‘Rhenoy group LKQ: See how we give damaged cars a second life through salvage and remanufacturing’

ICM: Please give us an overview of LKQ’s activities in the automotive market.

Nick van Kessel: Affordable mobility and sustainability go hand-in-hand and underpin everything we do at LKQ, which means supplying a broad range of aftermarket, salvaged, refurbished and remanufactured parts, and ensuring the continued relevance and competitiveness of the independent repairer.

LKQ is Europe’s leading distributor of aftermarket parts for cars, vans and industrial vehicles – delivering to more than 100,000 independent and affiliate workshops multiple times per day.

In North America, LKQ is a leading provider of dismantled and aftermarket parts, and recycles around 800,000 cars per year.

ICM: How do you see this market developing worldwide? How confident are you for the future of LKQ in the automotive market?

Nick van Kessel: The automotive aftermarket is relatively stable – and less exposed to market cycles than new car sales, for example. An ageing car parc is an opportunity for us and our independent customers, as older cars tend to rely more on our products and services.

Here in Europe, while our focus has historically been on distributing aftermarket parts, we are seeing increased customer interest in alternative solutions – especially in the collision repair sector – because of the rising cost of repairs.

We have already started tapping into our American colleagues’ unrivalled experience and expertise in remanufacturing and salvage, which, combined with our market-leading distribution capabilities – and the remanufacturing and salvage businesses we already own in Europe i.e. LKQ Atracco and Rhenoy – puts us in a strong position to respond to growing demand for quality remanufactured and recycled parts in the years ahead.

ICM: What will the delegates see at the plant visit? 

Nick van Kessel: The delegates at IARC 2025 who participate in the plant visit will experience our salvage business in Waardenburg and our remanufacturing business in Veghel, getting a behind the scene look at both operations. Our salvage business does not dismantle ELVs but focusses mainly on used powertrain parts. Our Dutch factory, MRT Engines BV, is located in Veghel, and offers an alternative remanufacturing solution.