IVECO parts program delivers for K&S

Australian freight heavyweight K&S Freighters says IVECO Parts' 'Fleet Focus Program' is making light work of the often tricky process of order parts for its large and diverse truck fleet, which in turn is helping its workshops run more smoothly and efficiently.

The Melbourne-based group, whose customer portfolio spans major businesses including Caltex, Inghams, Alcoa, BHP Petroleum and Coca-Cola, among others, faces an undeniably complex task in meeting all its clients' needs.

"In terms of road transport, our fleet has about 5500 assets, including approximately 1500 trucks and nearly 3500 trailers, said K&S Freighters National Maintenance Manager, David Burgess.

"Most of our vehicles are IVECOs, as well as other European and North American trucks."

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Over the last 25 years, K&S and maintained its fleet with the help of IVECO Parts, which offers a comprehensive catalogue that caters not only for IVECO trucks, but a wide array of other European, Japanese and North American vehicles, as well as trailers.

"K&S has over 18 maintenance facilities around the country which carry consignment stock from IVECO," said Mr Burgess.

"Its stock represents about 75 to 80 per cent of everything we hold in our workshops nationally."

The remainder of the work involves remote depots where the company chooses to rely on external repairers.

Fleet Focus Program
K&S Freighters is now part of IVECO Parts' Fleet Focus Program, which involves tailoring parts and accessory service to each customer.

As a basis for the program, IVECO along with each individual dealership conduct regular stock takes and replenish stock accordingly, which delivers sufficient stock levels and fewer emergency orders.

"It's a three-way effort," said Mr Burgess.

"At locations around Australia, all our stock is managed by IVECO Parts, the dealers and our own internal K&S Freighters staff.

"I don't think this would be possible without the strong relationship we have with IVECO. It shows that they understand our business.

"This is important because, apart from ensuring we have the stock we need, it also means we never end up with excess stock. From our point of view, the whole arrangement helps ensure our workshops run smoothly."

The Fleet Focus Program makes it possible for a lot of K&S workshops to work an afternoon shift. It creates an avenue for them to carry out repairs at night, without the fear of running out of parts.

"That means a lot when you're trying to support a large range of trucks nationally and have several workshops in remote areas," Mr Burgess said.

Mr Burgess was quick to praise the service delivered by IVECO Parts.

"It's about their people – that's what makes the difference," he said.

"From one end of the country to the other, we know that we will always receive the same level of service. That's the secret to their success.

"The IVECO Aftermarket Solutions team is always up to speed on technology changes, new product releases, changes within our business, changes to their business, and so on."

K&S was also thoroughly satisfied with the speed and manner in which warranty issues, whenever they did arise, were resolved.

"Each claim is thoroughly assessed on a case-by-case basis and the fact that we have one person we can ring who looks after our account Australia-wide is a real plus," he said.

"It simplifies things and provides us with peace of mind.

"We are comfortable in the knowledge that IVECO Parts will always do the right thing by us. Experience has taught us that that's the way they work."