Wildernest Logistics Solutions on Friday, June 24, announced it will manage all warehousing and shipping services for AeroGrow International Inc. at a new centralized distribution center in Mexico, Mo. AeroGrow is the maker of AeroGardens, a line of indoor gardening products used to grow vegetables, herbs and flowers without soil.
In the past, AeroGrow handled all storage and shipping processes through various company-managed and third-party facilities throughout the United States. As the new outsourcing partner, Wildernest now will manage all product fulfillment, storage and shipping from the 50,000-square-foot center. In order to recognize significant cost savings and increased productivity, AeroGrow made the decision to outsource and base operations in the centrally located city.
“AeroGrow’s decision to outsource their distribution is a win for the city of Mexico and Wildernest Logistics Solutions,” says Dan Frank, vice president of supply chain solutions for Denver-based Wildernest. “The future vision of expanded centralized distribution in Mexico is being realized through this partnership and we know it will set a precedent for future business.”
According to Frank, Missouri is on the heels competitively with Ohio and Indiana when it comes to centralized distribution. Due to affordable real estate, an extremely central location and attractive tax incentives offered by the city, Mexico offers amenities for companies looking to outsource their lines of distribution to one location.
Two other Wildernest customers also have based their centers in Mexico. “We are the outsourcing partner for Home Decorators Collection and Brookstone as well, and were able to offer AeroGrow very skilled workers and an economy of scale,” Frank says.
Mike Wolfe, chief executive officer of AeroGrow International, says the partnership with Wildernest was needed in order to continue the company’s desire to expand. “It was time to take our fulfillment and distribution processes to the next level in order to grow our company,” Wolfe says. “Wildernest offered us services in Mexico, Missouri, which now allow us to be more productive while recognizing a major cost savings. We are thrilled to be a part of Mexico’s thriving business community.”
