Patrick van Gils and his brother Sacha are the owners of Van Gils Automotive in Nootdorp. The former is also a board member at Stiba, the organisation that represents the interests of the vehicle-dismantling industry. Both Stiba and ARN play key roles, insists Van Gils, who admits he was immediately enthusiastic when he was asked to join Stiba’s board. “You can think what you like, but this position is really enabling me to help make things better. As Stiba, we stand up for the collective, as well as every individual member. And to that end, we work closely with ARN.”
Promoting the use of original used parts
According to Van Gils, ARN has made a huge contribution to the professionalisation of the car-recycling industry. “Everything is now well organised: from the initial collection to the high-value recycling of the collected materials. Now it’s important that we do more to promote the sale of original used parts, which is something Stiba and ARN could do together.”
He feels that there should be a growing awareness, among consumers and garages alike, that the reuse of used parts has clear advantages. They are durable, cheaper, and often available just as quickly as new ones. If it was up to Van Gils, in the interest of the circular economy, car manufacturers should be mandatorily obliged to share data. “The word ‘economy’ in ‘circular economy’ says it all; it remains a source of revenue. If a part is still serviceable, why make a new one? Original car body parts could be used for body repairs, for example. Think about it: does it really it make sense to fit a brand new door panel in a 15-year-old car? The vehicle doesn’t then suddenly become worth more. We only have one planet. When certain raw materials run out, we’ll have no choice but to start reusing them. Why wait?”
Constructive collaboration
In addition to promoting the reuse of original parts, Stiba and ARN joined forces in 2022 concerning the dismantling of end-of-life electric vehicles and car batteries. “The removal of the battery, as part of the vehicle, is a primary process of a car-dismantling company and that’s how it should stay,” says Van Gils.
The Stiba board member applauds the 2022 arrival of ARN’s new Managing Director, Paul Dietz and appreciates the excellent contact Dietz enjoys with car-dismantling companies. “We have a good relationship,” he assures. “If you regularly sit around the table with one another and are both committed to constructive cooperation, you can achieve much more together. As an organisation you have to look after your own interests, of course. But the common good – the further professionalisation of an industry that has permanent right to exist and is a healthy revenue model – is paramount to both Stiba and ARN.”
“It’s important that we do more to promote the sale of original used parts, which is something Stiba and ARN could do together”
Patrick van Gils, board member of Stiba and owner of Van Gils Automotive
Looking ahead, Van Gils if full of confidence. He is keen to stress, however, that alongside the reuse of original parts, both Stiba and ARN would benefit from car use itself being seen in a more positive light. “It’s reached the stage where you almost feel reluctant to admit that you work in the automotive sector, despite the fact that the industry has taken some significant steps in the area of sustainability.”
