NASHVILLE — PartsKing.com, the parts division of Star Distributing Inc., is now one of the laundry industry’s largest online businesses following the launch of its upgraded website, consolidation of online sales platforms, and potential international opportunity through United Parcel Service, Star Distributing says.
PartsKing.com boasts a $1 million average daily inventory, according to D. Michael Davis, its president. The website, originally launched in 1999, sells parts for many brands, including Speed Queen, Milnor, UniMac, Continental, Wascomat, Dexter, General Electric, IPSO, Maytag, Cissell, American Dryer, and Whirlpool.
Clear navigation, expanded search engine optimization, handy search filters, crisp text, bright images, and streamlined checkout and payment procedures are just some of the enhancements Davis and his staff have made to the website.
“To be honest, our old site was somewhat dated,” Davis says. “We were first in our industry with the website in 1999. However, to remain first requires you to stay ahead of the curve, technologically speaking. We think we have done that.”
The new site consolidates the online Star Distributing parts web page with PartsKing.com, reviving Star’s “one-stop shop for all your laundry needs” motto.
Davis’ father started Star Distributing, a full-service distributor offering commercial laundry equipment sales, service, installation and parts, in 1958.
It was the first distributor in the country, according to Davis, to have full lines of equipment from Speed Queen, Cissell, Maytag, Electrolux and Wascomat, though now the focus is primarily on Speed Queen.
“Our goal is to make it easy to find and order the laundry equipment parts and accessories you need to keep your business running,” says Billy Sisco, parts manager. “We carry more than 130,000 parts for all equipment manufacturers, and our new website allows us to deliver to 105 countries around the world.”
Star Distributing serves Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky and Virginia, but with PartsKing considering an e-commerce venture powered by United Parcel Service (UPS), the company may soon see its reach extend well beyond those states.
UPS has created a package of services to help retailers manage e-commerce across international borders, and Davis has reached out to the worldwide shipper to utilize those services for PartsKing.com.
“Since Star Distributing is open during business hours five days a week, I knew laundry owners needed to be able to buy parts and supplies around the clock, seven days a week,” says Davis. “Now, just knowing that PartsKing can connect with, and sell to, customers all over the world with this website is a humbling and gratifying experience, and the future’s wide open.”
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