Silverlake Automotive Recycling [Silverlake] welcomed the President of the ARA [Automotive Recyclers Association - America], Shan Lathem, and Second Vice President, Eric Wilbert, to its Authorised Treatment Facility in Shedfield, Hampshire at the end of May.  The visit had been recommended by the ARA Past President, Marty Hollingshead, as an opportunity to see best practice in auto recycling in the UK, and the UK Director of the ARA, Darren Combellack accompanied the ARA representatives.

The site visit included a tour of Silverlake’s offices and operational facilities.  The ARA guests were able to meet and speak with all department heads and their teams; gaining insights on systems and processes used by the business to gain maximum efficiencies and deliver outstanding customer service.  The pride taken by staff in the services offered demonstrated the customer centric business culture that Silverlake is known for, which has been integral to its success and growth in market share in the UK.

The ARA representatives were impressed by the volume of vehicles handled at Silverlake’s 10-acre site and took away a number of ideas to include tyre processing, the imaging of reclaimed parts for online sales and ways to better leverage the Pinnacle system. 

Shan Lathem, President, ARA commented: “Silverlake’s site, its people and the way they manage their systems and processes to achieve maximum performance seriously took my breath away.  The visit was extremely valuable and we have some great insights to take back to our members. We received such a warm welcome and we were grateful for the opportunity to see what best practice looks like in the UK.”

Allen Prebble, managing director at Silverlake said: “It was our pleasure to show Shan and Eric around our facility and share how we do things in the business.  I was incredibly proud of the staff who really enjoyed demonstrating the part they play in Silverlake’s success.  I felt humbled by visit from the ARA, which for me signposted recognition of many years of hard work by all the team at Silverlake.” 

Why you can’t afford to miss CARS & MRE 2023 returning May 24-25.

The Complete Auto Recycling Show (CARS) and Metals Recycling Event (MRE) is back for its 2023 edition, taking place on May 24-25 at the NAEC, Stoneleigh Park, Coventry. The event promises to be bigger and better than ever before, with industry experts, practitioners, and enthusiasts coming together to explore the latest trends and innovations in the vehicle and metals recycling sector.

CARS 2023 is the perfect opportunity for attendees to learn about the latest developments in the industry and network with like-minded professionals. This year, the event will feature a new conference theme focused around Net-Zero with conference sessions on how to conduct carbon review on your business, the journey to decarbonisation and navigating sustainability for a metal and auto recycling industry. These are just must-attend sessions for anyone looking to reduce their carbon footprint and operate in a more sustainable manner.

Day One of the two day event packed with content and networking opportunities will see the themes of: Waste Classification (POPS and Hazardous Waste), BAT regulations with WTEE appropriate measures, personal and professional development, Advanced Sorting and Recycling around the world with Perspectives from the USA and Global Insights.

Day two will see green parts take the morning by storm, with four curated sessions delving into the different aspects confronting green parts specialists, from insurance, working together, repair, selling, and global perspectives on this. Moving on to Fire and Lithium Iron Batteries, and Careers and Employment Discussions. You can see the full agenda and check out who you can expect to meet here.

In addition to the conference sessions, CARS 2023 will feature a series of practical workshops delivered by the Business Doctors, a team of expert consultants who provide business coaching and mentoring to help companies achieve their goals. These workshops will provide attendees with practical insights and strategies to help them grow their businesses and improve their bottom line.

Back by popular demand are the skills lab sessions, delivered by vehicle expert Andy Latham. These sessions will cover a range of topics, including dismantling techniques, depollution, and the latest trends in vehicle recycling. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from one of the leading experts in the field and gain valuable insights into how to maximize the value of their automotive recycling operations.

From workshops to skills labs, the organisers of CARS also reveal that this year will see the new feature - ‘Meet the Buyer’ networking session, onsite prize giveaways such as the Autoshear Pro, and live team competitions such as the ‘Depollution Competition’ outside (all for fun – no live depollution is happening in this trial). Young British metals recyclers and those under 40 who are interested in joining the association will also come together for the onsite YBMRA brunch meet – a relaxed ‘lunch and learn’ style networking meet up. The CARS team have also picked up on the popularity of offsite tours, offering complimentary transport for anyone looking to book the British Motor Museum private tour for a small charge offered through the event.

