Today’s Auto Parts Quality and Supply Chain Complexities [THA 379]

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS and AutoFix Auto Shop Coaching Industry leaders John Hanighen, CEO of Cloyes, Matt Buchholz, CEO of Motorrad, and Andy Fiffick, CEO of a 10 store franchise chain in Cleveland, dive into the current state of the supply chain within the automotive aftermarket, addressing issues of product availability, quality concerns, and the impact of unpredictable demand. Insights into data-driven forecasting, manufacturer-distributor collaboration, and the importance of communication between suppliers and auto repair shops are also explored to give a holistic view of managing challenges in the aftermarket industry. Andy Fiffick, CEO Rad Air, 10-locations, franchise. Listen to Andy’s other episodes HERE John Hanighen, CEO at Cloyes Gear and Products. Listen to John's other episodes HERE Matt Buchholz, CEO MotoRad

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• Supply Chain Resilience and Whiplash (00:02:41) Discussion on the unique demand contraction and subsequent supply chain adjustments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Quality and Fill Rate Issues in the Industry (00:05:44) Reports of decreased quality and high defect rates in automotive parts, as well as challenges related to supply chain disruptions and limited delivery services.
• Steps to Ensure Proper Installation and Quality Control (00:09:20) Use of QR codes and training videos to ensure proper installation, labor claim reimbursement programs, and the importance of minimizing comebacks through quality control measures.
• Challenges in Addressing Quality Issues (00:14:29) Discussion on the complexity of the supply chain, the need for quality parts, and the challenges in identifying and addressing part failures and defects.
• Cataloging and Product Quality (00:15:51) Discussion on the importance of cataloging products correctly and the impact of catalog errors on product performance.
• Supply Chain Logistics (00:19:26) Challenges and opportunities related to cataloging systems, data accuracy, and supply chain management.
• Predictive Modeling and Assortments (00:28:29) The use of data for predictive modeling and assortment recommendations at the store and distribution center levels.
• Data Sharing and Tracking (00:30:41) The challenges and variations in tracking and sharing data across different systems and trading partners.
• The supply chain management challenge (00:31:38) Discussion on using cross-referencing to identify supply chain gaps and the need for distributor approval.
• Impact of demand fluctuations (00:32:44) The impact of erratic demand changes and consumer confidence on the automotive industry.
• Adapting to market changes (00:34:46) Discussion on adapting to demand changes due to weather, election cycles, and marketing strategies.
• Predictive analytics and supply chain adjustments (00:35:36) Exploring the use of predictive tools and data, including weather, election cycles, and global conflicts, to adjust supply templates.
• Challenges in supply chain disruptions (00:36:35) The ripple effect of global conflicts and...