Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies - September 2008 - (Page 65)

ADVERTORIAL With aggressive goals to grow its retail stores from 500 to more than 1,000, the VF logistics team knew that their distribution system for their 80-store VF Outlet division needed a makeover that would affect every touchpoint in their supply chain and potentially lay the groundwork for coverage of its entire domestic retail network. DRESSED FOR SUCCESS VF Corporation, based in Greensboro, NC, is one of the world’s top importers with more than 600 retail partners and 79 outlet stores in North America. VF Corporation markets a number of worldwide brands that includes Wrangler®, Lee®, The North Face®, Vans®, Reef®, Eagle Creek®, JanSport®, Napapijri®, Nautica®, Kipling®, John Varvatos®, 7 For All Mankind®, lucy®, and Majestic®. Approximately 14 distribution centers and 40 external apparel suppliers serviced the VF Outlet product lines with a distribution system that included eight different transportation providers. After a thorough review, VF Corporation chose to partner with Averitt to optimize their supply chain operations - a process that involved changes to the IT infrastructure and EDI capabilities, consolidation, transportation and billing procedures. Averitt attacked the challenge by ﬁrst streamlining the EDI system for ease of communication between the stores and the corporate ofﬁces. Orders are now transmitted to Averitt and are used to forecast incoming shipments from the consolidation centers and plan for efﬁcient fulﬁllment to the stores. “Averitt has provided IT improvements and nationwide visibility that make it easier to analyze information and manage our inventories,” said Bill Coxwell, VF Director of Global Logistics. “Averitt’s ability to integrate their software systems with ours and supply a strong network of transportation assets has enabled us to meet our supply chain challenges with unique solutions built with VF’s growth and success in mind.” The automated shipment processes allow Averitt associates at the consolidation center to pick orders for truckload shipments instead of partial pallets and parcel shipping. Averitt’s implementation of a “merge-in-transit” system for deliveries to VF Outlet stores has contributed to reduced transportation costs and more efﬁcient operations at the store level. Previous distribution inefﬁciencies slowed storelevel productivity because a variety of carriers were delivering multiple shipments throughout the day. Each delivery caused staff to leave the sales ﬂoor to handle the incoming shipments. Through Averitt’s streamlined system, the stores now have only one shipment each day, and 24hour notice of delivery times allows them to plan and staff more effectively. Beyond the improved efﬁciencies and savings in the distribution system and more effective store operations, Averitt has designed a supply chain solution for VF that is ﬂexible enough to grow along with VF as they continue to expand. If you’re looking for unique solutions that are designed to integrate with your processes and optimize your supply chain, give an Averitt Transportation Specialist a call at 1-800-AVERITT or visit InandOutoftheSouth.com GLOBAL LOGISTICS & SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGIES 65 http://www.InandOutoftheSouth.com http://www.InandOutoftheSouth.com

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Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies - August 2008 Contents Editorial GL&SCS Exclusive Fast Forward Up Front Cover Story: Free The Enterprise: Busting Silos in the Supply Chain Business Process Management Merits New Look fromCorporate Strategists Ships and Ports Explore Many Ways to Go Green The Right Information Should Help Avoid Any Kind of Risk Industry Voices

Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies - September 2008

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