Supplies management at your repair shop: how to do it
The customer approves the estimate, the mechanic goes to get the material and finds it has run out. Delivery is delayed, or the shop has to turn the job down, and the customer leaves unhappy. On the other side, impulse purchases fill shelves with items that barely move. Supplies management at your repair shop prevents both problems. Here is what it is and how to do it.
What supplies management is
Supplies management is the process that controls the purchasing, storage, distribution and use of the materials needed for operations. It sets the quantities required and tracks purchases and spending for each product. In a repair shop, it ensures no item essential to jobs runs out and prevents overbuying.
Benefits
- less waste and spending
- more accurate purchase planning
- higher productivity
- less risk of missed deadlines.
How to manage supplies at your shop
Organize storage
The place where products are kept needs to be covered, secure and ventilated to prevent losses, and organized so items are easy to see.
Sort items by category
Group supplies by characteristics such as weight, volume, fragility and use. This makes storage more efficient and prevents unnecessary orders from suppliers for items that were already in stock but could not be found. Also consider how often each item is used: what moves most should be closest at hand.
Set minimum stock levels
Define a minimum quantity for each item and place a new order whenever stock approaches that level. Tracking how long each item takes to move also shows whether the shop's actions are working and supports management decisions.
Automate control
Process automation makes shop administration more practical. A system records stock in and out, flags items below minimum and helps track deadlines and expiration dates. To learn more, see how to handle repair shop inventory management.
Supplies management with Onmotor
Onmotor offers car service center software with reports and parts and supplier management. Since 2009, the Onmotor system has evolved to better serve users, with support for any questions. Start a free trial or talk to our team.