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Smarter Alliance Gives Store Opening Solutions the Edge
Problem: Find a 3PL Partner to Deliver Seamless Support
Store Opening Solutions (SOS) knows how to deftly serve the install and merchandising needs of national retailers such as Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Sears. But knowledge is just part of the supply chain management equation. To deliver its know-how and help retailers manage all of their logistical needs with consistent precision, SOS needed a strategic alliance to provide highly reliable transportation as retailers open new stores, remodel existing sites and reset the customer shopping experience.
Solution: Smarter Connections Forges Single-Source Advantage
When SOS sought a partner to enhance its capabilities with logistics and shipping expertise, Koch Logistics was the obvious choice. Having previously worked with Koch to arrange warehousing and shipping fixtures for a retailers’ in-store development needs, SOS knew they would be the smart and responsive 3PL.
“Koch achieves on-time delivery rates that exceed 99.5 percent every year and they always do exactly what they say they’re going to do,” said Dale Dickey, SOS senior executive. “With Koch Logistics, we offer complete supply chain management with a single point of contact to coordinate warehousing, installation, transportation, construction services and merchandising. No other provider can provide the level of efficiency or precision we do.” This single source relationship removes the pain for retailers that typically juggle multiple carriers, construction crews and fixture vendors. Backed by the Koch team – 14 Koch employees work on-site at SOS – SOS helps retailers benefit through greater certainty and control of the supply chain with better cost efficiency. Stores reopen more quickly without costly and wasteful delays. And when problems arise, just one phone call solves the situation. “There are new challenges in retail,” said Dickey. “To boost same-store sales, retailers now must keep the experience fresh for consumers. Existing store remodels must be completed in less time to minimize disruptions for the consumer. Our single point of contact along with our strategic alliance with Koch makes that happen like no one else.” Together, SOS and Koch have transitioned Eckerd Pharmacies into CVS stores across the United States. When Rite Aid purchased the remaining Eckerd stores, they chose SOS with its strategic partner Koch because no other supply chain manager offered single source, said Dickey. “When you look at SOS and Koch, you see one company. We’re a highly coordinated team that shares everything and gets the job done,” said Dickey. Result: Retailers Grow and Save
SOS counts among its biggest successes its ability to perform at a consistently high level for every customer—big or small. Koch’s dedication to being a smart, on-time and responsive partner has played a big part in SOS’ success.
A good example was when the SOS and Koch team, always with an eye on speed and precision, converted 110 Quality stories into Tractor Supply stores in 110 days. Since that transition, Tractor Supply has grown from 310 to 834 stores making it the nation’s largest farm and ranch chain. While retailers like Tractor Supply might expect to pay a hefty price to convert so many stores so quickly, working with SOS and Koch actually drives down cost. “Koch has helped us perform at the same high level for so many years, no matter what the project, no matter the size of the company,” said Dickey. |
