With vertical storage solutions, truck dealerships dramatically increase storage capacity and greatly improve picking accuracy & productivity

The importance of an efficient Truck Dealership Part & Services department

A profitable truck dealership parts department should be a priority no matter what is happening with new vehicle sales. With the constant changes in the market and fluctuating customer demands, the parts and service department can be what keeps a truck dealership afloat.

The parts department provides a significant contribution to the overall profitability of a dealership. According to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), the services and parts department accounts for approximately 49.6% of a dealership’s gross profit. Therefore, it is critical to have an organized parts department to support the service department as well as maintain customer satisfaction.

Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs) to run an efficient parts and services department

1. Increased storage capacity of parts

Truck dealerships that have implemented automated vertical storage systems in their parts department have dramatically increased their storage capacity, saving approximately 85% of valuable floor space compared to traditional static storage methods. As a matter of fact, a 20-foot tall vertical lift module only requires about 140 square feet of floor space. Within this small footprint, it can store the same amount of parts that would require approx. 80 to 85 automotive type shelving bays.

2. Improved Inventory Accuracy for parts

Accuracy and speed in picking operations are key aspects in the truck dealers’ operation. Operators need a correct and fast view of their inventory and availability of good parts to keep vehicle repairs moving forward and avoid mistakes and comebacks.

Thanks to Modula Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs), truck dealerships establish far better control of their inventory, improve picking accuracy and significantly reduce the time required to get parts to salespersons and service technicians. The result is more service jobs possible per day as well as lower operational costs.

3. Ergonomics and increased safety for both operators and stored items

The size of the products and parts in the truck dealers’ industry presents ergonomic and space claim challenges. Truck dealerships require a large number of parts and components in a wide variety of sizes and weights. Thanks to Modula`s VLMs, large and heavy parts can be stored and organized efficiently and picked and lifted at the optimal working height. This ensures the safety of both products and operators. Modula storage solutions offer a tray load capacity of up to 2,200 lbs per tray for all models, regardless of tray width or depth.

4. Increased parts and services department productivity

Another benefit of the implementation of automated vertical storage systems is the greatly increased picking productivity. Vertical lift modules automatically deliver parts to the picker at an ergonomic height, rather than having the picker go and locate the parts within long aisles of shelving and cabinets. Walking time for parts retrieval is reduced up to 70% when compared to static shelving.

Improved Inventory Accuracy With Direct DMS Integration

In addition to floor space savings, inventory accuracy can be greatly improved with automated vertical storage systems. Manual order entry inputting from invoices can be nearly eliminated.

Automated vertical storage systems feature a graphical, color touchscreen. The unit’s color touchscreen controller graphically indicates item picking and stocking locations and other valuable information to reduce operator errors. This means there is no confusion on what is to be picked or restocked.

Modula WMS-to-DMS integrations enable orders to travel automatically from the DMS to the Modula WMS, then to Modula automated storage systems and back. Modula receives the advanced notification of changes to partner DMSs, enabling timely updates to provide uninterrupted performance:

Vertical Lift Modules for Truck Dealerships – Benefits at a glance:

• Recovery of Floor Space – Reduce existing parts storage areas by approximately 85%. Store more parts, add more service bays, have a larger showroom, offices, or an area for accessories sales displays
• Increased Operator Productivity – Faster processing of sales and service orders
• Improved Picking & Inventory Accuracy – Achieve inventory accuracy rates up to 99.9% with improved parts security
• Increased Ergonomics – No climbing, bending or reaching for parts. Bulky and heavy parts are automatically delivered to the optimum ergonomic retrieval height
• Securing tools & spare parts – With controlled restricted access and barcode verification
• Save Cost & Generate new revenue – Create new revenue activities by reclaiming otherwise wasted space and labor

Modula Automated storage solutions for the automotive industry

Discover more about our automated storage solutions for the automotive dealership parts departments.

From commercial vehicle manufacturers to car dealerships, the automotive industry uses Modula products widely. Discover our case studies and see how our vertical lift modules have helped hundreds of dealerships around the world: