DealersEdge Professional Forums

Anybody work for a heavy truck dealer? An International dealer to be exact, but any input would be appreciated. I'm wondering about daily processes such as parts ordering, inventory control, obsolescence protection, cataloging, etc. Is it all good or is it a headache? I'm currently a GM parts mgr and wondering if a change to that business is for me or not.

Also same questions for Peterbilt...

Thanks in advance

I cut my teeth on heavy truck in the 80's. Its a totally different world. One that I wouldn't be afraid of, but I would keep an open mind to operating a different business with the same title.

Trucks are built by maultiple manufactures, so you'll have a jillion sources and price codes. Many parts have a core, so managing these will be a necessity, not an after thought. Trucks stay on the road for several years and an RO can easily run into 10s of thousands with over a hundred parts.

You'll work with some unique tools to supply your techs. Multi-vendor Catalogs, micro-fisch, and cross-references where a caterpillar part fits a detroit allison part.

The biggest difference...
You're providing goods and services to a business, not a consumer.
So...its not a case of Mrs. Smith not having a sun visor until the SOR comes in, its a case of this truck losing $1000 each and every hour that it isn't rolling.

Good luck!!

I worked in the semi trailer parts business. It comes down to shopping for the best deals. Multiple sources on most parts. Customers are not so price sensitive, but the big fleets will beat you up for the best deal.
Also most of the DMS systems tend to be primitive.

Old topic but same question.

Peterbilt.

I'm learning they have much more proprietary parts and own network of distribution. Own engine (PACCAR) and such.
Also they have a program similar to GM RIM.

Hoping someone here has more direct knowledge.

After years of working with PACCAR, Freightliner and IH and others, the problems and challenges of HD truck are similar to those of Car and Equipment. You need to set the goals on availability that you want, and are willing to pay for, and make darned sure that the DMS will properly respond to and track lost sales. In essence, it is is one big 'movement' curve; when to begin to stock, how much to stock when it's selling, and when to get rid of it when sales disappear.
Mike Nicholes
www.partsconsulting.com

Thanks Mr. Nicholes. This dealer is on CDK. Used it once for very short time many moons ago. So I'll have a double "new guy" effect.

B964 wrote:Thanks Mr. Nicholes. This dealer is on CDK. Used it once for very short time many moons ago. So I'll have a double "new guy" effect.

The newest CDK is very parts unfriendly. Good Luck

I made the move to heavy truck 5 years ago (not a dealer) from Mazda/Honda/Hyundai for almost 15 years. Here's the differences I see:

1: As said below many different suppliers for the same part. Even specific brands of truck might have a Cummins engine or Paccar engine. Almost the same motor but entirely different electronics.
2: Multiple parts numbers for the same part. Grote lights are made but sold by Napa, Fleetpride, Rush, Truck Pro, ect.....all different numbers and prices.
3: If the shop works on trailers you will be amazed what mix of parts you need (plywood, metal, chain) and the skills and tools needed to perform the job. A spot in your parts department might look like a small Ace Hardware.
4: Most of the inventory principles I've learned carry over well.
5: No more bell to bell for me, which is nice. I took a 10k a year pay cut to jump ship but I made that back up plus I get to see my kids.

Will take note of those suggestions. Just a bit worried when it was mentioned that the new CDK is unfriendly to the truck parts