A certification program that aims to help buyers purchase remanufactured products with like-new quality and warranty coverage was announced earlier this week by MERA, a leading remanufacturing association.
The “Manufactured Again” certification program was launched by MERA President and COO John Chalifoux at AAPEX 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,” said Chalifoux. “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 its 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.