Closing day one, the industry will then come together at the Chesford Grange Hotel to raise money for Child Bereavement at the CARS & MRE Charity Dinner (almost fully booked)– which will play host to 200 of the industry’s key players looking for relaxed networking, including a three course meal, entertainment, and charity auction fundraiser.

Visitor tickets are free, and it’s an event not to be missed for anyone involved in the vehicle recycling industry, whether they are a practitioner, business owner, or enthusiast. With an exciting line-up of conference sessions, practical workshops, skills lab sessions and all of the above, CARS 2023 promises to be the ultimate event for anyone looking to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the industry – while connecting face to face with the vehicle and metals recycling community.

For more information and to get your free tickets, visit the CARS and MRE 2023 website at www.carsmre.com

Silverlake Automotive Recycling [Silverlake] has become a Membership Partner of the British Racing and Sports Car Club [BRSCC] and will be offering BRSCC members an exclusive 10% discount on reclaimed parts.

Silverlake is one of the UK's leading vehicle recycling facilities, currently stocking over 50,000 reclaimed car parts across all make/model ranges.  The company auctions over 250 salvage vehicles weekly and has over 1500 cars available for breaking; further increasing the opportunity to source parts. 

Cars and reclaimed parts available from Silverlake include Audi, Volkswagen, Ford, Mazda, Citroen, Peugeot, Toyota and other manufacturers all currently being raced in BRSCC formulae.  Silverlake deliver parts nationwide.  Collection is also available from the main Southampton site and there is the possibility for Silverlake to bring parts to BRSCC race meetings, when they are attending.

Allen Prebble, managing director at Silverlake Automotive Recycling said: “The case for motorsports teams to use reclaimed parts to cut their repair and maintenance costs and reduce their carbon footprint is compelling. The nature of the sport means parts wear and get damaged and must be replaced frequently. This is costly both for motorsport team bank balances and the environment. Increasing upkeep costs and delays in being able to source parts present race teams with challenges, especially with a short-lived racing series and season. Silverlake’s OEM reclaimed parts are quality graded to the VRA UK standard, come with full provenance details, are available now and race teams can save up to 70% of RRP on new parts. We already supply reclaimed parts to a range of race teams, including those in the C1 Series which we sponsor, and the feedback on quality, price and reliability has been really positive. We are delighted to partner with the BRSCC to raise awareness of the opportunity presented by reclaimed parts and to offer motorsport race teams a 10% discount on our parts.”

To access the exclusive discount, BRSCC members can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management Network is made up of a diverse range of independent, innovative vehicle recycling and salvage firms, operating collaboratively and united behind market leading service standards against which they are audited.       11 collecting members represent nationwide coverage with a further 14 non-collecting members competing to become active in the event additional capacity is required.  The ‘Meet the e2e Network Members’ blog has been developed to shine a light on the infrastructure, operational capabilities, knowledge and expertise embedded in the network and demonstrate the progressive culture inherent in its members. 

Silverlake Automotive Recycling provides recovery, salvage and auction services for e2e clients throughout the South East of England and contributes to the network’s 500,000+ inventory of quality graded, warranty assured, provenance tested, OEM reclaimed parts.  The business has been established for 77 years and remains family owned and run by Allen Prebble, son of the founder Norman Prebble, and his senior management team comprising Nick Brown, Commercial and Compliance; Tom Harvey, Organisational Development; Denise Small, Finance; and Steve Diaper, Operations. 

Silverlake has expanded significantly in recent years with continuous investment in people, infrastructure and facilities at its 10-acre site in Shedfield, Hampshire, which holds over 3,500 vehicles.  As an Authorised Treatment Facility, the company exceeds Environment Agency targets, recycling 96.6% of the 30,000+ end-of-life vehicles its processes annually at Shedfield.  A second company site in nearby Botley handles HGVs.  Its fleet of 25 multi-vehicle transporters enable Silverlake to collect vehicles of all sizes and conditions and it has nine parts delivery vans operating nationwide.  Recent investment in facilities has included additional warehousing for its stocks of reclaimed parts, updating of carbon neutral plant and equipment supporting the drive to reduce CO2 emissions, and a new depollution workshop for the safe and separate management of electric and hybrid vehicles. 

