EXECUTIV - Burris Logistics

White PaperI S S U E
3
EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS
t
produced by
Supply Chain Optimization, Re ailLeader
Develop
Customized
Done
YouraWay
Burris
offers Custom
Retail Distribution
tailored for
Supply
Chain
Solution—Your
Way
exceptional perishable service
PRODUCED BY
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on enhancing
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systems, physical
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andand
regulatory
“As
is
evidenced
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most
For retailers focused on meeting consumer demand today, intothe organization’s
food safety expertise
to attain
the exceptional service
brand,”required
says Holmes.
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recent
global
survey
changing
consumer
buying
2020, and
beyond
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model is a a supply
today’s
customers
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chain,
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(www.pwc.com/totalretail),
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competitive zations do this. It can, for example, reduce the amount
advantage
andembracing
supply chain
optimization
strategiesand
geared
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the
world are
the
online marketplace
of capital
and overhead needed. It can give organizatoward cost
and
customer
satisfaction.
has taken its many decades of experience as a wholesaler and
looking
for efficiencies
new ways to
leverage
their
purchasingToday’s
tions
the
boost
they need to communicate their mesInternet says
empowered,
smart
phonemanaging
wielding consumers
combined it with the expertise it has gained as a specialized
power,”
Jeffrey L.
Holmes,
director, expect
sage to
a wider audience
of potential
customers
while Retail
and demand more fresh, natural,
third-party
logistics provider
to create
the Custom
PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP. organic, ethnic, and local
also
ensuring
that
current
customers
keep
coming
choices – and all at competitive prices. As consumer awareness
Distribution (CRD) service. Donnie Burris, CEO of Burris
win-win
proposition
onCRD
everyservice
front.”allows Burris to create
In
are finding
theyon
need
to chain back–a
andaddition,
demand supermarkets
places unprecedented
pressure
supply
Logistics,
explains
that the
Maximizing your resources
performance; how do retailers deliver efficiently and effectively?
dedicated, highly customized supply chain solutions that put
Burris’s temperature controlled, dedicated fleet gets perishables onto shelves faster.
Consumers continue to become more sophisticated in their demands for fresh foods.
BURRIS LOGISTICS BURRIS LOGISTICS
BURRISLOGISTICS.COM
BURRISLOGISTICS.COM
ISSU E 3
EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS
t
the retailer completely in control, and at the same time
provide clear visibility for both product and distribution
costs. “This frees up the retailer’s financial and human
capital to focus on creating a compelling shopping
experience for their customers, while Burris handles
the procurement, warehousing, and transportation
responsibilities,” he says.
Delmarva Peninsula and Philadelphia some 90 years ago.
With transportation deeply rooted in its DNA, Burris’s
dedicated fleet services are laser focused on maximizing
consumer service levels. Burris consistently makes
significant investments to provide state of the art
PRODUCED
BY
dedicated fleets
for its customers.
The next generation of
efficient transportation assets is already serving clients at
Burris Logistics.
Re ail Leader
Develop a Customized
Supply Chain Solution—Your Way
The 5th generation family owned business established
in 1925 in humble beginnings now ships millions of
cases each week. The company’s long-term success can
be attributed to its customer service focus, commitment
to excellence and continuous improvement, and its
flexibility and agility in meeting the changing needs
Even
the overallMr.
economy
back to a“We
“new
of its as
customers.
Burriscreeps
also shares:
invest devote increasing resources to reacting and respondnormal,”
challenges
providing
topand
quality
in many the
assets
to serveofour
partners
take fresh
a long- ing to the many outside factors that impact both their
products
to shoppers
showso.
no signs
abating.
Wellterm approach
in doing
Whileofthese
assets
certainlycustomers and their suppliers: growing demand for
informed,
empowered
consumers
are
likely
to
become
include capital-intensive facilities and fleets, we also natural/organic products, uncertainty about GMOs,
even
more
sophisticated
in their
demands for
perishinvest
substantially
in the
development
of our
people SKU proliferation, changing food safety regulaables
as
the
market
evolves
to
accommodate
them.
and continuous improvements in technology. We are tions, and distribution and supply chain technology
also fully dedicated to process reengineering and driving
advancements, among others.
