ArvinMeritor showcased its new Mascot Truck Parts remanufacturing facility in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, during a grand-opening event for customers and media. The new 100,000 square foot facility combines three previous locations, all of which were located in Mississauga, into one.
“We had one [facility] that did everything, we had one that did transmissions and we had one that did differentials. It was part of the growth. Before you know it, you’ve got three locations and it’s not all that efficient,” says Mascot President Glenn Hanthorn. “We survived. We put a lot of miles on the cars going back and forth. But because of ArvinMeritor we were able to consolidate into this outstanding building that we are in.
“It has made us more efficient. It was a move that we needed, we got it and it has been a great success.”
The facility remanufactures all-makes of transmissions, drive axle carriers, drivelines and steering gears and pumps, and also has extensive inventory of those components. More than 1,200 axle carriers and transmissions are shipped from the facility monthly, which also has an onsite customer service center that facilitates same- or next-day product delivery.
“Mascot is one of our key product brands for our aftermarket business, and it has built a significant reputation for quality, customer service and extensive product knowledge,” says Terry Livingston, general manager-NorthFully drilled service replacement frame rails now are available for the following Mack chassis: all models of GU, CTP, CT, CXU, CXP, CXN, CHU and CHN; CV and RD models built November 2003 and later; LE models with standard frames built January 2004 and later; LE models with drop frames built March 2004 and later; MR and RB models built January 2004 and later; CX and CH models built October 2003 and later; and CL and DM models built February 2004 and later.
All warrantable repairs involving replacement of the frame rail(s) require use of fully drilled frame rails provided that the vehicle was manufactured after the dates specified above, and that the wheelbase was not altered from the original “as manufactured” dimension.
It is the responsibility of the service provider to verify the wheelbase of the chassis being serviced to ensure that it was not altered. Wheelbase is measured from the centerline of the front steer axle to the centerline of the rear axle for single rear axles, or the centerline of the bogie for tandem rear suspensions.
America, for ArvinMeritor’s Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket. “At the center of our remanufacturing strategy are two key factors: same day/next day availability through strategically located distribution centers [25 for Mascot], and an all-makes portfolio that enables customers to make one phone call for their post-engine overhaul, drivetrain needs.”
In addition to the distribution centers, Mascot also operates remanufacturing facilities in Edmonton, Alberta; Moncton, New Brunswick; and Boucherville, Quebec.
The new facility employs 153 people. The consolidation process began in October 2008 and, Hanthorn says, “we were up and running, completely, by the third week in February. The hours and work these guys put in were phenomenal.”
Hanthorn says the new facility remanufactures about 450 transmissions, 650 differentials, 525 steering gears and 300 drivelines a month, all to original equipment specifications.
“The consolidation allows for quicker decision-making and reduced cycle-times, as well as consistent processes for all products,” says Hanthorn. “Our one ‘super’ remanufacturing facility utilizes the best practices from all the former facilities, while removing their shortcomings and allowing room for growth.”
Under the management direction of Hanthorn; Tony Macharacek, regional operations manager; Bill Statham, general manager; and Guido Sala, senior quality manager, the business unit has increased its production capacity for axle carriers and transmissions by roughly 20 percent due to the consolidation, while lean initiatives introduced at the facility allow more space for further growth. Centralizing in one location has enabled more efficient production, including reduced parts inventory, labor costs and manufacturing overhead, according to the company.
ArvinMeritor acquired Mascot in December 2007.
