United Recyclers Group (URG) has announced the release of a new training tool designed to promote understanding of the modern automotive recycling industry.

Prepared by the URG Advisory Group, a collection of almost 25 experts representing all aspects of automotive recycling, information providers (including parts location services and estimating software), auto insurance, and collision and repair industries, the comprehensive presentation is aimed at a number of audiences.  The PowerPoint presentation, “Green, Lean, and Sustainable: The New Era of Automotive Recycling,” is now available from URG.  It will also be distributed at the URG hospitality suite at NACE, the International Autobody Congress & Exposition, held in Las Vegas, Nov. 5-8, 2008.

 “The launch of this training tool is another major achievement for URG,” says Michelle Alexander, URG executive director. “It fills a crucial need, and we expect it to be used extensively by recyclers as well as others in the collision and repair and insurance industries. The automotive recycling industry is changing dramatically, and it’s important for everyone to understand who we are today.  Automotive recycling is green, it is sustainable, and it is very cost-effective. Our quality is top notch, and the use of our original equipment (OE) recycled parts means the insurance industry, body shops and the end customer all need to know that they are getting best in class when they buy recycled.  This presentation does that, and more.”

Jim Watson, owner of ABC Auto Parts (Blue Island, IL) and past president of the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) has been involved in this effort as a member of the URG Advisory Group from the start. He says that “the ARA is excited about this opportunity and wholly supports and endorses this presentation. We enthusiastically encourage everyone to view it and use it. The ARA will be using this training tool as a component in a comprehensive nationwide legislative program designed to help elected officials and others in government understand what we do in the automotive recycling industry.” 

A leader in the automotive insurance industry who has been involved since the formation of the URG Advisory Group is Don Porter, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, FFSI, FLMI, auto consultant, property & casualty claims for State Farm Insurance (Bloomington, IL).

“This presentation will help improve the understanding and use of recycled auto parts,” says Denise Caspersen, collision division manager of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) and a charter member of the URG Advisory Group. “This training tool is important to ASA because it will give us the ability to improve communication between our members in the repair industry with insurers and automotive recyclers. We all share a common goal of improving the repair industry, and now we’ve got a great educational tool for everyone.”

“The damaged vehicle repair industry is on the front lines when it comes to dealing with consumers and the use of recycled auto parts,” says Tim Adelmann, executive vice president of Business Development for ABRA Auto Body & Glass, (Minneapolis, MN) and a URG Advisory Board member. “Most of our customers need more information about the benefits of recycled auto parts, especially the green and cost savings aspects. This presentation will be a great tool for helping us in the repair industry have the information we need to get the message out.”

With 92 repair centers operating in eleven states, ABRA Auto Body & Glass is a national damaged vehicle repair company specializing in collision repair, paintless dent removal, and auto glass repair and replacement.

“We will directly benefit from the widespread use of this presentation,” says Charles Lukens, CEO of APU Solutions (Overland Park, KS) and long-time member of the URG Advisory Group.

Over the past decade, his company has built a complex digital Web linking all the collision-repair players: insurance carriers, estimating companies, repair centers, and parts suppliers of all types. “In this tight economy, the cost effectiveness of auto parts recycling makes more sense than ever. Not only that, but it’s green, it’s sustainable and it just makes good business sense. The URG Advisory Group is in the right place at the right time with this training tool.”
 
Consolidated recyclers are on board too, says Mary Lou Silveira, director of sales and marketing for Greenleaf Auto Recyclers  (Arlington, Texas) and URG Advisory Group member. She says “this training tool is a great first step in bringing the recycling industry together to continue to develop the best practices and standards our industry can use to drive awareness in the collision and mechanical repair markets.  I predict it is going to be used widely.”

The PowerPoint presentation is expected to be available in several formats, depending on the audience and length of time available for the presenter.  “Green, Lean, and Sustainable: The New Era of Automotive Recycling” covers the history of automotive recycling, highlights the benefits, explains the evolution of the industry and describes a range of best in class processes. In addition, a number of focal points for the recycling industry are explained.

“What we are really trying to do with this presentation is get everyone up-to-date”, say URG’s Michelle Alexander. “Most people still conjure up an image of the old-fashioned junkyard when they hear about automotive recycling. It’s important to change that misperception, and understand that our industry is green, lean and sustainable. 

Inquiries should be directed to Michelle Alexander at (303) 367-4391. For more information, visit www.u-r-g.com.