. Toyota Expanding N.J. Parts Center to Keep Up
With Growing Vehicle Population
WEST CALDWELL, N.J. - Toyota
Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. broke ground today on a $20-million expansion of
its Parts Distribution Center (PDC) here that will nearly double its size
and make it the largest commercial building in the town.
"Taking care of our
customers is the most important thing we do. We need to stay ahead of the
demand for parts and accessories as more and more Toyota, Scion and Lexus
customers join our family, in order to keep them happy with their purchase
decisions," said Toyota's group vice president of North American
Parts Operations Jane Beseda.
The center on Henderson Drive
distributes car and truck parts and accessories to 74 Toyota dealerships
in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut as well as 50 Lexus dealerships
in 12 northeastern states from Maine to West Virginia. Starting with a
staff of 20 in 1978, the facility has already grown to employ 100
associates who work in two shifts from 6 AM to midnight, in order to ship
parts to dealers by 7 AM the following morning. They handle more than
72,000 different parts.
One in five associates has
had training in Toyota's Certified Emergency Response Team program. The
environmentally-conscious facility recycles 86 percent of its waste and is
ISO 14001 certified.
"With the number of
Toyota and Lexus vehicles in operation nationwide approaching 20 million,
and growing by more than 2 million a year, the need for more capacity is
obvious," said National PDC Manager Mike Galbavy. "Additional
space is needed now, and by planning for future growth, we will avoid
storage constraints down the road." The 18-month construction job
will expand the Center from 174,000 to 317,000 sq. ft.
