RotY Awards Nominees & Winners

Company: VALEO

Starting with heavy duty clutch 40 years ago, Valeo integrated remanufacturing at a very early stage in its strategy towards CO2 reduction efforts. Remanufacturing is now a cornerstone of Valeo’s Circular Economy Strategy (4R) and also remains a strong pillar of 2050 carbon neutrality commitment (CAP 50). Serving most prominent global OEMs like Mercedes, Stellantis, BMW, Renault Nissan, DAF, and others, Valeo elevated remanufacturing at industrial level with now up to 1 Million reman units/year, allowing for a highly cost competitive offer. Meanwhile, Valeo widened its scope and product portfolio to cover not only heavy duty but light commercial vehicles, passenger cars and off-road applications alike. Valeo is now reputed as a leading remanufacturer, providing starters, alternators, heavy duty clutches, dual mass flywheel, dual wet clutches, torque converters, brake calipers, A/C compressors at both OES’ and Independent AfterMarket channels, contributing to the expansion of the Remanufacturing industry itself. Our multi-product Reman Competence Center in Poland spreads the same demanding level of expertise to dedicated teams in other countries, based on a “mother-daughter” connection. While the activity started in Europe, Valeo’s remanufacturing footprint has expanded in Asia and South America and now in the US.

Company: Autocraft

Mike Hague-Morgan has been instrumental in driving the development of the remanufacturing industry for over a decade, particularly in the UK. He has actively championed automotive remanufacturing, working tirelessly to change people's perceptions of remanufactured products. From an electric vehicle standpoint, he is particularly vocal about the sustainability benefits of EV battery remanufacturing and strongly advocates for automakers to embrace this route to ensure optimal battery performance. He views this as critical to the automotive industry’s efforts to achieve net-zero.

Through key roles within the Automotive Components Section Committee and as Vice President of the SMMT, he has been at the forefront of promoting the role of remanufacturing in reducing waste and creating new opportunities.

One of the key areas that Mike has focused on is the development of cutting-edge new remanufacturing processes. He has led the way in driving improvements in cleaning processes, reclamation recovery techniques such as PTWA/RSW cylinder bore technology, and no-fault forward assembly processes (ARIA). This has enabled Autocraft Solutions Group to become a world leader with a reputation for quality and innovation, while setting a new quality standard for remanufacturing.

In addition to his work in the remanufacturing industry, Mike is also a keen advocate for developing engineering talent and driving innovation in remanufacturing technology. He is a regular speaker at industry events and workshops, where he shares his insights and experience with others in the industry and political stakeholders across Europe, helping to raise awareness about the benefits of remanufacturing.

Company: OTOMATIC Smolec i Wronka sp. jawna

Mr Krzysztof Smolec has, since 2018, been actively involved in promoting and modernising machines and methods for regenerating particulate filters, often known by the abbreviations DPF, FAP, GPF. Until recently, particulate filters were illegally removed from vehicles on a massive scale.

At present, in Europe, thanks to numerous campaigns initiated by Mr Krzysztof Smolec, the demand for the regeneration service of this type of filter is growing dynamically. Companies operating filter regeneration services are not complaining about a lack of customers. Changing legislation, roadside inspections, penalties for not having a DPF, awareness of loss of vehicle homologation, effectively discourage the use of unlawful DPF removal. In addition, the increased awareness of the cleaning service is influenced by numerous industry articles in prestigious information services, in which Mr Krzysztof Smolec has given interviews.

The demands of the vehicle market, both in Europe and outside the EU, are increasing due to the progressive move towards a low-emission economy. The systematic tightening of exhaust emission standards is forcing car manufacturers to use ever more precise exhaust emission control systems. The use of particulate filters fits perfectly into this programme. Until recently, these were only fitted to diesel vehicles, but from 1 January 2018, they have also been compulsory in petrol vehicles in all EU countries. As a result of the media's campaign against diesel engines, a new industry has emerged over the last few years, that of particulate filter cleaning services, in which Mr Krzysztof Smolec has been a pioneer since the beginning.

Company: MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers

John Chalifoux is a Staunch Advocate, Trusted Leader, and Protector of the Industry.

Over the years, John has worked together with hundreds of companies, associations and universities, many state and local governments—and the U.S. federal government. MERA is a dedicated group of 100 member companies, and MEMA, the parent organization, is comprised of nearly 1,000 member companies, primarily in the automotive and commercial vehicle industry. Many MEMA member companies, if not directly involved in MERA, are impacted by remanufacturing and the work of MERA.

Company: Linköping University

Erik has been leading and conducting many research projects to improve remanufacturing industry and to initiate new companies to start their remanufacturing journeys. He has also written papers, articles, standards about remanufacturing that are spread around the world mainly in several digital ways in databases, webinars and movie clips but also as books and book chapters.

At first, Erik was part of the jury for the RotY Awards, but given his nomination, he stepped back from this.

