8 minute read
Focus on Parts & Service
Arlene McKeag, James Jordan, Alan McCullough and Paul Lamont of the Diamond Trucks Service Department.
DIAMOND TRUCKS: PLAYING THEIR PART AT YOUR SERVICE
In today’s challenging operating environment in the transport & logistics industry, no one can afford the potential for costly downtime due to unexpected breakdowns. Keeping the supply chain moving is more essential than ever, with so many businesses dependent on a reliable service that delivers time after time and on schedule.
It has been said that buying a truck, trailer or van represents only 25% of the deal, three quarters of the deal is commercial vehicle parts and service. The reality is: if you don’t have that you have nothing – and it is only when things go wrong that you realise the truth of those words. That’s why at Renault Trucks Newtownabbey based dealers Diamond Trucks they work as a closely knit team to keep their customers’ vehicles on the road and running smoothly. With eight service bays and a full length MOT test lane, Diamond Trucks can call on a team of 13 highly qualified technicians, offering prompt turn-around times so operators’ trucks are not off the road for any longer than necessary. So what makes a good service department? Comments Aftersales Director David Watts: “It’s knowing your customers and their specific requirements and striving to meet those demands in the most efficient manner. “Fortunately, we have built up a great working relationship with all our customers over the years, and we have a well bonded team in the service and parts departments, all of whom are very well acquainted with the Renault range. “The fact that many of our staff have been with us for many years also means customers can benefit from that continuity and get to know the team on a personal basis, as indeed our technicians and parts counter staff also
Robert Buckley, Matthew Porter, Andrew Conley and Paul Addis of the Diamond Trucks Parts Department.
come to appreciate the individual requirements of the customer, all of which contribute to the smooth running of our service.” At Diamond Trucks depot, the service department consists of a Service Reception which has a dedicated driver waiting area and tea/coffee making facilities as well as the fully equipped and manned workshop itself where the technicians offer both responsive and effective servicing and repairs. “Our dedicated technicians are trained to the highest standard by Renault Trucks with quality of service, efficiency and professionalism in mind. They have the skills, experience and know-how to ensure a level of service, a quality of service and a delivery of service that is second to none,” says David.
ORIGINAL PARTS
The parts department, which is headed up by the recently promoted manager Paul Addis, houses all component parts required to carry out effective and prompt servicing, repairs and maintenance, with only Original Equipment Approved Renault Truck Parts being used. All Renault Trucks Genuine parts fitted by Diamond Trucks carry a 24 month warranty. Availability is rarely an issue, as Diamond Trucks achieve a 93% first time pick for parts – and if a particular part is not readily available over the counter, then it can be ordered up for collection or delivery next day.
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
That you are in good hands at Diamond Trucks is underscored by the fact they provide a 24/7 breakdown service, with two fully equipped service vans on the road and a network of service partners, offering an average response time across Northern Ireland of just an hour. If the vehicle cannot be repaired at the roadside, it will be taken to the nearest service partner. Outside of Northern Ireland, Renault Trucks 24/7 assistance takes over; it offers a Europe wide service, and adds David: “Thankfully, the Renault Trucks range has proven to be very reliable meaning customers’ downtime is kept at a minimum.”
www.diamondtrucks.co.uk Tel. 028 90 837171
info@diamondtrucks.co.uk
Paul Addis, Parts Manager.
Andrew Conley, Apprentice Parts Technician.
I.T. INVESTMENT STRENGTHENS SDC TRUCK & TRAILER PARTS SAME-DAY DELIVERY SERVICE
Leading supplier of Aftermarket Parts, SDC Truck & Trailer Parts has introduced a new state-of-the-art I.T. system to strengthen their same-day delivery services to customers in the transport and logistics industries.
