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'What's In the Box?'

ASA’s focus on parts quality continues with development of ‘return parts tracking’ criteria

Members of ASA’s Mechanical Division Operations Committee continue their focus on parts quality issues. The most recent activities have focused on the parts return process and its role in shedding light on potential quality issues.

To bring uniformity to the parts return process, the committee is developing a sample “return parts tracking” form that helps better identify the reason for the return and related issues. By establishing a common set of criteria tied to the returns process, parts quality issues, sources and trends may be recognized and remedied as soon as possible.

“All parties are affected by the returned parts tracking process and minimizing quality issues is in everyone’s best interest,” said Robbie Addison Haas, ASA’s Mechanical Division manager. “The operations committee is exploring ways in which repairers can work with their suppliers to contribute to the best repair experience possible for the motoring public.”

ASA formed its Parts Quality subcommittee in May 2007 to find answers to the question, “What’s in The Box?” The full committee is now dedicated to parts quality issues.

At ASA’s most recent Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) event in October 2012 – held during Automotive Service and Repair Week in New Orleans – the issue of parts quality was taken to the next level as attendees and panelists explored, “What ELSE is in the Box?,” a forum session conducted by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) that expanded on ASA’s work on the topic up to that point. Panelists included parts manufacturers who shared their perspectives, followed by audience Q&A.

Watch for more information about ASA’s work on return parts tracking in future ASA publications.

Mechanical Division Operations Committee members represent repair facilities of varying sizes from across the United States. The committee works on behalf of all ASA mechanical members to advance and promote the automotive service and repair industry.

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