The vehicle maintenance parts department team at the School District of Manatee County in Bradenton, Fla., focuses on providing the correct parts in a timely manner to keep vehicles safe and on the road. Here's a collection of photos from the department, submitted by Vehicle Maintenance Parts Manager Jerilynn Boling.
PHOTOS: Florida District's Vehicle Maintenance Parts Department
School District of Manatee County Vehicle Maintenance Parts Manager Jerilynn Boling says the team works closely with the department's vendors and makes decisions daily based upon data from reports. Parts inventory is tracked and maintained several ways, including running a cycle count daily so that throughout the year, every part is counted at least one time. Pictured is a work station area where the majority of parts are stored. The district's fleet comprises 216 school buses and 186 support vehicles. In addition, the team maintains approximately 2,500 pieces of off-road equipment, such as a tractor.
Boling says approximately 99% of the items are stocked in the parts room, where parts assistants have their work stations and can access the items quickly.
Air-conditioning parts are stored in drawers with their bar code number, and a complete description of the part and its size. Boling says all parts within the department are labeled with a bar code so that they can be issued to a work order or counted with a hand-held scanner.
This drawer contains secondary parts for mowers, chainsaws, edgers, etc. "Housekeeping is something we focus on daily, and by utilizing these drawers, the parts stay clean," Boling explains.
Body parts are grouped together in an assortment of drawers, according to Boling. Gas springs and other seat parts are organized in this drawer. "Each part has its own location designated by what part of the bus it is on and the size of the item," Boling says. "For instance, all engine parts are located in a group of drawers together and then grouped by engine manufacturer."
A larger storage area houses other parts, such as air-conditioning compressors and tires.
Panes of glass are also kept in the larger storage area.
Batteries are housed in the larger storage area as well.