"By choosing Menlo, we've been able to take advantage of the flexibility they offer in both multi-client and dedicated warehouse management. As our business grew and circumstances changed, our relationship with Menlo has reflected those changes," said Janell Fehlen, director of operations, Kettle Foods. "Menlo also shares our strong commitment to environmental sustainability, one of the top priorities at Kettle Foods."
Menlo is providing the staff, systems and equipment for the new facility, where activities include receiving, storage, inventory management and outbound distribution. The food grade warehouse is operating under the Lean philosophy of waste elimination and continuous improvement followed at Menlo facilities worldwide. Food grade certification requires meeting American Institute of Baking (AIB) rigorous standards for protection of the safety of the food supply chain.
"We began our relationship with Kettle Foods last year at our multi-client operation in Aurora, Ill., and that solution -- with its flexibility and scalability to expand and contract with a customer's business -- was an excellent fit for them initially," said Gary Kowalski, chief operating officer, Menlo Worldwide Logistics. "Due to Kettle Foods' rapid growth and success in the marketplace, a larger, dedicated facility became necessary and locating it near the company's manufacturing facility allowed them to realize savings in fuel costs. We're now leveraging our years of expertise to serve their unique business needs at the Wisconsin warehouse."
Kettle Foods' Beloit potato chip manufacturing plant was awarded Gold-level certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the US Green Building Council in 2007, in recognition of the company's efforts to minimize the environmental impact of the facility. Other Kettle Foods initiatives at the location include offsetting 100% of electricity use through the purchase of wind power and use of on-site wind turbines, recycling of used cooking oil into biodiesel to fuel some company cars, and filtering and reusing potato wash water.
Menlo supports the environment as part of an enterprise-wide sustainability initiative undertaken by its parent company, Con-way, Inc. It joined the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partner program aimed at reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions last year and is working to educate and promote green initiatives among its contract carriers. Menlo recently received a SmartWay Shipper Index Factor (SIF) of 1.25, the highest score awarded under the program. Today, approximately 85% of the company's total network miles are covered by SmartWay-approved carriers.
Founded in 1978, Kettle Foods is a privately owned company committed to producing great-tasting, all-natural snacks with a caring commitment to its employees, craft and community. Its manufacturing sites in Salem, OR, and Beloit, WI, produce more than 20 flavors and four varieties of potato chip offerings, five flavors of tortilla chips made with organic corn and a variety of nut butters and trail mixes.
