Reynolds and Reynolds Launches Automotive OEM Service Parts E-Business Network

The Move Expands the Company's Role in the $12 Billion OEM Parts Market

The Reynolds and Reynolds Co., Dayton, OH, is aggressively expanding its role in the nearly $12 billion original equipment manufacturer (OEM) wholesale service auto parts industry with its latest e-business solution, OneTouch eParts network, a new online wholesale OEM service parts procurement hub.

This new network will significantly help streamline wholesale OEM-parts procurement processes, and help car companies and their more than 22,000 US franchised dealer parts departments get the most out of the OEM service-parts supply chain.

``We're evolving our industry-leading OneTouch parts locator to an Internet-based, e-business solution for OEM parts procurement," Lloyd "Buzz" Waterhouse, R and R's president and chief operating officer, said.

Waterhouse is well-poised to carry the plan out. Prior to joining Reynolds in May 1999, Waterhouse served as general manager of IBM's $2.7 billion E-Business Services Unit.

Waterhouse said that parts location and procurement is an area that presents "a major opportunity to create value throughout the industry." He noted that Reynolds and Reynolds has relationships with more than 90 percent of US and Canadian automotive retailers. The company also strong relationships with every car manufacturer, he added.

Reynolds' OneTouch eParts Network (www.OneTouch-eParts.com) will create significant business results for retailers and car companies, including improved wholesale-customer retention, faster parts acquisitions and transactions, lower costs and improved systemwide efficiency. Automotive retailers will be able to locate and order OEM parts for their service customers in seconds from other retailers, OEM warehouses and distributors. Also, Reynolds and Reynolds will develop an array of vertical-market solutions designed to help car companies optimize the service-parts supply chain.

``We're very supportive of the direction in which Reynolds is headed with this new parts network,'' said Gar Smith, general sales manager of GM Parts, General Motors Service Parts Operations. ``We believe it has the potential to drive much greater efficiency in our parts network, which can improve our repair-customer service while optimizing our inventory in each market.''

Mark Brown, general manager of Reynolds' Automotive Group's e-business division, said that finding parts locally is the strength of the OneTouch locator.

``But until now, the millions of transactions were completed manually with phone calls and faxes," Brown noted. "Our new eParts network replaces the manual process with a true B2B (business-to-business) electronic solution. It allows all dealers to benefit from the network as both buyers and sellers of parts. It's a true exchange.''

Waterhouse added that the true power of this B2B solution is its ability to expand retailers' marketing tools.

``In addition to locating and procuring OEM parts, retailers can more easily market OEM parts to independent collision- and mechanical-repair facilities on line,'' he said.

Waterhouse said that repair facilities will be able to electronically transmit parts lists required for a repair to their preferred retailer/supplier. The retailer will be able to quickly fill the request from its own or other retailers' inventory, and confirm availability and shipment.