Kingsville, Mo.--When Krystyn Roberts and her three partners--husband Dennis Roberts Jr., Joe Roederer, and Don Morris--opened County Line Auto Parts in 2003, she said the salvage yard had one delivery truck and 10 employees. In just under six years, Roberts said those numbers jumped to eight and 35, respectively.
The growth, Roberts said, can largely be attributed to County Line’s involvement with Quality Replacement Part-Midwest (QRP), a recycler group she got involved with when they first opened.
“QRP was part of our business strategy because it made sense, and it has everything to do with our growth,” she said. “It allows us to service our customers, which is ultimately why we are here. It allows us the access to fulfill their needs and do it fast.”
QRP Midwest is a group of 34 salvage yards covering nine states throughout the Midwest that work together by sharing 1.3 million parts in inventory. With an intricate delivery system in place, the group can move parts throughout the region, from yard to yard in 24-48 hours, Roberts said.
Roberts, recently elected president of the QRP-Midwest group, said all members have uniform policies and procedures that they must adhere to, so when she buys from another QRP recycler, she knows it is going to be ready for her customer.
“Being in the group means associating with some of the best recyclers, having the opportunity to trade inventories, and knowing that I am going to get quality parts, prepped consistently,” she said.
The delivery system consists of eight specially-designed delivery trucks with trailers that run on a multiple route network, Roberts said, adding that the drivers each meet at a specific hub and trade parts.
“It is a very efficient system, and it arrives in good condition,” she said. “It is a great way to trade inventory because in this day and age, you just can’t have it all.”
In the current economic climate, Roberts said being part of QRP has been beneficial because there is strength in numbers.
“The ones that are out there on their own right now are going to have more of a difficult time,” she said. “We have a network that supports us and our customers, and if you don’t have that, I think it would make things tough right now.”
As for County Line, Roberts said she has tried to stay proactive during the current recession. Some steps she said she has taken include increasing the advertising budget, adding on warehouses, and communicating with customers to find out what needs and desires must be met to better serve them.
Through recent marketing campaigns, including television, radio, and newspaper advertisements, Roberts said she is really trying to create awareness of County Line and change the image of the recycling industry.
“Those who still envision the junk yard from 20 years ago, including both the public and the repair shop, need to know that a lot has changed,” she said.
Some of those changes include an online parts catalog, with photos, cleaner parts, and more detailed notes on each part, which assists in the communication process between salesperson and customer, Roberts said.
“We make sure that we keep very good notes,” she said. “Everybody from the salesman to the parts puller to the dismantler to the delivery driver has the information they need. A lack of communication is something we try to alleviate.”
From the moment a vehicle comes in, Roberts said usable parts are identified and made immediately visible on the computer to sales personnel. Furthermore, six pictures are taken of each car, including images of the VIN and the mileage. Those pictures are then uploaded to the Web site so that customers can see the vehicle that the parts came from.
Located 15 minutes west of Lee’s Summit, County Line has eight delivery vehicles and offers its wholesale customers free daily delivery throughout the Kansas City metro area, Roberts said.
“Our delivery drivers are not just delivery drivers,” she said. “They are our outside salesmen, too--the ones who are in contact with our customers face to face--so we make it a point to hire experienced, quality drivers.”
Just as Roberts has worked to increase efficiencies at County Line, she said that as president of QRP, she wants to streamline how member yards integrate parts, along with developing a marketing strategy that highlights the group to repair shops and insurance companies.
“With these times, there is opportunity; anytime there is adversity, there is opportunity,” she said.