The live inventory management and order processing technology will further optimise supply chains across their Ireland and UK network, ensuring key parts are always available, while impress stock customers will also benefit from a new streamlined ordering system. SDC Truck & Trailer Parts offer the largest parts network in Ireland, fulfilling an average of 200 deliveries daily, with 95% of these orders on a same-day delivery service. For over 21 years, the company has demonstrated integrity and longevity in regard to the supply of high-quality parts and their recent announcement reflects their continued commitment to providing the highest level of service to its customers. Director, Gavin Diamond, revealed the investment was part of a wider growth strategy that will allow them to scale up operations in Ireland and the UK. “SDC Truck & Trailer Parts has achieved remarkable growth and our latest I.T. investment will allow us to further expand our regional teams to meet market demand with more operational flexibility. We have great pride in what we have built over 21 years and our loyal customer base who have worked alongside us. With this in mind, we will always look at ways to enhance our operations and ultimately help our customers. Our management and warehousing team worked closely over the last six months to carefully introduce the technology alongside our existing operations, allowing us to streamline order processing and delivery times with a specific and renewed focus on customer service. The feedback from our impress stock customers has been incredibly positive, so we want more customers to reap the benefits, particularly at a time when cost and efficiency savings are key.” SDC Truck & Trailer Parts has established an in-depth understanding of their customers’ needs, working with the industry’s leading Commercial Vehicle suppliers to provide high quality aftermarket parts. There are currently over 16,000 Truck & Trailer parts for customers to choose from within the portfolio, including axles, suspensions, ABS, air brakes, electrical components, landing legs, body, general parts, and consumables.
Adrian McGuckin, David Cassidy, Lee Caskey, Gavin Diamond (Parts Director), John Quinn, John Mulvenna and Scott Cowie from the SDC Truck & Trailer Parts team.
NEW LOCATIONS
The company recently opened two new locations in Glasgow and Newbridge, Co. Kildare, making in-store purchasing more convenient and enhancing service to customers in the regions. A 30,000sq ft warehouse in Toomebridge acts as their central distribution hub, storing over 700 pallets and supporting regional depots in Belfast, Omagh, Lurgan, Newry, Newbridge, Dublin, New Ross, and Cork. In May of this year, SDC Truck & Trailer Parts moved their UK hub to a larger distribution warehouse in Warrington, with daily dispatches to branches in Warrington, Haydock, and Glasgow depots, and plans already underway to open a new facility in Doncaster this Autumn. Each location is fully kitted with the latest order processing systems, which play a critical role in supporting both new and existing customers with accurate parts identification and rapid response times. In addition to twelve branch locations, SDC Truck & Trailer Parts have an extensive fleet of over 50 delivery vehicles providing a same-day or next-day delivery service that many customers rely upon in the case of unplanned downtime. Gavin said: “Our three core values will always be Price, Service and Quality. As a member of the SDC Trailers group, SDC Truck & Trailer Parts leverages its high-volume purchasing power, to provide consistently competitive pricing, where other providers cannot. “Every customer is assigned an account manager who is their point of contact should they require assistance and we maintain a surplus of products in stock at each branch, ensuring minimum waiting time for customers. No matter what
your request is, you can be rest assured that SDC Truck & Trailer Parts have got you covered.” The company employ over 80 staff and created a number of new positions at their Newbridge and Glasgow branches, with staff undertaking product training across their Parts range. As they move to strengthen regional operations across England, SDC Truck & Trailer Parts is accepting new applications to their Franchise programme. The programme provides established CV Parts individuals with the opportunity to form a distribution partnership, while availing of SDC’s well-established product portfolio and resource. Gavin added: “SDC Truck & Trailer Parts Franchise programme is a great opportunity for individuals who are working in the CV industry, to pair the strong resource that SDC has to offer with their local market knowledge. Over the last 21 years we have formed strong industry relationships and a leading reputation for quality parts, so we are well placed to expand our network, I am confident that with the right industry partners, SDC Truck & Trailer Parts will continue to strengthen our position in the market.” Franchise locations are dependent on market demand and prospective partners who can strengthen SDC Truck & Trailer Parts position in the market. Details on how to apply can be found at www.sdctrailers.com/parts.
