SmartMRO starts first month with 41 employees and Delphi as a client

Not many companies get off the ground with a full 41 employees and Delphi as a customer. But Ann Arbor-based SmartMRO can make that claim. The reason for its quick start is its launch as a partnership of Ohio-based Forge Industries and Michigan-based Trackspeed, LLC. "We had a vendor-client relationship for a while, but we realized we had a synergy and we saw a gap in the industry," says managing partner and founder Brent David Ray.

SmartMRO plans to fill the gap with Integrated Serves Management. As Ray explains, ISM gives his customers "better visibility across the supply chain by making certain they still have a financial relationship with each of their suppliers." Most supply-chain management companies handle financial transactions, giving them opportunities to benefit from back-end rebates. SmartMRO's web-based technology gives clients "true transparency," says Ray.

The company operates a new 5,500 square foot facility as well as a 10,000 square foot warehouse for another division, SurplusTrack. One advantage SmartMRO offers its customers is helping them "better understand what they have in their inventory," says Ray. Sometimes that understanding means getting rid of excess and obsolete equipment, which SurplusTrack will take off their hands.

Ray is optimistic that SmartMRO will grow. They are currently in negotiations with three Fortune 1000 clients. "If we land even one of those contracts our staff will be expanding again," he says. One of the assets Forge brought to the table was a global footprint -- they have infrastructure in 13 companies, which Ray feels is key to their success. "We have opportunities offshore as well," he adds.

Source: Brent David Ray, SmartMRO
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh