ClearOrbit Supply-Chain Council 2007 Supply Chain Excellence Winner

ClearOrbit, a supply chain software company, was recognized for automating materials replenishment and reducing spending on maintenance, repair and operations material by connecting more than 1,800 suppliers for a major automotive original equipment manufacturer. Completed in six weeks, the project resulted in a 33% reduction in the supply base and allowed employees to eliminate non-value activities an average of 35%.

Supply-Chain Council 2007 Supply Chain Excellence Winner

The United States Transportation Command received both the Global Award for Supply Chain Excellence and the Award for Supply Chain Operational Excellence. Part of the Department of Defense, it was formed to help support the synchronization of land, air and sea transportation in both peace and war. To improve the effectiveness and optimally support warfighter needs, US Transcom was tasked to align interdependent yet disparate enterprise architectures of all partners worldwide. USTranscom applied standard, independent terminology, including SCOR linkages, to develop a common architecture in just three months that resulted in clear linkages, increased visibility and process improvement.

Bruce Abels of Saddle Creek to Retire

On July 1, 2007, Bruce Abels will retire from his position as president of Saddle Creek Corp. Cliff Otto will be promoted from executive v.p. to president of the provider of warehousing, transportation, and value-added services. 
“This leadership change is part of our plan to transition to the next generation of Saddle Creek’s future,” Abels explained. “These changes re-affirm our strategic decision to remain privately held and are in the best interests of our customers and associates. Cliff has earned this opportunity and has the full support of our stockholders.

Metra Electronics "Best in Class"

As part of the home electronics retailer’s Vendor Recognition Awards, Circuit City recognized Metra Electronics (Holly Hill, FL) as a “Best in Class” vendor, supply chain division. The manufacturer of car audio installation kits and accessories was among 13 vendors honored with for their supply chain excellence. To earn the recognition, Metra maintained consistent delivery performance, allowing for a reduction in cost of the supply chain while ensuring products are delivered as scheduled. Metra has been recognized as a “Best in Class” vendor every year since Circuit City began the awards in 2003. “While winning awards is always good, Metra especially values Circuit City’s Best in Class because it comes from a customer that has high standards at every level,” said Bill Lauer, Metra’s v.p. of mass merchandising and new product development.

Goodyear's 24th North America Highway Hero

Goodyear’s 24th North America Highway Hero Edward A. Regener of Perris, CA escaped one fire and jumped into another vehicle to save the lives of two men trapped in their burning car. Regener, a 13-year veteran truck driver, was named the 2006 Highway Hero. His quick thinking on November 4, 2006, on Interstate 10 near Phoenix AZ, saved his life and the lives of two men also involved in the accident. Regener, the second FedEx driver selected for the top award, also received a $10,000 US Savings Bond and a specially designed Goodyear Highway Hero ring. Charles Ingram, a Jackson, GA, driver for FedEx Ground, was named the 2002 North America Highway Hero.

Forrester Research Names Click Commerce A "Strong Performer"

Click Commerce, a provider of on-demand channel management solutions, announced that the company was named a strong performer by Forrester Research, an independent technology and market research company, in the firm’s new report: “The Forrester Wave™: Partner Relationship Management Tools, Q2 2007 Report (April 2007).”  Forrester’s report evaluated leading partner relationship management (PRM) tools on 158 criteria. According to the report, “Click Commerce provides strong capabilities for most traditional PRM capabilities.” It further states, “It is distinguished from other PRM solutions by its relative strength in B2B eCommerce, specifically catalog and content management, eMarketing, and partner portal.”

ePlus Technology Signs Agreement with MedAssets

ePlus announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, ePlus Technology, Inc., has signed an agreement with MedAssets Supply Chain Systems (MedAssets) to provide IT hardware, software, services, and peripherals to its healthcare customer network. ePlus will offer MedAssets’ customers a wide range of IT equipment and services through this agreement, including computer and network systems, servers, storage, accessories, RFID asset tracking, software, healthcare solutions related to IT (such as PACS equipment and nursing carts), consulting services (including design, configuration, and installation), and computer maintenance agreements.

adplex Announces VP of Interactive Marketing

adplex, an interactive marketing services firm with in-depth grocery and retail expertise, announced that Steven Goforth has joined the company as vice president of interactive marketing. Prior to joining adplex, Goforth held the position of executive director of innovation for Catalina Marketing Corp., a retail marketing services company. With expertise in grocery, marketing, emerging retail trends and new channel development, Goforth has worked in a variety of executive-level positions at companies such as Catalina Marketing, Fujitsu and American Stores (Jewel-Osco).

Merisant Worldwide Announces New Positions

Merisant Worldwide, a global leader in no-calorie tabletop sweeteners, and its affiliated subsidiaries announced the appointment of Diana S. Ferguson as executive vice president, finance and chief financial officer, effective April 16, 2007. Merisant also named Lee Van Syckle to executive vice president and global commercial director, a newly created position. “I’m excited to welcome Diana Ferguson and to expand Lee Van Syckle’s role in the organization,” said Paul Block, chief executive officer of Merisant. “During the past three years, we’ve aimed to transform Merisant into a leading consumer packaged goods company by streamlining operations, reinvigorating core brands, and introducing new products that delight consumers. The company’s increasingly stable results provide evidence that these changes are making an impact, though additional challenges lay ahead. Our team is stronger with Diana and Lee.”

Petro Express Stores Complete

The Pantry, the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern U.S., today announced that it has completed the acquisition of 66 Petro Express convenience stores in North and South Carolina from Petro Express. “We are very pleased to complete this important strategic acquisition,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Peter J. Sodini. “We believe the addition of Petro Express significantly strengthens our presence in the Charlotte market and provides us with an excellent platform for future growth in one of the Southeast’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas. Not only does Petro Express command a leading market position, but its stores are primarily large, modern facilities that generate average revenues well above those of any previous acquisition in the Company’s history.”