Retailers are also facing competition from new sources
efficiencies through a team of industrial engineers that
aggressively
catering
to customers
consumers’ and
desires
a varietyto
positively impact
our
ourfor
capacity
Maximizing your resources
of
fresh
foods.
Amazon,
convenience
stores,
home
serve them more efficiently. At the same time, we never The Procurement Team at Burris is comprised of
delivery
and
other
options
are
all
making
it
easier
for
sacrifice quality or our commitment to food safety and In this
knowledgeable
professionals
years ofgoods
experience in fresh
kind of competitive
climate,with
“consumer
consumers
integrity.” to satisfy some of their perishables needs
product
procurement
and
sourcing.
manufacturers and retailers must focus their attention
without setting foot in a grocery store.
on enhancing the customer experience and building
TheisProcurement
Team at Burris is comprised
of
Lets take a further dive into Procurement and Dedicated
“As
evidenced in [PricewaterhouseCoopers’]
most
the organization’s
brand,” says Holmes. “Outsourcing
knowledgeable
professionals
with
years
of
experience
in
Fleet Technology.
recent global survey of changing consumer buying
a
supply
chain,
when
done properly, can help organifresh product procurement and sourcing. They execute
trends (www.pwc.com/totalretail), shoppers around
timely inventory replenishment procurement services zations do this. It can, for example, reduce the amount
the world are embracing the online marketplace and
and all aspects of inbound logistics to secure products of capital and overhead needed. It can give organizalooking for new ways to leverage their purchasing
at the lowest possible landed costs. Through it all, the tions the boost they need to communicate their mespower,” says Jeffrey L. Holmes, managing director,
The Burris Procurement Service positions the company
customer maintains the desired level of control over sage to
a wider audience of potential customers while
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
as a conduit connecting vendors and clients seamlessly.
the vendor relationship, product selection, and deal
also ensuring that current customers keep coming
This allows retailers to focus on their merchandising
negotiation.
back–a
win-winand
proposition
onservice
every front.”
In
addition, supermarkets are finding they need to
strategies
customer
without the headaches
Collaborative Precision
Procurement
When in-bound orders reach a Burris state of the art
facility, a series of refined product flow processes—
performed by highly skilled and motivated work
teams—begins. These teams are directed by engineered
processes and assisted by various technologies to
maximize performance and efficiency. Incentive based
compensation for team members is determined by
quality, safety, and productivity. Burris’s proprietary
WMS integrates with each individual retailer ERP
system providing inventory visibility and transactional
seamlessness. All warehousing functions and
processes are performed with a company wide cultural
commitment to food safety and decades of experience
in cold chain stewardship. From facility design to
committed team members enabled by best in class
technology, Burris keeps products on the move safely.
Transportation is the service by which Burris was
originally established in serving routes between the
BURRIS LOGISTICS
Once sourced, purchased, and received, Burris assures
that customer store level orders are selected, loaded,
routed and filled with precision. Burris operates nine
custom distribution facilities located strategically
between Florida and Connecticut. These facilities are
designed for the unique needs of dedicated customers,
and provide ambient, refrigerated, and freezer
warehousing in 7 different temperature zones.
Burris has a long history of dealing with perishable
food products. Its customer-focused workforce assures
that cold chain integrity and proper product handling
from source to shelf. Food safety training begins during
orientation of new team members and refresher courses
are provided as part of this cultural commitment at
Burris.
The products processed through its distribution
facilities include produce, meat, seafood, dairy, ice
cream, bakery, deli, floral, health & beauty aides,
private label, and more. The facilities use the latest in
technology, including voice-directed picking. On the
software side, the distribution facilities incorporate a
proprietary warehouse management system, which
integrates seamlessly with clients. Additionally, elements
of the entire software suite are provided by best in
class suppliers, which are fully integrated to accurately
track all processes throughout the supply chain. An
experienced in-house IT Team supports all these systems
that accompany purchasing. Dedicated procurement
teams led by experienced professionals; supported by
a complete administrative staff at Burris, work with
vendors and clients in forecasting and demand planning
to assure all products are received in a timely manner.
