GENCO Canada
Corporate Six Sigma initiative leads to comprehensive pallet services program.
IFCO Systems announced today it has signed a long-term pallet supply and management agreement with GENCO, a leading supply chain solutions company specializing in distribution, reverse logistics and transportation management. IFCO was selected as a result of GENCO's application of Six Sigma methodologies to the growing challenges and opportunities associated with managing a multi-location pallet program.
IFCO's consultative approach enabled GENCO to efficiently gather data and input from its satellite facilities, identify areas for improvement, develop creative solutions and implement across the enterprise with a single-source provider. Consolidating pallet activities with IFCO Systems will enable GENCO to improve service and value to its customers, reduce costs and eliminate many of the hassles associated with pallet management.
According to the agreement, IFCO Systems will be the preferred supplier of various sizes and styles of pallets to GENCO's more than 80 facilities. In addition, IFCO will provide surplus pallet removal and disposal service.
According to Cary Cameron, vice president, Strategic Initiatives and a Six Sigma Black Belt, GENCO achieved a 10 percent cost reduction by utilizing IFCO's services. "Cost reduction is always important, however, we also improved customer service, standardized pallet sizes and quality definitions and streamlined the accounting process by utilizing IFCO's consolidated invoice," said Ms. Cameron. "With IFCO's PalTrax System we can monitor our pallet purchases by each facility and since the invoice is in a spreadsheet format, additional Six Sigma analysis is easily performed," Ms. Cameron concluded.
GENCO's pallet activity will be recorded daily via IFCO's exclusive, Internet-based PalTraxTM System. Pallet activity can be viewed at any time via this online system, allowing GENCO and IFCO to better manage pallet assets. With this proprietary system, GENCO has the option of viewing pallet activity by individual location or in summary and can access management reports at any time.
"We are pleased to add GENCO to IFCO's growing list of nationally recognized customers," said David Russell, President of IFCO Systems North America. "Our collaboration with GENCO allowed us to build a customized solution to their diverse needs and goals to improve service and lower costs."
IFCO Systems is a global logistics systems and service provider with an international network of more than 150 facilities, primarily in North America and Europe. IFCO Systems operates round-trip container systems, which include containers for consumer goods and pallets. IFCO Systems owns and manages the leading rental pool of round-trip containers for consumer goods in Europe and the second largest rental pallet pool in North America. It is also the largest provider of recycled pallets and services in North America.
About GENCO Supply Chain Solutions
GENCO Supply Chain Solutions is North America's largest U.S.-based and a Global Top 50 third-party logistics provider and the recognized leader in Reverse Logistics. The company manages over 130 operations and 37 million square feet of warehouse space throughout North America for a diverse range of retail, manufacturing and government customers. The company provides initial and ongoing value through a complete range of solutions, including contract logistics, transportation logistics, parcel negotiation and audits, reverse logistics, damage research, product liquidation, pharmaceutical services, government solutions and supply chain technology solutions. For more information, visit www.genco.com.
IFCO Systems is listed on the SMAX segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "IFE."