Procuri Empower 2007

Procuri, the leading global provider of On Demand Supply Management solutions, will kick off its fourth annual user conference Procuri Empower 2007: Global Supply. Speakers for this year’s event include:

Jim Steele, president, Worldwide Sales & Distribution for Salesforce.com
Larry Dardzinski, chief procurement officer (CPO) for Toyota Financial Services
Jean-Jacques Beaussart, CPO, National City Corp
Paul Box, former-CPO at Federal Signal and Newell Rubbermaid
Tim Cummins, president and CEO of the International Association for Contract and Commercial Management (IACCM)
Paul Teague, Editor-in-Chief of Purchasing Magazine
Doug Smock, editorial director of GlobalCPO.com and author of On-Demand Supply Management: World Class Strategies, Practices, and Technology and Straight to the Bottomline

Stephen Smith as Executive Director

The Service & Support Professionals Association (SSPA), the largest and most influential association for technology service and support professionals, announced the appointment of Stephen Smith as Executive Director. Smith succeeds Bill Rose, who founded the SSPA more than 18 years ago. Rose will continue to serve the organization as Executive Director Emeritus and member of the Advisory Board, and will formally transition the executive directorship to Smith at the SSPA Best Practices Conference, May 6-8 in San Diego.

Introduction of StreamServe Distribution

StreamServe®, a global leader in Enterprise Document Presentment, announced a new distribution solution to streamline logistics processes within the supply chain. “Within the supply chain, every second is critical. Last-second changes to expected quantities often result in the need to reissue invoices and other customer documents. Without StreamServe’s on-demand solution to handle this, shipments can be delayed, resulting in customer frustration and lost revenue,” said Chris Stone, president and CEO of StreamServe. “StreamServe Distribution greatly reduces the manual assembly of documents, virtually eliminates human error and increases efficiency by automating distribution paperwork.”

Solectron Expands in KY

Solectron Corporation, a leading provider of integrated electronic supply chain services including design, manufacturing and aftermarket services, today was joined by U.S. Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) for the inauguration of Solectron’s expansion in Louisville, KY. Solectron Louisville is part of Solectron Global Services, which is the industry’s largest provider of aftermarket services that includes warranty repair and return, services parts logistics, retail technical services and asset recovery and remarketing. “Solectron Global Services is an exciting, fast-growing business that serves some of the best known brands in computing, mobile devices, data storage, networking and telecommunications and many other industries,” said Craig London, executive vice president, Solectron Global Services.

PEAK Technologies Selects Voxware

Voxware, a leading supplier of software for voice-driven logistics solutions, announced today that PEAK Technologies has selected Voxware, as its voice software partner. Voxware’s open, standards-based software has enabled PEAK to integrate voice technology with SAP’s Logistics Execution System modules. PEAK Technologies’ Solutions Development Director Kevin Franz said, “Voxware offers open, standards-based software that allows us to create solutions that provide real-time voice communication with SAP supply chain management systems. Voxware’s use of industry standards such as VoiceXML is of critical importance to our integration with SAP systems. In addition, Voxware’s open standards enable our customers to use mobile computers from a wide range of manufacturers, allowing them to leverage existing RF vendor relationships.”

TZA to Analyze Caribou Coffee

Tom Zosel Associates, TZA, the leader in developing supply chain networks, will analyze Caribou Coffee’s existing supply chain network to identify the most efficient distribution network that will optimize the relationship of service levels and cost to support each of its business channels. “When business is growing at a very fast pace, the pressure to make the right strategic decision mounts. We hired TZA to help us develop the right vision, an effective operational plan that will enhance our competitive advantage and produce the most results out of our distribution investment dollars. We are very excited about this initiative, which will allows us to deliver outstanding service to our customers in the most cost effective manner,” said Paul Turek, Vice President of Support Operations for Caribou Coffee.

Katt Worldwide Acquires Katt Transportation

One of the largest third-party logistics providers in Memphis, Katt Worldwide Logistics, is acquiring Katt Transportation as it expands its intermodal and over-the-road trucking services. Katt Worldwide, with Michigan-based equity partner Transportation Resource Partners, is buying Katt Transportation, a logistics company owned by the Kattawar family.

DHL Appoints Charles Graham

DHL, one of the leading express delivery and logistics company, has appointed Charles Graham as the Global CEO for Aviation, DHL Express, and named him as a member of the company’s Global Express Management Board. He succeeds Terry Nord, who will retire from DHL after eight successful years of managing growth for DHL’s global aviation services. “Charles’ track record and extensive aviation, transportation, logistics and financial experience will be invaluable to DHL and will serve to further enhance the depth and breadth of our senior management team as DHL charts a course of global growth,” said John Mullen, DHL Express’ Global Chief Executive Officer.

Wal-Mart Promotes Don Frieson

Wal-Mart Stores has promoted Don Frieson, a veteran operations and logistics executive, to senior vice president of Wal-Mart operations in the company’s central division. Frieson had been Wal-Mart’s vice president and regional manager in Maryland. Before moving to Maryland in 2005, Frieson had been Wal-Mart’s regional vice president of logistics since 2003. Prior to joining Wal-Mart, Frieson worked with Schneider National Carriers, where he spent 12 years developing expertise in the trucking industry.

Nestle USA to Expand Plant

Nestle USA plans to expand production capacity at its Danville, VA plant with a $20 million investment, according to Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine. The expansion should add 50 jobs to the site, which already employs more than 500 workers. Produced at the plant are Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough and Buitoni refrigerated pasta and sauces. Virginia was selected for the project over Wisconsin and Idaho, the Virginia governor’s office said.