Aurora opens massive trailer-parts center

LEBANON, IN. Aurora Parts & Accessories (APA) announced the opening of its new distribution center for trailer parts here yesterday. The spanking new, 300,000-sq-ft. facility carries more than 20,000 parts for all makes of trailers. APA is a business unit of St. Louis-based Aurora Trailer Holdings Inc., which was formed in 2003. According to APA, it is one of the largest suppliers of aftermarket parts for semi-trailers and trucks.

“With our new facility up and running, Aurora is now well positioned to grow and expand the products we offer our customers,” said Derek Nagle, Aurora’s president & CEO. He said Aurora offers one of the broadest lines of trailer parts, noting that Aurora is the exclusive distributor of Wabash national aftermarket parts as well as a distributor of Fruehauf DuraPlate and Pro-Par products. Nagel noted that Aurora also provides an extensive “all makes” parts inventory for all brands and types of trailers through a nationwide network of over 250 independent dealers, repair shops and OEM branches.

Mike Mastin, vp & gm of APA said the move to the new facility from the previous center nearby was completed without any service disruption to customers. He said the center is set up to make regular weekly parts deliveries to customers in the U.S. and Canada via a dedicated service contracted to Schneider National as well as by expedited shipments as needed.

According to Mastin, APA ensures on-time deliveries thanks to an advanced inventory and tracking control system that boasts a state-of-the-art website, www.auroraparts.com, for online ordering. He said website features include a comprehensive parts catalog, stock part number inventory identification system and a dealer locator. He noted the new facility is large enough to store all parts indoors including pieces as long as a 53-ft. trailer.