Mastering Inventory Control with Chuck Hartle

This week, host Kaylee Felio sat down with Chuck Hartle , co-founder of PartsEdge , on The Parts Management Podcast. Together, they explored the complexities of inventory control and the crucial metrics every Parts Manager should know.

Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:

1?? What is Forced Stock?

Chuck defines "Forced Stock" as unfulfilled demand—parts ordered but never sold. These instantly become idle inventory, taking up valuable shelf space.

“Your first loss is your best loss when it comes to idle inventory.” – Chuck Hartle

2?? The Importance of Tracking Metrics

Metrics like 13 months no sale and 13 months no receipt are critical for understanding your inventory's true health. Chuck explains why focusing on receipt dates can give a more accurate picture.

3?? Reducing Idle Inventory

Whether it’s overordering by technicians or body shop returns, minimizing idle stock requires collaboration between parts and service departments.

Pro Tip from Chuck:

If a part hasn’t sold within 7 months, there’s only a 15% chance it will sell before becoming obsolete. Don’t wait—take action early.

Why This Matters

Inventory control isn’t just about managing parts—it’s about driving profitability and efficiency. By breaking down guaranteed and non-guaranteed inventory, Parts Managers can make proactive decisions that better serve customers and improve the bottom line.

?? Have questions or want to share your inventory control strategies? Let’s connect!

PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Their strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you’re looking to optimize your parts management, visit ?? www.partsedge.com.