12 million vehicles are scrapped every year in the USA, about 5% of a total fleet of around 250 million vehicles, and many of these vehicles are used to repair other vehicles and keep them on the road.
But how safe are these repaired vehicles?
I would happily let my wife and children drive a car that I have repaired, because I know the standards that I have applied to the repair, and I am confident in my ability and knowledge to complete the job correctly, but I would not let them drive a car where I had no knowledge of any repair that had been completed.
The newer the car, the worse it gets. In their quest to reduce weight whilst increasing strength vehicle manufacturers are turning to more exotic metals, including Aluminium and Ultra High Strength Steels, metals that cannot be sectioned and welded in the way that mild steel has been in the past. These metals are very heat sensitive, and too much heat can destroy the integrity of the metal, and this becomes an issue when the crash structure of a motor vehicle is analysed. Ultra High Strength Steels are used in areas of the vehicle body where occupant protection is of paramount importance, and a poor repair could be the difference between walking away from an accident and leaving on a stretcher or in a body bag.
But it is not just the metals used, it is also the knowledge and expertise of the technician completing the repair, do they recognise the type of metal used and adopt the most appropriate repair technique for the vehicle? Do they know what parts can be sectioned or repaired and which parts need replacing, and when replacing structural parts are they using the recommended welding or bonding techniques and materials? Techniques that maintain the strength of welded joints, the correct bonding material applied in the correct quantities using the right tools?
As an auto recycler and parts retailer do you know what areas of a vehicle body are Mild Steel, Aluminium, High Strength Steel or Ultra High Strength Steel? Does the customer purchasing that section or clip have the technical skills or knowledge to repair the vehicle correctly and safely with the parts you have supplied him? If the repaired vehicle was involved in another accident and an innocent person was killed or injured because parts supplied by you were not fitted correctly would you be hauled into court to answer some difficult questions? Even if you didn’t appear in court would you still be able to sleep at night knowing what had happened?
If you are employed in the body repair industry and haven’t received training updates in the recent 5 years then you need to be investing in training to make certain that you can repair a vehicle properly and not put innocent people at risk, and if you are authorising and paying for body repairs then you need to be certain that the technicians working on that vehicle have the correct training, expertise and tools to complete the work to the necessary standard.
I-CAR training (www.i-car.com) is an industry leading programme that reflects all of the latest body structures, materials and repair techniques that are needed in today’s body repair establishment, technicians trained under this programme will be to the highest available standard in the USA, and will also have access to the latest vehicle data and information.
Where do auto recyclers stand in all of this? I believe that there is a duty of care to make sure that any safety related areas of vehicle repair are completed by qualified technicians, and this includes body ‘clips’ or sections. Purchasers of these parts must be able to show that they are capable of completing a safe repair, that can either be their own qualifications or the use of an approved body repairer, and if they cannot then they are not able to purchase the part in question and are restricted to ‘bolt on’ parts only.
I know that there will be objections to this, and many will look at the possible loss of revenue that may occur, but the safety of other road users outweighs the financial penalty, and allows auto recyclers the comfort of knowing that they are doing the best for everyone.
Salvage Wire
Helping Automotive recyclers become leaders in their industry
Friday, 17 February 2012
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Complete Auto Recycling Show – Why it cannot be missed!
The difference between succeeding or failing in business is narrowing all the time, smart owners and operators are always looking for the competitive edge that will lift them above their opposition, or drive cost out of the operation and improve efficiency.
A day at the Complete Auto Recycling Show to be held in Skelmersdale in June 2012 could be one of the best investments that can be put into your business this year. The show brings all areas of the Auto recycling industry together, from vehicle collection, through de-pollution and dismantling, stock management and sales, crushing and shredding operators will all be showcasing their products and services. Insurers, Health and Safety, ‘Green’ Parts, Hybrids and Electric vehicles, and much more will be discussed during the show, and networking opportunities with delegates from all over the world will give valuable insight into best practices and tried and trusted techniques that could make the difference to your business..
