NTP-STAG News Article

Grand Design, NTP-STAG Partner for New Service Parts Fulfillment Program

11/28/2018 12:00:00 AM
RV PRO Staff
RV PRO

Grand Design RV has partnered with NTP-STAG for fulfillment services to support the new “Grand Design Fast Trax” Dealer Service Parts Support Program. The partnership produces rapid order response times and parts delivery in a fulfillment system, the pilot program of which was launched to a limited number of dealers on Oct. 8.

Based on the success of the pilot, the program is now expanding to the entire Grand Design dealership network beginning immediately.

“Our goal was to leverage the extensive NTP-STAG network to expedite the delivery of critically needed service parts to our dealers,” said Jerry McCarthy of Grand Design. “For too long, RV manufacturers have struggled to get the right parts delivered quickly to complete repairs. Today’s customers have little tolerance for time added to the repair process because of a part’s delay. … Getting critical service parts where they are needed quickly is one of our primary missions and NTP-STAG’s logistics capabilities align perfectly with our requirements.”

NTP-STAG’s category teams worked with Grand Design’s Service Parts team to build a stocking plan that addresses product demand by SKU and location. Establishing stocking levels and item placement within the distribution network were key considerations to ensure next-day service to Grand Design’s dealers, according to the companies. Leveraging NTP-STAG’s coast-to-coast coverage through regional distribution centers, the new program puts needed service parts inventory closer to Grand Design’s dealers than before.

“This was a very unique project for us and a first in the RV market,” said Jon White, RV and towing category director for NTP-STAG. “Supporting Grand Design’s initiative leverages not only our strategically placed warehouses and fleet, but our inventory control, purchasing and customer support programs as well.”

“After confirming part availability within the NTP-STAG distribution network, we place the order with NTP-STAG and the fulfillment process takes over, typically resulting in next-day delivery along with any other parts a dealer may have ordered directly from NTP-STAG,” said McCarthy.

“RVIA/RVDA has rightfully identified an industry need to improve ‘coach down time’ due to parts availability,” said Don Clark, president/CEO of Grand Design RV. “Grand Design’s newly formed relationship with one our industry’s most progressive parts fulfillment specialists and the implementation of our ‘Grand Design Fast Trax’ promises to help move the needle in customer satisfaction and raise the bar in service and parts delivery for our industry.”

NTP-STAG President Sheds Light on RECT

11/27/2018 12:00:00 AM
RV PRO Staff
RV PRO

After the RV Dealer Association’s convention wrapped up at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, RV PRO magazine reached out to Bill Rogers, president of NTP-STAG, to discuss issues regarding RECT (repair event cycle time) and talk about NTP-STAG’s display.

Question 1: What are some of the issues that have come up for the task force in speaking with RVIA Chairman Garry Enyart about repair event-cycle time?

At one of the RVIA/RVDA joint meetings two years ago it was suggested that we (the industry) pursue solutions to service wait times and parts availability using the Six Sigma toolset. Garry Enyart stepped up to volunteer resources as Cummins already had a Six Sigma program.

The meeting was with dealers, suppliers and OEMs to identify issues. I think consumers were looking for more of an automotive experience when service and repair was needed for their RV.

Some of the issues we found were a lack of stocking of certain parts, limited service availability, parts accuracy and the warranty process.

One of the key takeaways was if a dealer had a part in stock the RECT was three to four days whereas if they didn’t have the part it rose to the high teens / low 20s.

Question 2: What was the purpose of the concept truck NTP-STAG had at RVDA?

Last year, we did more of a retail experience for dealers and attempted to introduce them to new technologies in the retail space. Given the opportunity with RVDA this year, we decided to focus more on the backroom experience at the dealerships and what was new in the service side of the RV dealership.

As part of our key message, we decided to bring a mobile unit to provoke thought about servicing RVs in the field.

Note: The truck was purchased on the first day at the show by a dealer. Rogers mentioned that at the NTP-STAG show in Nashville this January there will be aspects focused on both the retail side, as well as the repair and service side.

Question 3: With NTP-STAG’s latest distribution center in Southern California, what are the next steps for NTP-STAG in helping the delivery process?

The warehouse in Southern California that opened in October allows us to better service the geographical region because of growth that we have had there. The new DC, which is 450,000 square feet, replaces the Corona facility which was only 180,000 square feet. This new facility will improve our ability to service all the customers in the region and we do have “will-call,” where local customers can pick up parts.

