Autopieces.fr is redefining the automotive industry by championing the principles of the circular economy. Through innovative practices, environmental stewardship, and customer-focused solutions, the company is setting new standards for sustainability and efficiency in vehicle recycling and the sale of reused parts. Under the leadership of Paul Richard, Autopieces.fr has evolved from a traditional car scrapyard into a cutting-edge e-commerce platform, offering high-quality, eco-friendly solutions that are both cost-effective and convenient for customers. With a clear vision of the future, Autopieces.fr demonstrates how sustainability and innovation can drive progress in the automobile sector. In this interview piece, Paul Richard discusses further.
Your father started the company in 1989. How did you go from a traditional car scrapyard to a major player in e-commerce?
The company started at a time when everything was done on-site in a traditional way. I joined the team in 2008, but it was really around 2012-2013 that we took the digital turn. The pandemic accelerated this dynamic and accelerated the growth of the Autopieces.fr website, the new generation of auto scrapyards. This allowed us to gradually improve our tools by listening to feedback from our customers. We recently completed an overhaul of our website to offer an even smoother and more intuitive user experience.
This redesign seems to be an important step. What were the main challenges to overcome on your website?
One of the major challenges was to make the parts search simpler and more accessible. We wanted even a novice to be able to find what they are looking for without difficulty. With our search tool, all you need is a license plate or a model to identify available used parts.
This optimized customer experience is part of a more global model: the circular economy. Why is this choice so strategic for Auto Pièces?
We recycle, on average, 98% of the weight of vehicles. This involves the recovery, deconstruction and recovery of materials such as metals, plastics or fluids. We put reusable parts on the market, which considerably reduces the carbon footprint. Producing a new part is costly for the planet, while reuse gives a second life to vehicles and limits waste.
Beyond the environmental impact, what savings does this represent for your customers?
Our recycled parts cost up to 80% less than new parts. They are tested and guaranteed for 12 months, and if they are not suitable, they can be returned within 30 days. Delivery is free for all parts available on the site. This is a real saving of time, money and peace of mind for our customers.
You talk about circular economy and ecological impact. However, raising awareness among customers is not always easy. How do you convince them to choose reused parts?
We try to communicate transparently, showing the concrete benefits for our customers. However, it is clear that the role of the media is also essential in highlighting ecological solutions like ours. It is by multiplying these relays that we change habits.
Automation is a major lever for modernizing your processes. What tools have allowed you to optimize your deconstruction and storage chain?
For example, we invested in an overhead conveyor to automate the deconstruction chain and optimize the storage of parts. This allows us to process more vehicles, speed up lead times and guarantee better quality of recycled parts. Today, we manage more than 110,000 references with a millimeter-precise organization.
And on the customer side, how do these innovations translate into concrete terms?
Everything has been designed to make their journey easier. The search for parts is quick and intuitive, thanks to tools optimized by model, license plate or manufacturer reference. Each part is photographed and referenced precisely, which gives the customer a clear vision before purchase. Shipping times are reduced, with free delivery within 24 to 48 hours in France. From choosing the part to receiving it, the experience is smooth, transparent and without any unpleasant surprises. We seek to provide them with the most suitable service possible.
Do you also work with professionals, such as garages or repair experts? What benefits do you offer them?
Absolutely. We have set up a dedicated space for automotive professionals, whether garages or repairers. This space allows them to benefit from advantageous conditions, including an automatic 10% discount on all our parts.
You talk about performance and efficiency, but your company remains very locally anchored. Why is this territorial commitment essential?
Everything is done in-house, from recovery to sale, at our site based in Le Tallud (Deux-Sèvres department, Editor’s note). This anchoring allows us to guarantee the French origin of our parts and support the local economy. We employ 30 people. Each purchase helps to preserve non-relocatable jobs and strengthen short supply chains.
Your model seems to be bearing fruit. How do you see the future of Autopieces.fr?
Our priority is to grow at our own pace without losing what makes us strong: quality of service and proximity to our customers. Our business is currently based on three pillars: the resale of damaged vehicles, which are repaired by professionals, the recycling of materials – such as scrap metal and plastic that we revalue – and above all, the reuse part. This is our core business, and it is this activity that we want to continue to develop as a priority. We want to become a major player in the ELV center sector while remaining true to our values and our responsible vision. The future of Autopieces.fr will be sustainable, connected, and always focused on satisfying our customers.
Finally, what message would you like to send to your customers, whether individuals or professionals?
Choosing reused parts is a gesture for both the planet and your budget. At Auto Pièces, we make sure it’s fast and secure, with guaranteed parts and a service that inspires confidence. The goal is to help everyone maintain a vehicle without complicating their lives. Customers already have enough worries on a daily basis…
Image ©Paul Richard auto part
This article was originally published – www.challenges.fr