Ford & Slater, the largest independent DAF dealership group in the UK has opened a new flagship TRP parts store on the site of their customers FW Abbott based at Kettering Business Park.
Owned by Paccar, TRP (Truck Related Parts) caters for all makes of trucks and trailers, and is available across the DAF dealer network as well as an increasing number of new TRP stores.
As a long-standing customer of Ford & Slater’s, the DAF dealer already had begun to implement a unique parts relationship in place with FW Abbott as Frank D’ambrosio, Parts Manager, explained: “We were already in discussion to provide a one-stop-shop parts supply solution to FW Abbott. This means we would manage their full stock of DAF and other make truck parts with a dedicated member of staff ‘implanted’ based in their business. For FW Abbott this would reduce the time and hassle they spend on sourcing parts, we would provide one single point invoice each month, dramatically reducing administration costs.”
With this arrangement already in the pipeline and DAF looking to expand their national chain of TRP shops, FW Abbott was identified as an ideal location for Ford & Slater to open a TRP outlet. Both the Ford & Slater and FW Abbott teams worked tirelessly to bring about enhancements to the site, including improved access, mezzanine floor and driver waiting area, in just 4 months.
Officially opened on 1st October 2016 the new TRP site received an initial £130k TRP parts stock investment, which is set to increase with business, and has around 2000 lines in its 1000 square foot facility.
Richard Burton, Managing Director of F W Abbott, commented: “I’d like to thank Ford & Slater for their support and assistance in getting this project off the ground. I am extremely pleased with the results and look forward to seeing its benefits to our business. The support and vision of Ford & Slater has been crucial in making this a reality and we appreciate their input.”
With their new TRP outlet, Ford & Slater will be able to develop its parts offering in the area to bring existing and potential customers an improved van delivery service together with a readily accessible competitively priced parts range, helping to keep their vehicle downtime to a minimum.
Tim Strevens, Joint Managing Director of Ford & Slater, said: “I’m pleased with the project not only for Ford & Slater and F W Abbott but also for the benefits that this will bring for new and existing customers.”
In addition to the opening of the new TRP Kettering store, there is also a new TRP catalogue (both online and in print), a new DAF Web shop to buy TRP and DAF parts and the TRP website has been updated too for improved functionality and with all 75,000 lines.
TRP Kettering is open Monday to Friday 8am until 5:30pm, Saturday 8am until 12noon.