The Burris procurement teams not only handle the
replenishment process, but they also work closely
with Burris’s logistics group to optimize network
opportunities within their customers’ supply chains.
“This is done in a way that is transparent to the
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BURRISLOGISTICS.COM
and connects them easily into customer workflows.
In addition to the dedicated warehouses, Burris
offers multi-client facilities to serve a wide variety of
distribution needs. Each facility can tie directly into the
Burris transportation fleet services to offer seamless
fulfillment and delivery.
Transportation on the Cutting Edge
Burris offers dedicated fleet services that are among
the best in the industry. Its fleet is company owned and
driven by team members. Just as with procurement and
distribution, the use of a dedicated fleet allows customers
to focus on their customer, brand, and products, while
Burris makes certain that delivery windows are met.
With a dedicated fleet, Burris customers dictate
delivery windows and times. Committed, well-trained
company drivers assure timely deliveries, assisted by
technology and a transportation management system
that provides load building and route optimization. Such
customization and control are key benefits of dedicated
fleet services that are not usually available with other
truckload carriers.
The new fleet of trucks at Burris Logistics also offers
innovations and systems that are second to none in
the transportation industry. The company has worked
extensively with Ryder to produce what are arguably
the most fuel-efficient and safest vehicles on the road
today. The fleet offers timely delivery, making certain
that customers receive their orders in a professional and
safe manner. The savings generated by this efficient fleet
assure that Burris remains competitively priced for its
customers.
Much of the attention on the Burris fleet has been
directed at improving the fuel mileage of its fleet. This
is a continuous process that benefits both economic and
environmental concerns.
“We service traditional retailers and small specialty
groups,” says Mike McGraw, vice president of
purchasing. “We also handle large box stores and club
stores as well. We maintain a minimum of 98.5 percent
service level. We take replenishment off their hands and
take on that burden for them so that they can be more
effective in their retail strategies.”
Consumers continue to become more sophisticated in their demands for fresh foods.
BURRIS LOGISTICS customer and they can just focus on us maintaining
a service level for them. Meanwhile, we work with
contracted carriers and the vendors to maximize
performance,” adds McGraw.
“We need to find ways to reduce our costs to help our
customers reduce their costs,” explains Gary Quillen,
corporate fleet manager at Burris Logistics. “We
run about 26 million miles a year as a company and
every 10th of a mile per gallon saved equates to about
$250,000. So we teamed up with Ryder and we came up
with some solutions that resulted in the spec that we
have today.”
Once sourced and purchased, Burris assures that orders of
the clients’ customers are filled accurately and in a timely
manner.
BURRIS LOGISTICS Quillen says that when they first started this joint
initiative of continuous improvement with Ryder, the
trucks were getting only about 5 1/2 miles per gallon.
BURRISLOGISTICS.COM
ISSU E 3
EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS
t
“And we thought if we could get to 6 miles a gallon then
we would really be doing something. Then we hit 6 and
then 6 1/2 and we went out and changed some more
designs and with reducing gear ratio we hit 7 miles to the
gallon. And now we have trucks doing 7 1/2 and some
doing 8 miles per gallon,” he says.
Cab extenders also close the gap between the tractor and
the trailer. The extenders feature flexible rubber at the end
that allows the driver to maneuver the vehicle. Skirting on
the trailer also channels air to reduce drag and improve
fuel economy.
PRODUCED BY
Re ail Leader
Lightweight parts are also used wherever possible in the
vehicle design to reduce overall weight. This helps to
further reduce fuel costs and allows for higher payloads
before the truck reaches its allowed weight limits.
