| Reman, Repower & Rebuilt By John Chalifoux, President and COO, Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA) A simple solution to increase margins without sacrifi cing quality Remanufactured parts offer a range of benefi ts Successful companies look for ways to decrease operating expenses while maintaining, or improving, the quality of their products or services. However, this can be diffi cult to deliver because the old idiom, “You get what you pay for,” oft en applies. Simple solutions that off er great value can be the answer for companies seeking to realize an increase in customer attraction while improving bottom-line results. When it comes to fl eet maintenance, remanufactured (or reman) parts can be a simple solution for diverse repair and maintenance needs. Because they are produced in a factory setting and utilize a standardized industrial process, remanufactured parts are returned to same-as-new (or better) condition and performance, and they carry warranties similar to that of new replacement parts. Additionally, remanufactured parts incorporate engineering, quality and testing standards, but they cost only 70 percent, on average, as compared to new parts. Above, produced in a factory setting and utilizing a standardized industrial process, remanufactured parts are returned to sameas new (or better) condition and performance, and they carry warranties similar to that of new replacement parts. Photo courtesy of Bendix Eff ective fl eets looking to take advantage of these inherent cost savings – while preserving their reputation for reliability and exceptional service – should look to reman for their supply chain needs fi rst. Savvy fl eet businesses can then price their services to deliver favorable margins, all without compromising quality or customer expectations. Reduce Downtime and Comebacks Th e availability of quality remanufactured parts can help fl eets reduce both downtime and comebacks, which is crucial for not only eff ective maintenance scheduling, but also helping increase technician profi ciency and customer satisfaction. Th e use of remanufactured parts can help a fl eet do the job right, the fi rst time, on time. What many fl eets may not know is that numerous remanufacturing companies – if not all original equipment suppliers – are fully authorized by OE manufacturers to remanufacture and service their parts. For instance, TransAxle (www.transaxle.com) – a premier supplier of remanufactured transmissions, axles and hydraulic components – sells Allison Transmissions that are remanufactured in TransAxle’s Allison-authorized facility (www. allisontransmission.com). TransAxle products are also authorized by Eaton (www.eaton.com) and others to perform work that will meet or exceed original specifi cations. Th is recognition allows TransAxle to off er some of the best warranties in the business. Th e producers of remanufactured parts stand behind their work. With a reman part, customers can be assured that the part has like-new quality, performance and warranty coverage, off ering peace of mind should any problems arise. In essence, a reman part off ers the same benefi ts of a new replacement part, but it does so at a lower cost. It is always important to know the quality of your parts, because it is essential for fl eet maintenance managers and technicians to protect their own reputations for high-quality work. Approved Quality Th rough the leadership of MERA, the remanufacturing industry received further distinction in October 2015 when President Obama signed S. 565, Federal Vehicle Repair Cost Savings Act of 2015. It required federal agencies to prioritize the use of remanufactured parts when servicing the federal civilian vehicle fl eet. In addition, Michigan, Connecticut and several other states have introduced, or signed into law, legislation similar to these federal guidelines for their statewide fl eets. Even though remanufactured parts are qualifi ed and vetted by the federal government, many fl eets, when looking to source reman parts for their own needs, still need to know the names of quality suppliers. As an industry resource, MERA Numerous remanufacturing companies are fully authorized by OE manufacturers to remanufacture and service their parts. Photo courtesy of Allison Transmissions VehicleServicePros.com/10122033 32 FLEET MAINTENANCE ❚ JULY 2016 ❚ VehicleServicePros.com
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