I’ve had several inquiries from readers regarding the availability of lists. One reader wanted to know if there was an available list for rolling stock on his truck(s) and another on stocking his shop and showroom.
I’m sure that in the greater universe and the World Wide Web, there might be a list or two that would approximate the answers to their questions. There is certainly enough data available. In our “at your fingertips” world, it is not an untoward question to want to know if someone, somewhere has produced a material list to serve these contractors. My question to these gentlemen is, “why?”
Taking the stock on the truck(s) as an example, any compilation would, by necessity, be generic and extremely so. It would have to be. A stock list for a service truck for a shop on Long Island would be almost useless to a shop in South Texas. The obvious reason is the diversity of materials used daily, as well as the fixtures and products that the customers have in their homes. While plumbing systems are the same and work the same, regardless of the materials used, what a contractor keeps on hand is dictated by local codes, customs and installed systems.
A service truck that rolls in a suburban neighborhood in, say, Nassau County, New York, would most probably carry a greater selection of copper DWV, and even brass pipe and fittings than would a service truck that works the ranch country outside of Houston. Conversely, the Houston service truck would more than likely carry more parts for compressed air and pumping equipment as well as other industrial products due to the nature of their customers’ needs. Even trying to narrow the comparison to residential applications would show a disparity in plumbing fixtures and home products.
To belabor a much overused cliché — this ain’t rocket science! Stocking a service truck so that you can work off of it is a must. Reducing or eliminating supply house runs is the goal. Also, selling products on the spot to your customers is a very desirable ability. The easiest way to know what to stock (not taking into account finances, where that is an issue) is to sit back and make your own list. Who knows better than you the territory you work in? You know, or should know, what materials you use the most. Keeping a respectable stock of the appropriate fittings, pipe, valves and such on your truck ... along with a supply of flux, solder, glues, primers, spare B-tanks and other such consumables is a no-brainer.
Sure, there will be specialty or other items that are rarely used, but the baseline concept is to make sure that you are ready and prepared to do the work you are called upon to do without resorting to going to a supply house (which costs you time, cuts into your day and which diminishes your appearance of professional preparedness in the eyes of the customer). Using good phone etiquette by politely questioning the customer can get you most of the information that you will need to be properly prepared for a service call, so if you don’t have the material in your truck, you can get it before you go on the call. Taking calls on the fly, as is often the case, is where your stocking inventory will come into play.
All of this comes down to one thing, you are the final say in what you carry in your truck and how much of it. I suspect, make that “I know,” that many service trucks do not have proper storage and bin designs. This lack limits how much, where and what a truck can effectively carry. A sloppy journeyman can destroy more material than he sells. Some of you know what I’m talking about, and some of you are who I’m talking about. Inventory is money. Treat it accordingly. If you are a one man show, stock what you can afford and when you can, buy two of a part to help build stock slowly, but build it with your service area in mind. Keep enough material on hand to do your job confidently and professionally.
Knowing your territory
Being aware of the type and nature of materials, which are used for the area in which you do service work on a regular basis is the key to successful material and inventory handling. Streamlining your purchases and keeping track of materials as they are being consumed will put money in your pocket. Stock, whether in a shop, showroom or on a service truck is an investment in your success. Sitting down and taking the time to think about what materials you should have on hand need not be an anxiety ridden effort. Make your own list. Modify it as you go until it accurately reflects your business and the work you perform. Think about it.
The Brooklyn, N.Y.-born author is a retired third generation master plumber. He founded Sunflower Plumbing & Heating in Shirley, N.Y., in 1975 and A Professional Commercial Plumbing Inc. in Phoenix in 1980. He holds residential, commercial, industrial and solar plumbing licenses and is certified in welding, clean rooms, polypropylene gas fusion and medical gas piping. He can be reached at [email protected].