and development as their priority, and with it they bring fresh ideas and perspectives. Make room in your business and our industry for them to step up, speak up, and level up – our future depends upon it.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your ARA President.
