INDUSTRY FOCUS Automotive Supply Chain
The delivery of automotive manufacturing goods is changing
By Steve Rushton, Director at Crown SDS
T
he automotive aftermarket is booming with 75% of adults now holding a full UK driving license. Coupled with nearly
a 110% increase in used car sales in the second quarter of 2021 – where more than 2.2 million vehicles changed hands – means the demand for automotive parts is rising, stimulating growth in the sector and creating revenue opportunities for automotive suppliers and manufacturers. Aftermarket automotive parts are brand-
new replacement components made by a third-party manufacturer. Once a vehicle has passed its warranty period, motorists have more fl exibility in where they can take their car for repairs or a service, and are therefore able to choose which parts, accessories and components they would like.
Data from the RAC in 2020 found more than a third of UK drivers (35%, or 14.7 million people) said they were more dependent on using their car than in the 12 months previously. This increases the importance of automotive manufacturing goods being delivered swiftly to dealerships and garages, enabling cars to get back onto the road as quickly as possible. This ensures a quick turnaround of vehicles waiting to be repaired or serviced, and benefi ts both the dealership and the vehicle owner.
Developments in the delivery of automotive goods Technology is enabling the delivery of automotive goods faster and more
30 October 2021 | Automation
effi ciently. Dynamic route planning can be used to implement an eff ective process so that when the cut-off point for placing automotive orders is reached, drivers are allocated optimised routes which detect current and forecasted traffi c levels and aim to reduce unnecessary mileage. The provision of a dynamic estimated time of arrival has also helped to streamline this delivery process. This gives the dealership information about the status of a consignment and access to regular delivery updates, supporting scheduled automotive deliveries that must arrive at an agreed time. Technological implementations enable the delivery company to make its service more tailored and off er a bespoke approach to meet the needs of dealerships. Having a rapid delivery service in place enables them to plan ahead and fi t more services into a day as they are able to access parts quickly. Specialist delivery services can off er same day and next day delivery, meaning that the customer is never left waiting long and will encourage them to return to use their services again. Logistics delivery services like Crown SDS take care of the transporting of automotive manufacturing goods to dealerships, manufacturers, garages and car-part retailers, which then deal with the repair and servicing of vehicles.
Maintaining efficiency from production through to final delivery It is imperative to maintain effi ciency from the line producing the part through to the
fi nal delivery, as it enables vehicles to get back onto the roads quicker. An eff ective logistical solution allows garages and automotive shops to give their customer access to both aftermarket parts and genuine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts quickly, giving drivers maximum choice for their car parts. Effi ciency throughout supports a smooth process from start to fi nish and helps to satisfy customer expectations. It improves both the manufacturers’ and delivery services’ brand reputations and helps them keep costs down as problems are less likely to occur.
What future developments could help the sector? As more cars join the roads, the increase in electrical vehicles means garages will be ordering a wider array of parts and components that are needed to maintain them. Hence, a tailored approach to logistical service supporting the delivery of automotive manufacturing goods will be needed to ease that pressure. In the future, providers should order parts on a just-in-time basis to reduce the need to carry inventory, and should ensure that any parts ordered are needed and not wasted. Keeping an accurate and up-to- date inventory record will ensure this process is effi cient.
CONTACT:
Crown SDS
www.crownsds.co.uk
automationmagazine.co.uk
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