ArvinMeritor Inc. on Wednesday, April 29, officially opened a new 100,000-square-foot facility for Mascot Truck Parts in Mississauga, Ontario, to benefit customers and operational efficiencies. The operation – which remanufactures transmissions, drive axle carriers, drivelines and steering gears – previously consisted of three smaller, separate facilities in Mississauga.
“Mascot is one of our key product brands for our aftermarket business, and it has built a significant reputation for quality, customer service and extensive product knowledge,” says Terry Livingston, Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket general manager of North America for ArvinMeritor, based in Troy, Mich. “At the center of our remanufacturing strategy are two key factors – same-day/next-day availability through strategically located distribution centers – 25 for Mascot – and an all-makes portfolio that enables customers to make one phone call for their ‘post engine overhaul’ drivetrain needs.”
The company says that more than 1,200 axle carriers and transmissions are shipped monthly from the new operation to customers and partners throughout North America, including five truck OEMs and a host of select authorized outlets. “The consolidation allows for quicker decision-making and reduced cycle times, as well as consistent processes for all products,” says Glenn Hanthorn, president of Mascot, which also operates remanufacturing centers in Edmonton, Alberta; Moncton, New Brunswick; and Boucherville, Quebec.
Additionally, an on-site customer-service call center remains a central part of the customer-focused operation, Hanthorn says. “Our one ‘super’ remanufacturing facility utilizes the best practices from all the former facilities, while removing their shortcomings and allowing room for growth,” he says.
Under the management direction of Hanthorn; Tony Macharacek, regional operations manager; Bill Statham, general manager; and Guido Sala, senior quality manager, the business unit has increased its production capacity for axle carriers and transmissions by roughly 20 percent due to the consolidation, while lean initiatives introduced at the facility allow more space for further growth, according to the company. Centralizing in one location also has enabled more efficient production, including reduced parts inventory, labor costs and manufacturing overhead, the company says. Doug Wolma serves as general manager of the company’s remanufacturing business, part of the Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket.
