Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) has internally promoted Daniel Ciantar to Head of Supply Chain.
IAL’s Supply Chain Department evolved from existing structures two years ago to boost efficiency, manage the dual challenges of exponential growth across the business, and ensure sustainability.
Ciantar brings nearly 30 years of vehicle experience, including the past 16 years with IAL, from customer-facing positions to operational management, most recently as National Truck Logistics Manager.
The new position sees him managing the incoming logistics of vehicles and parts, the wholesale delivery of trucks to dealers across Australia, and the supply of parts to New Zealand and some South Pacific Island nations.
IAL Chief of Sales and Aftersales Ben Lasry says the key appointment is critical for Isuzu as the brand continues to flourish.
“Daniel has been and will continue to be at the forefront of this in his management of everything from truck build scheduling to import and delivery to our dealer network and simply getting trucks on the road and into the hands of Australian businesses.
“The Head of Supply Chain role also extends to the parts side of our business. It is a future-focused position in terms of planning for the arrival of our all-new model range, which will see a significant increase in demand regarding our broader sales and aftersales requirements,” he says.
Ciantar will work closely with Isuzu Motors Limited in Japan and the suppliers providing OEM-approved parts and components.
Isuzu Trucks’ expansive model range spans light, medium and heavy-duty weight classes, with many model variations available.
Ciantar says he looks forward to the challenges of the new role.
“I’m excited to get my teeth into this role with expanded responsibility within the business,” Ciantar says.
“I bring an understanding of the customers’ needs and how important they are to our business and the dealer network. It is communicating on all levels from the factory in Japan to shipping companies, the dealers, body builders and then those that get to use the finished product—the customer.
“The IAL approach is that systems and experience combined with communication all work together for the best customer outcome.
“My experience will help underpin this approach, but it is about ensuring our outstanding team continues to keep the customer front of mind,” he says.
Managing parts flow is a new but critical part of Ciantar’s role, but with industry-best processes already in place, he is confident this area of the business is in a strong position.
“On the parts side, we have around a 95% fill rate—this means we can ship just about anything required from our 15,000-square metre facility in Melbourne across the country and throughout the region immediately,” Ciantar says.
“Again, it is the knowledge of the IAL team and relationships with the network that ensure the right levels of on-hand stock, which in turn delivers on the needs of the customer,” he says.
Established in 2018, the IAL Distribution Facility was built to accommodate the new generation of Isuzu Trucks models. The Melbourne-based facility can also house new model parts.
“We expect this part of the business to increase in a big way, especially with future alternate drivetrain models, including EV, on the horizon,” Ciantar says.
“There is no doubt that the landscape in the industry is changing rapidly, but Isuzu has worked to ensure the business, the dealers and our customers are best served through this fast-moving environment.”
