CENTENNIAL, Colo., Aug. 18 CA-URG-Training-Tool
CENTENNIAL, Colo., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- United Recyclers Group (URG)
has announced the release of a new training tool designed to promote
understanding of the modern automotive recycling industry. Prepared by the
URG Advisory Group, a collection of almost 25 experts representing all aspects
of automotive recycling, information providers (including parts location
services and estimating software), auto insurance, and collision and repair
industries, the comprehensive presentation is aimed at a number of audiences.
The PowerPoint presentation, "Green, Lean, and Sustainable: The New Era of
Automotive Recycling," is now available from URG. It will also be distributed
at the URG hospitality suite at NACE, the International Autobody Congress &
Exposition, held in Las Vegas, November 5-8, 2008.
"The launch of this training tool is another major achievement for URG,"
says Michelle Alexander, URG Executive Director. "It fills a crucial need,
and we expect it to be used extensively by recyclers as well as others in the
collision and repair and insurance industries. The automotive recycling
industry is changing dramatically, and it's important for everyone to
understand who we are today. Automotive recycling is green, it is
sustainable, and it is very cost-effective. Our quality is top notch, and the
use of our original equipment (OE) recycled parts means the insurance
industry, body shops and the end customer all need to know that they are
getting best in class when they buy recycled. This presentation does that,
and more."
Jim Watson, owner of ABC Auto Parts (Blue Island, IL) and past president
of the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA), has been involved in this
effort as a member of the URG Advisory Group from the start. He says that
"the ARA is excited about this opportunity and wholly supports and endorses
this presentation. We enthusiastically encourage everyone to view it and use
it. The ARA will be using this training tool as a component in a
comprehensive nationwide legislative program designed to help elected
officials and others in government understand what we do in the automotive
recycling industry." He anticipates that potential audiences for the
presentation will include government decision-makers ranging from mayors, city
councilmen/women, aldermen/women, county commissioners, building
commissioners, and more. Within the broader community, Watson also expects
that this presentation will be given to many different chambers of commerce,
Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, and other community-focused groups.
A leader in the automotive insurance industry who has been involved since
the formation of the URG Advisory Group is Don Porter, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, FFSI,
FLMI, auto consultant, property & casualty claims for State Farm Insurance
(Bloomington, IL). He says that "the recycling industry has an exciting story
to tell regarding the innovative advancements that have been made over the
years. Consumers today should understand that 'best in class' recyclers run
their operations with highly trained personnel who use sophisticated models
and provide top notch customer service. Many recyclers are dedicated to
'green' initiatives by processing salvage in an environmentally friendly
manner. This has the added benefits of increasing the supply of alternative
parts, reducing the demand for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts,
which in turn reduces the amount of material added to our landfills."
"This presentation will help improve the understanding and use of recycled
auto parts," says Denise Caspersen, collision division manager of the
Automotive Service Association (ASA) and a charter member of the URG Advisory
Group. "This training tool is important to ASA because it will give us the
ability to improve communication between our members in the repair industry
with insurers and automotive recyclers. We all share a common goal of
improving the repair industry, and now we've got a great educational tool for
everyone!"
"The damaged vehicle repair industry is on the front lines when it comes
to dealing with consumers and the use of recycled auto parts," says Tim
Adelmann, Executive Vice President of Business Development for ABRA Auto Body
& Glass, (Minneapolis, MN) and a URG Advisory Board member. "Most of our
customers need more information about the benefits of recycled auto parts,
especially the green and cost savings aspects. This presentation will be a
great tool for helping us in the repair industry have the information we need
to get the message out." With 92 repair centers operating in eleven states,
ABRA Auto Body & Glass is a national damaged vehicle repair company
specializing in collision repair, paintless dent removal, and auto glass
repair and replacement.
"We will directly benefit from the widespread use of this presentation,"
says Charles Lukens, CEO of APU Solutions (Overland Park, KS) and long-time
member of the URG Advisory Group. Over the past decade, his company has built
a complex digital web linking all the collision-repair players: insurance
carriers, estimating companies, repair centers, and parts suppliers of all
types. "In this tight economy, the cost effectiveness of auto parts recycling
makes more sense than ever. Not only that, but it's green, it's sustainable,
and it just makes good business sense. The URG Advisory Group is in the right
place at the right time with this training tool."
Consolidated recyclers are on board too, says Mary Lou Silveira, director
of sales and marketing for Greenleaf Auto Recyclers (Arlington, TX) and URG
Advisory Group member. She says "this training tool is a great first step in
bringing the recycling industry together to continue to develop the best
practices and standards our industry can use to drive awareness in the
collision and mechanical repair markets. I predict it is going to be used
widely."
The PowerPoint presentation is expected to be available in several
formats, depending on the audience and length of time available for the
presenter. "Green, Lean, and Sustainable: The New Era of Automotive
Recycling" covers the history of automotive recycling, highlights the
benefits, explains the evolution of the industry, and describes a range of
best in class processes. In addition, a number of focal points for the
recycling industry are explained.
"What we are really trying to do with this presentation is get everyone
up-to-date," says URG's Michelle Alexander. "Most people still conjure up an
image of the old-fashioned junkyard when they hear about automotive recycling.
It's important to change that misperception, and understand that our industry
is green, lean, and sustainable. The URG Advisory Group has worked hard to
produce an outstanding training tool, and we invite anyone interested to
contact us for a copy." Inquiries should be directed to Michelle Alexander,
URG by phone (303-367-4391) or e-mail (michelle@u-r-g.com).
United Recyclers Group, LLC is a partnership of over 330 industry leading
auto recyclers that work together to improve and modernize the automotive
recycling industry. Changes they have made include developing their own
inventory management system, Pinnacle; creating a buying cooperative; and
offering group marketing options. For more information, go to the United
Recyclers Group website at http://www.u-r-g.com or call 303-367-4391.
United Recyclers Group (URG)
Contact: Michelle Alexander
Phone: 303-367-4391
Fax: 303-367-4409
E-mail: michelle@u-r-g.com
Website: http://www.u-r-g.com
SOURCE United Recyclers Group, LLC
