Anna’s Linens Selects Transplace as Business Partner of the Year

JOC Staff |
May 10, 2011 (Dallas, TX) – Transplace, a leading provider of transportation management services (TMS) and logistics technology, today announced that Anna’s Linens, a specialty retailer of high quality, value-priced domestic and home furnishings, has selected the third party logistics (3PL) provider as its 2010 Business Partner of the Year. Anna’s Linens recognized Transplace – which manages all of the specialty retailer’s domestic transportation activities – for delivering supply chain improvements via the 3PL’s managed services solution and logistics technology.

“Since the start of our business relationship, Transplace has served as a strategic partner that enables us to achieve our goals and continues to help set the stage for our long term strategic growth,” said Miles Tedder, SVP, IT and Supply Chain for Anna’s Linens. “Transplace is a valuable partner in the daily execution of our supply chain activities and consistently brings industry knowledge and thought leadership to the table. Through our partnership, we have significantly improved our supply chain and exceeded expense reduction expectations each of the last two years. For these services, it is a pleasure to announce Transplace as our 2010 Business Partner of the Year.”

“The overall value of a Business Partner is not only achieving our goals for a given year, but also helping set the stage for our longer term strategic growth. Transplace exemplifies this characteristic. They are a partner in every sense and constantly bring industry knowledge and thought leadership to the table which has improved our supply chain,” said Alan Gladstone, chairman, president and chief executive officer at Anna’s Linens.

Since 2008, Anna’s Linens has contracted Transplace to manage all inbound shipments to its distribution centers located in Texas, California, and North Carolina as well as all outbound freight to its 271 stores, spanning 19 states. As a result of employing Transplace’s on-demand TMS, Anna’s Linens has successfully improved transportation processes and execution, which has increased freight visibility and cost savings, and improved efficiency across the retailer’s enterprise.

“We are honored to be recognized by an industry leader such as Anna’s Linens,” said George Abernathy, executive vice-president and chief operating officer of Transplace. “Anna’s Linens’ commitment to organizational improvement has enabled Transplace to effectively develop solutions that meet the retailer’s specific needs and cultivate a successful partnership. We will continue to work collaboratively with Anna’s Linens to develop and employ innovative solutions that will drive continuous improvement throughout the organization both today and in the future.”

Through the use of Transplace’s TMS and business intelligence offering, Anna’s Linens has been able to improve efficiency and identify areas of opportunity to reduce costs and gain greater supply chain visibility. Added Tedder, “Transplace’s comprehensive logistics services offering has enabled us to successfully optimize our transportation operations and achieve significant cost savings. The company’s systems, processes and, most important, its people have created an excellent partnership.”

About Transplace
Transplace is a non-asset based third party logistics (3PL) provider offering manufacturers, retailers and consumer packaged goods companies the optimal blend of logistics technology and transportation management services. From complete logistics management outsourcing to intelligent transportation management systems (TMS) and supply chain network planning and design to high-quality brokerage services, Transplace has proven the ability to deliver both rapid return on investment and consistent value to customers. The company is recognized among the elite global 3PLs by a customer base that includes many of the largest shippers in the world.

Follow the company on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Transplace
To learn more about Transplace and the people behind “I Am Transplace,” please visit www.transplace.com.

About Anna's Linens
Anna's Linens, headquartered in Costa Mesa, California was founded in 1988 by its current CEO Alan Gladstone and named after his mother, Anna. Anna's Linens is a rapidly growing specialty retailer of high quality, value priced domestics and home furnishings. Anna's offers a broad selection of bed linens, bath accessories, window coverings, and other home decor items, including throw pillows, candles, kitchen textiles, and area rugs.

Anna's Linens currently operates over 270 stores in 19 states, with more than 2,500 employees. Anna's operates retail locations in Alabama, Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

To learn more about Anna's Linens, please visit www.annaslinens.com.