Brave new world

Strategic partner
If customers want to set up a reman operation, they need a full reman plant – “and that’s hard”, points out Jasink. but Alec offers them a way of keeping obsolete components going through their own strategic electronics reman partner. With a minimum batch size of 1,000 units per year, Alec is obviously not pitching itself at smaller companies – and it makes sense for reman outfits to tie themselves in with OEMs as the independent aftermarket shrinks. Without enough parts to remanufacture, work dries up and it is important for all industries – remanufacturing included – not to become stuck in their ways.

“What we do is specific to car needs but I think that all remanufacturers need to get in line and find a relationship with manufacturers or Tier 1 suppliers,” he warns. “If they don’t tie themselves in, they will lose out. The independent aftermarket will not be as it is now – it will change. And it will move quicker than people actually expect.”

Standing still, therefore, is not an option. “You have to be proactive rather than reactive,” says Jasink. “When we quote to manufacturers, they can see the product costs and we can structure it to fit their needs.” For example, some firms might not require end of line or entry tests, and prices would reflect this. “Robotising the process means that errors are minimised,” he goes on. “We offer a customised service and can immediately start offering a reman solution for them. The process is flexible for clients. It is also fully transparent: a cost-effective, open-price structure.”

Robotised operation
Non-disclosure agreements mean that Jasink cannot say which manufacturers have signed up to Alec, and what products will be remanufactured, but he confirms that Alec’s robotised operation is currently handling reman of transmission control units for ACT itself.

Hardware is a mixture of bespoke and off-the-shelf. “Some of the robotics are custom-made for us,” explains Jasink, citing a robot which specialises in the gluing part of the process. He points to the company’s “latest facilities in the field of bonding and laser technology”. In addition, he says Alec’s R&D department is constantly looking ahead for new developments and technologies “so as to be able to add the future generation of products to our remanufacturing process”.

He adds: “We’re by far the most advanced electronics remanufacturing company. Stick to what you know: you can broaden out from that – but our expertise is electronics: we have more than a decade in electronics reman.”

How big could the business be in five or ten years’ time? “It’s a good question,” says Jasink. “We have a unique approach. The company could grow quickly: after five years, if it goes the way we want it to, we will have bigger premises – and more robots. We have competition and they will challenge us, but I don’t focus on them: we have our own goals and targets. I’ve seen the challenges that lie ahead – it keeps you on your toes.”