Silverlake offers a wide range of services to its customers, which include public sector organisations, fleet management, insurers, bodyshops, garages, MOT centres and the general public.  These include salvage; auctions; a self-service auto parts facility, U-Pick-It; a full-service facility for buying dismantled, quality graded, warranty assured, OEM reclaimed car and motorcycle parts; and a tyre bay selling and fitting new and part worn tyres.  The company buys vehicles in any condition; providing a competitive price, handling all the necessary paperwork and collecting the vehicle for free.   

Professional standards and the delivery of continuously exceptional customer service are top of Silverlake’s agenda and the management team recognises it must ensure its people are given every opportunity to grow and excel in the work environment, to realise this business goal.  Regular assessment and training of the company’s 140+ staff is a strategic priority with recent training programmes including electric vehicle collection, handling and parts removal. Staff on the fast-track development programme are flown out to the USA annually to attend the Automotive Recycling Association [ARA] Conference to learn from the expert presentations at the event. The company is a member of the Vehicle Recyclers Association and staff are trained to the VRA UK Standard for Reclaimed Parts against which the business is certified. The business also holds ISO certification to standards 9001, 27001 and 14001.  

Silverlake is the only member of the e2e network to offer a self-service facility, U-Pick-It, for reclaimed parts, alongside its sale of full-service dismantled parts.  Holding over 350 vehicles and updated with new breakers weekly, regional customers visit the Shedfield U-Pick-It yard to safely dismantle parts for themselves.  The service sees strong repeat business as a trusted and popular way for customers to cost effectively repair and maintain their vehicles; it continues to be used by multiple generations as local families grow and age.  

The company is also raising awareness and confidence in reclaimed parts within the motorsports industry. The case for motorsports teams to use reclaimed parts to cut their repair and maintenance costs and reduce their carbon footprint is compelling.  The nature of the sport means parts wear and get damaged and must be replaced frequently. This is costly both for motorsport team bank balances and the environment.  Increasing upkeep costs and delays in being able to source parts present race teams with challenges, especially with a short-lived racing series and season.  Silverlake sponsors the C1 Racing Series and leading by example, its own race cars are maintained and repaired using reclaimed parts. Most recently, the company has partnered with the BRSCC to raise awareness of the opportunity presented by reclaimed parts and to offer member discounts.

Giving back to the community that has supported its growth is a priority for Silverlake which sponsors the Eastleigh Football Club Stadium and supports the Bobby Scheme, from the regional Blue Lamp Trust, to visit the homes of the elderly and vulnerable and provide security advice and free installation of security equipment.  The Shedfield site is used by the Hampshire and IOW Fire and Rescue Service as a safe environment to train fire-fighters in response to vehicle collisions and extraction of injured motorists.  The company supports local colleges with the supply of salvage vehicles for mechanical training courses and gives talks at careers events on automotive recycling.  ‘U Donate A Car’ is an award winning charity scheme set up by Silverlake to enable people to easily make a charitable donation, of any size, from the sale of their car to the company, to charity.  100% of donations go to the scheme’s charity partner, Global’s Make Some Noise, and see the initiative supporting small community charities through grants; enabling them to continue to really make a difference to peoples’ lives.  In 2022 the scheme raised £20,000.     

Silverlake believes the e2e network brings a unique service proposition to the salvage and vehicle recycling market, with members representing centres of excellence and deep market knowledge in their regions.  The collective expertise and innovation available from the independent businesses that make up the network cannot be matched by single entity service providers and the flexibility and agility inherent in the network model make it a powerful, resilient partner for insurers.  The continual growth and strength of the nationwide network, powered by significant member investment for the future, make it the optimal, sustainable choice for existing and future insurer clients.