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Keeping your fleet on the road can depend on the parts back-up from your supplier. We look at the services offered by manufacturers and independent factors
• With earnings at stake, the spare parts back-up which an operator can expect from a manufacturer or his agent is an important factor to consider when choosing new vehicles. How much stock the dealers hold, whether they can supply parts on an imprest stock basis, if they can stay open round the clock, are all questions that an operator might consider. These are discussed in more detail in the article on page 24.
In the following survey, the truck manufacturers and the independent suppliers were asked to describe the service their outlets provide. Clearly, certain dealers are better than others, so the comments must be seen as generalisations. However, if your local dealer does not come up to scratch you can always take your business elsewhere.
When it comes to the difference in parts prices between manufacturers, the parts survey conducted in Commercial Motor last year (14-20 July, 6-12 Oct) concluded that the British firms (such as Ford, ERF, Seddon Atkinson) were cheaper overall, with the Continental marques (notably Mercedes, MAN and Scania) proving more costly. It was also found that the independent factors were cheaper for smaller items, but generally not for the bigger components.
IEREI
TRUCKS
• The 24 ERF main distributors and the 26 further service/parts outlets supply parts for ERF trucks, and other makes with common components — Ctunmins engines and Eaton transmissions, for example. Many distributors can place imprest stock where needed, and can offer daily deliveries. Parts not in stock are dispatched overnight from the Middlewich service centre for next morning delivery. ERF dealers have taken over a workshop's spares department in one area, including stock control. While few parts departments are open around the clock, some have a late evening closure, and all have 24hr/7-day call-out facilities. ERF parts are virtually all from the OE component suppliers, and fast-moving components are promoted at competitive prices through the Fastline Trade Price Book.
PACCAR PARTS
• Foden is now marketing its own parts and those for other makes under the Paccar name. Its 49 UK dealers can supply both major and fast-moving items for most major British and Continental makes, but not normally on an imprest stock basis. The dealers can take over the running of a spares department if required, and do open around the clock in some cases. Express parts delivery is available nationwide, and the pricing, which is set annually in April, is claimed to be very aggressive.
• The vast network of 1,100 Ford main dealers provides Ford assured parts for the Ford range of CllVs and pick-ups, and the Transit Some dealers will arrange imprest stock for large fleets of similar vehicles, and will also control operators' fastmoving stock. The level of Vehicle Off Road (VOR) emergency support given by a dealer depends on the class of vehicle, with a 48-hour response typical for lightvehicle parts, while most dealers offer two daily deliveries in urban areas and one in rural areas. • There are 150 Freight Rover main dealers who supply the full range of genuine parts for the range of vans and minibuses. Many dealers will place imprest stock, and some will take over an operator's parts department for them. Most parts are available within 24 hours from the dealers, but if not, an emergency VOR overnight service is available using the Multipart organisation. 24-hour opening is common among the dealers also holding a truck franchise, while all have 24-hour emergency call out. The parts are standard OE parts, and thus carry the normal 12-month unlimited mileage warranty.
IVECO
&Ted
TRUCK
• Iveco Ford has 143 dealers nationwide providing parts for its truck range up to 28.5 tomes, with 51 which also handle the range up to 38 tonnes. Imprest stock or assistance in organising a parts department can be negotiated on an individual basis. There are rigidly controlled minimum stock levels throughout the network, but if a part is not available, computerised ordering allows emergency parts to be delivered to the dealer by 10.30am the next working day.
Leyland DAF
• All parts for the Leyland DAF range from 6.2 tonnes upward can be obtained from 129 outlets (57 of which are main dealers). With a claimed parts availability averaging 96%, and an all year round emergency parts delivery system operated via Leyland DAFaid, Leyland DAF does not see the need for imprest stock arrangements, but will discuss and implement them if requested. It will also take over an operator's parts (and servicing) activities on an agreed commercial basis. While 16 dealers are currently open over 126 hours a week, all can supply parts on a 24-hour basis. The parts are supplied to OE quality, and while pricing is described as competitive, Leyland DAF are putting the emphasis on availability.
Multipart, Leyland DAk"s parts company has a selection of over 12,000 part numbers for all major British and European makes available from Leyland DAF outlets, and carrying a standard 12-month unlimited mileage warranty.
• MAN has 46 service centres which handle the parts for MAN vehicles from 7.5 tonnes upwards. The dealers are encouraged to enter into imprest stock agreements with fleet customers, and they can also take on the management of an operator's parts operation. Heavy items are generally stocked at a central warehouse in Swindon, but an overnight VOR service ensures they can be at a dealer by 10.30am the next day (there is
• also a chargeable immediate response service from warehouse to customer operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year). Few dealers open round the clock, but all have an emergency phone number.
• Including 82 car dealers which also provide spares for the lighter 207D — 814D models, Mercedes-Benz has a total of 142 parts outlets. 75% of these dealers are actively involved in imprest stocking arrangements, and all dealers can assist operators with racking, cataloguing and stock control if necessary. Mercedes aims for a 90% off-the-shelf parts availability at dealers, and determines parts stock from local market requirements. A number of the CV dealers offer 24-hour opening, while others offer a 24-hour call-out service for parts requirements. The parts supplied are OE standard quality.
