Momentum 2007 - Value Through Innovation

Leading supply chain solutions provider Manhattan Associates, announced that it is kicking off a series of five round-the-world industry conferences on global supply chain innovation with “Momentum 2007 – Value Through Innovation.” Manhattan Associates will also convene similar global meetings in Paris, Sydney, Singapore and Tokyo as the year progresses.  Selected for the innovations they have introduced to the sports and entertainment industries respectively, Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw and Saturday Night Live comedian Kevin Nealon will keynote Momentum 2007 and share their personal stories of using new ways of thinking to address familiar challenges.

New i2 Board Of Directors

The i2 User Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the issues and needs of i2 product users, today announced that its Board of Directors has elected officers for 2007. The new committee includes: Chairman - Ravi Vancheeswaran, ON Semiconductor; Vice-Chair – Mark Voudrie, Caterpillar Logistics Services; Secretary – Bill Bryan, The Timken Company; Treasurer – Bruce Budahn, 3M. New to the board this term are Voudrie and Bryan as well as Mike Gray of Dell and Mary Wilson of Fairchild Semiconductor.

Top 125 List of Employers for 2007

Schneider National, a premier provider of transportation, logistics and intermodal services, announced that the company has been named to Training magazine’s Top 125 list of employers for 2007. Schneider was honored by the publication for its innovative and comprehensive driver training program focused on skill development for its experienced and inexperienced company drivers and its continued commitment to safety. “Safety is Schneider National’s number one core value and it is an honor to be recognized for our dedication to training some of the safest drivers in the industry,” said Don Osterberg, vice president, safety and driver training.

General Freight Announces Leadership Roles

General Freight Services, announced the promotion of a key executive and a restructuring of leadership, positioning the company for continued growth. Gregory D. Sebolt has been promoted to president and chief operating officer. Daniel D. Smith, formerly president and CEO, will remain as CEO and take on an additional role as chairman of the board.

Jim Frome Pro To Know

SPS Commerce, a leading trading partner integration center offering fully outsourced Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Catalog functions, announced that Supply and Demand Chain Executive magazine has named SPS’ Chief Strategy Officer, Jim Frome, to its list of supply chain experts in the Extended Enterprise Guru category. The 2007 Supply & Demand Chain Executive Provider Pros to Know is a listing of individuals from a software firm or service provider, consultancy, or analyst or research firm who have personally helped raise the profile of Supply Chain and increase the recognition of the importance of Supply Chain as a strategic function within the enterprise.

Two Millionth Accident-Free Mile

Con-way Freight, a less-than-truckload (LTL) freight carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc. announced that driver Jorge Quezada has completed his two millionth accident-free mile. The company marked his achievement in a recent ceremony at its Santa Fe Springs, CA, service center. Quezada safely drove the two million miles between August 1988 and November 2006. Two million miles is the equivalent of more than 4,300 trips on his typical route between Los Angeles and Las Vegas without an accident.

Click Commerce “Pros to Know”

Click Commerce, a leading provider of on-demand supply chain management solutions, announced that two executives were named “Pros to Know” by Supply & Demand Chain Executive Magazine. Keith Forshew, general manager, and Jim Schoessling, vice president of professional services for Click Commerce’s Supply Chain Solutions business unit, will be recognized in the February/March 2007 issue.

JC Penny To Open New Logistics Center

JC Penney Company said it will open a 436,000 square-foot logistics center in Lathrop, CA. The center, which will be set up in an existing facility about 70 miles east of San Francisco, will take in and sort imported goods which will then be sent to JC Penney store support centers around the U.S. The center should let the company cut product transportation time on direct imports.

Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Overview Course

Maria McIntyre and a group of dedicated professionals have been working with a community college in the suburbs of Chicago to develop a transportation, distribution and logistics overview course. The course kicked off in January, but McIntyre says they have an ongoing need for industry professionals to serve as “guest instructors” to provide various real-world perspectives for students. 

United Dairy Farmers To Expand Operations

United Dairy Farmers, a supplier of dairy products and operator of over 200 retail ice cream stores, is expanding its distribution and warehousing operations in Erlanger, KY, with a new 104,000 sq.-ft. facility. “United Dairy Farmers has a strong interest in keeping its facilities in the region where the company was founded. Northern Kentucky, with its easily accessible transportation options and dedicated, educated workforce, is a perfect location for this facility,” said Angelos Christon, a spokesperson for the company.

Barnes & Noble Closing Internet Distribution Center

Consolidated sales for bookseller Barnes & Noble, Inc. totaled $5.3 billion for its fiscal year ended February 3, 2007.  
In its fiscal year-end announcement, executives said that the bookseller will close its Internet distribution center in Memphis, Tenn. All Internet orders will be fulfilled from the company’s newly constructed DC in Monroe, NJ, and its facility in Reno, NV.  “We achieved our earnings guidance for the fourth quarter and the full year despite sales being at the low end of our sales plan,” said Steve Riggio, CEO of Barnes & Noble, Inc. 

