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Chrysler Breaks Ground for New Detroit Parts Distribution Center

1 September 1998

Chrysler Breaks Ground for New Detroit Parts Distribution Center In Huron Township

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 1 -- Chrysler Corporation's
Mopar Parts Division today broke ground for a new 378,550 square
foot Parts Distribution Center in Huron Township, Mich.
    The new Detroit Parts Distribution Center (PDC) will continue to employ
131 warehouse workers and 17 management and office staff personnel once it is
in full operation in August 1999.  The PDC will service 310 dealerships in
Michigan, Western Ohio and Northern Kentucky.
    "Our goal is to improve our service by reducing the processing time
involved in getting a dealer a part," said Norm M. Hamway, Field Distribution
Operations Manager.  "Our service to the dealership directly impacts the
service to the final customer -- the vehicle owner."
    The new facility will be 100,000 square feet larger than the current
location in Warren, Michigan.  "The increase in space at the Huron Township
facility will relieve current operational congestion, provide additional docks
and processing areas and improve overall efficiency," said Hamway.
    Improved employee amenities will include designated training and meeting
rooms for joint UAW/Chrysler Product Quality Improvement (PQIP) initiatives,
improved lunch room with atrium style windows, picnic area and locker room.
    "The layout of the facility was co-designed with PDC employees, who also
helped develop improved processes that include a state-of-the-art mechanized
parts handling system."
    Detroit's PDC, with annual sales of $275 million, ships 3,950,000 part
orders annually.  It stocks about 92,500 different parts, which are stored in
120,355 location openings.  The dedicated carrier fleet, managed by Exel
Logistics, covers 11,000 miles daily on 21 routes.
    The new Detroit PDC will continue to operate on three shifts, five days
weekly.  It will be located off I-275 at the South Huron Drive interchange,
six miles south of I-94 on Bell Road in Huron Township.
    Construction will be by Walsh, Higgins and Company.
    The Detroit PDC is one of 15 regional and four national distribution
centers in the Mopar Parts Division distribution network.  Mopar ships
replacement parts to all Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge and Jeep dealerships.