- Performing to the Maxx. The TJX Companies, parent of off-price retail clothing chains T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, has announced plans to implement RedPrairie's Workforce Management solution. TJX will use the DLx Labor planning and reporting system, which is part of the Workforce software suite, to schedule associates in the company's distribution centers, based on order fulfillment requirements. The software calculates the time necessary to complete the work based on previously agreed-upon standards and reports back to workers and supervisors on progress toward the goals.
- Deere to its heart. SmartOps Corp., which provides enterprise-class supply chain optimization software, has entered into a commercial agreement with Deere & Co., the manufacturer of John Deere tractor products. The company will use the SmartOps Multistage Inventory Planning & Optimization software solution for its Commercial and Consumer Equipment Division. SmartOps has worked with Deere since 2003, achieving an $890 million reduction in finished-goods inventory and an increase in on-time shipments from factories to dealers.
HP IPG, the Latin American division for Hewlett Packard, has also selected SmartOps for its supply chain optimization software. The solution will help HP in Latin America determine the optimal inventory and product availability plans. - Why FKI loves New York. The U.S. Postal Service has awarded one of the largest material handling contracts it has ever awarded to FKI Logistex. The deal includes the design and implementation of a bulk and tray mail sorting and distribution system, as well as an airline receiving concourse, at the JFK International Service Center at New York's JFK Airport.
Across the Hudson River from JFK, FKI will be installing its Condor aisle-changing crane system at Preferred Freezer Services' warehouse in Newark, N.J. Preferred Freezer Services is a third-party logistics and freezer storage company that specializes in seafood products. The FKI contract totals $2.3 million. - Pallets-a-plenty. Procter & Gamble has renewed its contract with CHEP for pallet pooling in the United States. P&G
has been using CHEP pallets since the pool was created 14 years ago. Pallets full of P&G products are delivered daily to supermarkets, mass retail stores, food service providers, drug stores and convenience stores.
In other news, the Dean Specialty Foods Group is also joining the CHEP pallet pooling system. The company distributes pickles, relish and non-dairy creamers. - Down Argentine way. Terminal Zarate, a cargo port located outside of Buenos Aires, Argentina, has replaced its paper-based inventory system with a mobile computing solution from Psion Teklogix. The system provides employees with real-time information, which decreases picking times and increases productivity and inventory accuracy.
- Striking a balance. Avnet Technology Solutions is implementing the Timogen Decision Manager from Timogen Systems. The Timogen Decision Manager helps manufacturers and distribution companies identify and resolve supply/demand imbalances across an extended supply chain.
- The future is plastics. Cartonplast and Orbis Corp. have created a joint venture known as CORBI Plastics. The new company, to be headquartered in DeForest, Wis., will manufacture plastic divider sheets and manage pools of reusable plastic pallets, top frames and divider sheets that protect food, beverage and industrial products during processing, storage and distribution.
- New bookings for Radio Beacon. Canadian Book Depot, an online retailer and distributor launched last June, has deployed Radio Beacon WMS in its warehouse in Mississauga, Ontario. The warehouse management system provides an on-demand inventory of its books. Radio Beacon has also installed a new warehouse management system for Del-Nat Tire Corp., a private-brand tire distributor. The WMS has been installed in the company's 500,000-square-foot DC in Memphis.
- Cheers! City Brewing Co., a contract producer of alcoholic beverages, has selected HighJump's Supply Chain Advantage suite to manage its fast-growing distribution operations. City Brewing runs five high-volume distribution centers that process millions of cases of beverages annually. The company will use the software for its warehouse and yard management.
- Well grounded. The Neptune Group, a garden supply e-tailer, has selected DHL for its ground deliveries. The company, which sells lawn and garden equipment, pond liners, waterfall pumps and pet supplies exclusively through eBay, will use DHL to provide express and ground delivery of these products directly to consumers and retail stores. DHL has also been selected by Airbus to handle shipments of spare airline parts at three facilities in France. In addition, DHL will help ensure that parts arrive on time for assembly of Airbus's A380 aircraft.
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