For over 85 years, automotive parts distributors have navigated the complexities of growth, and within Canada, NAPA Car Parts has been a cornerstone for countless businesses. As companies expand, the challenge of managing a vast inventory while ensuring timely customer service becomes paramount. This narrative echoes the experience of many within the NAPA network across North America, highlighting the critical need for robust warehouse management solutions.
Companies within the automotive, fleet, and industrial sectors across Canada understand that growth brings increased complexity. Just like McKay Auto Parts, a US-based company within the NAPA Auto Parts network, Canadian businesses often face similar hurdles as they scale. McKay’s journey, expanding from 16 to 23 stores and establishing a 65,000-square-foot distribution center to manage approximately 500,000 SKUs, mirrors the growth trajectory of many successful Canadian auto parts distributors affiliated with NAPA Canada. While a larger distribution center signifies progress, it also underscores the necessity for a sophisticated warehouse management system (WMS).
“Our primary challenge was part retrieval,” explained Scott Mountford, Chief Operating Officer at McKay Auto Parts. “We frequently encountered ‘zero picks’ daily – often exceeding 100. While the parts were physically in our warehouse, locating them became increasingly difficult as we grew. We were confident in our inventory levels, but our ability to access that inventory efficiently was faltering.”
Order Fulfillment: A Cornerstone of Customer Satisfaction in the Canadian Market
In the competitive Canadian auto parts market, timely and accurate order fulfillment is not just an operational metric; it’s a crucial determinant of customer satisfaction and business success. For distributors associated with Napa Car Parts Canada, ensuring that customers receive the right parts, on time, is paramount. Instead of simply increasing inventory to mitigate potential lost sales, McKay Auto Parts, like many forward-thinking Canadian businesses, sought a Warehouse Management Solution to provide real-time visibility and control over their existing stock. Crucially, this system needed seamless integration with their existing NAPA TAMS software, which managed point-of-sale, back-office operations, and other essential functions. This requirement resonates strongly with Canadian NAPA affiliates who rely on similar integrated systems.
The solution that McKay Auto Parts adopted, Epicor Indago WMS, is also gaining traction among Canadian warehouse operators in the automotive and heavy-duty aftermarket, electrical and plumbing supply distribution, and various other sectors. McKay’s team discovered Indago at a NAPA meeting and subsequently visited a peer organization to witness firsthand how Indago integrated with their business management software. Canadian distributors within the NAPA network are also increasingly exploring such peer-to-peer learning opportunities to optimize their operations.
“Visiting a site in the Carolinas to observe Indago in action convinced us to explore the software more deeply,” Mountford stated. This proactive approach to research and due diligence is a hallmark of successful implementations within the NAPA network, both in the US and Canada.
The Ideal Integration for NAPA Operations
After initial exposure to Indago in late 2020, McKay Auto Parts collaborated closely with Epicor and NAPA to assess the WMS’s compatibility with the NAPA TAMS solution. “TAMS is not designed for a warehouse environment, whereas Indago is purpose-built for it,” Mountford pointed out. “Our objective was to leverage as many Indago features as possible, necessitating complete interoperability between the two systems.” This emphasis on seamless integration is particularly relevant for NAPA Car Parts Canada members, who benefit from standardized systems and collaborative support within the network.
Eric Cline, McKay’s DC Manager, emphasized the value of thorough pre-implementation planning. “The upfront investment in planning truly pays dividends during go-live,” Cline commented. “The trackability and accuracy that Indago provides have been exceptional.” This sentiment is echoed by Canadian companies who prioritize meticulous planning to ensure smooth transitions and maximize the benefits of new technology implementations within their NAPA-affiliated businesses.
Quantifying the Return on Investment for Efficient Operations
The positive impact of Indago on McKay DC operations is quantifiable across multiple metrics. A significant improvement has been the consistent reduction in “zero picks,” decreasing from as high as 100 to a mere 10 to 20 per day, even amidst a high-volume environment processing up to 4,000 order lines daily. For Canadian distributors striving for operational excellence within the NAPA Car Parts Canada framework, such improvements in efficiency translate directly to enhanced customer service and profitability.
Another crucial metric is productivity – measured daily, weekly, or monthly; by individual employee; and even by part type – all easily monitored using Indago. Mountford estimates that the WMS will enable McKay to achieve a 10 to 15% reduction in labor expenses. For Canadian auto parts businesses operating in a competitive labor market, these efficiency gains are particularly valuable.
“We wholeheartedly recommend Epicor Indago to other distributors,” Mountford concluded. “Had we not implemented it when we did, we would be significantly behind our current operating capacity.” This strong endorsement underscores the transformative potential of modern WMS solutions for auto parts distributors, both within the US and for NAPA Car Parts Canada members looking to optimize their warehouse operations and maintain a competitive edge in the Canadian market.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. Use of Epicor products is subject to terms, conditions, and limitations. Customer testimonials are specific to the individual customer, and results may vary.
