Thomas L. Gallagher | Oct 14, 2009 4:09PM EDT
Weber Distribution is expanding a consolidation program that worked for a segment of its market to a broader base of customers.
Working with major grocery chains and retailers nationwide, the Los Angeles-based third party logistics provider launched Consolidated Express Service to offer set delivery times for its customers, as well as provide less than truckload expedited services at full truckload rates.
The program is an expansion of one the company introduced several years ago for its confectionary customers, including Hershey, Nestlé, and Ghirardelli. Now, Weber is consolidating LTL orders for its food, beverage, health & beauty, and pharmaceutical customer base with other LTL orders being shipped to the same location by forming strategic alliances with grocery and retail distribution centers, big box retailers and institutional food service docks.
“We were looking for a way to save our customers money and to reduce our use of fuel for the environment so Consolidated Express Service was the perfect solution,” said Mike Epeneter, senior vice president, logistics services. “By working with our consignees to establish pre-existing appointment times, we can consolidate our customers’ freight and deliver the order to one location. As a result, our customers are able to share in the savings generated by using fewer trucks, burning less diesel fuel, greening of the supply chain and incurring lower wait times for the delivery of their products. It’s really a win-win for our customers, the consignees and Weber.”
“Establishing set appointment times with our consignees has allowed us to build a great relationship with the receiving departments, which has reduced and in most cases eliminated potential chargebacks for our customers,” said John Laws, Weber’s Director, Transportation. “And by controlling our own fleet, we can provide our customers with greater visibility to their order and delivery status.”
The Consolidated Express Service program is linked directly to Weber’s transportation management system to ensure real-time updates of customers’ shipments once they arrive at the consignee’s dock. “This adds flexibility in planning sales and fulfillment of our customers’ orders by ensuring we have timely and accurate information at their disposal,” said Laws.
Contact Thomas L. Gallagher at tgallagher@joc.com.
