Navistar is raising the bar for parts distribution with its new, state-of-the-art Midwest Parts Distribution Center (PDC) in Joliet, Ill.
"Our customers rely on fast and accurate parts delivery to manage their operations, and the Midwest PDC uses the latest thinking in lean design to strengthen our customer support," said Phyllis Cochran, president, Navistar Parts.
The Midwest PDC stocks more than 85,000 parts for International and IC Bus vehicles, MaxxForce diesel engines, and all makes of trucks. At 860,000-sq ft, it is the largest of 13 Navistar PDCs.
"The new PDC represents the 'next generation' of PDCs," said Joe Kory, vice president, global distribution operations, Navistar Parts. "It's custom-designed from the ground up to support best practices in distribution."
The PDC design emphasizes lean principles, which focus on simplifying everyday practices throughout the workplace to maximize value while minimizing waste in the form of money, resources and time. For example, parts are stored based on how quickly they move in and out. Parts that are ordered the most are closest to the packaging and shipping areas, while less popular parts are further away.
The Midwest PDC will serve as a model for the evolution of other Navistar PDCs in the future and is designed with flexibility in mind to enable future growth and innovation.
"The Midwest PDC represents a lot of new thinking, and it's a game changer for the evolution of our parts distribution going forward," Kory added.
Navistar celebrated the new center at a grand opening event on June 11. More than 250 community leaders, International and IC Bus dealers, and Navistar employees attended.
The Midwest PDC replaces the former West Chicago PDC and two other storage sites. It is structured as two distinct sections: a regional PDC that primarily supports Navistar's dealers in the Midwest United States, and a national PDC that ships lower-volume parts to dealers and customers worldwide.
