Spare parts logistics: challenges and available solutions

In many business sectors, the logistics of spare parts are complex. They involve planning managing stocks, and shipping these spare parts within very short lead times, to a workshop, branch or any other delivery point. In order to manage these large numbers of SKUs effectively, the logistics solution must be properly organised and efficient. They help to reduce storage costs, coordinate product activity in real time and fulfil deliveries to customers rapidly.

The challenges of spare parts logistics

In a constantly changing competitive environment, manufacturers in the telecommunications, agriculture and aeronautics sectors as well as many others are having to rethink their spare parts logistics. In order to remain efficient and meet their customers’ wide-ranging needs, they must be flexible and responsive, while also providing quality of service in order to:

  • Manage a large repository of spare parts and big quantities of items: spare parts are products of all sizes that can often look alike, and a missing part can be catastrophic for the production line. The stock must therefore be properly managed in order to avoid errors.
  • Adapt to different spare part delivery points: the destinations, to which these spare parts must be delivered, are highly varied and specific. They may be delivered at any time to technicians, on construction sites, in technical centres, workshops, storage platforms, etc.
  • Meet tight delivery deadlines: in many cases companies will be in a hurry to receive the spare parts in order to repair a machine or any other piece of equipment. This is even more critical, given the growth of the second-hand economy. Given this urgent need, the equipment must be delivered very quickly, even at night if necessary.
  • Manage spare parts with special characteristics: the size, weight and value of the spare parts are changing constantly. Make adaptations according to the product, taking into account its characteristics, i.e. its fragility, size or value, is therefore essential.
  • Protect spare parts with specific storage requirements, given that many products require careful handling. Some spare parts must, for example, not be subjected to temperature changes so that they don’t get being damaged once stored or delivered.

Services offered by logistics providers for spare parts

Supply chain management for spare parts

Thanks to end-to-end logistics solutions, it is possible to control the entire supply chain by studying storage needs, preparing orders, fulfilling deliveries through multiple channels, providing return logistics, etc. Digital solutions can also be used for managing your business activity in real-time.

Storing and managing returns for spare parts

Logistics service providers have local storage locations (PUDO, FSL, PFP) for fulfilling last mile deliveries and providing a more local service to customers. Appropriate reverse logistics solutions can also be used to manage product returns, including upgrading, repairing or recycling end-of-life products.

Shipping and delivery for spare parts

At the same time, logistics service providers are developing information systems tailored to each customer so that the spare parts can be tracked throughout the process. The goal? To meet the requirements of all the points of sale (e-commerce site, marketplace, etc.) as well as stock management constraints (best-before date, QR Code, etc.), package the products with the appropriate packaging and deliver the spare parts as soon as possible. By implementing solutions like PUDO and FSL, spare parts can be delivered within a matter of hours.

Transport solutions tailored to the specific needs of spare parts

Given that the spare parts have no size or weight limit, there are a number of suitable solutions for transporting them. At Staci, they are personalised for each order and take into account the following four criteria: time, weight, volume and destination of the spare parts. Our transportation solutions are also good for the environment.

Finally, personalised solutions known as “Customer Support” at Staci can be used to control the proper implementation of business activities by setting up dedicated customer teams.