Automotive Recyclers Association

What Automotive Recyclers Association does

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA), founded in 1943 and headquartered in Manassas, Virginia, is a private, nonprofit trade association representing professional automotive recyclers. It serves 1,250 direct members and an extended network of 4,000+ companies operating more than 4,500 facilities across 15 countries, with member businesses collectively generating over $32 billion in annual sales and employing more than 140,000 people at 9,000+ U.S. locations. A small national staff (1-10 employees per firmographic data; one source cites 10-20 staff) runs the association under the direction of an Executive Committee and Board of Directors drawn from member firms.

ARA operates a platform-plus-services model that monetizes the membership relationship through four core revenue streams: recurring membership dues, the Annual Convention & Exposition (83rd edition scheduled for October 14-17, 2026, in Atlanta), the Certified Auto Recycler (CAR) Gold Seal certification program (industry benchmark for over 20 years), and ARA University, a 24/7 on-demand training platform covering safety, compliance, operations, and EV/hybrid technology. Supporting products include a Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program, the ARTI Scholarship Program (now $80,000+ annually), the ARA Member Directory, the ROE Parts Locator, the Savings4Members Marketplace (group-purchasing discounts on insurance, energy, payroll, and fleet fuel), and the Shift Vehicle Retirement Initiative. ARA distributes content through its website, email newsletter, the ARA Unscripted Podcast, social channels (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, X), and the annual convention, with explicit strategic focus on EV battery stewardship advocacy—most notably endorsing Colorado's SB26-003, the first-in-the-US extended producer responsibility framework for EV batteries.

Name

Automotive Recyclers Association

Legal name

The Automotive Dismantlers and Recycler Association, Inc.

Website

https://a-r-a.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1943

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) is a 1943-founded, nonprofit US trade association serving 1,250 direct professional auto recycling members across 4,500+ facilities in 15 countries through certification, training, advocacy, and an annual convention.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Recycling Trade Association

NAICS

Used Car Dealers (44112)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950), Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714)

akta.pro primary industry

End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Recycling, Dismantling & Parts Recovery (TLABAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Used Auto Parts Recovery & Resale (Salvage/Yard Parts, Rebuilders) (EUAIAJAF), Scrap Collection, Brokerage & Trading (Dealers, Aggregators, Exporters) (EUAIAJAH)

Keywords

• Automotive recycling association
• Auto recycler certification
• Recycled OEM parts
• Vehicle dismantling training
• EV battery safety

Headquarters

HQ city

Manassas Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: ARA generates revenue through annual membership dues from over 1,250 direct members and an extended network of 4,000+ companies. Members receive access to training, certification, advocacy, networking, and cost-saving partnership programs.
2. Annual Convention & Exposition: The 83rd Annual Convention & Exposition generates revenue through registration fees, sponsorship packages, and exhibition booth fees. The event offers high-impact visibility and digital exposure for sponsors.
3. Certification Programs: ARA's Certified Auto Recycler (CAR) Program provides Gold Seal certification for recyclers meeting industry standards for quality, safety, and environmental responsibility.
4. Training Programs: ARA University offers 24/7 on-demand courses covering safety, compliance, EV/Hybrid technology, and operations. EV & Battery Safety training provides recycler-specific protocols for high-voltage era operations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) is a non-profit international trade association that represents professional automotive recyclers, providing industry advocacy, education, certification programs (including CAR Certification and ARA University), networking events such as the annual Convention & Exposition, and member services including parts-locator tools, a discount marketplace, and scholarship programs. Founded in 1943 and headquartered in Manassas, Virginia, ARA serves 1,250+ direct members operating 4,500+ facilities across 15 countries.

Product overview

The Automotive Recyclers Association operates as a platform-plus-services model, offering a comprehensive ecosystem for professional automotive recyclers. The core offerings include ARA University for 24/7 online training, the Certified Auto Recycler (CAR) Program for industry-standard certification, the Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program for business guidance, the ARTI Scholarship Program for workforce development, and the Annual Convention for networking. Supporting infrastructure includes the ARA Member Directory and ROE Parts Locator for finding certified recyclers and recycled parts, plus the Savings4Members Marketplace for member discounts. The ARA Unscripted Podcast extends engagement through audio content. These products collectively serve to advance the automotive recycling industry through education, certification, networking, and business support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ROE (Recycled Original Equipment): The official certification and branding program for recycled original equipment parts from ARA members.
• ARA University
• CAR (Certified Auto Recycler) Program
• ARTI Scholarship Program
• ARA Unscripted Podcast

Products and services

• ARA University Online training platform offering courses for automotive recyclers covering topics such as estimating, parts grading, hazardous materials handling, EV battery safety, OSHA bloodborne pathogens, and sexual harassment prevention.
• Certified Auto Recycler (CAR) Program Voluntary certification program verifying that automotive recycling facilities meet industry standards for quality, safety, and environmental compliance; certified recyclers display the Gold Seal of Quality Recycling.
• Annual ARA Convention & Exposition Annual trade event bringing together automotive recyclers, suppliers, and industry partners for networking, education sessions, and exposition of products and services relevant to the recycling industry.
• ARA Member Directory Online directory enabling consumers and industry buyers to search for ARA-member automotive recyclers by location, services, and certifications.
• ROE Parts Locator Online parts search tool helping consumers locate recycled OEM auto parts from ARA-member recyclers.
• Savings4Members Marketplace Member-benefit discount program providing access to special pricing negotiated with vendor partners on supplies, services, and equipment used by automotive recyclers.
• Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program Program pairing experienced ARA-member recyclers with newer professionals to share best practices across operational areas of automotive recycling businesses.
• ARTI Scholarship Program Scholarship funding for students and educators pursuing studies in automotive recycling, recycling science, and automotive repair.
• ARA Insurance Program Insurance products negotiated for ARA members, including coverage tailored for automotive recycling operations.
• Members Choice Warranty Program Warranty program offered through ARA-member recyclers providing consumer protection coverage on recycled parts.
• Marketplace Magazine Trade publication covering industry news, trends, and analysis for the automotive recycling industry.
• ARA Unscripted Podcast Industry podcast featuring conversations with automotive recycling professionals, suppliers, and thought leaders.

Quantifiable outcome

• Recycled OEM parts priced at 20–80% less than new parts, keeping repair costs down for consumers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cirba SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCirba Solutions is a battery recycling company that helped craft Colorado's Senate Bill 26-003, the first-in-the-US extended producer responsibility framework for EV batteries. ARA endorsed this legislation as a market-based solution.
• Redwood MaterialscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRedwood Materials, an EV battery recycling company, helped craft Colorado's Senate Bill 26-003 establishing the first EV battery stewardship program. ARA supported the legislation as a model for other states.
• Colorado LegislaturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARA has endorsed Colorado's SB26-003 legislation expanding the Battery Stewardship Act to include electrified vehicle batteries, establishing comprehensive requirements for EV battery recycling that could serve as a model for other states.
• Amwins (Insurance Program Partner)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmwins provides auto dismantlers insurance programs as a partner program available to ARA members, offering cost-saving benefits.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AutoRecyclers
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AutomotiveRecyclersAssociation
• Facebookfacebook.com/AutomotiveRecyclersAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/automotive-recyclers-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/ara_national

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Automotive Recyclers Association