More details can be found at www.cars-expo.com and http://irt-autorecycling.org/ for those interested in attending from outside of the United Kingdom.
Don’t keep it to yourself though, bring your family and your staff, use the show to learn, network, meet, and go away energised to develop your business and operation, improve efficiency, customer satisfaction and profits.
A day at the Complete Auto Recycling Show to be held in Skelmersdale in June 2012 could be one of the best investments that can be put into your business this year. The show brings all areas of the Auto recycling industry together, from vehicle collection, through de-pollution and dismantling, stock management and sales, crushing and shredding operators will all be showcasing their products and services. Insurers, Health and Safety, ‘Green’ Parts, Hybrids and Electric vehicles, and much more will be discussed during the show, and networking opportunities with delegates from all over the world will give valuable insight into best practices and tried and trusted techniques that could make the difference to your business..
More details can be found at www.cars-expo.com and http://irt-autorecycling.org/ for those interested in attending from outside of the United Kingdom.
Don’t keep it to yourself though, bring your family and your staff, use the show to learn, network, meet, and go away energised to develop your business and operation, improve efficiency, customer satisfaction and profits.
Friday, 20 January 2012
Mercedes ML280CDI at auction
If you need space for the children and the dog and the Audi R8 isn't practical enough for you, what about this Mercedes ML? Like the Audi, it is ready to drive away (just add insurance and road tax) and is at auction right now on www.bluecycle.com.
Watch the auction at http://www.bluecycle.com/car-salvage-auctions/15072518, join in the bidding if you are a registered customer.
Audi R8 4.2 Quattro for sale
Currently at auction on www.bluecycle.com, this ready for retail Audi R8 4.2 Quattro, Manual, less than 10,000 miles, black, with black wheels, cream leather interior, sat nav, new rear tyres and 1 year MOT Certificate. Watch the bidding at http://www.bluecycle.com/car-salvage-auctions/15072591
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Vehicle Damage Assessor - The Result
Got the result of all that training, investment and time today, I passed, so I am now an accredited Vehicle Damage Assessor under the Institute of the Motor Industry Automotive technician Accreditation scheme.
Friday, 23 December 2011
International Round Table on Auto Recycling 2012
Building on past success in Japan, Australia and Canada, the 6th international Round Table Meeting will take place in Liverpool, England, June 14-16th 2012.
Leading international automotive recyclers and industry officials will come together in one of the most historic cities in the United Kingdom.
The three day event includes a day at Europe's premier auto recycling show CARS
Full details of the whole event can be found on the IRT web site (http://irt-autorecycling.org/)
Leading international automotive recyclers and industry officials will come together in one of the most historic cities in the United Kingdom.
The three day event includes a day at Europe's premier auto recycling show CARS
Full details of the whole event can be found on the IRT web site (http://irt-autorecycling.org/)
Final Comment on 2011
The year started with the Irish Government issuing a consultation document that detailed possible future total loss legislation. Ireland has since had an election and a change of government so this consultation has been shelved for the moment. It won’t be long though before it comes back, and if it works in Ireland, it will work anywhere in the world.
Take a step back and look at your business; are you following the various Codes of Practice and guidance papers that show how things should be done? These can easily become legislation that could be far more costly and invasive than the current processes, so think very carefully before you sell that piece of salvage or cut the front end off a bodyshell.
The price of decent salvage is higher than it has been for a long time and it is more difficult than ever to make a profit, but it is possible! How quickly do you turn your stock around? What is in demand? What do you have too much of in stock? How much money is tied up in ‘hulks’ that are taking up space in your yard? How efficient are your sales staff? How do you sell parts, market your business, and gain more quality stock? The ideas are out there, all you have to do is look, share ideas with successful businesses, learn, develop and implement processes.
Join a salvage organisation who can show benefit to the industry and their members, use them to gain discounts on valuable services such as insurance and training. Your membership helps them to influence national and local government, change legislation that is inappropriate, develop new processes and standards that benefit the industry and bring new ideas and talent to help salvage businesses grow.
