Niels Klarenbeek is show director of the June 23-25 ReMaTec 2019 exhibition being held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The event covers the automotive remanufacturing industry, also known as the reman segment.
“Reman saves money and scarce natural resources; there has never been a better time to tell the world about the benefits that remanufacturing offers to the world,” he reports, responding to a series of questions posed by Aftermarket Business World:
Q: What are some of the highlights of ReMaTec that will be of particular interest to the aftermarket?
A: Our Industry keynotes by MAHLE and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) will offer great insight in how the automotive industry, including the aftermarket, will develop in the next few years.
The European Engine Remanufacturing Championship will offer live experience to the show floor, there will be live demonstrations on Augmented Reality for Remanufacturing Applications and Robotized Remanufacturing and our Robotized Remanufacturing area will showcase working robots in reman applications.
The Remanufacturer of the Year Award from ReMaTecNews is the most prestigious honor in remanufacturing. Founded in 2005 and now in its 15th year, the prize is given to a person or business that has served automotive remanufacturing with particular distinction. Over its lifetime the award has celebrated the achievements of some of the reman industry’s preeminent names. Within the industry it is considered a major accolade.
At a time when green issues, conservation of resources, recycling and environmental responsibility are at the forefront of public concerns, the award is intended to highlight the huge commercial and environmental benefits of remanufacturing.
Q: Are there events being presented directly for the benefit of American aftermarket executives?
A: Yes. We have Daimler Trucks North America and their IoT (Internet of Things) supplier Filament in a combined keynote on “How Blockchain Enhances Core Management.” PwC’s global automotive lead, Christoph Stuermer, will present the latest report on “5 Trends That Will Transform the Automotive Industry.”
We have U.S.-based associations – the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA), the Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA) and the Reman Industries Council -- that will hold networking events. The entire program is in English and geared to an international audience, including the U.S.
Q: What are some of the educational and training sessions being conducted?
A: Here are some highlights regarding the keynote speeches: PwC’s Christoph Stuermer on “5 Trends transforming the automotive industry;” Alison Clift Jennings, CEO of Filament, and Daimler Trucks North America will discuss “Enhanced Core Management Through Blockchain;” and Christoph Dutschke, technical coordinator at MAHLE, will present a keynote on “Drivetrains of the Future.”
Some other educational programs include MAHLE holding technical trainings on “Damage Prevention in Engine Environment,” and ICoR, the International Conference on Remanufacturing, will be held during ReMaTec.
Q: Will speakers offering advice on preparing or actually remanufacturing remanufactured parts?
A: We host expert sessions on many topics, and here are a few highlights:
Battery Pack Remanufacturing: The rise of EVs put a large demand on the scarce resources. We have an expert session on Battery Pack Reman, which is about to become a massive industry segment in the coming years.
ECU Remanufacturing: More and more parts and components have integrated ECUs (electronic control units). How to remanufacture these without touching IP patented software? There will be an expert who will discuss this topic.
Testing & Diagnostics: There’s a lot of new testing machines and devices on the market. Our expert will be able to offer an overview. As reman parts come with warranty, proper testing is crucial.
There will be a session on Design for Reman. One of Europe’s 15 best-selling car manufacturers will explain how reman is integrated in their core values.
Q: Will speakers be offering advice on marketing and selling remanufactured parts to shop owners? Also tips on selling to fleet managers and individual motorists?
A: Yes, there’s an expert session on “Advanced Marketing for Remanufacturers” hosted by MERA.
Q: Will most or all of the programs be conducted in English? Will there be translators available to assist with business discussions and meetings?
A: The entire ReMaTec content program will be in English only, as we host 75 different nationalities at the show. In the program we differentiate between Tech, Trend and Business updates.
Q: How large is the remanufactured parts industry on a global scale?
A: According to Frost & Sullivan, the remanufactured automotive aftermarket for light vehicles alone is expected to reach almost $50 billion globally by 2022. Frost & Sullivan analysts have highlighted opportunities in Europe, Asia-Pacific and South America that will support future growth.
Q: How can an American remanufactured parts company or customer benefit by attending ReMaTec?
A: The U.S. accounts for a majority of the global remanufactured automotive aftermarket revenue. ReMaTec attracts visitors -- read: potential business partners -- from 75 nations. If U.S. companies want to connect with other companies in the remanufacturing supply chain and distributors in other geographical markets, they are visiting ReMaTec 2019.
And because everybody in the automotive reman industry is present at ReMaTec, held biannually, it is an efficient way to have customer and supplier meetings with companies from all over the world during three consecutive days.
Q: How can an American remanufactured parts company executive benefit by exhibiting at ReMaTec?
A: ReMaTec offers them a stepping stone to the world because we have visitors from over 75 different nations, including buyers’ missions from China, the UAE and Latin America. This year we celebrate the 10th edition of ReMaTec. Our show was a Certified Trade Show by the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2011, 2013 and 2015, and many U.S. SMEs (small-to-medium enterprises) have done great business at ReMaTec.
When they’re looking for a partner or a distributor our show is the place to be because of its strong focus on reman only.
Q: How extensively are remanufactured parts used to repair newer cars? Or are they mostly used on older vehicles?
A: Traditionally after the four-year warranty period. We notice that there is a surge for remanufactured auto replacement parts in the automotive aftermarket. Authorized dealerships sell “Genuine Reman” parts as a strategy to compete with independent workshops and to extend the customer relationship beyond the initial four years of warranty.
And while consumers are more and more environmentally conscious and price-driven, there are lots of opportunities to develop a green ”reman first” strategy for both independent workshops and authorized dealerships.
Q: What are the benefits for a repair shop owner who uses remanufactured parts?
A: Shop owners with a “reman first” policy can distinguish themselves as “Green Garages.”
Q: What are the benefits for a shop owner’s customers?
A: Their customers get more bang for their buck. Reman parts have the same reliability and warranty as original parts at lower costs. And, not to be underestimated, they’re much more sustainable from an environmental perspective.
Q: Do remanufactured parts perform as well as new parts?
A: Yes; it’s proven by the warranty given on them.
