In this study sponsored by GMA, FMI, and Deloitte, they seek to discover and analyze the underlying causes of unsaleables throughout the value chain and identify actionable solutions companies can adopt and customize. This study identiies and measures unsaleables costs providing insight to opportunities that have a direct impact on the bottom line. Link

Your warehouse is probably filled with all sorts of products. What profit do you make when you sell a particular item? Well, if you ask a salesman he may say, "That's easy..." Written by Jon Schreibfeder. Provided by Cost Control for Food Distribution and Processing. Link

Presented by Steven Medwin of Raymond Corporation at ProMat 2009. Audio & visual are included. 30 minutes. Link

Presented by Ken Ruehrdanz of Dematic at ProMat 2009. Audio & visual are included. 21 minutes. Link

Knowing where and how to eliminate waste and trim down costs is the true benchmark of a successful operation. Report by Ron Cain, President of TMSi Logistics. Provided by Distribution Center Management. Link

I love it when I hear an order desk guy say that every customer is the same or I treat them all special.  Really?  Then why do we have different prices for some?  The fact of the matter is that not all customers are the same.  Some are more valuable to us than others. Link

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Learn from the past to better prepare for the future. This report provides an overview of financial trends in distribution between 2003 and 2007 with special emphasis on the changes between 2006 and 2007. Much data taken from IFDA's Foodservice Distributor Productivity Financial Report. Link

These guidelines, published by the USDA's FSIS, provide a list of safety and security measures that can be taken to prevent contamination of products during loading, unloading, transportation and in-transit storage. Link

Inventory issues start on the buy side.  What you do or do not do when buying inventory will have a huge impact on your inventory success.  Don’t kid yourself, most inventory strategies flow from the top down. Links below:
Part One.
Part Two.

This report, provided by FoodConnex, answers five common inventory questions. Link

This guide, published by the USDA's FSIS in January 2008, assists warehouses and DC's with a defense plan for their operations. Link

Presented by George Fiorentino, Jr. of FastPic Systems at ProMat 2009. Audio & visual are included. 42 minutes. Link

Completed by the IFDA Distribution Committee in 2007. Link

Provided by FoodConnex, this report discusses when to adjust inventory and how to calculate costs. Link

Your company's auditors could be giving you a false sense of comfort about how well your operation is really performing. Written by Fred Kimball, Principal of Distribution Design. Provided by Distribution Center Management. Link

The Industrial Truck Standards Development Foundation (ITSDF) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is the promulgation and modernization of the B56 standard. Follow the link to their site for free downloads. Link

Presented by Tony Arsenault of FastPic Systems at ProMat 2009. Audio & visual are included. 26 minutes. Link

Engineered labor standards (ELS) are not widely used in warehouses or distribution centers, yet they can really pay off in increased productivity. Learn how to use them for your DC in this report sponsored by WERC. Link

Presented by Jerry Koch of FKI Logistex at ProMat 2009. Audio & visual are included. 31 minutes. Link

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Presented by Chad Collins of HighJump Software at ProMat 2009. Audio & visual are included. 34 minutes. Link

This complimentary guide, prepared by IFDA and published in 2003, may assist in planning and implementing protective measures to prevent or minimize the potential for attacks on the food supply. Link

Presented by Bob Carver and Dan Perry of Vargo Companies at ProMat2009. Audio & visual are included. 35 minutes. Link

Inventory procedures for "out of balance" stock situations. Provided by FoodConnex. Link

Pallets, the base of most modern materials handling systems, do more than carry loads. Applied correctly, they can also protect their loads—as well as the supply chains through which they travel. From Modern Materials Handling Link

Presented by Steve Johnson of Nashville Wire Products Manufacturing, Doug Edwards of SpaceRak, and Arlen Keck of Steel King Industries at ProMat 2009. Audio & visual are included. 25 minutes. Link

One thing we can control very easily is making sure our picking processes are done with a high degree of accuracy. Link

As you work to keep your business afloat in these increasingly turbulent waters it's important to remember that while the waves outside will make your business rock and sway, it's the leaks in the hold that will cause it to sink. Provided by Cost Control for Food Distribution and Processing. Link

This report will examine the issue of financial integrity. That means the ability to survive an economic downturn with a minimum of pain. The report will also suggest that the lessons of this recession should not be forgotten amidst the euphoria of the eventual recovery. Prepared by Dr. Albert D. Bates, President of Profit Planning Group. Link

Challenges associated with the recession have caused most firms to take a serious look at their operating expenses. While cutting expenses is an important task, a more fundamental issue is determining the nature of the firm’s expense structure. Prepared by Dr. Albert D. Bates, President of Profit Planning Group. Link