Develop a Customized
Supply Chain Solution—Your Way
“The advantage to the Burris customers is that
transportation cost,” adds Art Trehan, senior manager,
national account technical support at Ryder. “It’s all about
‘What did it cost to move their product?’ And if we can
improve the efficiency of the vehicle, then what they have
As a result of these design initiatives, each new vehicle
to charge their customer for the transportation cost is
in the Burris fleet has earned SmartWay certification.
controlled. Everything we can do to control costs drops
SmartWay is a joint program of the Environmental
right
to
the
bottom
line
for
both
customers.
”
the transportation
Even as the overall economy creeps back to a “new
devoteProtection
increasing Agency
resourcesand
to reacting
and respond-industry to
recognize
vehicles
that
are
fuel-efficient
and friendlier
normal,” the challenges of providing top quality fresh
ing to the many outside factors that impact both their
The
Burris
design
starts
with
a
Freightliner
Cascadia
to
the
environment.
To
qualify,
a
vehicle
must show a
products to shoppers show no signs of abating. Welland their
suppliers:ingrowing
demand
Tractor that is aerodynamically designed to slip throughcustomers
significant
reduction
greenhouse
gas for
emissions and air
informed, empowered consumers are likely to become
natural/organic
uncertainty
about GMOs,
the wind. “Air has to move one of four ways – over, under,
pollution products,
as it moves
goods through
the supply chain.
evenor
more
sophisticated
in their demands
for air
perishleft,
right,
” explains Trehan.
“When the
hits the SKU proliferation, changing food safety regulaables as
evolves
to accommodate
them. to the tions, Both
and distribution
andthe
supply
technology
front
ofthe
thismarket
vehicle,
the design
is aerodynamic
the cabs and
newchain
trailers
deployed at Burris
point
where
even
the
mirrors
mounted
on
the
fenders
feature
low-rolling
resistance
tires
for
better fuel
advancements, among others.
Retailers are also facing competition from new sources
are aerodynamic. The space between the bumper and
economy. They also feature specialized mud flaps that
aggressively catering to consumers’ desires for a variety
the headlights has also been filled in, again to control the
channel surface water for reduced spray. This results
Maximizing
your resources
of fresh foods. Amazon, convenience stores, home
aerodynamics.”
in improved visibility and safety for drivers who are
delivery and other options are all making it easier for
the truck. climate,
The mud“consumer
flaps willgoods
not sail - instead
In thisfollowing
kind of competitive
consumers
to satisfy some
of their
perishables
needs a
Other
aerodynamic
features
of the
tractor include
they allow air, but not water, to pass through them
manufacturers and retailers must focus their attention
withoutroof
setting
in a grocery
store. cabin, and skirting
sloped
thatfoot
envelopes
the sleeper
aerodynamically.
on enhancing the customer experience and building
on the side of the cab to covers the fuel tank, which would
“As is evidenced in [PricewaterhouseCoopers’] most
brand,”also
saysworked
Holmes.with
“Outsourcing
otherwise protrude and cause turbulence. Now air is the organization’s
Burris and Ryder
the engine
recent global
of changing
consumer
a supply
chain, when to
done
properly,
help organidiverted
rightsurvey
past the
vehicle all
the waybuying
down to ground
manufacturer
gain
furthercan
efficiencies.
Automatic
trends (www.pwc.com/totalretail), shoppers around
effects.
transmissions
that
efficiently
change
gears
for optimal
zations do this. It can, for example, reduce the amount
the world are embracing the online marketplace and
driving
further
aid
in
reducing
fuel
consumption.
of capital and overhead needed. It can give organizalooking for new ways to leverage their purchasing
tions the boost they need to communicate their mespower,” says Jeffrey L. Holmes, managing director,
sage to a wider audience of potential customers while
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
also ensuring that current customers keep coming
back–a win-win proposition on every front.”
In addition, supermarkets are finding they need to
The new vehicles also switched to a direct drive
transmission instead of an overdrive transmission. Axle
ratios were adjusted to match the transmissions. Gear
ratios have been reduced and the engine has been downsped to have lower RPMs while maintaining road speed
and overall performance.
