...what they are and where they go.”
When Slack was hired at Ivan Gandrud Chevrolet in 1989 as a counter person, the department was doing roughly $30,000 monthly. Now it's selling $4.5 million in parts every month.
Since the pandemic hit, Slack’s job has changed and his No. 1 priority now is finding the right parts for his collision and mechanical parts customers.
On some days, it’s hunt and seek, but with Slack’s connections in the industry and three decades of experience, his fill rate is high. Like his Green Bay Packers, Slack wins most of the time, and that’s why his auto body shop customers are doing the Lambeau Leap when they get their parts orders from Grandrud.
Slack is adapting to the “new normal” and driving his staff to do the same.
“Every car manufacturer out there is experiencing the same problems,” he said. “Price is always a motivating factor, but now availability has become even more important. We do everything we possibly can to make every order seamless, but we’ve had to do some crazy things to fill orders. We’ve purchased some parts from other dealerships and traveled long distances---200 miles---to get one part to complete an order for a body shop.
"We figure it’s our problem and that’s why we want to take it off their table. If we can get them the parts they need fast and make sure the orders are accurate, we know we can retain that customer for life.”
One of Slack’s major strengths is his staff and the parts knowledge they possess, Slack said. He’s proud of his all-star team and keeps them happy with occasional perks like free lunches on Fridays and other benefits.
“Five of our eight wholesale counter people are former parts managers,” Slack said. “Our body shops tell us we’re only as good as our parts guys and I know it’s true. The GM parts training is excellent, but they also...
Ed Attanasio