ActivRAC Leads to Smart Auto Parts Storage for Dave Kehl Chevrolet

Service Department Solutions

Dave Kehl Chevrolet, Inc. has been the number one Silverado truck dealership in the state of Ohio for the past two years. In addition to a high-volume sales department, the dealership also has an extensive parts and service department, which has recently moved to the new dealership facility across the street.

When you’re #1, you want to stay at the top—and at a dealership, the service department is central to the profitable operation. According to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), service departments are responsible for 60% of a dealership’s net profits.

Creating an Organized Work Environment

Dave Kehl’s Parts and Service Manager, Paul McMahill, knew that having organized auto parts storage would be critical to supporting the service department as well as maintaining customer satisfaction—and the auto parts storage in the original service department just wasn’t cutting it. The previous service department housed narrow shelving with aisles that were only 24” wide, so it was difficult to access and maneuver around. In addition, the number of parts needed for service was steadily increasing, and they were in dire need of a new, more efficient auto parts storage system.

Get Shelves Moving

McMahill had previously worked with McCormick Equipment Company to acquire overhead doors, large overhead fans, and industrial shelving products for the dealership, and wondered if they’d be able to help with the renovation of the new parts and service storage room. During a visit to McCormick’s facility, McMahill noticed the ActivRAC mobilized storage system being used to store filing cabinets, and wondered aloud about using it for auto parts storage.

Together, representatives from McCormick and sat down and brainstormed, with input from McMahill. They recommended the ActivRAC 7M system, which they were able to design around an existing column in the facility. This meant using a bank of static shelving in the middle of the room that is flanked by mobile carriages, and the creative design allowed the staff to utilize the space that might have otherwise been left open.

ActivRAC 7M carriages can carry up to 7,000 lbs. per carriage, which makes it ideal for storing small parts and various tools when space is at a premium—and McMahill can now get three times the amount of parts in the space compared to that of the old storage room.