ATLANTIC ADVANCEMENT
On June 7 and June 8, automotive recycling industry members gathered at the Rodd Hotels and Resort Charlottetown in Charlottetown, P.E.I. for the Automotive Recyclers Association of Atlantic Canada (ARAAC) annual meeting. During the two-day event—which saw 60 attendees—topics covered included green recycled parts, insurer-repairer-recycler relations, EVs and much more. Friday featured panel discussions from Luke Gamm from Car-Part, and Micheal Angeli from Hollander, who both highlighted changes in or coming to their companies’ systems. Wally Dingman, Canadian Automotive Recyclers Environmental Code (CAREC) Auditor for Atlantic Canada, presented some of the highlights from last season’s CAREC Audits and what to expect in his upcoming audits. Dingman noted that members are currently scoring at 85 percent or better—the only association in Canada to do this. Steve Fletcher, executive director, Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA), gave an overview of national association activities, focusing on the impact of EVs on the industry; plastic bumper recycling research and OARA’s Green Recycled Parts study demonstrating greenhouse gas savings with reusing auto parts. Elected to the ARAAC Board of Directors were: Candice Brown from Brown’s Auto Salvage; Devon White from A-1 Automotive and Larry Rushton from Sunrise Salvage. They join Dalbert Livingstone from Island Auto Supply (Chair/Treasurer); Andrew MacDonald from Maritime Auto Parts (Vice Chair); and Derek Covey from Covey’s Auto Recyclers (Immediate Past President)
SAVE THE DATE!
Attention, automotive recyclers! The Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA) has set a date for its 2025 Convention and Trade Show. Next year’s event will be held March 27 through March 29 in an exciting new location—Niagara Falls, Ontario! The event, hosted at the Hilton Niagara Falls and Fallsview Casino, will include a 50+ vendor trade show, keynote presentations, roundtables, networking, fundraising and much more. Attendees will also get the chance to tour two nearby recycling facilities: Thorold Auto Parts and Miller’s Auto Recycling. A special event is also planned for March 29, honouring OARA Executive Director Steve Fletcher’s 33-year career in the auto recycling industry as he takes a step back from his duties with OARA. For more details on registration, visit www.oara.com.
85 YEARS OF EFFORT
The Stirling-Rawdon Council recognized Woodbeck Auto Parts in July in celebration of the business’ 85 anniversary. MP Shelby Kramp and a representative from MPP Ric Bresee’s office were in attendance to help the Woodbeck family celebrate. Woodbeck Auto Parts was originally founded by Burton and Verna Woodbeck in 1939. The business remains a family affair to this day, with the Burton and Verna’s sons Ron and Bruce taking over as second-generations, followed by Bruce’s son, Greg Woodcock, who is the third-generation family owner today.
ROEPKE’S NEW ROLE
United Recyclers Group (URG) has announced the appointment of Kelly Roepke to the URG Board of Directors. A press release from URG noted that Roepke brings a “wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the board.” Roepke previously served as president and general manager of Y-Yard Auto & Truck Inc. She has grown up in the business and has hands-on experience in every department, said URG. Roepke has also been recognized by her peers as the “Most Influential Successor” in 2008 and received the “Most Influential Woman” award in 2010.
HARDIN IN THE HOTSEAT
Trent Hardin has assumed the Executive Directorship of the Alberta Automotive Recyclers and Dismantlers Association (AARDA) and will further assume direct responsibility for the members’ Canadian Auto Recyclers Environmental Code (CAREC) audits in Alberta. Hardin has spent 40 year in industrial operations in Alberta and is National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO) certified. He has extensive training in hazardous materials, from WHMIS through TDG and HAZMAT response and beyond. He also carries experience in advocacy related to toxins in environmental non-governmental organization (ENGO) sectors, having held an NGO seat on the Clean Air Strategic Alliance, a provincial board that is government, industry and non-governmental run. With the assumption of his new responsibilities, Hardin said, “I look forward to engaging wholeheartedly and being able to make good use of my experience—to increase engagement across the board, with the current membership, and by expanding it.”
