Workshops are nerve centres
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• The parts department is very often the forgotten part of a workshop — until something goes wrong or an important vehicle is off the road waiting for a nonavailable part.
In fact it could be looked upon as the nerve centre of the workshop — first in practical terms and, perhaps, second, in theoretical terms to the workshop office, where all the planning should be carried out if the workshop is to run efficiently.
Workshops, and therefore by implication, the stores, should be planned to work efficiently both for the staff in terms of ergonomics and for the physical supply of parts to and from the stores.
You must give thought to the stores organisation. Gone, or going fast, are the days when the stores were a dark dingy place, probably with a dirt floor and, almost certainly, dirty.
The supplier too must play his part, whether it be the vehicle manufacturer's representative, a specialist supplier or a factor. Remember that a lot of money is tied up in spares and, additionally, a lot of profit is made by many companies who find it the most lucrative part of their business, therefore they owe you a service that is efficient and cost conscious.
• by Ian Ogley, regional transport manager, British Gas South East, on parts stocking.