It doesn’t matter where you sit in the aftermarket these days, parts are getting increasingly difficult to obtain — some parts more than others. Those on the front line of sourcing parts explain how dire the situation is and what they have learned.
“It’s a nightmare right now. The future does not look bright regarding supply issues. None of the vendors give us any reason to think there’s light at the end of the tunnel. They’re all having issues,” says Randy Benhardt, director of parts, Doggett Freightliner of South Texas and Doggett Freightliner of Arkansas. “I think we’re just getting started.”
Despite a less-than-optimistic view of the heavy-duty parts landscape, a silver lining to the shortage exists. Parts and service providers are getting creative and weathering the storm while learning lessons they use now and likely will in the future.
Parts trials and tribulations
A shortage in parts often has led to sourcing from different vendors and dealing with increased wait times. Dealers and distributors have doubled down on this approach during this unprecedented shortage.
“We are looking outside of our normal channels as is everyone else. This situation has given us the opportunity to source parts in a much different way. Diversifying the supplier base for future parts availability constraints is imperative,” says Ryan Donald, group director of fixed operations – parts and service, McMahon Truck Centers.
“Also, we are constantly sharing parts within our own dealer group and looking within the Mack and Volvo dealer network’s inventory as a source,” Donald says.
