Thompsons eParts service goes from zero to hero

Tipper industry’s only Internet-based parts facility racks up first £1 million of sales in three years

THOMPSONS eParts, the tipper industry’s only Internet-based parts facility, has turned over its first £1 million of sales, with the business now consistently growing month on month.

Three years ago, Thompsons director Simon Shields identified a potential opportunity to offer a UK-wide aftermarket parts activity that would be entirely new to the tipper industry.

By supplying vehicle parts through a specialist, dedicated website the key advantages to tipper operators seemed obvious – the easiest possible parts ordering, next-day delivery and the best possible value for money.

‘We thought we could do something different and really make it work,’ said Mr Shields. ‘As a company, Thompsons are always keen to innovate and pull the tipper bodybuilding industry forward.

‘Today, tipper bodybuilding goes well beyond the product itself – what customers are really looking for is whole-life commitment and support. eParts seemed an obvious way to go – and so it has proved.’

Headed up by aftermarket services manager Dave Lees (right of photo) and assistant Shaun Thompson (left of photo), eParts is now established as its own business within the Thompsons Group. Demonstrating its success with hauliers, the number of parts lines now being handled by eParts has risen from less than 1,000 at the outset to more than 6,000 today.

Parts sales in the early days focused mainly on smaller, purely tipper-related components, such as seals for hydraulic rams, pumps, PTOs and motors for sheets. Today, eParts supplies everything from bodyprops, wacker carriers and lighting accessories to crane components, camera systems and Hazchem spill kits.

In 2017, eParts activity will be further boosted by the provision of 50% extra warehousing and racking space at the latest Thompsons Site 3 factory in Blackburn. A new range of marketing promotions for eParts will also be introduced throughout the year.

Moreover, Thompsons say eParts is of equal benefit not just to buyers of ‘in house’ Thompsons and Charlton bodywork, but also to operators of any make of tipper vehicle (including skiploaders and hookloaders).