KENTWOOD — Advocates for a bill pending in Congress say that using remanufactured parts to repair and maintain federal vehicle fleets would not only help save taxpayer money, but also act to spur job creation at local companies.
For North American Fuel Systems Remanufacturing LLC in Kentwood, the bill to encourage the federal procurement of more remanufactured parts could help fuel demand for the engine components it refurbishes for the heavy-truck industry, said Adam Knobeloch, the company’s vice president and general manager.
“I’m happy that (the bill) is actually creating some awareness,” Knobeloch said.
The Federal Vehicle Repair Cost Savings Act, introduced in February by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., aims to cut “wasteful spending” from repair and maintenance costs for vehicles in the federal civilian fleet. Congressman Bill Huizenga, R-Holland, introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House.
Currently, the federal government spends nearly $1 billion annually to maintain its civilian fleet, Peters said.
“Oftentimes, what happens in government procurement is they’ll look at the new part and won’t even consider remanufactured parts,” Peters said during a press conference outlining the bill at NAFSR’s plant in Kentwood.