Millard invests in warehouses, seaports, value-added servicesBy Peter Buxbaum, AJOTShippers of perishable goods need the same transportation, warehousing, and distribution services that other shippers require. But because of the nature of their products all of these services include an added wrinkle and require expertise of providers who can maintain the integrity of the cold chain. A company called Millard Refrigerated Services takes an interesting approach to providing logistics services for perishable commodities. Its mission, said Tim Smith, the company’s vice president for sales and marketing, is to “help companies improve the way products move from factories to retail stores and restaurants by enhancing inventory management and controlling costs.” Millard does this by offering integrated supply chain capabilities, but it does more than that. the company maintains an in-house construction team to build state-of-the-art facilities for the use of its customers. The company also owns a seaport in Mobile, Ala., and has plans to expand its footprint in maritime transportation. Millard provides value-added services in the form of support for manufacturing activities at its facilities. “We work with food manufacturers, retailers and food service operators by instituting best practices in logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing execution,” said Smith. “We offer customized manufacturing solutions and work with companies that have a wide range of objectives, from market expansion to asset utilization, to optimize their production investment by building world class facilities with our in-house construction team, purchasing production equipment, and improving overall inventory efficiencies.” Millard owns and operates 36 locations with over 275 million cubic feet of space in 18 states and Canada. “These facilities act as load consolidation points to reduce replenishment times, improve retail in-stock positions, and lower supply chain costs,” said Smith. “Millard redistribution services simplify a manufacturer’s distribution profile by serving as a central distribution point for multiple customers and as a consolidating point for multiple items going to the same consignee, which can eliminate the need for less-than-truckload shipments.” The Millard facilities operate as third-party warehouses, enabling customers to outsource the warehousing and distribution of temperature controlled products. “Outsourcing allows them to focus on their core competencies,” said Smith, “and to direct capital toward marketing and research and development. They can use our expertise to get their products from factories to retail stores in a highly cost effective manner.” Among the best practices Millard employs on behalf of customers is a cargo consolidation program that enables the assembling more full truckloads so that there is less reliance on LTL. “LTL is expensive,” said Smith, “and full truckloads are more environmentally friendly. Our customers’ carbon footprints are much better when they use less LTL.” Millard’s full-line construction company “is unique in the industry,” said Smith. “We offer a series of leading edge manufacturing and packaging solutions. Our vision is to provide the best value in supply chain services through our people, our innovations and the knowledge base we build with our partners.” Earlier this year, Millard announced the opening of a new plant of its customer, OSI Group, LLC, attached to an existing Millard facility in Geneva, Ill. The new operation is producing branded and private label frozen entrée dishes such as Salisbury steak and chicken parmagiana, as well as a variety of frozen pasta products including lasagna. These items are sold to supermarkets, mass merchandisers, club stores, food service and other customers throughout the United States. “OSI will also use the facility as a consolidation point for shipments from other production locations to customers across the country,” said Smith. The OSI space attached to the Millard facility includes a p