September 22, 2011

For more information contact:
John Chalifoux
President and COO, MERA
(248) 213-4644
jchalifoux@mera.org

Members of the Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA) successfully raised awareness of the importance of remanufacturing to sustainability and job creation during the first-ever Remanufacturing Legislative Summit, held Sept. 20-21 in Washington, D.C.  The event was held in conjunction with the Remanufacturing Industries Council with support from the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).  Attendees conducted over 65 individual meetings with congressional offices and demonstrated the latest remanufacturing technologies to scores of policymakers and staff during an evening congressional reception.

“We were very pleased that many lawmakers gained a better appreciation of the substantial benefits of remanufacturing,” said John Chalifoux, president & COO of MERA. “They were impressed not only by the technologies and environmental benefits, but the significant job creation remanufacturing can offer.”

Attendees also heard the perspective of leading policy experts on the importance of remanufacturing.

U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) Analyst Alan Treat spoke about his agency’s study of the remanufacturing industry, which the ITC will publish next year.

Prominent current and formal public officials—including Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services Nicole Lamb-Hale of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and former Rep. Phil English (R-Pa.)—spoke about remanufacturing and the need for greater dialogue between industry and government. 

Attendees also learned about challenges and opportunities for the remanufacturing industry in the U.S. from leading industry experts including:  Cardone Industries Chairman and CEO Michael Cardone Jr., Davies Office Refurbishing President William Davies, GE Healthcare Remanufacturing Technology Director Michael Schmit and Cummins Leader of New Business Development Shawn Zwicker.

MERA plans to continue working closely with the MEMA Washington office and key lawmakers to promote remanufacturing policy issues. 

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