Isuzu parts warehouse keeps the wheels turning

Jun 03, 2023

As the highest selling truck brand for 34 consecutive years, Isuzu’s parts warehouse is meeting surging requirements for parts and aftersales support.

Isuzu Australia Limited’s (IAL) 15,000 square metre National Parts Distribution Centre, located within the IAL head office at Truganina in Melbourne, is recognised as one of the largest truck parts and component sites in the southern hemisphere.

According to IAL, it’s a key asset in helping Isuzu maintain its reputation for efficient and effective parts turnaround.

Now in its fifth year of operation, the Melbourne-based site also incorporates the Isuzu Power Solutions operations and development centre, and IAL administration, sales, engineering and services.

Last year, Isuzu Trucks sold 13,360 units in Australia, marking a new record and its 34th consecutive year of truck sales leadership. This year sees the upwards trend continue with sales increasing a further 22 per cent (983 units) for Isuzu through to the end of May 2023.

The IAL Parts Distribution Centre has expanded to process upwards of 16,000 items per day out to the dealer network by air, rail, road and even by sea for partners throughout the South Pacific. This requires people power of just under 50 staff on rotating shifts from 5am through to 10pm each day.

IAL receive and process an average of 450 x 40-foot shipping containers every year – a number that is growing with local truck and Power Solutions sales.

“We pick an average of 3000 lines of stock every day, which equates to over 600,000 every year,” said IAL parts warehouse manager Leanne Peterson (pictured left).

“From that number, over 70,000 consignments are shipped-out every year to wherever they need to go. It is critical that we move extremely efficiently at this end of the supply chain so our customers can get out on the road again as quickly as possible.

“The Isuzu dealer network is digitally connected to the National Parts Distribution Centre which ensures access to view all national parts inventory, including peer dealers, maximising the dealer’s ability to provide the best customer service possible.”

The warehouse holds about seven million items in stock at any one time, which includes the smallest electrical components right up to replacement cabs, engines and transmissions.

At any one time, IAL’s National Parts Distribution Centre holds in the vicinity of 35,000 lines of stock, distributing this across 100+ locations in the Oceanic region.

“Our calculations tell us that we pick, pack and ship around 7.5 million kilograms of parts every year,” added Peterson.

National parts sales manager Joel Gledhill (pictured right) added, “Our Genuine Parts range is developed and manufactured to stringent Isuzu quality standards and testing, which ensures maximum productivity and a high level of performance for our customer’s trucks.

“This also assists them to optimise the future re-sale value for those vehicles where Genuine Isuzu Parts are used.

“Our Approved Parts range includes a number of leading brands such as Meritor, Fleetguard, Eaton, Hendrickson and Allison, to name a few, and provides a wide range of trusted products.”

Isuzu’s ‘BVP’ range comprises a comprehensive selection of service parts to suit older model Isuzu Trucks. Included are starter motors, alternators, drive belts, brake components, clutch components and filters.

IAL says the next 24 months is set to be an interesting period in Australian trucking history with the competing forces of high-volume sales, lingering supply chain issues and the manufacture of new battery electric technology to contend with.

Now in the process of designing an all-new model line-up, including its first EV platform expected to land on shore within this timeframe, Isuzu Trucks is geared for a busy time ahead, but Peterson says the National Parts Distribution Centre is well equipped to meet demand.

“There certainly is growing demand but we have the facility, the technology and importantly the people to ensure Isuzu continues to be at the forefront in meeting the needs of our customers.”