Company implements SaaS service parts management solution to maximize customer service capabilities by improving first-time fill rates and optimizing inventory levels
STOCKHOLM, 10 Aug. 2016 – Syncron, the only technology provider exclusively focused on service parts management and pricing for the world’s leading manufacturers, today announced the parts distribution division of Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc. and the largest bus and motor coach manufacturer in North America, has selected Syncron’s service parts inventory management solution to help reinvent the way it serves the more than 28,000 in-service motor coaches across the U.S. and Canada.
With nearly 1.7 million passenger miles logged annually in the motor coach industry[1], it’s imperative to MCI that its customers experience minimal downtime, and are even able to get ahead of maintenance issues, to keep buses running and passengers happy.
To achieve this, MCI sought a cloud-based service parts inventory management solution that would enable them to optimize service parts inventory levels, specifically reducing new and excess inventory, and that would help increase its first-time fill rates for spare parts. The company provides 24-hour roadside assistance 365 days a year, so a technology that provides a central approach to inventory – allowing them to see maintenance trends and predictions across multiple locations – is critical to ongoing success.
According to Ben Zubiate, Director of Materials for MCI, “Everything is based on customer demand, and with multiple warehouses in multiple locations, we want to create a balance between parts availability and excess inventory. With Syncron, we believe we can better serve our customers and ensure the right parts are in the right place at the right time, which is critical to maximizing uptime.”
MCI’s previous system had become outdated, however the Syncron solution will lead to greater productivity and reduce the amount of manual processes currently in place. The cloud-based solution will act as a single interface, incorporating data from multiple sources, and provide the MCI team complete visibility into where repairs are occurring, what parts need to be ordered and trends and predictions for future issues. Additionally, Syncron integrates seamlessly with the company’s ERP, IBM AS400.
“For companies to succeed today, they must quickly react to customers’ needs and expectations,” said Johan Stakeberg, Head of Global Sales and President, U.S. at Syncron. “We are thrilled to have MCI on board, and are excited to work alongside them to not only improve their customer experiences via fast, reliable service repairs, but also to help improve margins and ROI.”
As MCI continues to become more sophisticated in its approach to services and repairs, the company will work with Syncron to ensure all of its buyers are trained on the solution and that it is being used to its fullest potential – guaranteeing fill rates increase and excess inventory decreases.
About MCI
The Company is the largest transit motor coach manufacturer and parts distributor in North America with fabrication, manufacturing, distribution and service centers in Canada and the United States and employs approximately 5,000 team members.
Through its Canadian and U.S. subsidiaries, Motor Coach Industries Limited and Motor Coach Industries, Inc., the Company is North America’s leader in motor coaches, offering the MCI J4500, which has been the industry’s best-selling intercity coach for 11 consecutive years, and the MCI D-Series, the industry’s best-selling coach line in North American motor coach history. MCI is also the exclusive distributor of Setra S 417 and S 407 in the United States and Canada. MCI actively supports over 28,000 motor coaches currently in service and offers 24-hour roadside assistance 365 days a year.
Through its Canadian and U.S. subsidiaries, New Flyer Industries Canada ULC and New Flyer of America Inc., the Company is North America’s heavy-duty transit bus leader and offers the broadest transit bus product line (Xcelsior® and MiDi® models), incorporating the broadest range of drive systems available, including: clean diesel, natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, electric-trolley and now battery-electric. New Flyer actively supports over 42,000 heavy-duty transit buses (New Flyer, NABI and Orion) currently in service.
The Company also operates North America’s most comprehensive aftermarket parts organization providing support for all types of transit buses and motor coaches. All buses and coaches are supported by an industry-leading comprehensive warranty, service and support network.
Further information is available on the Company’s websites at www.mcicoach.com and www.newflyer.com.
About Syncron
Syncron is the only provider that exclusively focuses on service parts management and pricing for the world’s leading manufacturers. Syncron ensures inventory is in the right place at the right time, and sold at the optimal price. With offices in eight countries across Europe, North America and Asia, more than 100 brands trust Syncron to improve their service-business profitability and increase customer loyalty. For more information, visit syncron.com.