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Sharpening the Strategy: How Mitch Brady Optimized Inventory with Precision

Written by PartsEdge | Jul 18, 2025 8:15:00 AM

Small adjustments lead to better control when the data makes sense

 

In this episode of the PartsEdge Podcast, Kaylee talks with Mitch Brady, Parts Manager at Ressler Toyota in Bozeman, Montana. Mitch already had strong inventory habits, but he wanted better control. With PartsEdge, he found ways to make smarter decisions faster, using clearer rules and reports that actually helped him.

 

One-Size Settings Were Slowing Things Down

 

Before using PartsEdge, Mitch was using the same phase-in and phase-out criteria for every part, mainly because the DMS wasn’t built for easy customization. That meant fast-moving parts and slow sellers were being treated the same. Once he saw this, he made changes.


He set tighter controls for big or slow-moving parts and more flexible rules for parts that sold quickly. He also created separate groups for discontinued items and special orders. This cleaned up the inventory and made shelf space easier to manage without increasing costs.

 

The Reports Finally Made Sense

 

The dealership’s DMS only gave Mitch part of the picture. With PartsEdge, he could see trends over a longer period. The 13-month view helped him plan returns before things became a problem.


In the first two months, obsolete stock dropped by 3 to 4 percent. At the same time, the number of active parts went up. That meant fewer delays, better service, and no wasted spending.

 

Fixing the Small Stuff Made a Big Difference

 

Mitch used PartsEdge tools to speed up everyday work. He flagged parts with special conditions using $0 fees so the counter team could act fast. It helped them avoid mistakes and kept things moving without needing a new system.


These small fixes added up. Less confusion, quicker decisions, fewer delays. The team could focus instead of fighting the system.

 

Takeaways

• Set up clear rules for different types of parts
• Use longer reporting windows to catch trends early
• Add simple alerts for the team to reduce confusion
• Improve what is working instead of waiting for something to break

Quote

"PartsEdge helps us make better decisions, but it is the partnership that really makes the difference." — Mitch Brady

 

Listen to the full episode 🎧

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/thepartsedgepodcast/episodes/Smarter-Parts-Management-with-PartsEdge-Mitch-Bradys-Approach-to-Lean-Inventory-e35e439

Watch the full episode 👀