For the eighth year in a row, we honor the FL Logistics Innovators, companies that stand out in the crowd by taking a unique approach to solving common problems that are typical in today's operations.
We begin our coverage in "Ten To Watch" on page 12, where we kick off the section with a story about a company that is reinventing the concept of supply chain management. ES3 LLC is a Keene, NH-based service provider that co-locates multiple manufacturer inventories into a single location and delivers consolidated truckloads of product to customers within 24 hours of order placement.
ES3 was originally founded as a division of C&S Wholesale and is now an independent company that is operating warehouses in Harrisburg and York, PA.
Since opening the York facility in 2002, ES3 has demonstrated its commitment to reducing cost and improving service for the over 50 manufacturers and all Northeast retailers utilizing the facility. The company started the first true consolidation program—not just pooling of less-than-truckload orders but, true consolidation at order creation.
The combining of manufacturer and retailer warehousing into a single facility eliminates the costs associated with handling, storage and inventory holding—and eliminates a leg of transportation. This creates a win-win situation for everybody.
ES3 is just one of an impressive group of companies to make this year's cut. The toughest challenge of creating this list is narrowing it down to just 10 companies.
In addition to ES3, our 2011 line-up includes:
- Affiliated Foods;
- DSC Logistics;
- Harvest Time International;
- Landshire Inc.;
- La Tortilla Factory;
- Maines Paper & Food Service Inc.;
- Mission Foods;
- Papa Johns;
- Restaurant Depot.
We congratulate the companies honored as FL's Logistics Innovators. Innovation always requires taking a risk, but as these companies will attest, the potential rewards make the risks worth taking. If your company is doing something innovative, we'd like to hear from you.