We have been focused and will continue to focus on customer service improvements. We have made multiple improvements to help the customer and recently put out a mobile app at SEMA this year for auto customers that will eventually expand to the RV customer base.

Question 4: What else is NTP-STAG doing to help dealers battle RECT?

We are working with some of the manufacturers to help them streamline their warranty fulfillment processes. We are doing that with Coleman currently, and we are working on that with others OEs.

Instead of the manufacturer or OEM processing the warranty issue and then shipping from their facility, we are processing that order and drop shipping that part the next day. It’s a big improvement on the lead time to get those parts. Our business is replacement parts. So, as far as stocking and shipping, we take that over because it’s what we do already.

Question 5: What has happened this year regarding RECT and what are the next steps for the RECT initiative?

There has been a lot done this year. RVIA put in full time Six Sigma resources which are a part of their organizational process now.

The RV Technical Institute is now funded, and they are in the process of hiring a leader to run it. These are big changes that will provide leadership to continue addressing RECT. There will be standardized metrics and reporting. There will also be reporting on how all the industry players are doing on RECT in comparison with others like them, so everyone can see where they stand and hopefully that will motivate them to improve.

Question 6: What was your experience like on the task force. What did you get out of it?

I was impressed with how receptive everyone was. The dealers were all in. The OEs were forthcoming with their participation and resources. A lot of support for the whole effort. Gary Enyart did a great job leadership-wise, pulling all the parties together. RVIA collaborating with RVDA was impressive. As far as our role at NTP-STAG is concerned, to the extent that we can help, we will do that and try to expand that because we do have a good logistics solution getting to dealers.

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NTP-STAG 2020 EXPO Dates and Locations Announced

Exeter, PA – NTP-STAG will be hosting EXPO 2020, its annual dealer event, at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, TX, January 13-14. “We are returning to the Gaylord Texan in 2020 because it is a great location to host an event,” says John Spaulding, Director of Communications and Events at NTP-STAG. “It’s an incredibly easy place to get to no matter where you are coming from and the weather in January tends to be more predictable and less severe than more northern and remote locations. Our customers coming from Canada, the Midwest or either coast will find Texas a welcoming atmosphere full of hospitality,” he adds.

EXPO 2020 will host RV University and the PRO Education Seminars on day one of the event. That evening will feature an opening reception on the show floor. The following day will be highlighted by a full day on the exhibit floor and special closing reception. The EXPO is expected to attract more than 200 exhibiting companies and NTP-STAG customers from across North America. “It’s important for us to show our appreciation to our customers by hosting this event every year. Their loyalty to our programs and people are critical to our success and we like to celebrate that with them by providing excellent educational programming, terrific buying opportunities and plenty of fun,” says Spaulding. Follow the build up to EXPO 2020 at expo.ntpstag.com.

For more than 50 years, NTP-STAG has been serving fellow enthusiasts and professionals across the industry. Today, as a division of Keystone Automotive Operations, the company is highly regarded as the leading distribution company across the recreation vehicle market and is uniquely positioned to offer customers and suppliers substantial scale, the most comprehensive inventory selection in the industry, high levels of customer service, and innovative marketing support. NTP-STAG is committed to expanding its offerings to meet the ever-growing needs of its customer base, providing them what they need, when they need it.

NTP-STAG Welcomes Pure Liberty Manufacturing

EXETER, PA – NTP-STAG welcomes Pure Liberty Manufacturing, LLC to its fresh water category. Headquartered in Ottawa Lake, Michigan, Pure Liberty Manufacturing has been supplying top quality stainless steel and ceramic sinks, glass vessel bowls, and faucets to the residential, commercial, and RV industries since its founding in 2005.

Finding success as a supplier, the company expanded into manufacturing its own product lines in the United States, using locally-sourced materials. Pure Liberty built its Michigan facility in 2014 and, within three years, started bulk producing its own American-made stainless steel sinks.

“Not only are we striving to create quality jobs locally but, by supporting other US businesses in the process, we can continue to promote manufacturing in the United States,” says Pure Liberty. “We strive to lead by example and push for improvement. Here at Pure Liberty Manufacturing, we continue to remain fluid everyday so we are able to provide a better company, better products, and the best service to our customers.”

