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Case Studies

Rural Retailer Reroutes the Final Mile

Rural Retailer Reroutes the Final Mile

Customer service has always been a top priority for Blain’s Farm & Fleet, a family-owned, modern general store rooted in the traditions and culture of the Midwest. When the outcome of a decision to offer same-day delivery for online holiday shopping exceeded all expectations, the retailer decided to offer the option year-round.

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Say ‘Yes’ Before You’re Ready: Embracing Opportunity and Innovation

Say ‘Yes’ Before You’re Ready: Embracing Opportunity and Innovation

RESPONSIBILITIES: Nurture strategic partnerships with key customers; lead internal initiatives to drive efficiency via technology, explore and identify new product and service markets, and enhance the company’s ecommerce solutions. EXPERIENCE: Vice president, corporate strategy; vice president, customer solutions; director of customer solutions; inventory solutions manager; MRO product manager; assistant product manager; marketing associate, sales and […]

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Automation Takes Blue Sky From Growing Pains to Growing Gains

Automation Takes Blue Sky From Growing Pains to Growing Gains

Growing demand was an enviable problem for Blue Sky Distribution, a family-owned distributor of 3,500-plus grocery, tobacco, and other products to wholesale, big-box, and ecommerce customers across much of the western United States. To effectively onboard and serve new customers, including major grocery and convenience stores, it needed to automate several manual processes.

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Christina Nemeyer’s Unexpected Path to Procurement Success

Christina Nemeyer’s Unexpected Path to Procurement Success

RESPONSIBILITIES: Oversee the team responsible for establishing national account programs for indirect spend, leveraging PFG’s scale to generate value. EXPERIENCE: Senior manager, corporate strategic sourcing, and corporate sourcing manager, PFG. Fuel supervisor, Estes Express Lines. Inventory control and loss prevention supervisor, S&K Menswear. Market loss prevention manager, Shoe Carnival, Inc. Regional loss prevention analyst and […]

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From Fax to the Future:  Do It Best Reinvents Its Supply Chain

From Fax to the Future: Do It Best Reinvents Its Supply Chain

Aiming to keep pace with the rapidly expanding home improvement market, Do It Best—a member-owned hardware, lumber, and building materials buying cooperative—sought to replace its outdated manual processes with a streamlined, automated system. Since providing exceptional service to its members is crucial to the cooperative’s success, Do It Best partnered with Redwood Logistics to enhance its transportation management system (TMS).

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Liz Minne: A Business Case for Sustainability

Liz Minne: A Business Case for Sustainability

RESPONSIBILITIES: Shaping Interface’s global commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship, as well as its mission of working to reverse global warming. This includes collaborating with stakeholders, fostering partnerships that drive positive change and impact sustainability, and remaining at the forefront of emerging sustainability trends to ensure Interface remains a pioneer in environmental responsibility. EXPERIENCE: […]

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Setting the LTL World on Fire

Setting the LTL World on Fire

When she isn’t working tirelessly to drive digital transformation, help carriers transition to a digital era, and modernize the LTL freight classification system, Debbie Sparks writes children’s books to spread the word about the rewards of becoming a truck driver.

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Marcus Chung: Guiding a Sustainable Career

Marcus Chung: Guiding a Sustainable Career

RESPONSIBILITIES: Ecommerce and retail operations, supply chain, sourcing, production, sustainability, and IT. EXPERIENCE: Vice president, manufacturing and supply chain, ThirdLove; director, sourcing, Stitch Fix; vice president, responsible sourcing, The Children’s Place; director, responsible sourcing, Talbots; director, sustainability, McKesson; senior manager, social responsibility strategy, Gap Inc.; consultant, CEB (now Gartner). EDUCATION: MBA, University of California, Berkeley; […]

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New ERP Smooths the Way for Skin Care Company

New ERP Smooths the Way for Skin Care Company

After an exhaustive review of its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, E.T. Browne Drug Company, the maker of Palmer’s Cocoa Butter, understood it needed to upgrade. By recommitting to SYSPRO, its long-time ERP provider, E.T. Browne was able to leverage a scalable solution that has enabled the venerable skin care company to reduce inventory and grow profits.

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Reader Profile: Autonomous Trucking “Oddball” Reveals What’s Ahead for Driverless Trucks

Reader Profile: Autonomous Trucking “Oddball” Reveals What’s Ahead for Driverless Trucks

Pivoting from entertainment to the trucking industry, Kodiak Robotics Chief of Staff Lauren Harper considers herself an oddball in autonomous trucking. While her path to her current position might be unexpected, she’s clear-sighted about her goals for driverless vehicles. She believes autonomous trucks can save lives on the road and U.S. soldiers on the ground.

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Inventory Tracking Solution a High-Flying Success

Inventory Tracking Solution a High-Flying Success

The meteoric rise of On, a Swiss sportswear brand, started with a shoe. But not just any shoe. The company’s signature product, with its unique cushioning system and distinctive sole design, has attracted serious runners and casual wearers around the world. Since launching its premium footwear line 14 years ago, On has expanded offerings to include apparel and accessories.

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