Matt Miano: Get Maaco its supply of parts and equipment by becoming a certified vendor

Dec. 10, 2019
Matt Miano brings a “leave it better than you found it” mentality combined with the goal of “positively influencing the careers of those that will follow” to his role as vice president of category management at Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Painting.

Matt Miano brings a “leave it better than you found it” mentality combined with the goal of “positively influencing the careers of those that will follow” to his role as vice president of category management at Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Painting.

Concurrently overseeing procurement at the chain’s Driven Brands parent firm, the ability to “navigate the business through an extremely complex web of vendor relationships with distinct supply chains and a rapidly changing landscape in the auto industry” is a crucial part of the position. The company’s Procurement Center of Excellence (CoE) centralizes $1.2 billion in spending from various aftermarket brands for its overall network of 2,800-plus shops.

Matt Miano

Miano negotiates contracts and monitors KPIs (key profit indicators) while instituting best practices and corrective actions across numerous corporate departments.

Having previously served as sourcing director for Bulldog Hardware and general manager at Vision Textiles USA, at Maaco/Driven Brands he steers a “world-class procurement analytics function that collects and analyses market intelligence and reports out to key stakeholders in real time.”

An important function is to “negotiate contracts through the prism of leveraged buying power, risk mitigation and strategic partnerships,” according to Miano, who recently answered a series of Maaco-centric questions exclusively posed by Aftermarket Business World:

How does your parts-purchasing process operate?

Maaco centers have access to purchasing supplies through the Maaco e-Store, an online ordering platform. Parts such as aftermarket replacement parts, tools and equipment, are purchased through one of our preferred supply partners.

Do you have a central ordering facility?

Maaco has centralized ordering for paint and associated product through the online Maaco e-Store. However, inventory and distribution of supplies to franchisees are managed by Maaco’s national distribution partners.

Is there a company-wide list of approved parts vendors?

Yes, and they are communicated to the franchisees both on the Maaco e-Store and in a weekly digital newsletter, the Maaco Paintline.

How does a parts vendor obtain approval?

It is a an extensive, multi-step process, including internal and external analysis, review of the company’s D&B (Dunn & Bradstreet) reports, fulfillment capabilities and distribution footprint, RFP (requests for proposals), final bidding and contract negotiation.

Additional items such as rebates, marketing funds and vendor sponsorships are evaluated as well. It ensures we’re dealing with the best companies, who offer our franchisees best-in-class products and services at competitive prices, and whose training and support are here for the long haul.

Are parts ordered locally?

Parts are ordered via the Maaco e-Store, and those orders are routed electronically to the shop’s local distributor for delivery.

Is there a central source for ordering shop equipment?

Yes. However, this category is the final stages of RFP, so this could change in the near term. The goal is to align Maaco’s certification protocol with the right equipment at the right price.

Do you have a list of approved shop equipment vendors?

Yes.

What are the qualifications for a manufacturer to become an approved shop equipment vendor?

Similar to the qualifications for all suppliers, a shop equipment supplier must have a national distribution footprint, meet our operations/certification standards and pass a rigorous vetting process. They must have the ability to provide technician training to shops on their product and equipment.

We make sure that we are offering equipment that aligns with Maaco’s certifications criteria and operational requirements.

Are there parts suppliers and equipment suppliers that get utilized more than others?

Yes, depending on the quality, availability and distribution of their products as well as training and support.

In addition to parts and equipment, we provide approved vendors for paint and allied products such as abrasives, tapes and adhesives, paint booths, rental cars, shop uniforms, office supplies and more.

Who are some of your primary preferred suppliers?

AutoZone, 3M, LKQ, Grainger, Medco, Team Safety, Office Depot, AsTech, Source 4, Garmat, GFS, 300 Advantage, ITW, Cintas, Group 1, PPG, Sherwin Williams, Axalta, Enterprise, Audatex, Saint Gobain and Symphon.

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