Recycled Parts & Inventory Committee

Background

The purpose of this committee is to define business information passing between parties as it relates to the collision repair and related industries.  We are asking for responses and feedback from the industry at-large relative to the work the committee has done so far, and to emphasize the importance of continued work in this area.
 
The first objective will be to develop a single focus of the committee’s scope, objectives and goals.  It is evident that a framework has already begun that can drive future progress, and success will be dependent upon an expanded active participation.
 
The objective was to electronically exchange messages relating to parts sales, with a recycled parts focus, with other parties to create efficiencies in the process.
 
The emphasis is to improve customer service in the repair process, being stressed by all segments of the industry.

Mission

CIECA’s Recycled Parts and Inventory Committee’s goal is to develop and maintain messaging standards aimed at automating parts sales activities.  Input was derived from insurance carriers, repairers, parts distributors, recyclers, salvage pools, business management systems, third party intermediaries and software companies regarding all communications needed to complete the procurement and/or documentation of parts and materials within the collision industry.
 
All business needs will be identified to enable electronic purchasing of recycled parts to move electronically between parties in the collision industry.  Having standards enables the parts purchasing process to incorporate awareness of a business partners’ capacity.  This development created the standards and tools for participants to enable bi-directional communication of data and messaging capability between all parties. 
 
Incorporation of the ARA standards drives consistency, accuracy, and efficiency in the procurement process.
 
Business needs have been identified to enable the parts ordering activities to move electronically between parties.  Having standards, enables the repair ordering process to incorporate awareness of business partners’ inventories and services.
 
Repair facilities demand a more efficient and convenient process when ordering parts, and specifically recycled parts, to better meet their customers’ needs. Setting standards is an important step toward this goal.

Industry Segments Affected

• Parts Providers: Any company whose business concern is distribution of parts to the vehicle repair industry. The provider can provide parts for one part category or multiple part categories (e.g., OE, Recycled).

  • New Aftermarket Parts:  New replacement parts manufactured by or on behalf of companies other than the vehicle manufacturer.

  • New Original Equipment (OE) Parts:  New replacement parts manufactured by or on behalf of the vehicle manufacturer.

  • Recycled Parts:  Replacement parts harvested from end of life vehicles.

  • Remanufactured Parts:  Replacement parts produced by various remanufacturers that have been repaired, rebuilt, refurbished to the OE manufacturer’s specifications.

  • Reconditioned Parts: Replacement parts produced by various remanufacturers that have been repaired, rebuilt, or refurbished but not requiring the part to be remanufactured to OE manufacturer’s specifications.

  • Rebuilt Parts: Replacement parts produced by various parts rebuilders that have been repaired, rebuilt, or refurbished using used components or a combination of new and used components.

  • OE Diversified Parts: Industry terms include Overstock, Overrun, Blemished, Discount, Optional, Take-off, and Diverted parts.  These are OE non-used parts.

• Repair Facility: Any company whose business concern is to repair damaged vehicles.

• Recycled Parts Locator Service:  Any company whose main focus is to locate parts for use in repairs between those that need the part and those that have the part. 

• Information Technology Company:  Any company that develops software and/or services related to estimates, data communications and/or data consolidation. 

• Third Party Company:  Any company that develops software, provides services, communications systems, databases and/or services related to vehicle repair assignments, vehicle repair data communications and/or vehicle repair data consolidation.

• Business Management System Company:  Any company whose main business concern is consolidation and categorization of auto repair information (shop management system) or management systems for recyclers (inventory management system) to enable them to manage their business.

• Data Recipient:  Any company that utilizes parts data as part of information consolidation.

• Insurance Company:  Property and Casualty insurers in one or multiple lines of business who acts on behalf of their policy holder and impacted parties for the repair of the damage on the vehicle.

• Retail Customer:  Any entity who orders parts for personal repair of a vehicle (e.g., Do It Yourselfers, walk-in customer).