It was exciting to meet so many of you at the 2010 GlobalShop Logistics Conference last week. While official attendance numbers aren’t out yet, the Conference kicked off last Wednesday, March 10, with the Opening Night Reception completely sold out.

As we talked with booth visitors, we were energized by the growing sense of optimism and enthusiasm among retailers as they begin to move in a more positive direction, which was also prevalent at our Annual Retail Symposium.  To survive and thrive in this “new normal” environment, insightful observations and ideas were presented in conference sessions and on the expo floor where exhibitors showcased more than 10,000 products and services designed to make stores more interesting and more profitable.

At our booth, we enjoyed the great conversations with current clients, and gained new perspectives from visitors who dropped by to learn more about how Koch delivers smarter supply chain connections for retailers. If you were at the show, feel free to comment and share your thoughts. You can also search #globalshop on Twitter for posts about the conference and its attendees.

-Jeff Faust, Vice President & General Manager

We are pleased to announce that Tom Hall and Heather Doty have recently joined our Account team. As logistics veterans, they both bring comprehensive expertise that’s an ideal fit with our approach to providing our customers smarter supply chain connections.

Heather previously worked at YRC, most recently as Director of Field Sales. Prior to joining Koch Logistics, Tom worked as Business Development Manager for One Source Logistics. They will both work directly with our Koch Logistics customers to provide customized programs for optimal supply chain connections. We hope you’ll get to meet Tom and Heather shortly.

-Jeff Faust, Vice President & General Manager

As we mentioned last month, Koch Logistics co-sponsored the ninth annual Best Practices Symposium with our partner, Store Opening Solutions. We recently returned from two great days in Florida and want to share our experiences for those of you not able to attend.

With several major retailers in attendance at the Symposium, we were able to facilitate some candid and open discussions regarding current industry challenges. Over the next few weeks, we’ll highlight some key research findings and explore what the “new normal” looks like for retailers. Please feel free to share your experiences with us.

We first identified the state of the retail supply chain, with help from Brian Gibson, Ph.D. Despite the compelling link between supply chain management (SCM) and retailing, few studies have addressed it. Along with the research team from Auburn College of Business, Gibson explored key issues in supply chain management through executive level interviews with more than 40 major retailers. During the Symposium, Brian presented answers to three key questions:

1.      What is the role of SCM in retail companies?

2.      What challenges are of greatest concern to retailers?

3.      What capabilities must retailers develop and leverage to achieve supply chain excellence?

The results suggest that retailers are expanding the role of SCM within the organization. According to the survey analysis, “While they remain responsible for cost efficient fulfillment of store orders, retail SCM executives are now highly engaged in strategic planning at the highest levels of the organization.” We found this to be evident with Symposium participants. We welcome your comments regarding the trend in your own company. How has your role evolved?

-Jennifer Johnson, National Account Executive

Our Ninth Annual Best Practices Symposium will feature speaker, Brian Gibson, Ph.D., Professor of Supply Chain Management at Auburn University. Gibson will present a recent study conducted by researchers at the university. Co-sponsored by Fortna, RILA and the Auburn University College of Business, the study provides insights into major supply chain challenges currently facing the retail industry and how retailers can successfully overcome these challenges.

A thought-provoking discussion regarding supply chain best practices will follow, focused on present conditions affecting supply chain processes.

The Symposium, cosponsored by Koch Logistics and Store Opening Solutions, Inc., will provide valuable insight into how retailers can do more with less. Learn more at http://www.storeopeningsolutions.com/symposium10requestinfo.htm.

It’s not too late to join us January 27-29 in Marco Island, Florida.

-Jennifer Johnson, National Account Executive

We will be exhibiting at GlobalShop, scheduled March 10-12, 2010 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. Mark your calendars to attend the largest store design and at-retail marketing show in the United States which brings you the latest in retail and store design, store planning and the best technology for the in-store experience. And be sure to stop by our booth, #4230. We’d like to share the latest on how we deliver smarter supply chain connections.

Registration is now open, but check back to our blog in the next few weeks for a promotional code for a reduced rate.

-Jennifer Johnson, National Account Executive

This January Koch Logistics will cosponsor the Ninth Annual Best Practices Symposium. Koch will be teaming up with Store Opening Solutions, Inc. to host discussions among retail leaders regarding industry challenges and the most recent technologies and practices available to help retailers achieve more results with less.

We hope you can join us for this best practices forum amongst a retail peer group interested in improving performance in these areas: new store openings, remodels, rollouts, fixtures, store closings, relocations and reverse logistics.

The Symposium will include featured speaker, Ken Buschle, LEED professional and accredited architect by the U.S. Green Building Council. Buschle was the 2008 recipient of the Southwest Florida American Institute of Architects “Architectural Achievement” award. Symposium facilitator, Mary Ann O’Neil, has led workshops in the US and internationally on leading and managing and is the Founding Principal of One to One Leadership.

The Symposium is scheduled January 27-29, 2010 in Marco Island, FL. Learn more and request an invitation by visiting http://www.storeopeningsolutions.com/symposium10requestinfo.htm

Are you evaluating your current practices? We encourage your comments or experiences.

-Jeff Faust, Vice President & General Manager

Now more than ever, the work carried on charitable activities offer important resources for our communities. Koch Logistics is pleased to partner with our customers as they support these leading foundations and non-profits.

The Petco Foundation promotes a variety of educational and charitable activities nationwide by partnering with local animal welfare organizations at the grassroots level. The PETCO Foundation has raised more than $49 million through a combination of fundraisers including Tree of Hope, Spring A Pet, Round Up and KIND News. Koch Logistics works with Store Opening Solutions in their support of The Petco Foundation.

The Rite Aid Foundation is dedicated to helping people in the communities Rite Aid serves lead happier, healthier lives. Rite Aid provides funding to programs that focus on health and wellness in the communities in which Rite Aid operates, and awards grants to community organizations.

The Best Buy Children’s Foundation supports and strengthens communities by contributing to a variety of organizations and programs that foster engaged, fun learning experiences for children through the use of interactive technology.

The CVS Caremark Golf Classic Charity is an annual golf tournament hosted by PGA TOUR players Billy Andrade and Brad Faxon, and is Rhode Island’s largest charitable sporting event. During the past 10 years, the CVS Caremark Charity Classic has raised $12 million for charities around the region, providing vital funding for a variety of critical programs in the areas of education, family and children’s issues.

The American Heart Association is committed to building healthier lives free of heart disease and stroke and raising awareness of these diseases, the nation’s #1 and #3 killers. As part of their mission, they focus on specific causes designed to help people achieve a heart-healthy lifestyle. Each cause—Go Red for Women, Start!, Alliance for a Healthier Generation and Power to End Stroke—reaches out to the public with resources and information to help them take positive action. Koch Logistics partners with Ross Stores in working with The American Heart Association.

Christina’s Smile Children’s Dental Clinic is a non-profit mobile dental care facility that provides free dental care to children in need. Identified through social and community service organizations, children receive comprehensive dental treatment at no charge. In cooperation with the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour, approximately 40 children are treated each day.

Because He Lives Ministries is a multi-purpose human service organization dedicated to promoting the development of family services. Based in Rhode Island, Because He Lives Food Kitchen provides meals to those in need during lunch and dinner hours.