Nike To Build New Distribution Center

Nike has acquired 125 acres in Memphis, Tenn., where it plans to build a one million sq.-ft. footwear distribution center.
The Industrial Development Board (IDB) for Memphis and Shelby County granted Nike’s application for making the facility eligible for “Payments in Lieu of Taxes” leases based upon anticipated job creation and capital investment. The new facility will be located in the Frayser area of Memphis, which had been designated as “enterprise zone” to provide economic stimulus to the surrounding community.

"Best Overall Value Award"

Safety-Kleen Systems, was recently awarded the “Best Overall Value Award” from AutoNation, America’s
largest automotive retailer. “Safety-Kleen handles our hazardous waste removal, parts washers and solvents, and hauls our waste oil,” said Laura Payne, AutoNation’s director of strategic sourcing. “We’re particularly pleased with Elizabeth Semrau, manager of the AutoNation account, who has done a phenomenal job of working across all levels of our company to provide competitive pricing, highly responsive service and lower overall management costs.”

2007 D/C Conference and Expo

Ray Homan, vice-president for high tech SAP, and John Hill, principal at ESYNC, will be the keynote speakers at the 2007 D/C Conference and Expo May 22-24 at the Navy Pier, Chicago IL. Topics on supply chain and logistics information technology will include increasing visibility, balancing supply/demand, going global, managing growth, battling rising costs, and improving company operations. More information can be found by clicking here for the Conference and Expo Web site at dcexpo.net.

Healthy Sleep Community Award

Schneider National has received the 2007 National Sleep Foundation (NSF) Healthy Sleep Community Award for creating an obstructive sleep apnea detection and treatment program for its drivers. Through the program, 547 Schneider drivers were tested from April to December 2006. Of those tested, 445 (80 percent) were diagnosed with a sleep disorder and were provided treatment. Schneider initiated an education campaign to raise awareness within the organization.

Con-Way Completes Major Expansion

Con-way Freight, a less-than-truckload carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc., announced the completion of a major expansion to its freight assembly center in Fremont. Con-way’s Freight Assembly Centers (FACs) are strategically-located, high-volume facilities that serve as freight processing hubs for the nightly trans-shipment of cargoes within the company’s network of more than 440 service centers located nationwide. The additional freight handling capacity will enable the operation to better handle the current influx of business as well as manage efficient growth.

Voice Enabled Solutions from PEAK

PEAK Technologies, a Platinum Equity Company, announced it launched voice-enabled solutions for SAP supply chain users to improve order picking accuracy to 99.9 percent and increase productivity by up to 15 percent. PEAK utilizes SAP-centric technologies to deliver mobile data capture, enterprise printing, radio frequency identification (RFID) and now voice-enabled solutions to customers including SAP Logistics Execution System (LES) modules: warehouse management (WM), materials management (MM), and inventory management (IM). PEAK also delivers native, SAP-centric solutions for production planning (PP), plant maintenance (PM), mobile asset management (MAM) and Auto ID Infrastructure (AII).

RedPrairie's Educational Services Group

RedPrairie Corporation, a world leading consumer driven optimization company, announced that the Society for Technical Communication (STC) has recognized RedPrairie’s Educational Services Group with two Awards of Excellence for their online help systems. RedPrairie’s winning publications, DLx(R) Labor Online Warehouse Map Setup and Maintenance Guide and DLx(R) Transportation Online Help, were recognized in Minneapolis at the STC Twin Cities Chapter Technical Publication Competition awards ceremony.

Eagle Global Logistics Positions

EGL Eagle Global Logistics, a leading global freight forwarder and logistics provider, announced that Charles H. Leonard, its Chief Financial Officer, resigned. The Company also announced that Gregory W. Weigel, Keith W. Winters, Michael D. Slaughter, William W. LaMothe and Samuel B. Slater were appointed to new executive positions. Weigel has been named Chief Operating Officer; Winters Chief Administrative Officer; Slaughter Chief Accounting Officer; LaMothe Executive Vice President of Global Logistics; and Slater Executive Vice President of Domestic Operations.

Kozy Shack Leadership Award

Tony Leis, Supply Chain Manager for Kozy Shack Enterprises, a leading manufacturer of refrigerated dairy desserts, was awarded one of Kozy Shack’s highest honors, the Leadership Award, for his successful management of the implementation of Motek’s Windows-based Priya Warehouse Management System (WMS). The new inventory management software was deployed in the company’s New York and California warehouses and manufacturing facilities.