INTERNAL INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

Through our network of Bearing & Transmission branches, customers have access to our extensive inventory. Our network of 25 branches in the three western provinces provides local inventories for our customers when they need it. In addition, our distribution center located in Winnipeg, MB is the main hub in our inventory distribution network. Stocked in our 30,000 sq. ft. facility, replenishment inventory is available over night to almost any where in Western Canada. Our distribution centre provides regular stock replenishment to our branches and can also ship direct to our customers on an emergency basis. This service is designed specifically with the customer in mind, to prevent unnecessary delays when a customer is in a breakdown situation.

Bearing & Transmission utilizes a consolidated freight management system to minimize freight costs for our customers. This managed freight system offers regularly scheduled pick-ups and drop-offs and allows for key drops at certain locations to better ensure the availability of inventory for the customer.

Working in conjunction with our freight management system is our Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) ordering system. This system is fully automated and linked to our computer system. It allows for information such as purchase orders to be sent electronically between Bearing & Transmission and our customers. For the customer, it is a fast, cost-effective means of procurement and inventory control to help ensure that they have the right part at the right time.

EXTERNAL INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

In an effort to deliver the lowest possible total cost of operation, Bearing & Transmission offers a number of inventory optimization services to our customers. These services include:

Min/Max Review

• Recommendations for optimizing inventory levels on customer shelves
• Ongoing review of B&T inventory levels based on sales history

Inventory Rationalization

• Optimize inventory investment in spare parts
• Ensure proper on hand stock levels and re-order points and quantities
• Reduce functional equivalent

Inventory Reduction

• Dispose of excess or surplus inventory at customer site
• Utilize condition based buy-back inventory system

Inventory Standardization

• Reduce the number of manufacturers providing products within a given product group
• Deliver enhanced cost savings, improved inventory support, improved technical service
  

Committed/Reserved Inventory

• Held by Bearing & Transmission for the exclusive sale to a particular customer
• Reduce inventory requirements at customer site

Bearing & Transmission also offers Vendor owned inventory programs, central stocking programs for common spares, and programs for dealing with obsolete/surplus inventory. If a customer has unique requirements Bearing & Transmission is always open to discussing other creative inventory concepts.