GM celebrates 10th anniversary of MEDC

GENERAL Motors (GM) has passed a major milestone with the 10th anniversary of its Middle East Parts Distribution Center (MEDC) located in the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai. The MEDC was initially leased from DHL when it first opened in 2003.
The center stocks and supplies GM service parts for its lineup of vehicles sold under the Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC brands. It employs 150 office and warehouse staff who deal with more than one million parts orders every year to ensure all GM customers across the region can be supplied with any required vehicle part within 48 hours.
Tim Lee, GM & VP, global manufacturing, and president, international operations, who attended a celebratory event at the MEDC, said: “The  center plays a major role in putting the customer at the heart of everything we do, which is our philosophy at General Motors.”
Parts are sourced from more than 250 suppliers on five different continents and distributed to 40 Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC facilities across the Middle East, and a further 26 locations in Africa. It stocks more than 80,000 different parts with an estimated inventory value of $ 60 million.
“The Middle East Parts Distribution Center is an integral part of our commitment to provide all our customers with a world-class ownership experience,” said Luay Al-Shurafa, customer care and aftersales director for GM Middle East Operations.
GM expanded the MEDC in 2006 by 12,000 square meters in order to accommodate parts required for the large number of models being launched throughout the region.
GM demonstrated its commitment to the region by signing an agreement with DHL and the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority to purchase the 40,300-square meter facility. 
It receives 3,000 shipments by air and sea every year. The distribution facility benefits from its location in the Jebel Ali Free Zone and its proximity to Jebel Ali Port and the recently opened Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport.
“We have come a long way since we opened the center in 2003. Today, we can supply our customers with the parts they need, anywhere in the region, both easily and quickly. This is essential as we continuously look to raise the level of service we provide them,” added Al-Shurafa.
GM has shipped an estimated $ 1.7 billion worth of service parts and accessories over the last 10 years from the center to its facilities in the Middle East and Africa.
On a monthly basis, GM ships around $ 25 million worth of parts, up from $ 5 million when the center was first opened.
Joining Tim Lee at the celebration was Mark Barnes, GM’s international operations VP, sales, marketing and aftersales, and chief country operations officer, Africa and Australia.
MEDC is renowned for safety, and reached another significant safety milestone in April by achieving 2,500 consecutive days without a lost day.