6 Ways to Stay on Top of Your Parts Inventory

A well-managed parts inventory helps can help a heavy-duty truck fleet prevent downtime and save money. Photo: Paul Hartley

There is little more frustrating than having a truck down and not having the parts on hand to fix it. The breadth and depth of your parts inventory and the way you manage that inventory are critical to having the right parts, when you need them, where you need them.

Parts availability is an important factor in an efficient service value chain, says Javier Ferraez, senior director of product management at Decisiv, a provider of service relationship management solutions.

“Having a well-managed parts inventory is a great way to reduce preventable delays and overall downtime,” he explains.

With parts, it's all about “the right part, in the right place at the right time,” says Edward Kuo, founder of Kuo Consulting Group, a consulting firm that focuses on the heavy-duty truck parts aftermarket. “If a fleet has a good vendor who gets them parts right away, that eliminates the need for the fleet to have a big inventory,” because they will have the parts they need for maintenance and repair when they need them.

Here are some tips to help you do a better job of managing parts.

1. Use VMRS codes

Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards provide complete and consistent details about parts use. Ferraez says VMRS codes help fleets identify which parts to keep in inventory and which should be procured on an as-needed basis.

“When fleets consistently use VMRS codes in their operations, they're able to look back at component and usage trends,” he says. “That historical perspective helps them improve parts inventory management and the purchasing process.”

According to the American Trucking Associations' Technology & Maintenance Council, VMRS established a “universal language” for fleets, original equipment manufacturers, industry suppliers, computers, and the people who specify, purchase, operate and ...Read the rest of this story

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Help Inc. Adds Seven PrePass Sites in North Carolina

Photo: Help Inc.

Help Inc. announced seven new operational weigh station bypass locations in North Carolina, increasing the number of stations available to PrePass users traveling in the state.

These sites are in addition to the PrePass sites on I-85 at Hillsborough, which have been in service since 2015. Three additional PrePass sites will be activated in the coming months at Interstate 85 southbound near Charlotte, Interstate 85 northbound in Gaston County, and Interstate 77 northbound near Mount Airy.

The new PrePass sites include:

• I-95 northbound near Lumberton
• I-95 southbound in Halifax County
• I-77 southbound near Mount Airy
• I-40 eastbound near Asheville
• I-26 westbound near Hendersonville
• I-40 eastbound and westbound near Statesville

North Carolina rules require that to be eligible to bypass a state weigh station, each PrePass fleet must have a representative photo on file with the State. If a fleet has more than one truck of the same make and color, only one photo per make and color is necessary. PrePass customers can upload the photos through Prepass.com, or email them to [email protected]. Additional instructions are available here.

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APC Launches Replacement Parts Program for Trucks

Image via APC Automotive Technologies

APC Automotive Technologies has launched a replacement parts category program for light-, medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

The offering covers all classes of commercial vehicles and now includes a wide range of manufactured components from APC's DieselTech, recently acquired DuraFit, and Centric Parts brake systems brands.

APC's new program incorporates a product offering from three under-truck parts brands:

• DieselTech, a complete line of medium- and heavy-duty exhaust and emissions replacement parts.
• DuraFit, a full line supplier of EPA-certified, exact-fit, heavy-duty replacement diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs).
• Centric Parts, a manufacturer and supplier of aftermarket brake system components, including a recently launched air disc brake program.

“Our replacement parts combine advanced engineering, innovative enhancements, and upgraded materials that are designed to improve vehicle performance and reliability,” said Henry Hippert, vice president of sales for APC.

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X-Tend Tracker Bar Extension Prevents Damage from Cables

Phillips Industries' X-Tend tracker bar extension is designed to prevent scuffs and marring on the back of the cab from swinging cables.

The X-Tend extends the tracker spring kit and cables out an additional eight inches from the tracker bar, with a total of 12 inches away from the back of the cab. This additional space keeps cables from knocking against the back of the cab, preventing surface damage.

The nylon support bracket rests up against the back of the cab eliminating the need for installation hardware. Additionally, a soft cushion of foam gasket padding on the back of the bracket prevents damage to the cab's surface. Both the mounting bracket and support bracket are made of non-corrosive materials, and the metal tubing and eye hook are constructed of stainless steel for durability and corrosion resistance.

The X-Tend can be installed on tractors with a solid metal back or with windows with a metal frame down the center of the cab. It is available at Phillips' exclusive distributors throughout North America.

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