Established in 1955 and based in Torrance, Calif., Industrial Parts Depot (IPD) designs, manufactures and internationally distributes various lines of diesel and gasoline engine replacement parts for a wide range of applications, including large trucks. Training programs also are provided.
Q: What product lines do you manufacture?
A: IPD manufactures primarily internal engine parts, including pistons, piston pins and rings, cylinder liners, engine bearings and bushings, cylinder head components (valvetrain) and a wide range of gaskets and seals.
Q: What are some of your production and quality control procedures?
A: We have many proprietary production and quality processes in place. To begin, IPD is ISO9001:2008 quality process-certified by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance. Quality begins with a process, and IPD is process-driven.
Next, our quality assurance department is staffed with experts in metrology, and they conduct quality inspections to ensure the manufactured parts conform to our strict engineering specifications. In some cases, in addition to statistical sampling, we also implement processes to confirm the quality and consistency of parts during production.
Also, specialty measuring and production machines are utilized to conduct sophisticated manufacturing processes. Lastly, stress and durability analyses help to improve product life and performance.
Q: What are some of the other product lines that you distribute?
A: We also distribute various external engine components related to fuel, cooling and lubrication systems. Examples include fuel nozzles and injectors, water and oil pumps, oil coolers, thermostats/regulators and mechanical gauges.
Q: Where are your warehouses located?
A: We have four warehouses in North America; a main warehouse located at the corporate headquarters in California, and branch locations in Oregon, Texas and Ohio. Also, in support of international operations we have warehouses in Denmark and Australia.
Q: Do you also distribute to other WDs?
A: Yes.
Q: What is the extent of your distribution network? What is your typical delivery time frame?
A: We sell to over 1,500 customers in over 100 countries around the world. Delivery time varies greatly by the size of the order and the ship-to location. We mostly sell complete engine overhaul and cylinder kits that require special packaging and palletizing and are generally shipped via ground transportation.
Q: Do you offer training to distributors and counter people marketing your lines?
A: We offer a wide range of technical support for customers. The IPDNet is an exclusive system that includes a large amount of engine identification details to help customers to properly identify a particular engine, and then the correct service parts for their specific application. IPD also has a wide range of popular Technical Series Videos covering contemporary topics of interest. Also, IPD provides Technical Service Bulletins for additional technical information communications. Lastly, we provide an online Technical Support Hotline for customers seeking assistance.
Q: Is this training conducted at central facilities or banquet rooms at selected metro areas? Do you conduct training sessions at individual businesses?
A: Our main technical resources are provided online so that customers in all regions and time zones can access them as needed. IPD’s technical team also provides special technical training to customer groups under selected circumstances.
Q: What does your training entail?
A: IPD regional managers manage each customer account directly, and will often provide training to customers for a wide range of topics, such as related to products, sales and marketing, technical, warranty and other related areas. As topics become more technical in nature, IPD’s more technical resources (engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, product development and technical support) may provide more specialized assistance.
Q: Do you offer repair technician and owner training to truck repair facilities/fleet HQs?
A: Yes, but in these cases the technical topics are related to IPD repair parts.
Q: Is this training conducted at central facilities or banquet rooms at selected metro areas? Do you conduct training sessions at individual businesses?
A: In some cases, customers have been known to visit our headquarters facility for a tour of on-site steel piston and gasket manufacturing operations, and also to discuss topics of interest. IPD has also worked with customers to conduct seminars at or near their facilities, typically a technical presentation to a group of salesmen regarding selling technically sophisticated products, and also at times to technicians.
Q: What does your repair technician/owner training consist of?
A: Technical training is usually related to the parts that we sell, the level of quality and engineering that goes into them, and any other related topics.
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