Autoelectro spells out remanufacturing benefits

Remanufacturing has been a staple of Autoelectro since its inception in 1986, and it is a process that has brought almost 5,000 part numbers to market-to-date. Harnek Bhogal believes the benefits of the practice boil down to three important areas, which are quality, environmental impact and economics.

Quality

As a remanufacturer of almost 40 years’ experience, Autoelectro is confident it has the skills to disassemble, clean, inspect and rebuild all of its products to meet or exceed OE specifications, all supplied with a twoyear warranty.

In contrast, “cheaper copy products” may lack the same level of engineering expertise and may not have undergone such rigorous quality and reliability testing. Harnek believes this is why reputable remanufacturers, like Autoelectro, can offer extended warranties on its products.

He continued: “We have such confidence in the quality and reliability of our products. Unfortunately, we hear of issues arising of some copy products where warranty coverage and technical support are lacking; therefore, customers have limited recourse if problems do arise.

“Our understanding is clear and a strong unique selling point – it’s a huge advantage. That technical understanding, as well as knowledge and capability, means when we’re communicating with customers, they can have total faith, belief and trust in what we’re informing them – we offer peace of mind.”

Autoelectro offers technical support over the phone, e-mail, WhatsApp or via the 1986 Dashboard for account customers. Furthermore, Autoelectro boxes contain, where necessary, partspecific technical notes. These advise technicians on best practices when fitting the part and help distributors understand common vehicle faults.

Environment

The environmental side of remanufacturing is one that Autoelectro has championed for many years; in fact, it has earned accolades in recognition of its efforts: in 2015, it was the recipient of a Green Apple Environment Award. This annual, prestigious honour is awarded by The Green Organisation and is earned by organisations that promote environmental best practice around the world.

Harnek said: “Remanufacturing boasts significant environmental advantages, primarily in its ability to conserve resources. Traditional manufacturing processes demand substantial amounts of raw materials and energy-intensive procedures; however, remanufacturing circumvents these resource-intensive practices by restoring existing components, thus, reducing the need for new materials. This conservation of natural resources also helps decrease the environmental footprint associated with traditional manufacturing.”

Moreover, Harnek claimed, remanufacturing aligns perfectly with the concept of a circular economy. Rather than the modern model of using and disposing of products, remanufacturing follows a circular model, where products are reused and repaired. This contributes to a sustainable and resource-efficient system, aiming to create a system where products, materials, and resources are kept in circulation for as long as possible, reducing the need for new resource extraction and mitigating long-term environmental impacts.

Harnek continued: “By participating in the circular economy, which diverts used components and cores from ending up in landfills, we are able to reduce waste volume and associated environmental impacts. Our starter motors and alternators, often discarded after their initial use, can find new lease of life through remanufacturing that contribute to a greener planet.”

Economics

The economic impact of remanufacturing extends to various groups, according to Harnek, with end-users being one of the biggest beneficiaries:

Harnek stated that its remanufactured products not only match the quality of new OE equivalents but are also offered at competitive prices. This option encourages consumers to make sustainable and budget-friendly choices by opting for remanufactured items.

Another aspect of the economic benefit is the extension of product life cycles, especially crucial for Autoelectro, which specialises in developing ranges for classic and rare applications:

“Without remanufacturing, consumers seeking components for vintage vehicles, such as an alternator for a 1961 Jaguar EType or a starter motor for a 1988 Lamborghini Countach, would face significant challenges. At Autoelectro, we have all the tools to ensure we can service these types of requests.”

Remanufacturing also creates employment opportunities. This not only contributes to local economies but also supports sustainable practices.

Harnek concluded: “We have always supported our staff’s professional growth, ensuring they’re adequately qualified and confident to complete their individual tasks competently. Skilled labour in remanufacturing ensures that our products are rebuilt to the highest standards.”

Conclusion

By prioritising the restoration of used components, Autoelectro offers consumers alternatives. Simultaneously, it champions sustainability by conserving resources, reducing waste, and promoting a circular economy. Moreover, as Harnek reported, remanufacturing provides skilled job opportunities, supporting local economies.