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Whether an auto shop serves the public or a business fleet, planning can be a very challenging prospect. You just never know what kind of job will be coming through the door on a given day.
In the maintenance world, you’re almost never facing the same thing from week to week. It’s never a cookie-cutter situation, but that’s how some suppliers like to approach things.
Unless a shop has an incredibly accurate crystal ball, a huge key is choosing the right business partners to avoid downtime. With the right technology and the human touch, you can save money by saving time.
Downtime waiting for parts costs a lot, and a lot of shops underestimate those costs. People are chasing nickels and costing dollars, and they do it all the time. If you spend four hours searching for a slightly cheaper part, the math just doesn’t add up.
That’s why shops need a reliable MRO supplier that offers a collection of tools, skills, and services that let them focus on what they do best: getting the job done on time and on budget.
Here are five great ways the right supplier can help a shop succeed:
1. Vendor-Managed Inventory
Proactive inventory management is a vital step toward being prepared for an efficient, productive day. A shop must have all the supplies it needs, when it needs them.
Consistent inventory management by a supplier’s representative ensures a shop has the right amount of all supplies on hand – not too much, not too little.
Even if you own a fleet of vehicles, the same thing is not likely to break on all of them. This one is going to have an electrical problem, this one’s going to have a wheel-balancing issue, this one’s going to have a door problem. You can’t just buy one clip and have it solve every problem.
When done correctly, VMI gives everyone in the process a good idea of what a shop needs during a given period, and ongoing reviews allow inventory levels to be adjusted up or down as needed going forward.
2. Next-Day Shipping
Despite the best planning, the unexpected will happen from time to time. A shop will need more of a part than expected and run out. It’s just a fact of life.
A worst-case scenario happens to countless shops every Thursday. A vehicle is coming in that needs a repair that no one plans for. A clip or whatever is needed, and it’s just not on hand.
If the shop’s vendor can’t get that clip delivered the next day, the shop easily could be waiting until Monday or later to make the repair. That could be a recipe for some very unhappy customers, expensive rental vehicles, or even worse.
If it’s a vehicle used for business, you’re talking about lost days of work. The business that vehicle is responsible for would be lost, and the cost of downtime for the employee using that vehicle could be significant. In this instance, waiting for a part could cost hundreds of dollars a day, if not more.
3. Industry Knowledge
VMI and next-day shipping are great, but having a knowledgeable partner you can consult takes it to the next level. You need a vendor who visits regularly and knows your operation.
You can call them with an emergency order and be confident they’ll take care of your needs. Or if you need help tracking down the right part or item for the job, they have the knowledge to be a resource.
You definitely want a partner with experience with access to a broad array of products, both in stock and available by special order.
4. Online Ordering
A great complement to expert personal service is an accessible, comprehensive online ordering system and website that allows you to order product 24/7.
In addition to extensive product information and quick, easy ordering, look for tools like order history and other account information, a payment center, and reference information such as Safety Data Sheets.
In addition to extensive product information and quick, easy ordering, look for tools like order history and other account information, a payment center, and reference information such as Safety Data Sheets.
5. Cost Recovery
Finally, for many shops, investing in a cost recovery system is a great way to boost revenue. Keeping track of usage in real time ensures all items go from the bottom line to the invoice. Most shops that bill
everything that’s used to the proper job can reclaim $15-20 or more per job.
Looking for a partner in performance who can offer these benefits and more, keeping your shop productive and efficient? 