Also adding to fuel saving are engines governed for
maximum road speeds of 65 mph and automatic idle
shutdowns, which turn off the engine after 5 minutes of
idle time.
All of these innovations have led to a new industry vehicle
specification that Ryder now calls “the Burris Spec.” Other
customers have since asked for this specification on their
new vehicles as well.
“The partnership between Ryder and Burris continues to
grow. Burris receives the benefits of the fuel economy and
can pass those savings on to their customers,” observes
Ryder’s Trehan.
Safety First
The Ryder-Freightliner tractors also have numerous
features to assure safe operation. “We want to make sure
that not only do our deliveries get made on time, but we
do in a safe manner,” notes Quillen.
Among the major safety innovations on these new
vehicles is Meritor Wabco’s OnGuard Collision system.
The system uses radar to measure the distance between
the truck and the vehicle in front of it and warns the
Burris driver audibly and visually whenever a safe
distance is not maintained. If the cruise control is on, the
system’s Adaptive Cruise Control maintains a safe 3.6
seconds of following distance. It automatically adjusts the
throttle and applies the engine and foundation brakes to
assure this safe distance is kept.
In a similar manner, a Lane Departure system uses radar
to monitor both the road’s centerline and the white line
to the right. If the driver happens to drift one way or the
other without having a turn signal on, the system sets off
an audible alarm to alert the driver to remain in the lane.
Additionally, the trailers are equipped with roll stability
for greater safety.
The Burris design starts with a Freightliner Cascadia Tractor that is
aerodynamically designed to slip through the wind
Consumers continue to become more sophisticated in their demands for fresh foods.
BURRIS LOGISTICS BURRIS LOGISTICS
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BURRISLOGISTICS.COM
A Drive Cam system is also deployed in each new cab.
The system features two cameras, one pointed at the road
and the other on the driver. The cameras are continuously
monitoring the driving habits of the operator. In the event
of an accident, swerve, or jarring, the system provides
Burris with a digital file that shows 6 seconds of video
before the incident and 6 seconds afterwards. This allows
managers to see the conditions on the road, what caused
the incident, and what the driver was doing to avoid it.
Another innovation is the use of Ryder’s RydeSmart
GPS. This system monitors each vehicle’s operation using
accurate mileage and performance data. The overall goals
of the system are to improve mileage, reduce idle time,
and optimize fleet efficiency.
Using GPS, RydeSmart allows a manager with a web
connection at his desk or on an iPad to see where every
vehicle in the system is at any given time, providing
detailed information about the company’s long-haul
operations. It also creates automated trip logs and
paperless fuel tax reporting, as well as helps drivers to
comply with Hours-of-Service regulations. The driver data
the system collects can further help managers train and
coach safer, more effective operators.
Climate Perfect
Other technology used on the new Ryder trucks assures
that both operator and cargo always ride in optimal
conditions.“On our trailers, we use a temperature
monitoring system from Thermo King known as
TracKing,” explains Quillen. “TracKing allows us to
monitor the product temperature the entire time it’s on
the trailer. It also will give us an email or a text message
in the event that there is a problem with the unit, usually
before the driver knows that it’s happened. So it gives us
more time to react to that situation,” he adds.
In addition, the web-enabled TracKing allows Burris to
remotely start a unit to pre-cool it or to pre-trip a unit to a
set desired temperature - all remotely controlled from the
office no matter where the unit is in the country.
On the sleeper tractors, Burris uses Thermo King’s TriPak, which is an auxiliary power unit that allows the
company to save money by not idling tractors for long
periods of time when drivers are laying over.
“To sum it all up, our trucks are some of the most fuelefficient, technically-advanced and safest trucks on
the roads today,” adds Quillen. “This equates to lower
cost-per-mile, which keeps us more competitive for
the customer. And we need to get even better to stay
competitive. We are finding more ways to reduce our costs
to help our customers reduce their costs.”
Contact:
Maggie Owens
Marketing Director
Burris Logistics
501 Southeast 5th St
Milford, DE 19963
mowens@burrislogistics.com
(800) 805-8135
www.burrislogistics.com