Red Sofa interview | Toyota Motor Europe’s head of parts supply chain shares approach to complex service parts demands

In a recent discussion at the Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Europe event, Karel Verpoorten, head of parts supply chain at Toyota Motor Europe, shared insights into the company’s service parts strategy. He emphasised the importance of a reliable, cost-effective service, stating: “We believe strongly in a reliable service as a differentiator to our customers.” Toyota’s service parts network spans a central warehouse in Belgium and 13 depots across Europe, providing parts to over 3,000 dealers.

One of Toyota’s core priorities is ensuring that dealers receive the right parts at the right time. “We are committed to delivering these parts overnight,” Verpoorten explained, highlighting the company’s commitment to efficient and timely deliveries. This is crucial in an era of increasing demand complexity, especially with the rise of alternative powertrains like electric and hybrid vehicles.

To stay ahead of the curve, Toyota embraces digitalisation to adapt to changing demand and enhance delivery efficiency. Verpoorten added: “Our service experience will become more and more important,” as customer expectations evolve. By integrating all logistics functions into one supply chain, Toyota is able to achieve better collaboration and scale, ensuring reliable and cost-effective service for customers.

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