The Automotive Recyclers Association's 83rd convention introduced the CARE certification program and digital sales platforms designed to expand markets for recycled parts by improving quality standards, traceability, and industry collaboration.
- The new CARE certification program (Certified Automotive Recycler of Excellence) requires documented procedures, annual audits, and covers parts grading, warranties, traceability, and recall screening.
- Over 600 recycling yards have upgraded to Powerlink 4.0, a yard management platform that integrates repair information and business analytics.
- Digital marketplaces like HollanderParts.com and Car-Part.com connect inventory with buyers through online platforms with pay-per-sale models.
- The Global Circularity Consortium is addressing barriers to recycled parts adoption including standardization, quality, and visibility through data and AI solutions.
- Industry focus areas include quality assurance, artificial intelligence, insurance partnerships, and women's leadership development through initiatives like WAVE.
Recycled parts quality, digital sales and closer links with repairers have been central themes at the Automotive Recyclers Association’s 83rd annual convention and exposition, held Oct. 14 to 17.
The gathering at the Cobb Galleria Centre combined education on business operations with supplier demonstrations and discussions about expanding the use of recycled parts. The ARA’s education program covered quality assurance, artificial intelligence, insurance, leadership, sales and performance measures for self-service facilities.
Two days before the convention began, the ARA and the United Recyclers Group, a member-owned network providing technology and business services to recyclers, launched a joint certification program.
Called Certified Automotive Recycler of Excellence, or CARE, the program requires documented procedures and annual audits. Requirements cover parts grading, warranties, vehicle and part traceability, recall screening, customer complaints and corrective action.
Participating facilities must hold the ARA’s existing Certified Automotive Recycler designation, appoint a quality manager, document procedures, track performance and complete an audit.
“Certification has to mean something,” said Vince Edivan, executive director of the ARA. “The objective is not to hand out another logo.”
The first year of participation is included with qualifying membership in either organization. Facilities have up to 12 months to complete onboarding and certification.
Cooperation between recyclers and other parts of the automotive industry was also discussed at the Global Circularity Consortium breakfast on Oct. 16.
The consortium connects manufacturing, repair, recycling, insurance and technology interests. Its priorities include common data standards, traceability and accountability, with the aim of supporting vehicle and parts reuse.
Jing Liao, chairwoman of the Solera Foundation and chief administrative officer at Solera, described the breakfast discussion in a public LinkedIn post shared by the ARA.
“No single industry can move the needle alone,” Liao wrote.
She described participation from insurance, multi-shop repair operators, independent vehicle dealers and recyclers. She also identified standardization, quality and visibility as barriers to wider adoption of recycled parts that data and AI could help address.
Solera, a Texas-based supplier of vehicle software, data and services, presented recycling technology through its Hollander business. More than 600 recycling yards had upgraded to Powerlink 4.0 by the time of an Oct. 15 announcement.
The convention presentation paired the yard management platform with Direct-Hit repair information and InsightsConnect business analytics. Hollander also promoted HollanderParts.com, an online marketplace with no joining fee or monthly subscription. Recyclers pay when they make a sale, with inventory synchronization through EDEN intended to reduce manual work.
Other suppliers focused on connecting inventory with buyers. WHI Solutions promoted Nexpart at booth 224. The business-to-business parts ordering platform connects more than 40,000 seller locations with more than 370,000 active professional buyers across automotive and other parts markets.
Car-Part.com listed booth 201 in its convention announcement. In the same newsletter, the recycled parts marketplace confirmed that Car Part Pro, Trading Partners and individual recycler websites were using Car-Part Interchange version 92.1.
The education offering extended beyond technology. In its convention preview, towing software and vehicle auction provider Autura listed sessions on self-service yard metrics, visual AI and damage codes, family business transitions, compensation and workplace culture. The preview also identified entrepreneur Susan Frew as the opening keynote speaker on using AI for business growth.
Women’s leadership was another focus. The Solera Foundation introduced Women Advancing the Vehicle Ecosystem, or WAVE, at the convention. An Oct. 16 session featured Meredith Zimmerman, Solera’s senior vice-president of vehicle repair and salvage solutions, and Emily Yancey, a member of the ARA’s executive committee. The foundation also promoted its free Leadership Academy.
“Our goal is to help customers see more, know more and ultimately capture more value from every vehicle and every part,” said Jeff Helget, vice-president at Hollander.
