Partmaster

Endeavour and Microsoft Dynamics ERP supports Partmaster through economic and operational opportunities and challenges.

Partmaster is a leading importer and distributor of automotive and engineering parts, supplying over 6,000 workshops across New Zealand. With a growing inventory of tens of thousands of products and a team of dedicated staff, Partmaster manages complex operations across multiple departments, from importing products to warehousing to point-of-sale. They manage around 120,000 parts for New Zealand’s car market which includes around 23,000 different models of vehicles with many varying components.

Recent economic pressures, including inflation, rising operational costs and changes in government policies such as the impact of electric vehicle (EV) subsidies from 2021 to 2023, meant Partmaster needed to stay agile to remain competitive.

The challenge: Economic pressures highlight the need for ERP stability and flexibility and a strong company culture.

The post-COVID economic landscape brought new challenges for Partmaster. Supply chain disruptions, increased wages, and fluctuating costs in many areas of the business put pressure on their business. Additionally, the New Zealand government’s introduction of an EV subsidy drove demand for new product categories. Electric vehicles have fewer parts, around 20 moving components compared to 2,000 in a standard combustion engine. Creating a new dynamic for Partmaster to navigate as fewer replacements were needed.

The most significant impact of these economic pressures was managing costs. The management of costs combined with slower economic growth and a complex operational model, has created both challenges and opportunities for Partmaster.

To help manage these challenges, Partmaster has always recognised the importance of having the right technology in place. Their ERP system plays a vital role in daily operations, but previously, it lacked the optimisation needed to maintain financial stability and operational efficiency. Already using Microsoft Dynamics ERP, they needed to refine their processes to better respond to shifting market conditions.

People also play a central role at Partmaster. As a New Zealand-owned and operated business, their DNA is their staff - many of whom have been with the company for over 20 years. This unique aspect of their team gives them the ability to make quick decisions and stay competitive, with employees who are deeply engaged in their work. For Partmaster, combining the right technology and a strong company culture creates a winning formula.

This combination allows them to provide the best possible service to their customers. By working closely with customers to anticipate the car parts needed for upcoming bookings, they aim to have the parts ready before the car is on the hoist. Providing this level of service at a competitive price point is their ultimate goal.

The solution: Strategic partnership with Endeavour.

Partmaster partnered with Endeavour in 2021 to optimise and refine their processes. The Microsoft Dynamics ERP system, crucial for stock management, sales tracking, and financial reporting, plays a key role in helping them adapt to rapid market changes.

Endeavour has also been integral in integrating Partmaster’s website with Microsoft Dynamics. Equally vital has been their work on building complex algorithms to help with forecasting and distribution models. This may sound straightforward but ensuring that the right part for the right car is in the right geographic location, and the mechanic’s hands at the right time, is a complex challenge. Technology has played a pivotal role in helping Partmaster tackle this. Through Endeavour's support, they’ve been able to maintain and enhance their systems, tapping into its full capabilities to achieve:

• Smarter Stock Management: Managing over a hundred thousand products efficiently requires precision. By refining stock tracking, forecasting, and distribution models, Partmaster can ensure that the right products are available when and where needed. The integration of algorithms that account for factors like manufacturing lead times and safety buffers reduces overstocking and minimises shortages, keeping their operations lean.
• Clearer Financial Insights: Cash flow is king, especially in a fluctuating economy. Endeavour helped Partmaster automate financial reporting, giving them real-time insights into their liquidity and enabling them to make informed business decisions faster.
• Streamlined Operations: By integrating Microsoft Dynamics with other Microsoft tools, Endeavour cut down manual processes and administrative overhead, freeing up time for their team to focus on serving customers.
• Built for the Future: As the industry shifts, particularly with the rise of EV-related products, Partmaster needs flexibility. With an optimised ERP system, they can quickly adapt their inventory, marketing and financial strategies without disruption.
• Marketing: Integrating ERP seamlessly to their website has also been a priority for Partmaster and Endeavour. Then the introduction of a promotions module within that process has allowed Partmaster to dynamically change prices and quickly and easily get competitive offers out into the market.

With real-time data access and seamless integration across Microsoft applications, Partmaster’s teams now have the tools they need to make quick, data-driven decisions, all contributing to the efficiency and agility of the business.

The results: A smarter, more agile business with customer service at its heart.

Through its ongoing partnership with Endeavour, Partmaster has successfully navigated economic uncertainty by optimising its ERP system.  Endeavour have been integral in helping Partmaster move to an ecommerce, multichannel approach to better serve the market they are in and the customers in that market.  This key strategy has propelled them ahead and allowed them to gain new business more easily and service their customers more effectively. 

Since the partnership, they have had the following improvements.

• More accurate forecasting, reducing excess stock and minimising shortages by predicting demand with greater precision.
• Improved stock control, leading to fewer shortages and better product availability for customers.
• Better financial visibility, enabling strategic investment planning and optimal resource allocation.
• Increased efficiency across operations, allowing staff to focus on higher-value tasks and improving overall productivity.
• Greater agility in responding to market shifts, including changes in government policies and consumer demand.
• Greater ability to serve their customers well.

Looking ahead: Resilience and future growth.

As the automotive market continues to evolve, particularly with the rise of EVs, Partmaster remains focused on staying competitive. They are working with Endeavour to explore further refinements to Microsoft Dynamics, ensuring their ERP system continues to support their growth and adaptability.

Endeavour is already working on the next phase of Partmaster’s digital evolution, helping them explore automation, AI-driven analytics, and further integrations to streamline operations further.

With a strong ERP system and a trusted partner in Endeavour, Partmaster is well-positioned to navigate future challenges with confidence.

Is your business facing similar challenges? Let’s talk about how Endeavour and Microsoft ERP can support your growth.