Automotive parts with sustainable benefits Remanufactured automotive products create jobs, conserve up to 85% material/energy, have a huge positive impact on the ?greenhouse effect?, protect our environment, and significantly reduce costs for end users. Approx. 10% of the current automotive spare-parts aftermarket consists of refurbished parts. The availability of remanufactured parts from alternators to wiper motors is constantly on the rise. Remanufacturing The European automotive remanufacturing business is worth approximately 10 billion Euros in retail sales*. A remanufactured part functions the same as the original part. It is refurbished from an existing part (core), using standardized industrial processes in line with specific technical specifications. A remanufactured part comes with the same warranty as a new part, is given a part number, and is clearly identifiable as a remanufactured part.

The European division of APRA (Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association) and FIRM (International Association of Engine Rebuilders & Remanufacturers) have entered into a strategic alliance for a more sustainable automotive aftermarket. FIRM and APRA represent 22.000 remanufacturing employees in the European Union. Together they will boost the promotion of automotive remanufacturing.

Both boards - APRA's in Krakow (April 2012) and FIRM's in Istanbul (May 2012) - approved a mutual membership. This step will certainly lead to a fruitful and effective alliance with initial focus on lobbying the remanufacturing industry and their ideas and matters in Brussels.

"The cooperation is a big step forward to sharpen the image of remanufacturing in Europe." stated Peter Bartel, Chairman APRA Europe, "It will enable more effective promotion of remanufacturing for the benefit of all APRA and FIRM members."

Philippe Maerten, President FIRM, said: "FIRM and APRA Europe combining their forces, will open new horizons in the awareness of remanufacturing. This alliance will be highly beneficial for our business, our members and the end consumers."

APRA Europe website

With the start of the New Year FIRM welcomes a new member: GMY - Turkey GMY is the national association gathering engine rebuilders and remanufacturers in Turkey. Today, GMY is the leading corporate body that represents the interests of Turkish engine rebuilders. The association has 40 members located in 31 different cities of Turkey. The membership of GMY is restricted to the engine-rebuilding companies whose standards match a strict engine and machining specification. These specification includes surface roughness measuring devices, special plateau honing equipments, crack detectors, ISO 9001-2008 standards. GMY has its own ?Standards of Service? documents for rebuilding and remanufacturing of internal combustion engines that define the standards for rebuilt/remanufactured engine. GMY is also responsible for conducting audits among GMY members to ensure the quality of rebuilding operations. More information on www.gmy.com.tr

January 2011 sees the launch of our new website. Developped by AnatalPro, the website has been redesigned and rebranded in collaboration with French corporate branding agency Profil-Créatif. The website containes many features such as information on what is remanufacturing, latest association and industry news and improved usability and navigation.

At the occasion of the Automechanika Trade Fair, FIRM members have gathered in Frankfurt (Germany) for the annual FIRM General Assembly.