In addition to residential and commercial offerings, Pure Liberty supplies quality stainless steel sinks specially designed for the RV market. Its standard line, introduced in 2010, consists of nine models, ranging from 10”-18” diameter round bowls to 25”- and 32”-wide double bay sinks. Each unit has been thoughtfully designed with cost, weight, and configuration in mind. Constructed of durable 22-gauge 304 stainless steel, each unit comes with a sound-dampening spray and rubber padding for the sink’s underside that minimizes noise and helps regulate water temperature. Sinks can be mounted either on top of or underneath the countertop, giving RV owners more design, versatility, and customization. All units are cUPC listed, adhering to high-quality standards of safety and sanitation.

New for Pure Liberty is its quickly-expanding line of handcrafted RV sinks. Employing 20-gauge 304 stainless steel, these units are available as a standard undermount sink in either a single or double bay configuration, with straight or curved apron front designs and similar sound-dampening and temperature-controlling treatments. They follow the same safety and quality standards and are backed by the company’s limited lifetime warranty.

Pure Liberty Manufacturing also offers a variety of sink accessories, including strainers, cutting boards, pop-up drains, sink grids, and drying racks in a variety of materials. Additionally, the company is working to incorporate personalized laser etching into its in-house capabilities, allowing the company to apply logos and names onto any of its sink offerings.

“We pride ourselves, not only on our product, but also our relationships,” says Pure Liberty. “Quality product gets you in the door but commitment to relationships, with employees, customers, vendors and others in the industry, keeps you there.” Partnering with NTP-STAG will maximize Pure Liberty’s consumer awareness within the RV aftermarket, allowing the company to access new business opportunities and customers through a vast network of dealers.

“Pure Liberty is a tremendous fit for our aftermarket portfolio. Focused solely on sinks and as a core supplier to the OEMs, Pure Liberty clearly understands the continuing trend of bringing home-like elements into the RV. Dealers will love the selection that they can now make available to their customers,” says Tom Probst, Category Manager. “Additionally, Pure Liberty has engineered single-piece packaging designed to withstand the rigors of shipping fragile, bulky, stainless steel sinks. Reliable packaging, along with Keystone’s truck delivery model, will give dealers the assurance that what they order will be ready for install,” he adds.

NTP-STAG Welcomes MAX-Tank

EXETER, PA – NTP-STAG welcomes MAX-Tank to its auxiliary water storage category. MAX-Tank is owned and operated by parent company, Mangold Advancements, a product innovation business based in California focused on forward-thinking consumer solutions for the RV, automotive, motorsports, and construction markets. MAX-Tank is its flagship product, which produces high-quality water auxiliary tanks and transfer pump kits that are designed to maximize RV holding capacity, thereby giving enthusiasts the ability to “stay longer and play longer” in remote locations.

Running out of water while traveling or camping is a common concern for RV owners, often limiting them from enjoying the full range of their vehicle’s on-board conveniences. MAX-Tank portable water systems seek to provide a safe and sustainable solution that can withstand the rigors of frequent use and real-world conditions.

The MAX-Tank product line offers two systems, one for fresh water storage and the other for gray water management. The fresh water system is designed to carry 50 gallons of water that can be easily transferred to an RV or accessed for alternate use, such as tent camping or gardening. Constructed of high density, UV-stabilized polyethylene, the tank features a vented, screw-on cap and pre-installed bulkhead and brass inlet plumbing. Operation is simple. By virtue of a custom-designed 12V water transfer pump that inserts into the hitch receiver, a 7-pin connector for power source and 10' and 25' fresh water transfer hoses.

The gray water system includes a 50-gallon tank of the same material, as well as an easy-to-operate vented, screw cap and pre-installed bulkhead and inlet valves. Designed to extract gray water from the RV’s system for easier transport and dumping, it features a standard RV sewer discharge valve with additional plumbing parts for right, left, and straight discharge configuration options. The system also includes a 10’ sewer hose, clear sewer valve cap with garden hose adapter, 10’ and 25’ gray water transfer hoses and the same hitch-mounted transfer pump and power source as the fresh water system.

“Max-Tank has brought to market a superb niche product. Developed themselves as recreational enthusiasts, they have prototyped, field tested, and refined this product through extensive off-grid research. It’s an ingenious solution to a pervasive problem in the off-grid recreational market that is growing tremendously,” says Thomas Probst, Category Manager. “Dealer feedback at Expo was excellent with the common refrain being that consumers will immediately recognize the utility, simplicity, and value of these systems.”