| Canada's recyclers leading the way at IRT 2012 in UK |
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| News - Recycling |
| Wednesday, 27 June 2012 13:21 |
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By Steve Fletcher London, United Kingdom -- June 27, 2012 -- The sixth installment of the International Roundtable on Auto Recycling is now over and it was a resounding success for both organizers and delegates. Held in the European Cultural Capital - Liverpool, England, the 2012 IRT brought together automotive recycling professionals from around the world to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the auto recycling business on a global scale. Canadian auto recyclers have a great reputation internationally. As Managing Director of the Automotive Recyclers of Canada, that’s one of the reasons I was asked to Chair the IRT. It was an honour to be recognized for all the great work that has been emanating from Canada over the years. We are truly doing some innovative work here, and Canada seems to be at the centre of all global trends and opportunities - often times leading them. The very first IRT was an informal affair in Brussels, Belgium in 2005, with the heads of the U.S., Canadian and Japanese auto recycling associations visiting the European Auto Recycling Group of Associations Board Meeting. The similarities in the issues and opportunities that confronted all delegates made it a natural decision to meet on a regular basis. The U.S. association - the Automotive Recyclers Association - hosted the next IRT in Las Vegas the follow year. It was at this meeting that the "roundtable" term was first used. The event brought together auto recyclers from across the U.S., Europe, Canada, Japan and Australia.
In 2006, the Japanese association JARA really upped the ante with a very large show, making the IRT an integral part of their national convention. Japan also introduced the idea of touring local auto recycling operations so auto recycling professionals could see how business was actually conducted. The following year, the Australians hosted the event with a good diversity of attendees and outcomes. With each successive IRT, the events became more organized and created more results and positive relationships.
Canada took its turn in 2010 in Quebec City, holding the largest event to date. More than 125 delegates from nine countries attend the 2010 IRT.
The Liverpool IRT event was held in conjunction with the Complete Auto Recyclers Show (CARS), a multi-faceted trade show and forum originally for local auto recyclers. Organizers were hoping for 300 attendees. That number was blown away by the over 700 people who came through the doors. The event was held at Hill's Auto Recyclers, regularly referred to as the UK's most prestigious auto recycler. The event saw a lot of heavy equipment in action, and allowed recyclers to be very hands on with equipment and new technologies.
There was a very large contingent of Canadian recyclers in attendance, 27 in total. For most it was the opportunity to see new equipment, hear more of the international perspectives and to tour the United Kingdom and even parts of Europe.
Dom Vetere of Dom’s Auto Parts makes special note of the opportunity provided by having the IRT take place in conjunction with CARS.
“There was a huge display of suppliers with some serious, high-end and high tech equipment,” says Vetere. “More than that, though, just meeting and speaking with different delegates from differest countries is a fantastic opportunity. The IRT offers fresh ideas and different viewpoints.”
Dave Schandor of Marshall Auto Wreckers also made note of the wealth of new equipment available at CARS.
The CARS show was very interesting because of all the machinery they had, including some stuff I had never seen before,” says Schandor. “One of the things I took away from the IRT was a realization of how far ahead Canada is when it comes to auto recycling, especially in regards to environmental issues.”
In addition to Country Reports from Australia, Canada, Europe, India, Japan, Malaysia and the U.S.A., delegates also heard about the effects of the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami on the auto recycling industry; dismantling EV and hybrid vehicles; the International Dismantling Information System (IDIS); and the Canadian Automotive Recyclers’ Environmental Code
Paul Fox, the Chairman of EGARA gave the keynote address - ELV Recycling Now and in 2020 - and managed to pull all of the global trends together in one thought-provoking discussion.
One of the highlights of this IRT was the emergence of the Indian industry. Three delegates, all from the Society of Indian Automotive Manufacturers, attended and participated in all events. The auto recycling industry in India is highly fragmented and is in a position similar to the Canadian or U.S. markets of 50 years ago. But like any great emerging nation, India will need to manage the development of a professional automotive recycling sector sooner rather than later. By participating in the IRT and CARS, India’s auto recyclers have seen a path forward that will ensure firm foundations are built for an important industry.
"No country can be full of doctors and midwives without having a thriving undertaker. That is what India needs to develop: good undertakers for cars," quipped Captain Mohan Ram of the Society of Indian Automotive Manufacturers.
The 2012 IRT wrapped up with a lively open discussion on the trends that all recyclers are seeing, such as increased total losses, the global emergence of the Green Recycled Parts brand, the thriving underground economy that undermines legitimate businesses everywhere and the need for more data and interaction with OEMs, insurers and repairers.
The IRTs officially run every 15 to 18 months and are hosted by a local national association. Like any worthwhile event though, the learning continues every day, and the relationships that auto recyclers create and nurture continue to pay dividends.
The U.S. association will host the next IRT, taking place November 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. The event will take place as part of the ARA Annual Convention.
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| Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 June 2012 13:47 |
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