MAHLE Aftermarket Inc. Awarded the Polk Inventory Efficiency Award, Presented by IHS Automotive for Inventory and Supply Chain Efficiency Process Improvements

Farmington Hills, Michigan, May 20, 2014 – MAHLE Aftermarket Inc. was presented with the Polk Inventory Efficiency Award from IHS Automotive today during an awards ceremony at the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS), held in suburban Chicago. Ted Hughes (Manager – Marketing) and Chris Booth (Supply Chain Coordinator – North America) were on hand to accept the prestigious award.

The award, now in its 10th year, recognizes members of the automotive aftermarket for their efforts toward inventory efficiency and process improvement within their organizations.

Honored with the award in the Manufacturer category, MAHLE Aftermarket Inc. was recognized for the implementation of a systematic approach to managing its product portfolio, using vehicles in operation (VIO) data to prioritize trends and new coverage areas, while customizing inventory based on parts demand and consumption.

The approach also incorporated a new warehouse management system at its Master Distribution Facility in Olive Branch, Mississippi. The new system includes voice recognition picking for parts and provides part number and barcode verification, ultimately reducing excessive paperwork, increasing order fill rates and decreasing turnaround time. The implementation of the solution virtually eliminated errors, achieving 30 percent improvement in picking efficiency since its implementation in 2013.

Additionally, the inclusion of a supplier portal and scorecard for MAHLE suppliers allowed for more timely communication and data delivery, providing the means for MAHLE to award supplier achievements. In total, these improvements allowed for aggressive inventory reduction – nearly 25 percent since 2010.

“For any company in the aftermarket, managing inventory and supply chain are especially vital investments to synchronize product supply and demand for efficient product flow,” said Jon Douglas, General Manager, MAHLE Aftermarket North America. “It is a great honor to be recognized for this achievement today; and for our team’s diligence over the years in implementing these programs.”

“It’s a pleasure to recognize the efforts of the team from MAHLE with this year’s award,” said Mark Seng, global aftermarket practice leader, IHS Automotive. “Commitment to and success in managing a multi-faceted approach to achieving efficiency is one of the cornerstones of these awards.”

Since the introduction of the award in 2005, nominees have shown the ability to design and efficiently implement increasingly innovative solutions to the inventory management challenges facing the industry. The impressive list of winners, including both big and small companies, is a testament to the aftermarket’s ability to adapt and innovate in the face of adversity.

For more information about MAHLE Aftermarket and its brands, visit www.mahle-aftermarket.com, or contact your local sales representative.

About MAHLE
The MAHLE Group is one of the top 30 automotive suppliers and the leading global manufacturer of components and systems for the internal combustion engine and its peripherals. MAHLE employs approximately 48,000 people worldwide and generated sales of nearly EUR 6.2 billion in 2012.

MAHLE Aftermarket, the business unit specializing in spare parts, uses the expertise from the series production of original equipment in its automotive aftermarket product range, and supplies trade, repair shop, and engine repair partners. MAHLE Aftermarket is represented at 17 locations and other sales offices worldwide, with 1,500 employees. In 2012, the business unit attached a global sales volume of EUR 797 million (USD 1.024,6 billion).

About the Polk Inventory Efficiency Award, Presented by IHS Automotive
The Polk Inventory Efficiency Award was established in 2005 to recognize outstanding aftermarket companies for process improvements to inventory and supply chain efficiency. Award submissions were reviewed by a selection committee comprised of aftermarket industry leaders, not affiliated with IHS or any of the nominated companies. Winners were selected anonymously based on a set of criteria agreed upon by the judging committee.

Garnering support from across the industry, including organizations such as AAIA and AASA, media companies such as Advanstar and Babcox and educational institutions such as Northwood University, the Award effectively blends awareness and education. In addition to building awareness and sharing best practices, the award has been successfully leveraged to provide inspiration to companies and their employees throughout the aftermarket industry.

Download PDF for more information. [PDF; 88 KB]