ELYRIA, Ohio — The benefits of remanufactured parts—from quality to cost savings to sustainability—can make them an impactful part of any commercial vehicle fleet’s safety equation. But those positives have also made the terms “remanufactured” and “reman” attractive enough to cause marketplace confusion when employed inaccurately.
As one of the first ambassador companies of the Manufactured Again Certification program from MERA—The Remanufacturing Association, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems continues its efforts to educate buyers about remanufacturing, suppliers, and performance expectations.
MERA and its members developed the Manufactured Again Certification program to help purchasers easily identify remanufactured goods with like-new quality and warranty coverage. The program also promotes environmental stewardship and remanufacturing as a leading example in the circular economy. Bendix is among 14 leading remanufacturers initially approved for participation in the program. These ambassador companies are licensed to use the Manufactured Again Certification Mark to showcase that their certified remanufacturing facilities meet the same quality standards as new manufacturing facilities.
“The growth of interest in remanufacturing brings with it a greater emphasis on stressing exactly what ‘reman’ means, and setting standards to ensure that fleets and owner-operators know what to expect from remanufactured parts,” said Henry Foxx, Bendix director of remanufactured products. “We recognize that today’s parts buyers face more options than ever, and that performance and return on investment have never been more crucial. That’s why Bendix, MERA, and the other ambassador companies are pulling together to provide complete and reliable information on remanufacturing in today’s complex and competitive parts environment.”
Remanufacturing and Certification
Genuine remanufactured products are factory rebuilt by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) using a mix of reconditioned components and brand-new components from the same suppliers they use on original equipment. Wear components and items subjected to high stress or high temperatures, or subject to high fatigue or corrosion, are replaced with original spec components identical to those on a brand-new product. Remanufactured components help reduce replacement costs and extend vehicle life, while also reducing the environmental impact of new part production.
Lower-cost alternatives to reman parts are often rebuilt rather than remanufactured—and the terms are not interchangeable. When a rebuilder breaks down the core of a part for reuse, such as an air compressor, they may simply clean or repaint its parts, reuse the wear components, or replace them with inferior versions, since they may not have full access to OEM-quality replacements.
Brake shoes may just be relined with new friction, and not coined to return them to the proper OEM geometry. Additionally, post-production testing is much more rigorous at an OEM-level remanufacturer, where the resources and expertise are already in place.
The Manufactured Again Certification program, launched in November 2016, is based on the internationally recognized quality management standards ISO 9001 and IATF 16949. Where ISO 9001 can be used by any organization, large or small, in any industry, the supplemental IATF 16949 is one of the automotive industry’s most widely used international quality standards.
To receive Manufactured Again Certification, remanufacturers are required to submit third-party evidence of conformance to the accepted quality standards. The Manufactured Again Verification Committee oversees the program and reviews all applications.
For over 40 years, Bendix, the North American leader in the development and manufacture of leading-edge active safety and braking system technologies for commercial vehicles, has been a remanufacturing leader. Remanufactured components from Bendix include brake shoes, air disc brakes, valves, air dryers, compressors, and electronics. In 2011, Bendix formed a dedicated business unit focused on its remanufactured products. The company continues to grow its remanufacturing business and further develop its operations and offerings.
MERA—The Remanufacturing Association (formerly known as the Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association) is one of four market segment associations of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) trade group representing motor vehicle parts suppliers. Visit manufacturedagain.com for more information about remanufacturing and the Manufactured Again Certification program.
Bendix provides further insight on remanufacturing and replacement parts at the Knowledge Dock (knowledge-dock.com), which features videos, blog posts, podcasts, and white papers, as well as an archive of the Bendix Tech Tips series.
Through its industry leadership, an ever-growing portfolio of technology developments, and unparalleled post-sales support, Bendix delivers on safety, plus other areas critical to fleets’ success, including vehicle performance and efficiency. By lowering the total cost of vehicle ownership for fleets and owner-operators, Bendix helps strengthen return on investment in technologies and equipment that improve highway safety drivers and passengers across North America’s roads.
- Related: http://www.safertrucks.com/knowledge-dock/blog/knowledge-is-power.html
- Related: https://soundcloud.com/bendix-cvs/truck-talk-with-bendix-the-benefit-of-buying-genuine-parts
About Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC.
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, a member of the Knorr-Bremse Group, develops and supplies leading-edge active safety technologies, energy management solutions, and air brake charging and control systems and components under the Bendix brand name for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, tractors, trailers, buses, and other commercial vehicles throughout North America. An industry pioneer, employing more than 3,200 people, Bendix is driven to deliver solutions for improved vehicle safety, performance, and overall operating cost. Contact us at 800-AIR-BRAKE (800-247-2725) or visit bendix.com. Stay connected and informed through Bendix expert podcasts, blog posts, videos, and other resources at knowledge-dock.com. Follow Bendix on Twitter at twitter.com/Bendix_CVS. Log on and learn from the Bendix experts at brake-school.com.
