Not only is your parts selection important, but your choice of parts supplier also plays a huge role in your service success. OEMs and suppliers have been pumping big investments into their parts distribution network to make next day, or in some cases same-day, deliveries a reality.
Daimler Trucks North America, for example, will open its 10th parts distribution center in Maricopa County, which encompasses the greater Phoenix area, next year. Phoenix was selected because, together with the other parts distribution centers, it supports DTNA’s ability to provide next-day delivery to more than 90% of its U.S. dealer order volume. DTNA’s existing network already reaches more than 80% of the U.S.
“Our focus is on speed through the supply chain,” said Tracy Royal, Daimler Trucks North America’s (DTNA) director of aftermarket supply chain. “We are working to develop more effective programs that will improve our collaboration with our suppliers so that we can all manage through the challenges of demand fluctuation. By doing so, the part can reach the customer in a more timely fashion and not get hung up somewhere in the supply chain.”
Road Choice, for its part, carries more than 40 product lines available at more than 500 retail locations as well as online through its SELECT Part Store. It puts its parts strategy focus on collaboration.
“A strong relationship between parts and service is critical in order to increase uptime,” said Todd Shakespeare, director of parts marketing for Mack and Volvo Trucks. “On routine and/or repetitive maintenance activities, for example, service managers should have the parts needed tied to the truck being serviced. For scheduled, non-routine service procedures, consider order the products you need using a just-in-time inventory provider.”
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