Warehouse Receiving Project Cuts Inventory for Hannaford

ORLANDO, Fla. -- As a result of an inbound (warehouse) receiving project conducted with Nestlé over the past eight months, Hannaford Bros., Scarborough, Maine, was able to reduce warehouse inventory of Nestlé products by 20%, while increasing turns by 70%, said Gerry Greenleaf, vice president, distribution, Hannaford. Greenleaf reported the results this week at the Food Marketing Institute‘s Distribution/Supply Chain conference, which concluded here yesterday. The Nestlé program also improved service levels by 1% and delivery reliability by 4.1%, while cutting unloading time by one hour and 26 minutes. In addition to Nestlé and Hannaford, inbound receiving case studies were conducted by The Hershey Co. and Wegmans, and Unilever and Stop & Shop. The companies plan to publish a white paper on the project this year. -- Michael Garry