Australia’s automotive recycling industry gathered on the Gold Coast in August for a two-day conference held under the theme of ‘Driving Innovation: The Road to Tomorrow.’
The conference, hosted by the Auto Parts Recyclers Association of Australia (APRAA) and the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA), in collaboration with Auto PARTnered Solutions (APS), enabled attendees to gather insights on a range of issues affecting the sector. Sessions included those focusing on trends and building strategic alliances, working with and selling on ebay, and ways to increase sales and profits, while panel discussions and Q&A sessions tackled subjects such as inter-trading, marketing, training, and digital transformation.
Welcoming addresses were given by Kellie Dewar, Deputy CEO of MTA Queensland, and Chris Daglis of Auto PARTnered Solutions, and of particular interest during the conference was the release of a new study from the MTAA and Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) that focused on end-of-live vehicles and options to deal with them. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE REPORT.
Attendees were given insights into the work of state motor trade associations as well as the national association during a CEO Panel Discussion held on the afternoon of the first day of the conference. That panel included Rod Camm, CEO of MTA Queensland; Geoff Gwilym of the VACC; and Matt Hobbs from the MTAA.
MTA Queensland was involved in another session on Day Two, during a discussion and presentation on Sustainable Auto Recycling. Sarfraz Ali Kyani, a researcher in automotive recycling who was supported through the completion of his PhD into the subject by MTA Queensland, was joined by Ben Chesterfield of Car Craft to discuss the challenges and opportunities for sustainable automotive recycling. There was a pretty robust discussion with attendees around the relationship between automotive recyclers, vehicle repairers, and insurers, while Sarfraz also highlighted the opportunities for recyclers to consider new avenues of income as technology enables the recycling of almost all elements of a motor vehicle, including the traditionally difficult features such as bumper bars.
While the conference delivered on its promise to provide invaluable and informative sessions and a broad range of recycling industry-related topics, there was also the chance for attendees to do a bit of networking. Organisers laid on a welcome cocktail party to kick off the conference and there was also a gala dinner, plus other occasions, that enabled attendees to meet and network with others.
“The APRAA Conference was a fantastic experience, delivering two days packed with informative sessions covering everything that automotive recyclers need to consider, as well as offering those networking opportunities,” said Kellie Dewar from MTA Queensland.
“Attendees had the opportunity to engage with industry leaders, explore the latest innovations, and discuss sustainable practices that are shaping the future of automotive recycling. The announcement of the end-of-life vehicle report and study from the MTAA and FCAI at the conference shows how important the event is and how vital the recycling sector is to the automotive industry as a whole as we continue to move toward a more sustainable future.”
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (September 2024)
12 September 2024