A Case Study in Integrated Temperature-Controlled Cross-Docking

Optimized Logistic Case Study. Topco Reaps Benefits.

Topco Associates LLC is a privately held company that provides innovative business solutions for its food industry member-owners and customers. Topco’s member collectively represent 125 billion in retail sales volume with thousands of stores.

Challenge:

Topco Associates and WEL have developed a strong relationship which has spanned decades as both companies grew and developed. This relationship intensified when Topco and WEL joined together for the cross-docking operation of Topco’s Dairy Department. Initially, Topco was looking for a logistics solution that was cost effective, would minimize spoilage, was flexible enough to encompass their growing member network and most importantly provide exceptional on-time delivery service.

Namely four goals Topco desired to accomplish were; streamlining distribution and transportation cost, decreasing the amount of inventory held, and decreasing lead time on deliveries while ensuring on-time delivery.

Strategy:

In developing a creative logistics program for Topco, there was no hesitation to employ the full strength of our services. The WEL customer service team evaluated Topco’s needs and created a program for Topco’s Dairy Department which best facilitated their goals.

By providing both truckload and LTL transportation service, the WEL logistic appealed to Topco’s members both large and small. Since Topco’s member network spans the United States; our nationwide network of warehouses was activated to support our transportation services in moving perishable dairy goods across the United States.

Technologies in place at WEL warehouses were customized to accommodate Topco’s goals of decreasing inventory, delivery lead time and providing on-time delivery. Through our LogiMax warehousing software system and our Innovative transportation management system, Topco is now better able to monitor inventory and shipment status of loads.

Results:

Operational efficiency of Topco has increased exponentially. In 2010, WEL delivered 78 million lbs. of cheese and dairy products to members with a total value of 200 million dollars.

Topco is Solution-Driven

With nearly 1.5 million pounds of weekly refrigerated products branded for Food Club, Shurfine®, and Valu Time, solutions need to be well planned and executed. Superior quality assurance and on-time delivery is a must.

WEL designed a customized solution to meet the needs of Topco from handling cheese and whip cream to tortilla shells.

In a well-tuned process, typically 55 trucks come in at various times. Dependent upon the brand and the type of order, product inventory is completed by a host of varied functions.

More often then not, the products are consolidated to 28 full truckload shipments. When necessary, WEL's expansive LTL network is utilized to provide the most efficient mode of transportation.

It works like clockwork.