Hanson Logistics, a provider of temperature-controlled supply chain management services, has announced that it has been awarded a multiyear transportation management contract from Cole’s Quality Foods. The new program marks Cole’s initiative in outsourcing transportation and related supply chain activities.
Under the new contract, Hanson will manage a customized transportation program for procurement, optimization, visibility and compliance. The program takes advantage of Hanson’s transportation capacity and distribution facilities, while leveraging Hanson’s consolidation program and information systems.
“Hanson has much greater access to carrier capacity and can give us better visibility across the supply chain,” says John Sommavilla, president of Cole’s. “Day to day, they interface with our customer service to build optimum loads, while managing both inbound and outbound. Long term, they are mapping out the most responsive and cost-effective fulfillment process. This allows us to focus on our core competency, as a leading brand in bread and bakery products.”
The new Cole’s program exemplifies how mid-sized consumer product companies can meet the sophisticated order deliver criteria of major retailers cost-effectively through strategic inventory placement and multi-vendor consolidation, such as Hanson’s Velocities program. “We’re very pleased that Cole’s has selected our team for this program,” says Gregory Hanson, president of St. Joseph, Mich.-based Hanson. “Our expertise and critical mass adds value through the supply chain.”
