CHICAGO — Showcasing their inventory innovations, NAPA Auto Parts and Dayco Products, LLC have caught R. L. Polk & Co.'s eye. R. L. Polk presented NAPA and Dayco with the third annual Polk Aftermarket Inventory Efficiency Awards at the 2007 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) in Chicago. Mike Gingell, vice president of R. L. Polk & Co., praised at GAAS the pairs' efforts to tackle the ever-present issue of inventory management within the automotive aftermarket. "When we created this award three years ago, we wanted to do something that would recognize and reward aftermarket companies who were proactively implementing process improvements relative to inventory efficiencies," Gingell says. "But we also wanted to give the companies that were making a positive impact on the inventory issue a chance to share their stories in order to educate, motivate and inspire the other companies within the industry to do the same." NAPA received best-in-class honors in the retailer/distributor category for the development of an inventory classification system that allows for daily stock adjustments at company stores. Its Marketing Inventory Classification System, or MIC, has led to substantial increases in top-line revenues for the Atlanta-based company. Larry Samuelson, president of the U.S. Automotive Parts Group, accepted the award on the company's behalf. Dayco beat out the competition to win top honors in the manufacturer category. The award recognizes Dayco's successful implementation of data and technology standards, which has resulted in significant inventory reductions and improved fill rates for the Tulsa, Okla., company. Dennis Welvaert, president of Dayco's North American Aftermarket Division, accepted the award for Dayco. In addition to presenting the Polk Inventory Efficiency Award, R. L. Polk has made a $1,000 donation in each company's name to the Global Aftermarket Scholarship Fund, which helps qualified students pursue careers in the automotive aftermarket. |
