Remanufacturing History

Rottler Manufacturing designed and patented the first boring bar to recondition engine blocks, marking the start of engine remanufacturing. Rottler developed machines dedicated to all levels of remanufacturing performance and production, becoming the largest and most impactful equipment manufacturer in the industry.

Setting the Stage for Remanufacturing: In 1923, the Ford Model T achieved its highest annual production figure, reaching 2,011,125 units. This figure remains the highest single-year production for a single model to date.

The record-setting production of the Model T didn't just revolutionize manufacturing—it created the ideal conditions for remanufacturing to emerge.

Ford standardized the process of rebuilding parts at the dealer level, allowing customers to exchange worn engines for rebuilt ones at a lower cost. This system laid the groundwork for remanufacturing by introducing reverse logistics, standardized parts reuse, and scalable repair operations. It proved the economic viability of remanufacturing during the Great Depression and set the stage for future OEM-backed reman programs.

WWII Efforts: Rebuilding and repair efforts began at organized levels during World War II as a response to shortages and rations. With new cars unavailable and parts to fix older ones scarce, remanufacturing was advanced out of necessity.

Post-War Expansion: The post-war boom and the creation of the interstate highway system increased the number of cars and miles traveled. Service stations and repair shops flourished, advertising "re-builds" of engines, transmissions, and other components.

Aro Mfg. Co., Inc. v. Convertible Top Co.: The first of three significant U.S. Supreme Court decisions supporting the "Right to Remanufacture in Order to Repair."

Detroit Diesel and Cummins became the first original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to assign a monetary value to cores, creating a more cost-effective option for customers. By implementing clear core return guidelines for dealers and customers, they set the standard for future core management programs within the industry.

OEM Recognition: Manufacturers realized that rebuilding was a critical industry need for automotive, truck, tractor, and other equipment markets. OEMs began investing in remanufacturing facilities to support dealers and equipment owners.

Michael Cardone Sr. Pioneers Production Line Remanufacturing: Michael Cardone Sr. revolutionized the remanufacturing industry by applying mass production techniques to the rebuilding of automotive parts, starting with windshield wiper motors. Before this, remanufacturing was a low-volume, technician-driven process. His innovations laid the foundation for large-scale aftermarket remanufacturing, making rebuilt parts more accessible and affordable. In recognition of his contributions, he received a Distinguished Service Citation in 1984 and was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1994.

International Harvester's Springfield ReNew Center: This facility was opened to meet the repair demands of International Harvester dealers across the U.S.

Industrialized Engine Rebuilders (PERs): By this time, production engine rebuilders were established nationwide, defined by building 75 or more engines per day. At their peak, there were over 125 PERs; today, only a handful remain.

Establishing Core Supply: River City Truck Parts was one of the first companies founded whose charter was simply to find, inspect and supply cores to other companies that remanufacture truck parts, demonstrating the expansion of the remanufacturing industry as a whole. Today the core supply industry is a critical component to remanufacturing.

Dana Corp. v. American Precision Co.: The second of three significant U.S. Supreme Court decisions supporting the "Right to Remanufacture in Order to Repair."

Public Relations and Advocacy: Companies like Caterpillar championed remanufacturing, highlighting its benefits, such as "lower cost of ownership." Articles on remanufacturing began appearing in major publications like The Wall Street Journal, targeting fleet owners and large buyers.

Sustainable Packaging: Endural introduced its first plastic engine case for Mazda in the mid-1990s. By 2025, the company has designed over 20 universal cases and 150+ inserts, reducing damage and leakage in core returns and advancing sustainable packaging in remanufacturing.

Aftermarket Growth: This period saw rapid growth in aftermarket parts suppliers and distributors, including the rise of box stores like O'Reilly Auto Parts, AutoZone, and Discount Auto, many of which offered remanufactured parts.