Company: ATR Transmissies / ATR Remote

With ATR Remote, we can remotely program, adapt, or diagnose electronic systems of a car, both for new and used transmission modules. We connect the ATR Remote to the car's OBD port and then establish a connection to one of our operators via the internet. Once a ticket has been created, a chat is available where the operator and the customer can communicate. Our operator then has a connection to the car and can provide support to the customer, including programming/coding a replacement transmission module, performing basic transmission adjustments after a rebuild, and supporting a complex fault based on data read from the car's OBD plug.

Company: Autocraft

Autocraft Solutions Group (ASG) specialises in remanufacturing two essential components in the automotive industry - engines and EV batteries. ASG's engine remanufacturing process involves receiving used engine cores from customers, which are cleaned, disassembled, and inspected to determine which parts can be reused and which ones need to be replaced. The components are then machined, cleaned, and reassembled, and the remanufactured engine is tested to ensure it meets or exceeds OEM specifications. ASG's engine remanufacturing services cover a wide range of engine types, including petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric powertrains. The company remanufactures and assembles up to 24,000 engines per year at its site in Grantham, serving several major automotive OEMs, including JLR, Ford, Volvo, JCB, Aston Martin, and Stellantis. ASG also provides EV battery remanufacturing services, which will become increasingly important as electric vehicles gain popularity. The company has developed a unique process for pinpointing battery faults at a cellular level, allowing faulty modules to be replaced with healthy ones. After assembly, the remanufactured battery pack undergoes testing to ensure it meets the expected performance for the lifespan and usage. ASG’s battery remanufacturing services cover various types of electric vehicles, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric vehicles, and will even transfer to hydrogen engine and fuel cell technologies. The Remanufacturing of engines and EV batteries is crucial to the circular economy and sustainability. Maximising the longevity of these components allows us to unlock their full environmental and performance benefits, while minimising the consumption of resources and waste produced.

Company: OTOMATIC Smolec i Wronka sp. jawna

Particulate filter.
Diesel vehicles, and for some time petrol vehicles, commonly use particulate filters to reduce the emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere. Soot and ash particles are deposited inside the filter walls dividing the particulate filter channels, as well as in a second accumulation phase in the particulate filter channels themselves, causing the filter to gradually fill up over time and, in the worst case, to become virtually completely clogged, making normal engine operation impossible.

Types of DPF contamination:
- Soot: The term particulate matter, most often refers specifically to soot. Soot is formed as a result of incomplete combustion of fuel. Such a particle consists primarily of carbon and hydrocarbon, as well as sulphates, sulphur and metal oxides and water.
- Ashes: Ash accumulates in the DPF during the long-term use of the filter, as non-flammable material left behind after the cyclic filter regeneration and soot oxidation processes. Ash consists of various metal compounds from lubricating additives, trace elements in the fuel and engine wear and corrosion products.
- Oil contamination: Oil contamination is most often caused by a leaking intake system ( e.g. turbocharger failure). Oil enters the filter insert (monolith) where it undergoes a sintering process.

Company: GRMTronics S.r.l.s.

For the development of the project, a company for the production of carpentry with our specifications was involved. The project is entirely of our production.

Company: STELLANTIS

Stellantis is the first car manufacturer in the region to launch a REMAN range for Light Vehicles. The business was launched in Brazil in April 2022 and counts now 7 product lines: turbos, injectors, alternators, starters, gearboxes, transmissions, steering wheels.

Company: ATR Transmissies / ATR Remote

ATR consists of three departments: ATR Transmissions, where transmission revisions are carried out; Cirtek, for the revision of components within transmissions; and ATR Remote. ATR Transmissions and Cirtek both provide technical expertise. Additionally, Automatic Choice contributes to the sale of hardware.

Company: Autocraft

Our innovation began following WMG’s CALIBRE project, part-funded by BEIS. We developed a process for remanufacturing used Nissan Leaf batteries for use in stationary energy storage systems. This accelerated development of our own technology. Subsequent funding from Advanced Propulsion Centre helped develop the software we use for battery testing and diagnostics and further develop our ARIA assembly system for EV remanufacture.

Company: OTOMATIC Smolec i Wronka sp. jawna

Four years after the launch of the hydrodynamic DPF regeneration machine, Otomatic is once again revolutionising the DPF filter market with its globally innovative DPF, DOC and SCR - hybrid regeneration technology.

Market effects of the implemented DPF-hybrid™ innovation:

1. An effective response in the form of a solution to the growing interest from the market in purchasing a machine with innovative technology.
2. Integrating the advantages of the two currently most popular particulate filter regeneration technologies into a single workshop unit. Hydrodynamic wet cleaning based on EU market + Pneumatic dry cleaninig based on US market.
3. Increased regeneration efficiency by using two different reconditioning methods in one process.
4. Reducing energy consumption by reducing the full wash cycle time by up to 32% compared to traditional methods.
5. A decrease in the overall number of customer complaints in the DPF regeneration market, thanks to a precise and efficient regeneration process.
6. Increasing the popularity of the regeneration service for particulate filters by showing the remanufacturing industry as innovative and environmentally friendly.
7. Replacing the 12-hour thermal treatment of the soot-burning process in the induction furnace with a more energy-efficient solution in the form of the innovative EURO 6 adapter by OTOMATIC.