Manufactured Again Certification Program Sets Quality of Remanufactured Products on Par with New

Las Vegas— A certification program that aims to help buyers purchase remanufactured products with like-new quality and warranty coverage was announced today by MERA, a leading remanufacturing association.

The Manufactured Again certification program was launched by MERA President and COO John Chalifoux at Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo 2016, in Las Vegas. With the program, companies can now certify that their remanufacturing processes meet quality management standards more generally associated with new manufacturing. This certification also allows all buyers to confidently identify—and purchase—remanufactured products.

“Remanufacturing and new manufacturing are both standardized industrial processes, and both yield high-quality, fully-warranted products,” Chalifoux said. “Therefore, it makes sense that the Manufactured Again certification program is built on quality management standards that can be applied to both new and reman.”

The Manufactured Again certification program is tied to ISO 9001 and IATF 16949, two internationally recognized quality standards. ISO 9001 can be used by any organization, large or small, regardless of its field of activity. IATF 16949—a sector specific requirement that is a supplement to ISO 9001—is one of the automotive industry’s most widely used international standards for quality management.

“MERA continues to advance the remanufacturing narrative by putting reman on par with new and differentiating it from other processes, including rebuilt,” stated MERA Chairman Peter Butterfield, who also serves as chairman and CEO of Omega Environmental Technologies. “The Manufactured Again certification program delivers value to the industry, which is aligned with MERA’s vision and our commitment to members.”

CARDONE Industries, Inc., a remanufacturer of automotive parts, will be among the first companies to use the Manufactured Again certification seal on their product packaging. “Remanufacturing delivers great value for today’s buyer,” said CARDONE Executive Vice Chairman Michael Cardone III, who also serves on the MERA Board of Directors. “Remanufactured parts have outstanding quality, they cost less to purchase, and they minimize the impact on the environment.”

MERA and its parent organization the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) have worked closely with the sponsors of legislation aimed at encouraging the use of remanufactured products. In 2015, the U.S. Congress demonstrated its understanding and acceptance of remanufacturing by passing the Federal Vehicle Repair Cost Savings Act. The Act—signed into law by President Barack Obama—requires the head of each Federal agency to encourage the use of remanufactured vehicle components to maintain Federal vehicles, if using such components reduces cost while maintaining quality.

“The adoption of this bipartisan legislation and the launch of MERA’s Manufactured Again certification program demonstrate the role MEMA and its divisions play in advancing our members and their business interests, while also taking positive steps for consumers, buyers, and taxpayers,” said MEMA President and CEO Steve Handschuh. “This program is a win-win-win for everyone involved.”

Learn more about remanufacturing and the Manufactured Again certification program at ManufacturedAgain.com.

About MEMA
The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and its four specialized divisions comprise the leading international trade association in the fast-changing mobility industry. Representing vehicle suppliers that manufacture and remanufacture components, technologies, and systems for use in passenger cars and heavy trucks, MEMA serves as a critical bridge between high-tech capabilities in new vehicles—such as autonomous vehicles and vehicle connectivity—and the “nuts and bolts” of vehicle manufacturing. MEMA works at state, Federal, and international levels to ensure that the marketplace and public policy support the development of advanced, transformative technologies that enable safer, smarter, and more efficient vehicles. By directly employing more than 734,000 Americans and generating a total employment impact of 3.6 million jobs, MEMA’s member companies are the largest sector of manufacturing jobs in the U.S. MEMA’s members are represented through four divisions: Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA) and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). For more information on how MEMA is leading transformation in the mobility industry, visit www.mema.org.

About MERA

Our mission is to advance the remanufacturing industry and the business interests of our members. Our network of remanufacturers, suppliers, universities, and professional services firms promotes the economic, environmental, and product performance benefits of remanufactured goods. The Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA) is the remanufacturing and sustainability division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), which has been advocating on behalf of the vehicle supplier industry since 1904. Although MERA’s roots are also in the automotive and commercial vehicle sectors, since 2015, MERA has represented the interests of the broader remanufacturing industry. To learn more, contact us at +1 248 750 1280 or info@mera.org.