Mark Schofield, Managing Director at Car Transplants mentioned a fact finding mission involving several Finnish dismantlers, we at ATF Professional were intrigued to find out more. Mark put us in touch with one of those involved, Kai Lindell, Executive Director of the Suomen Autopurkamoliitto in Finland. The group visited both of Car Transplants facilities during their visit to the UK.
Here’s what Kai divulged about the trip:
At the end of September, 30 dismantlers from Finland gathered together for the traditional autumn meet of the Finnish Autopurkamoliitto r.y (The Finnish Car Dismantlers Association). The journey began at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and the group headed to Liverpool and Chester.
‘They arrived at the Radisson Blu hotel In Liverpool on 27th September. First on the agenda the following morning were two presentations, as well as debates and group work on their basis. In the opening presentation, Chairman Kari Laine emphasised the continuous development of the quality of operations of the member companies and, in particular the Association’s quality certificate in each member company.
Furthermore, Laine updated the future for the European Union and reported on the Nordic Women’s Meeting in Sweden.
The second presentation was held by Kai Lindell, Executive Director, who updated the EU’s policy targets on circular economy and reminded the requirements of the EU’s ELV directive as well as the severe shortcomings in its implementation in Finland.
In addition, the formulation included information on Norwegian and Danish dismantling premium schemes. Group presentations and summaries on these subjects were prepared in four groups. The target being to clarify the core tasks of the Autopurkamoliitto Association and to map out the members’ expectations from it.
The results were precise and clear. The summary of the group works was led by Kari Laine the most important factors were as follows:
- The lobbying on behalf of the membership and the promotion of a positive public image
- Promoting the Assosciation’s Quality Certification among members
- Dedication of car dismantling for correctly and legally operating companies – regulatory control
- For the coming two-year-long perspective, anticipating continuously the future EU and other legislation as well as government regulations
- Regular membership letter
- Association – is recognised as a good partner for stakeholders and other organisations
- Association magazine – should be published more frequently (4 times a year)
The following part of the trip were visits to two companies, Copart UK’s Chester site (https://www.copart.co.uk/) and Car Transplants in Cheshire (https://www.car-transplants.co.uk).
Kai Lindell pointed out that they visited two locations in Cheshire on 29th September, and their host was one of the three founding members of Car Transplants (founded in 1974), Mark Schofield.
Car Transplants has a total of five locations, 110 employees, a fenced and secured storage area of 16 hectares and an internal space of 4.5 hectares. Also within the premises, there is a museum of about 120 vehicles which have been accumulated over the years, which are also utilised commercially, they rent vehicles for example for movies and television.
Even their grandfather’s first butcher’s delivery vehicle; a front-mounted bicycle with which he used to deliver fresh goods was there. Kai said that “the hosts were quite proud of their company and its development from a small company to one of the leading companies in England”.
The group gained a free and detailed insight on the company’s entire operation. Mark spoke openly to his Finnish counterparts and answered all questions.
Car Transplants’ company’s auto auction business is in Winsford, Cheshire and dismantling and the sale of used parts is in Nantwich, Cheshire’s site, which is also the company’s first headquarters.
As a speciality, it is said that for the description of vehicles and parts, the company has the largest green room studio which can also be rented out.
In Winsford there is a car auction online every day from 12.00 am, with an average of 600 vehicles sold per week.
Nantwich makes the bulk of dismantling and deliveries of used ”green” parts. Thousands of parts are sold every month and a substantial share goes to export, up to approximately 25%.’
It seems that the Finnish dismantlers had an interesting and enjoyable trip to the UK. I’m sure it has given them plenty of insight and that their fact finding mission was a success.
Image: Mark Schofield and the Finnish Dismantlers at Car Transplant’s green studio
Has your bus been knifed?
Last month saw the arrival of the Giants puppet show; created by the Royal de Luxe. This was the third event of it’s kind where giant puppets or ‘puppet Giants’ are paraded through the streets of Liverpool. This year there were one or two surprises in store for spectators. One such surprise was as Arriva bus which had been
sliced down the middle by a giant butter knife. But what happened to the bus after the event? Car Transplants’ MD Mark Schofield, told us that they were responsible for the aftermath – they were asked to take on the task of dismantling it. Check out the images.
