Founded by Thierry van Vierssen, Dutch Rebuilt provides affordable, alternative transmission solutions to repair shops across Europe. With a focus on sustainability, the company sources pre-owned automatic transmissions and offers them with a warranty, catering to the growing demand for eco-friendly automotive solutions. Dutch Rebuilt plays a crucial role in the auto recycling and remanufacturing industry by reducing waste and extending vehicle life.
The Origins and Impact of Dutch Rebuilt
Thierry van Vierssen says: “I’ve always had a deep passion for automobiles and the idea of giving new life to what others might consider old or beyond repair. My journey to becoming the owner of Dutch Rebuilt began 25 years ago when I started working in the Independent Automotive Aftermarket for manufacturers such as Shell, Gates and ZF. Along the way, I noticed how much waste there was in the industry, with countless parts being discarded that could still be of value if properly rebuilt or recycled.
Dutch Rebuilt will play a crucial role in the auto recycling and remanufacturing industry by selecting used/pre-owned automatic transmissions and distributing these transmissions to the best automatic transmission repair shops in Europe. This process not only helps reduce waste but also provides a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative for consumers and businesses alike. We’re part of a growing movement that prioritizes sustainability without sacrificing performance. Every day, I’m proud of the work we do in extending the life of vehicles and reducing the overall environmental impact of the auto industry.”
What Sets Dutch Rebuilt Apart: Trust, Precision, and a Vast Network
Dutch Rebuilt stands out in the industry due to our strong network of the best automatic transmission repair shops across Europe and the trust we’ve built with our clients by visiting on-location and being a business partner to understand how our clients operate.
When I first began selling used transmissions, I relied on clear and honest communication since we didn’t offer warranties at the time. Over the years, we’ve expanded our reach, buying transmissions with warranties from all over Europe, which has given me a broad perspective on this market.
Today, I’m able to offer my clients access to a daily inventory of around 320,000 automatic transmissions with a warranty. This extensive selection allows me to pinpoint the exact transmission with the precise specifications that match the vehicle in their workshop—a service no one else in the industry can provide.
Overcoming Challenges: Building Trust and Collaboration in the Supplier and Rebuilder Network
Thierry van Vierssen said: “One of the key challenges I faced while establishing my network of suppliers was finding the right suppliers to meet the exact transmission specifications ordered by my clients. To secure better pricing, suppliers expected a consistent increase in turnover, which meant it took time to build their trust. However, as they started seeing repeat business, we were able to forge stronger relationships, eventually leading to more favorable buying conditions.
When I founded Dutch Rebuilt, I initially visited a select group of reputable automatic transmission rebuilders. One of the key challenges in this industry is that rebuilders often work in isolation and rarely collaborate. Today, all of my clients are interconnected, and through Dutch Rebuilt, we are achieving far more than when specialists operated on their own. My key challenge with Dutch Rebuilt has always been to bridge this gap, ensuring that consumers can enjoy the same warranty and peace of mind when purchasing a pre-owned transmission as they would when buying a new automatic transmission from a car manufacturer, all within a reasonable time frame.”
The Crucial Role of Data in Dutch Rebuilt’s Future Strategy
Data utilization is a critical aspect of our future business model, especially for companies or investors involved in auto recycling and selling parts like automatic transmissions. There are various ways to search for a part, often relying on an OEM number. However, identifying the correct number isn’t always straightforward. For instance, a transmission may have several part numbers, and it can be unclear which one is correct. In some cases, the part number is on a sticker, but over time that sticker may wear off or disappear. To accurately identify the part, it’s necessary to use the car’s chassis number and specialized manufacturer software to find the correct part number.
I’ve seen numerous errors at car recycling companies where incorrect part numbers are entered into sales systems. This leads to unsold parts or returns due to claims. At Dutch Rebuilt, we’ve developed a system to minimize these mistakes. Over time, we’ve learned that many transmissions are interchangeable, allowing us to link multiple part numbers to a single object. From the beginning of Dutch Rebuilt, I began collecting this data, and today, it enables us to offer our clients more options. This data will be invaluable for the bigger recycling companies in the future, helping them increase sales and reduce errors.
Future Vision and Expansion: Dutch Rebuilt’s Path to Industry Leadership
Looking ahead, my plans for Dutch Rebuilt are bold and forward-thinking. From the outset, I saw the immense potential in the market, and I’ve been committed to realizing that vision.
Last year, I briefly shared my goals with some multinationals, outlining my strategy to make Dutch Rebuilt the leading and best supplier of used/pre-owned automatic transmissions in the industry.
The future promises exciting developments as we expand our reach, enhance our offerings, and set new benchmarks for quality and reliability in automatic transmission supply. Dutch Rebuilt will proudly represent automatic transmission workshops across Europe. I am ready to take the lead in this exciting journey.
Strategic Partnerships and Specialized Expertise: Dutch Rebuilt’s Approach to Automatic Transmission Solutions
When dismantling a combustion-powered passenger vehicle, the two most valuable components are usually the engine and the automatic transmission. While the engine is often sold to garage owners or engine rebuilders, we anticipate that the sale of automatic transmissions will increasingly move towards specialized professionals. These specialists possess the diagnostic tools, mechanical expertise, and knowledge needed to properly diagnose, install, calibrate, and fill the transmission with the correct amount of automatic transmission fluid. They also ensure that error codes are cleared and necessary software updates are applied, ensuring optimal performance.
However, we have observed that most recycling companies/dismantlers lack this expertise, leading to gearboxes being returned with the claim that they are faulty. In reality, many of these units are in good condition, but garage owners discover that installing an automatic gearbox is far more complex than installing a manual one.
In the near future, Dutch Rebuilt will be partnering with recycling companies and European fleet owners of passenger cars and light vehicles.
As lease contracts extend from 3 to 5 years and vehicle mileage rises, we are leveraging our extensive European network of specialists to offer competitive solutions to these larger fleets.
This is just the beginning.
Looking ahead, we will continue to explore new products to expand our distribution and enhance the services we provide to our clients.
Visit dutchrebuilt.com
Images courtesy of Thierry van Vierssen