• All parts for Renault and Dodge HGVs and PSVs are supplied via the 60 Renault Truck main dealers and its 35 service points nationwide. Imprest stock agreements are negotiable for larger/. selected workshops, and many outlets would consider taking over a workshop's spares department in total. A small number of dealers have 24-hour opening, while if a part is not in stock, there is a VOR parts delivery service supplying the item to the dealer within 24 hours. Renault/Dodge operators can benefit from the Fastpart scheme, which provides low priced fast-moving parts. From this month, the scheme includes a price guarantee which refunds the difference should an operator find the part cheaper elsewhere.
SCANIA
• The 39 distributors and service dealers provide the whole range of parts for Scania trucks, buses and coaches. All outlets will supply imprest stock, typically for large fleets, but Scania feels that high parts availability makes this less necessary. Dealers could take on an operator's parts organisation, but more usually work in partnership. Some outlets open round the clock, but in any case, parts can be supplied at all times through Scania's Lifeline Emergency Service scheme. Scania supplies only genuine parts, and stresses that its pricing reflects the quality and availability on offer.
FLAETRITIE
• Seddon Atkinson supplies parts under the Fleetrite name, and its 37 outlets can sell spares for both the Seddon Atkinson range, and for all other makes. Larger components such as differentials, gearboxes and engines are available for major British makes and some Continental manufacturers, while fast-moving items can be supplied for all makes. The outlets can place imprest stock, and are capable of taking over the organisation of a workshop's spares department. A VOR service provides 24-hour deliveries, while all distributors operate an all year round call out service. All Fleetrite parts (excluding reconditioned road springs) come with a 12month unlimited mileage warranty.
• All Bedford van, truck and bus parts are now handled under the Vauxhall Parts banner. 386 outlets service the car-derived van market, 132 the commercial van customer, and 25 the truck and bus user. All customers can benefit from imprest parts stocking if needed, while all dealers could run a parts department for an operator if required.
• All 351 car dealers with the 97 commercial vehicle specialists supply parts for the Volkswagen range. A VOR service guarantees next day parts deliveries for all customers. Recent price reductions of around 25% on genuine panel van parts have led VW to claim of prices among the lowest in the industry.
VOLVO
• Parts for Volvo trucks, buses and coaches are available from its 56 commercial dealers. These dealers are expected to maintain a minimum of 95% parts availability from stock, with the balance being sourced in the Warwick parts warehouse or from abroad. Wherever they come from, VOR parts will be delivered to the customer on or before the day following the order. Imprest stock is available at the discretion of the outlet, while Volvo is happy to discuss the running of a spares department with an operator. Many outlets are moving towards 24 hour operation. Volvo parts have a 12 month. unlimited mileage warranty, and the company will consider claims for consequential damage resulting from the failure of a genuine part fitted by a dealer.
• The factor Edmunds Walker has 90 branches, of which 30 are CV specialists. The outlets will sell to any size of fleet (as well as the motor trade), and the range of products is from CDVs to HGVs for all British and European makes. These tend to be the more fast-moving parts, but some branches specialise in particular areas. lmprest stock could be available if circumstances demanded it, but the company concentrates on ensuring its salesmen call as regularly as necessary. Computer links between the branches and the distribution centre ensure that parts can be located and delivered overnight if needed. Edmunds Walker aims to stock only quality or OE brands.
• European Truck Parts is a Germanowned business specialising in continental truck parts. The product lines are for the larger panel vans and upwards, and all parts are of OE quality. There are two central warehouses and 30 area distributors, and a next day delivery service any where in the UK is offered when required. Major fleets with 24-hour workshops can request imprest stock from ETP, to cover for the periods when the outlets are closed.
• The Factoring Services Group is a collection of independent factors in the UK, of which 55 are CV specialists with 100 outlets. The range of parts stocked by each factor is a reflection of local demand and the particular specialisation of the outlet concerned. OE quality parts are recommended wherever possible, while services such as imprest stock are down to the individual factor.
101Truckpart5
• GK.N Autoparts is a national chain of factors, with 188 branches including 50 CV specialists. Parts for all major truck manufacturers are supplied, concentrating on the faster moving items such as brake parts and clutches; CDV parts are also available through the GKI\I Masterparts range. Rapid delivery is offered along with a 24-hour call-out service from most CV branches. Imprest stock is negotiable on an individual basis, while stocking is tailored to meet local needs. OE standard proprietary brands are stocked.
MotaIink
• With a sales network of 170 vans operating nationwide, Motalink specialises in small workshop constunables, with a Motatruck division providing items such as OE manufacturer mirrors, wiper and light fittings, and brake connectors. Motalink will take over the responsibility for the stocking of these items, and can provide full 24-hour cover from most of its sales force.