View the Latest on ARA University!
ARA University is always adding valuable resources to further our members and employees online learning. NEW courses added over the summer include:
General Business Standards – This is the first step in CAR certification. ARA members may be surprised to find that they are already doing many, if not all, of the general business standards required in the certification process. Learn more in this module.
High Voltage Vehicle Best Practices – Valuable information for all automotive recyclers, this module details the ARA certification expectations and best practices for handling all types of high voltage vehicles. The module is separated into three sections: readiness, technical training, and HVV dismantling protocol, and provides a standard operating procedure for the safe management of any electric or hybrid vehicle.
Sales – Also NEW is a recorded session taped live in Dallas, Texas during ARA’s 78th Annual Convention & Exposition featuring Profit Team. Everyone wants to build and form a strong and competitive sales team. This new resource goes over the fundamentals of building the right team. From recruiting team members to training the fundamentals of sales including in-stock sales, brokering and warranty while developing growth within the team.
Self-Service – A panel of three top operators share about daily operations, including commodity recovery, vehicle acquisition, sales, sales, marketing and more.
These informative sessions are available NOW on ARA University: https://arauniversity.org/resources/industry-training/. And stay tuned for additional modules and a brand new virtual facility tour coming soon!
ARA Membership Renewal!
Thank you to all that have renewed membership for 2022-23! The new membership year is here. For those yet to renew, please submit it right away. You can process your renewal payment securely online (www.a-r-a.org) with a Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Please be sure to review your company’s membership information. If you need another copy of your invoice or link to pay online, please email kelly@a-r-a.org.
Renewals can also be made by phone at (571) 208-0428 from 9am-5pm Eastern Standard Time. Or mail the invoice with your payment to ARA, Attn. Kelly Badillo, 9113 Church Street, Manassas, VA 20110. We appreciate your continued membership support!
ARA Attends the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment
Last month, members of the ARA Executive Committee and staff attended the 2022 Suppliers Partnership for the Environment Summit at The Ohio State University. Since 2002, the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP) has been the leading forum for global automakers, large and small suppliers, and the U.S. EPA and other government entities to work together to improve the environmental sustainability and business value of the global automotive supply chain. At the summit, ARA had the opportunity to learn about how OEMs and their suppliers are working to reduce their carbon footprints from manufacturing. ARA’s Executive Director, Sandy Blalock, presented on the challenges and opportunities of the electric vehicle battery lifecycle. The ARA was able to promote the environmental benefits of automotive recycling and the importance of automotive recyclers as electric vehicles reach their end-of-life.
ARA Provides EPA with How Automotive Recycling Promotes Electric Vehicle Battery Reuse, Repurposing, and Recycling
This summer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice in the Federal Register requesting information to help with the agency’s development of best practices with respect to the collection of batteries to be recycled and the establishment of a program to promote battery recycling through the development of voluntary labeling guidelines. ARA leaders and staff saw this as an opportunity to both emphasize the importance of the automotive recycling industry on the reuse, repurposing, and recycling of electric vehicles and their batteries.
Over the last year, the federal government and car manufacturers have expressed serious concerns that there will be a shortage of the raw materials used in the manufacture of electric vehicle batteries (especially lithium-ion batteries) by 2024. As a result, federal government agencies and car manufacturers have been looking at ways to ensure that the United States has a readily available and circular supply of the materials used to manufacture lithium-ion batteries. As a result, the ARA communicated to the EPA that automotive recyclers are the largest collective owners of end-of-life vehicles and that the most viable solution to address raw material shortages for electric vehicle batteries is to support the reuse, repurposing, and recycling of electric vehicle batteries and their critical materials.
In response to the EPA’s request for information to assist in the development of labeling guidelines, the ARA urged the EPA to include the following information in the form of physical labels and an electronic database: (1) battery type and chemistry; (2) known pollutants and composition; (3) safety information; (4) where batteries can be located within a vehicle and how many batteries a vehicle contains; (5) how battery cells are connected; and (6) a vehicle identification number. All six of these pieces of information are critical to promote electric vehicle battery reuse, repurposing, and recycling. It is also critical in making sure that automotive recyclers can safely dismantle and reuse, repurpose, and recycle electric vehicle batteries.
Gone too Soon
Kennie Andersen, Past President – 1986
Andersen’s Sales & Salvage, Inc.
Greeley, CO
Following a short illness, Kenneth (Kennie) Everett Andersen of Greeley, Colorado, was welcomed home by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 7. Services were held October 1st in Greeley, CO. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dayspring Christian Academy, 3734 W. 20th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80634. His obituary is found at http://andersensales.com/kennie-andersen-in-memoriam-1936-2022/.
Don Beagell, Jr., Past President – 1993
Don’s Automotive Mall
Binghamton, NY
Donald Beagell, Jr., of Sebastian, FL and formerly of Binghamton, NY, went home to be with the Lord on August 30th. A celebration of Don’s life was held on September 3. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local food pantry or Doctors Without Borders (donate.doctorswithoutborders.org). His obituary is found at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/binghamton-ny/donald-beagell-10908323.
WELCOME NEW AND RETURNING MEMBERS
A. E. Minotto Auto Parts
Acres Auto Parts
Austin Wrench-A-Part
Bill’s Towing & Auto Repair, LLC
Bulk Blades and Bits
Busti Auto Parts
C & C Metal Recycling, LLC
Chattanooga Converter Core
Columbia Auto Parts, Inc.
First Coast Core
G & T Auto Sales
Gator Used Auto Parts
Honeycomb Catalytics Inc.
I-80 Auto Parts
Kings Recycled Auto Parts & Auto Sales, Inc.
Lubbock Wrench-A-Part
McKee Wrecker & Salvage, Inc.
Midwest Automotive Trucking, Ltd
MPG Transport
Mr. Reliable Wrecking
Northside Salvage Yard, Inc.
Nova International LLC
OK Auto Parts
Pensacola Auto Parts
San Antonio Wrench-A-Part
Stephens Brothers LLC
Team Auto Parts
TFWW
Walter’s Auto Wrecking
West Side Auto Parts LLC
Wholesale Auto Parts Warehouses