As a result of sales challenges, cash sufficiency has become a very serious issue. For the typical IFDA member, cash now represents only 1.8% of total assets. It is a cash position that does not leave a lot of room for error. Prepared by Dr. Albert D. Bates, President of Profit Planning Group. Link

Payroll expense is like a character in a cheap horror movie—it’s frightening and just when it seems to have been vanquished, it turns up in a sequel.  Well, just like in the movies, payroll expense is back.  Prepared by Dr. Albert D. Bates, President of Profit Planning Group. Link

Presented by Alan Kautz of United Fixtures, Daniel Clapp of Frazier Industrial Co., and Simon Brain of Wireway/Husky at ProMat 2009. Audio & visual are included. 35 minutes. Link

It is always wise to plan for the unexpected. If you’re one of the fortunate businesses with excess earnings, don’t neglect working capital accumulation... Link

Found on Technomic's Web site, the objective of this handbook is to answer the foodservice supplier's most pressing questions about the independent operator. Link

Safe Quality Food Institute, part of FMI, has launched a Web resource for food suppliers and buyers. This program provides independent certification that a supplier's food safety and quality management system complies with international and domestic food safety regulations. Link

Presented by Wayne Lewis of Peach State Integrated Technologies at ProMat 2009. Audio & visual are included. 34 minutes. Link

Racking is not just about racking and selecting the most effective system is almost never simple. Written by John T. Phelan Jr., P.E., COO of TriFactor LLC. Provided by Distribution Center Management. Link

Presented by Greg Mason of Jungheinrich at ProMat 2009. Audio & visual are included. 44 minutes. Link

Today's warehouse is a much different place from the warehouse of previous generations, and the caliber of management must change as well. Report by Chris Werling, President of Cornerstone Solutions. Provided by Distribution Center Management. Link

Ever get confused by supply chain acronyms? Everyday, more & more seem to be popping up. Here's a good list to get you started. From SupplyChainMetric.com Link

Presented by Patrick Sedlak of Sedlak at ProMat2009. Audio & visual are included. 40 minutes. Link

With many businesses struggling, it's imperative to get more from the resources you have. Written by Curt Barry, President of F. Curtis Barry & Company. Provided by Distribution Center Management.
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There are three proven strategies for navigating short- and long-term uncertainty. With a little creativity, you can apply any of them to the decisions you face in these uncertain times. Good starting points for real creative strategies. Link

This top ten list is a good reminder of what your real objectives should be and includes links to further instructions and insights. Provided by Cost Control for Food Distribution and Processing. Link

Short and to the point, this list recaps 10 ways to save inventory dollars. Provided by Cost Control for Food Distribution and Processing. Link

Download and view the TPM Powerpoint Presentation, compliments of Imants BVBA. Link

Over the past year many distributors I have spoken with have seen their order sizes shrink while their overhead costs grew.  This has resulted in more and more customers falling into the unprofitable category.  This article looks at wasy to make small profit orders more profitable. Provided by Cost Control for Food Distribution and Processing. Link

In a down economy, DC managers are often asked to tighten their belts. Shrewd managers will be sure to look for ways to improve inbound receiving. By Pat Kelley of the Labor Development Group and True Value Hardware. Provided by Distribution Center Management. Link

The ability to move product from place to place quickly and efficiently has been a key driver in
Wal-Mart’s success. Learn more about Wal-Mart's methods. Link

A concise summary written by DC Velocity. Link

A concise summary written by DC Velocity. Link

A summary of Adam Fein's belief regarding the current credit crunch and its impact on investment in Information technology. Adam Fein is founder and president of Pembroke Consulting, Inc. Provided by Cost Control for Food Distribution and Processing. Link

Effective management of creditors is one of the easiest ways for businesses to improve cash flow, and a regular review of policy and procedures in this area can help to identify further opportunities to deliver savings. Written by Alan Morris, head of KPMG’s Cash Management team in Ireland. Link

Kevin Gue, past president of the College-Industry Council on Material Handling Education (CICMHE), has developed this important document as part of ongoing research geared toward evolving a new generation of distribution centers and warehouses that are real workplaces of excellence. The key question is: If you were to design a warehouse in which your children had to work, what would it be like? Link
Click here to read a thoughtful piece by Benoit Montreuil, CICMHE 2009 President, regarding the Manifesto.

Top 10 tips to reducing working capital, written by John Mardle of Develin & Partners. Link

In order to implement Best Business Practices you need to admit that you may be wrong, you need to evaluate what you are doing honestly, and you need to be willing to risk change. It is said that change comes when people are uncomfortable. Provided by Cost Control for Food Distribution and Processing. Link