Framework to promote automotive remanufacturing: case study of automotive repairing, rebuilding, and remanufacturing industry in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The growth of remanufacturing has seen its application in automotive, electronic equipment, furniture, and medical devices in the global product portfolio. Remanufacturing is identified as a promising end-of-life/use product recovery strategy that has been used in the world for decades as a solitary value-adding process that upgrades a product from used condition to the like-new Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) condition. Remanufacturing could be an attractive option with the growing vehicle fleet in Sri Lanka. However, most of the existing recovery practices do not fall under the remanufacturing definition. The purpose of this study is to develop a framework to promote automotive remanufacturing among the repairers, re-builders, and other stakeholders. A case study-based approach was used with semi-structured interviews that were conducted physically and remotely. The study derives and presents a remanufacturing closeness factor for each case company by considering product type, process steps, degree of salvage, and performance testing were considered as key elements. Prioritized Internal and external factors were used as construct variables in the framework. Key constructors were core acquisition, Skill labour availability, remanufacturing process steps, technology, market knowledge, and policy requirements. The developed framework can be used as a guide to promote the efficient adaptation of remanufacturing.