Industry Distributors Share Best Practices At DC Workshop

Knoxville, Tennessee (April 17, 2006) - Distributor Members representing the Denver, Colorado-based PRO Group, Inc. and Des Plaines, Illinois-based Distribution America shared best practices at a Distribution Center Workshop here April 12-14, 2006.

Approximately 75 people attended the event, which included tours of the Wallace Hardware Company, Inc. distribution center in Morristown, Tennessee and the House-Hasson Hardware distribution center in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Brendan Sullivan, managing director for the FARM MART group and account executive for PRO Group, said there was a great deal of discussion about utilization of warehouse improvements for efficiency and accuracy.

Sullivan said the single largest cost center for many of the distributors' warehouse operations is trucking. The attending distributors discussed how to improve trucking operations for a greater impact on bottom line.

"Many of the discussions at the event revolved around human resources issues and issues pertaining to incentifying employees and maximizing productivity in the workplace when managing warehouse personnel," Sullivan said. "We saw a lot of great interaction between the distributors on many levels discussing ideas for operational improvements. The buzz was all about quality control and productivity."

House-Hasson Hardware Company, which is celebrating its 100th year in business, showcased its warehouse management system and order processing system to the attendees. Having recently expanded the warehouse again, Don Hasson, CEO, said House-Hasson developed the systems to increase efficiencies and work flow. "The new management processes have increased our efficiencies and have also helped us accommodate new items we have added to our inventory," Hasson said.

Steve Simpkins, warehouse and logistics manager for the Hazleton, Pennsylvania-based Bradley Caldwell, hosted the distribution workshop at his location in 2005. "It was gratifying to me to hear one of the distributors say that they implemented new techniques as a result of the workshop at our distribution center last year and that they have seen improvements in their operations," Simpkins said. During the meeting, John Cahill of Wallace Hardware said ideas shared by Bradley Caldwell and Bostwick-Braun helped him develop a highly effective productivity-based incentive program at Wallace Hardware.

Distribution America and PRO Group, Inc. also presented Wage & Benefit Survey Results and the attendees had in-depth presentations on backhaul opportunities and truck/computer communications systems.

Don Hasson; CEO of House Hasson Hardware Company welcomes DC Workshop attendees. Don gave a brief description of the history of House Hasson since its creation in 1906. (click to enlarge)		John Cahill, Vice President of Operations for Wallace Hardware, discusses the benefits of their warehouse management system to Wallace Hardware. (click to enlarge)
Keith Solomon, Receiving Department Supervisor for House Hasson Hardware, discusses receiving and replenishment procedures at House Hasson Hardware. (click to enlarge)		Bill Bollin, CEO of Toledo-based Bostwick-Braun Company (center) listens intently as distributors at the Distribution Workshop discuss their warehouse management systems. (click to enlarge)

Headquartered in Denver, PRO Group, Inc. (www.pro-group.com is a merchandising and marketing organization with purchasing power exceeding $3 billion through its 40 Member Distributors.

The Des Plaines, Illinois-based Distribution America www.daonline.com is a $2 billion plus buying and marketing organization, covering all 50 states with over 20,000 retail customers.

For More Information Contact:
Ruth Furman, Publicist
702-255-8288
ruth@ruthfurman.com
 
Steve Synnott, PRO Group Inc.
President & Chief Operating Officer
303-792-3000
steve.synnott@pro-group.com