Powerstar Genuine Parts: wherever, whenever

With three major parts centres and a distribution network across southern Africa, Ever Star Industries ensures all its customers have original parts delivered when needed.

Ever Star Industries (ESI) is committed to around-the-clock aftersales support, which covers every vehicle under the ESI umbrella – Powerstar, Powerland, Shantui and NHL.

ESI has three parts distribution centres. The main central parts distribution (CPD) centre – a 1 200 m² warehouse – is based at the assembly plant in Pietermaritzburg, with two other distribution hubs based in Gauteng – in Jet Park and Centurion. Together the three centres house parts worth approximately R65 million, and about 6 800 line items of parts at any given time.

This number is expected to grow with the impending introduction of the three- and five-tonne Powerstar FT vehicles, and the evolving V3 ET Powerstar long-haul models.

The CPD distributes parts to smaller service and parts centres across southern Africa. While each distribution hub has a small shop to sell directly to customers, ESI relies mainly on a third-party logistics company to deliver parts to the various dealerships in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

“ESI’s comprehensive aftersales infrastructure is designed to improve vehicle uptime while lowering total cost of ownership. Among the services we offer are class-leading bumper-to-bumper warranties, guaranteed genuine parts, technical and driver/operator training, a 24-hour helpline and roadside assistance,” explains Paul Fryer, national parts manager for ESI.

“There are daily deliveries from CPD in Pietermaritzburg to our distribution hubs in Jet Park and Centurion, as well as from all three centres to Powerstar dealerships and customers across the country. Once or twice a week, deliveries are made to neighbouring SADC countries.” Fryer further adds.

He says: “If a specific part is not available at the dealership or parts centre, it will be delivered the next day. Cross-border deliveries might take a bit longer.

In 2017, the parts centres moved parts worth about R75 million. Most of these were delivered in the Gauteng region.

The parts centres have seen a healthy, steady growth. Powerstar aims to increase distribution by
15 percent in 2018. “This should be an easy goal for our company as customer aftersales service is how we measure our success,” Fryer adds.

“Our product support specialists conduct regular dealer audits and customer visits to ensure dealerships comply with dealer operating standards, and customers are satisfied with the aftersales support provided.”

Fryer explains the importance of using original Powerstar parts when maintaining vehicles: “Powerstar original parts offer value as they are of high quality, reliable and affordable. They also conform to the requirements of the vehicle, and all original parts are covered by a 12-month warranty.”

Bob Wang, CEO of ESI, notes: “Our dedicated aftersales team keeps a keen ear to the ground, which allows us to react rapidly, effectively and competently to any queries, requests and changes in the market. We are absolutely committed to reducing customer vehicle downtime and total cost of ownership.

“Powerstar genuine parts are not just parts, its our promise to our customers to provide guaranteed original parts and reliability that they can trust.” concludes Wang.