A partnership to build on

OOCL Logistics is a leader in global trade. As a logistics and transportation provider, the company handles millions of cubic meters of containerized cargo annually with speed and precision. OOCL Logistics is an independently operated division of OOCL (Orient Overseas Container Line), one of the world's bestknown providers of ocean transport. The same attention to detail and customer service that OOCL is known for on the water is also brought to the land-based wholesale distribution operations of OOCL Logistics.

"Our corporate motto for wholesale distribution is 'All the Right Moves,'" explains Scott Weir, OOCL Logistics' director of North American warehousing and logistics. "What we bring to the market is an ability to provide our customers with complete supply chain services. We can provide consolidation in Asia, transportation to the U.S., Customs brokerage, and then distribution services once the container arrives. The customer only has to deal with one vendor for these segments of the supply chain."

This ability to provide complete supply chain services is a main reason that building materials manufacturer USG decided to use OOCL Logistics for domestic distribution of its imported goods. USG is a supplier of construction materials, including its SHEETROCK brand of wallboard materials. Orient Overseas Container Line is one of the companies that USG uses for transport of its export business, so it was natural to choose OOCL Logistics for international supply chain management and U.S. distribution services when USG decided to expand its product line to include imported tools targeted to contractors and other professional installers. Most of these tools, which include drywall finishing knives, saws and pans, are made in China. From there, they are placed into ocean-going containers for transport to the U.S. Upon arrival at the ports of LA and Long Beach, the containers are trucked to OOCL Logistics' distribution center in nearby Chino. USG is one of nine long-term tenants in this OOCL Logistics facility, which occupies 130,000 square feet in California's famed Inland Empire.

"The import business was new ground for us," recalls Matt Myers, USG's director of sales for performance surfaces. "OOCL [the ocean carrier] was already a trusted partner. And OOCL Logistics offered us the ability to process our goods and a location that was close to the ports, and they also had IT products in place to provide us clarity into our supply chain."

"That real-time visibility is provided to our customers on one information platform across the entire OOCL Logistics network," adds Weir. "This gives us the ability to manage a customer's supply chain seamlessly while providing top-quality distribution services."

The Chino facility's location east of Los Angeles places OOCL Logistics' wholesale distribution services near prime transportation lanes, including Interstate highways and the BNSF intermodal terminal. In addition to USG, the facility services import companies distributing apparel, electronics, home furnishings, automotive goods and hardware. It also has additional capacity to take other long- and short-term clients. The facility is designed to be very flexible in its product handling and can efficiently perform operations that include pick-and-pack, crossdocking and value-added services that include ticketing, kitting, light assembly and creating retail floor displays.

In addition to the Chino facility, OOCL Logistics has recently opened a new facility near Chicago. Located in the Cherry Hill Business Park in New Lenox, Ill., this 30-door facility can easily reach customers throughout the Midwest and beyond. It offers fast access to Interstates 80, 55 and 355 and the nearby Logistics Park Chicago intermodal rail center. A wide range of logistics services are also offered there to suit the needs of most clients.

For more information on OOCL Logistics (USA) Inc., call (212) 269-9010 or visit www.oocllogistics.com.