President of Trinity Logistics Corporation, Tim Dunn, explained the evolution of his relationship with Fapco, “We started providing aftermarket support in 2004.  At that time we were simply providing bulk product to the OEM and they were managing the packaging.  The problem for the OEM was because these were small, low volume components; they had trouble with inventory management, packaging, and fulfillment.  These are the kinds of management issues that the OEMs just wanted to get off their plate.”

He explained in 2006 Trinity agreed to provide parts in “Dealer Ready Form” bagged, boxed or otherwise specified to Trinity from the OEM.

“We started with a small firm doing this packaging and quickly discovered the demands of this type of strategic arrangement was going to outgrow that company’s capacity.  Then we considered doing this packaging ourselves which included acquiring the needed equipment and many other major investments.  In our research to benchmark what was needed to do this job well, we found Fapco,” explained Dunn.  “We quickly learned that the investment required to do this job well in-house at Trinity had a much longer payback and didn’t make any sense compared with the opportunity to partner with a large specialty provider such as Fapco.”

The partnership that now exists between Trinity Logistics and Fapco allows both companies the opportunity to provide greater, more effective OEM dealer and distribution support than either company could handle on their own.

“What we would have been able to do on our own was simple polybagging, boxing and packaging.  With Fapco we do more complex kitting and far broader array of services than we ever could in-house.  We made the decision in the last quarter to launch a project to test Fapco’s capabilities and within a month we became absolutely convinced that Fapco could do everything and then some.  Since that time we have been adding to the relationship not only with the number of parts they manage, but also the scope of the services they provide through us.”

Scott Erickson of Fapco summed up the new strategic packaging partnerships with Trinity explaining the benefits to the OEM.  “The real net benefit to the OEM is that they reduce inventory thereby reducing their working capital investment.  They get products distributed in a form that is the most compatible to the dealer or retail level.  In addition, Trinity becomes an extension of our supply chain resulting in greater agility for fastener fulfillment, and more competitive pricing through higher volume purchasing,” he concluded.

The packaging experts at Fapco can help you with nearly any packaging needs, providing top-quality cold seal blister packaging, along with many other types of packaging like part kitting. Get Started with Fapco Inc. today!

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“They sell their fasteners in multi-levels–50 per box to 500 per box.  In which case we receive and retain the product in bulk, and package to whatever their sales network requires,” explains Fapco Operations Manager, Scott Sloniker. “It was an unknown how the ordering would go.  There was replenishment built into the system for mid and max levels.  This is where we really shine on handling flexible capacity to retail.”

He went on to explain that since Trinity is a major supplier of fasteners to the agricultural industry, where their catalog is distributed, the flexibility to drastically increase shipments timed with spring plowing and fall repair are key. Distribution is to the individual farmer and to the distributor retailer.

Dan Zehnder, CEO of Trinity, explains how Fapco helps meet the flex demands of his retail catalog Ag business.  “Fapco helps us by being a highly responsive organization. They handle short notice requirements that must be dealt with immediately.  Their processes allow for the flexibility to deal with interruptions that may occur.  If you have the time to plan ahead that’s great but when an urgent order comes through, Fapco handles it as well,” he states.

Zehnder explains that Trinity sets up retail programs with perimeters that predetermine for each dealer what parts quantities will be.  This includes forecasting peak and valleys during the year.  “We plan in advance when we are coming into a busy season.  Fapco then ramps up in advance of that to handle our packaging needs.  They are always working with us to look ahead to see what’s coming.  Good forward planning with a partner like this is key.”

Zehnder expects his fastener packaging partnership with Fapco to grow as Trinity opens new markets. “Trinity and Fapco are in the process of developing more integrated systems with more automated data operating systems to increase accuracy and increased their involvement with our distribution network.  We want our relationship with Fapco to grow.”

Whether its fastener packaging, cold seal packaging, or auto parts distribution services, Fapco Inc. will work to help your business grow. Get Started with Fapco Inc. today! We also offer part kitting services.

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