Canadian Auto Recyclers were highly visible at Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) Convention and Expo in Baltimore.

Over 900 delegates and exhibitors descended upon the Baltimore Convention for the 73^rd ARA Convention and Exposition in October. Between loads of speakers—43 speakers in over 23 educational sessions plus a one-day technology summit—and an active Exhibit Hall with over a hundred vendors, auto recyclers of all shapes, sizes and global locations had something to benefit from.

Canadian recyclers represented

Canadian auto recyclers were out in force at the event and they continue to play a pivotal role in the organization. Ed MacDonald from Maritime Auto Parts in Truro N.S. is the second Past President; David Gold from Standard Auto Wreckers in Scarborough Ont. is the first Vice President; Dalbert Livingstone from Island Auto Supply is the Canadian Regional Director on the ARA Board and plenty of Canadians are active in chairing and participating on ARA Committees.

There is a newfound cooperation between the Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC) and the ARA as well, sharing certification protocols, research, and market intelligence. The auto recycling industry is very similar on both sides of the border–the vehicles we are all trying to buy and dismantle are almost identical, there is a big overlap in the major vendors that supply and buy from the industry. The general approach to industry fundamentals from how you buy, sell and manage are all the same.

Cross-border benefits

That’s one major reason why ARC and ARA Members have so much to share and learn from one another. Our American colleagues recognize the tremendous strides that the Canadian auto recyclers have taken, from our Green Recycled Parts branding programs to our requirement that all ARC Members are certified to a common environmental benefit. And Canadians benefit from meeting some of the globe’s best auto recyclers!

One of the themes of the ARA event was Family: auto recyclers are still overwhelmingly family-run businesses, but the larger concept of Family at the industry level was prevalent everywhere. We are all in this together and when Family gets together, great things happen.