Ceramex North America's Innovative Technologies: Xpurge® Cleaning System revolutionized diesel particulate filter (DPF) remanufacturing with a patented air pulse and deionized water method, extending filter life and reducing costs. In 2015, the Veritex® Inspection System was introduced, utilizing thermal imaging technology for precise DPF validation, ensuring restored products met high standards.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) published its first-ever remanufacturing report which provided an overview of U.S. remanufactured goods industries and markets during 2009–2011. The United States was listed as the largest producer and exporter of remanufactured goods in the world, with aerospace, heavy duty and off road (HDOR) equipment, and motor vehicle parts noted as the top three industry sectors by production volume.

FTC Elevates Remanufacturing in the Marketplace: The U.S. Federal Trade Commission ruled that the term remanufactured should be used only when a product is “rebuilt” in a factory setting. Prior bilateral trade agreements also recognized the reality by defining remanufactured goods as a unique, third classification, i.e., they are neither new nor used.

Federal Vehicle Repair Cost Savings Act: In recognition of remanufacturing’s quality, cost, and environmental benefits, in 2015, President Obama signed bipartisan legislation requiring federal agencies to encourage the use of remanufactured parts when maintaining the federal vehicle fleet. The legislation stemmed from a 2013 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the uses and benefits of remanufactured parts.

Circular Economy & G7 Focus: Global initiatives recognized remanufacturing as key to sustainability.

Unified Definitions: Organizations such as MERA (now MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers), CLEPA and APRA agreed on common definitions, enhancing trust globally in remanufactured products. View Press Release. The definitions agreed upon include:

• Remanufacturing: A standardized industrial process* by which cores are returned to same-as-new, or better, condition and performance. The process is in line with specific technical specifications, including engineering, quality and testing standards. The process yields fully warranted products.
• Core: A previously sold, worn or non-functional product or part, intended for the remanufacturing process. During reverse logistics, a core is protected, handled and identified for remanufacturing to avoid damage and to preserve its value. A core is not waste or scrap and is not intended to be reused before remanufacturing.

*An industrial process is an established process, which is fully documented, and capable to fulfil the requirements established by the remanufacturer.

The Manufactured Again™ Certification program was launched by MERA (now MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers) at AAPEX 2016 in Las Vegas. With the program, companies show that their remanufacturing processes are held to the same international quality standards as new manufacturing and promote environmental stewardship. This certification also allows all buyers to confidently identify—and purchase—remanufactured products.

Impression Products, Inc. v. Lexmark Int'l.: The third of three significant U.S. Supreme Court decisions supporting the "Right to Remanufacture in Order to Repair."

The MERA (now MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers) CFO Council, made up of CFOs and other senior finance executives from member companies, reviewed common core accounting methods to be used within the automotive and commercial vehicle aftermarket. As a result of these efforts, the Accounting and Taxation Principles for Cores in the Remanufacturing Industry white paper was published.

MERA (now MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers) announced the formation of the Michael Cardone Leadership Award to honor three generations in the Cardone family. The award recognizes individuals and companies who demonstrate exceptional leadership in remanufacturing and similar forms of sustainable manufacturing. The key traits associated with the award are vision, passion, teamwork, and excellence.

MERA (now MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers) officially unveiled a new symbol to better reflect the vision and position of its remanufacturing members in the marketplace. The symbol, which features a recycling symbol with four arrows, highlights the corporate social responsibility of remanufacturing as a key component in sustainable manufacturing. The arrows represent the four necessary elements in reducing overall environmental impact: Reduce. Reuse. REMANUFACTURE. Recycle.

Bendix successfully validated a thermal remanufacturing process for desiccant, enabling its reuse in remanufactured air dryers. This innovation stemmed from a 2017 initiative to address a landfill challenge, as Bendix identified that 1,600 barrels of used desiccant from pneumatic air dryers were being discarded annually. By implementing this process, Bendix reduced landfill deposits to zero, driving substantial cost savings while advancing its sustainability efforts.

MERA (now MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers) published a 2nd Edition to the Accounting and Taxation Principles for Cores in the Remanufacturing Industry white paper. This edition incorporated updated ASC 606 revenue recognition guidelines, revised examples, and new models to reflect the new guidance.