THIS showcase spotlights some of the third-party providers that serve the controlled-temperature distribution market. Third-party logistics providers typically specialize in integrated warehousing and transportation services that can be customized to customer needs based on market conditions and delivery service requirements.
WOW facility receives superior rating
WOW Logistics distribution center, which is located at 2002 Victory Lane in Jerome ID, recently received a superior rating from AIB International (www.aibonline.org). The WOW-Jerome distribution center was inspected by a qualified food safety auditor Feb 9, 2007 and was found to have fulfilled the requirements of the AIB Consolidated Standards for Food Distribution Centers.
For more information on this distribution center, phone Rick Schlapman at 800-236-3565 ext 1038 or e-mail him at [email protected].
Minimize empty miles, maximize savings
Greatwide Logistics Services has introduced Greatwide Distribution Optimization Center (G-DOC), a routing system that will enhance the way products are moved from distribution centers to retail stores, while reducing costs on inbound vendor shipments to distribution centers. Greatwide filed for a patent on G-DOC April 1, 2006.
This technology-enabled, proprietary operating process centrally dispatches drivers and creates the most efficient routing of trucks among multiple distribution centers, customer deliveries, and vendor pick-ups. The system directs empty inbound trucks toward logical stops to maximize backhaul opportunities.
G-DOC optimizes efficiency and service to stores while minimizing empty miles. This new service balances outbound retail service, vendor deliveries, and cost among distribution centers within a given geographic area. Initial roll-out with a major retailer resulted in double-digit cost savings.
Greatwide's Dedicated Transport business unit operates G-DOC as a service to its clients at no additional cost.
Preferred Freezer Services gets a tax break
Preferred Freezer Services has received a property tax abatement for its planned cold storage warehouse in the Port of Houston TX area. Harris County Commissioners Court approved a measure that will reduce the firm's property taxes by half for 10 years.
Perth Amboy NJ-based Preferred Freezer Services chose to construct a 167,000-square-foot facility in La Porte TX, bypassing Jacksonville FL and Chicago IL. Freezer space will be leased to other companies for storage of fish and other foods. A minimum of 35 employees are expected to work at the $10.4 million warehouse.
Management program can benefit carriers
Over-the-road carriers that meet the standards set by Satellite Logistics Group's new carrier quality and performance management program will benefit from an advanced transportation management system that improves productivity in dispatch, driver utility, and administration through automated, streamlined processes.
Satellite introduced the carrier quality and performance management program to 20 carriers that attended the company's second annual Transportation Business Summit recently.
The Transportation Management System (TMS) provides enhanced invoice management, electronic connectivity, web-based visibility, and automated portals. These can manage received tenders, including e-mail notification, and manage load distribution and status.
To determine eligibility, carriers are evaluated by Satellite's carrier quality and performance management program that establishes minimum expectations for on-time and damage-free delivery, billing accuracy and customer service.
Satellite will host an annual awards program at the end of 2007 to recognize carriers with the highest quality and performance scores.
Fortune smiles on Landstar once again
Landstar System Inc, a provider of transportation capacity and logistics services, has been recognized for the fourth consecutive year in Fortune magazine's list of “America's Most Admired Companies in 2007.” Jacksonville FL-based Landstar ranked third in its industry.
To arrive at the rankings, an independent research group started by sorting the Fortune 1,000 largest United States companies and the top foreign companies operating in the nation by revenue. That list was then sorted into 63 industry groupings, and the 10 largest companies in each of those industry lists were included in the magazine's annual survey. Business executives, directors and analysts were asked to rate the companies in their own industry on eight criteria: innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment, and quality of products/services.
Fortune's complete list of “America's Most Admired Companies in 2007” can be found at www.fortune.com/.