Exporting will not stop; we work in a global industry so it is time to get used to dealing with customers from other countries on a regular basis.
It is time to catch up with the real world, use of Twitter, Facebook and other social media is not something that you can ignore any longer. Technology like this can give you immediate feedback, marketing and customer access, and it is free! Ignorance is not an excuse, take the time to learn how these systems operate and the benefit they can bring you, the world is using them, why aren’t you?
Environment Agencies are there to enforce regulations and legislation and make sure the risk of pollution is limited. They are very good at prioritising who they need to visit, and if they are visiting you more than once every 6 months then you need to look at how you run your yard and improve so the focus can move onto those that do not comply.
Technical Competence is here to stay, it won’t go away and this sort of training and qualification will increase – and it will benefit the industry - if you haven’t got it by the end of Feb 2012 then don’t expect your licence to continue.
Grumpy salvage operators love other grumpy salvage operators, try and get out a bit more and away from the industry, make friends with people outside of the motor industry who have equally difficult and frustrating working lives and get some perspective, if your business isn’t working then stop blaming everyone else.
Now is the opportunity to change; the vehicles we deal with are changing dramatically all the time and the next few years will be no different, hybrids, fuel cells, electric vehicles, aluminium, composites and even more advanced steels are in use now. The opportunity to be ahead of the competition will not last forever so 2012 may be the time to invest in the future. Are you going to take up the challenge?
This industry is full of intelligent, dedicated, professional, experienced and adaptable people who want to move forward; for those who cannot see the future with this sort of enthusiasm then please step to one side and allow the rest of us through.
Take a step back and look at your business; are you following the various Codes of Practice and guidance papers that show how things should be done? These can easily become legislation that could be far more costly and invasive than the current processes, so think very carefully before you sell that piece of salvage or cut the front end off a bodyshell.
The price of decent salvage is higher than it has been for a long time and it is more difficult than ever to make a profit, but it is possible! How quickly do you turn your stock around? What is in demand? What do you have too much of in stock? How much money is tied up in ‘hulks’ that are taking up space in your yard? How efficient are your sales staff? How do you sell parts, market your business, and gain more quality stock? The ideas are out there, all you have to do is look, share ideas with successful businesses, learn, develop and implement processes.
Join a salvage organisation who can show benefit to the industry and their members, use them to gain discounts on valuable services such as insurance and training. Your membership helps them to influence national and local government, change legislation that is inappropriate, develop new processes and standards that benefit the industry and bring new ideas and talent to help salvage businesses grow.
Exporting will not stop; we work in a global industry so it is time to get used to dealing with customers from other countries on a regular basis.
It is time to catch up with the real world, use of Twitter, Facebook and other social media is not something that you can ignore any longer. Technology like this can give you immediate feedback, marketing and customer access, and it is free! Ignorance is not an excuse, take the time to learn how these systems operate and the benefit they can bring you, the world is using them, why aren’t you?
Environment Agencies are there to enforce regulations and legislation and make sure the risk of pollution is limited. They are very good at prioritising who they need to visit, and if they are visiting you more than once every 6 months then you need to look at how you run your yard and improve so the focus can move onto those that do not comply.
Technical Competence is here to stay, it won’t go away and this sort of training and qualification will increase – and it will benefit the industry - if you haven’t got it by the end of Feb 2012 then don’t expect your licence to continue.
Grumpy salvage operators love other grumpy salvage operators, try and get out a bit more and away from the industry, make friends with people outside of the motor industry who have equally difficult and frustrating working lives and get some perspective, if your business isn’t working then stop blaming everyone else.
Now is the opportunity to change; the vehicles we deal with are changing dramatically all the time and the next few years will be no different, hybrids, fuel cells, electric vehicles, aluminium, composites and even more advanced steels are in use now. The opportunity to be ahead of the competition will not last forever so 2012 may be the time to invest in the future. Are you going to take up the challenge?
This industry is full of intelligent, dedicated, professional, experienced and adaptable people who want to move forward; for those who cannot see the future with this sort of enthusiasm then please step to one side and allow the rest of us through.
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