Increasing Speed to the Shelf

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

--Albert Einstein

After a substantial investment in infrastructure and automation, development of complex order flow systems, and intense collaboration, ES3 has created the supply chain of the future.  In 2010, product that shipped to Giant of Carlisle stores no longer moved through a traditional distribution center.  Instead, the product flows directly from the manufacturers’ inventories to stores in less than 24 hours from order to delivery.  This happens every day.

Additionally, ES3’s automation supports the building of “aisle-friendly” pallets.  These are pallets where the cases are sequenced to match the category layout of each store.  This improvement in pallet design, along with greater shipping accuracy, and enhanced paper and electronic documentation, reduces the labor required to move the product from the back room of the store to the shelf.  The savings are estimated at more than 30 minutes per store per day.  Activity can now be focused on improving on-shelf availability and making sure the product is there when the consumer wants it.

This supply chain will continue to evolve to meet the needs of more manufacturers and retailers.  Added scale will reduce the costs to all participants and improve service to the end customer – the consumer.  The supply chain of the future has arrived.