AVM Opens New Dist. Center

MARION, S.C.--AVM Inc. has opened a new distribution center that is nearly three times larger than its previous facility. Although the assembly and pack areas were able to expand--inventory occupies the largest increase in floor space, said Gary Hertzog, general manager for the Aftermarket Division.

The increased inventory enables AVM to provide customers with shorter lead times, which allows them to “stock what sells” and increase their inventory turns, he noted.

Hertzog said the increase in size is significant because of AVM’s recent acquisition of R&B’s Mighty Lift and Steady Lift brands of gas charged lift supports, which has fueled a business shift. This shift reduces weekly/monthly type orders to nearly daily orders.

“AVM has always striven to provide quality customer service,” said Hertzog. “We have added sales expertise in the field and increased our customer service staff in order to meet and satisfy our diverse customer needs. In addition, we added a multi-lingual help line technician, who will be on hand to handle our broadened product lines.”

AVM’s operations management remains the same with respect to the new center, which has received World Class Certification in ArvinMeritor’s ATQPS (ArvinMeritor Total Quality Production System) program. Introduced in 1993, ATQPS is designed to improve manufacturing processes and quality through applications of lean manufacturing concepts, elimination of waste and greater employee involvement. AVM’s ongoing commitment to ATQPS has brought about significantly improved product and process manufacturing capabilities, Hertzog said.

“The opening of the new distribution center represents the culmination of AVM’s many years in the automotive aftermarket lift support business,” Hertzog pointed out. “We created the lift support aftermarket, and can now draw on over 18 years of market knowledge and experience to satisfy our customers’ ever-changing needs. We strive to continuously improve our business processes and our customer service as we head into the 21st century.”

For more information, contact www.avminc.com.