Streamlined operations, a performance-based management team and state of the art workforce technology all result in reducing costs, improving productivity and customer service levels as TZA delivers complete insourced operations for Focus Products Group
LINCOLNSHIRE, IL, March 22, 2011 – In a joint announcement, Focus Products Group, LLC, a kitchen and bath consumer products company servicing the Foodservice, Hospitality and Retail channels, and TZA, a New-Era affiliate, said today they have signed an agreement in which TZA will provide complete managed services support for Focus Products Group’s Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin distribution center.
According to Dean Duffy, Vice President of Global Supply Chain for Focus Products Group,“We have worked closely with TZA to develop an outsourcing model that will allow Focus Products Group to leverage TZA’s vast operational experience to implement engineered processes, optimize facility and equipment performance, utilize workforce management software as well as organizational development programs. This experience and delivery capability will result in lower operating costs and higher customer service levels for us. The transition at our Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin facility is already underway.”
TZA is providing its complete managed services that which include:
- Operations management team and workforce who are trained in TZA’s performance management approach
- A best practice approach to distribution process design, facility layout, equipment, and inventory optimization
- Use of ProTrack Warehouse and ProTrack Dashboard workforce management and reporting software, including support for engineered standards and performance accountability
- Organizational development and training programs for the existing Focus Products workforce designed to increase effectiveness and instill a performance-based culture
“A 2010 study clearly showed Focus Products Group the operational and financial advantages of transitioning the Pleasant Prairie distribution center to an outsourced environment,” Duffy noted.
“This is truly a collaborative effort between Focus Products Group and TZA and one that will provide us with tremendous operational and financial benefits. We can concentrate our efforts on designing and marketing great products for our customers with the comfort of knowing that TZA is driving continuous improvement for us across our Pleasant Prairie DC operation in support of our commitment to customer service levels for all Focus Products customers,” Duffy added. “TZA will implement operational best practices including engineered standards as well as manage the distribution team, train them, and apply proven labor management technology to help achieve labor savings, all under the guidance of an on-site, experienced TZA manager. It’s a win-win for all involved.”
TZA’s Senior Vice President Mike Schoenfeld said that the agreement “provides assurances to Focus Products Group that it will have the people, technology, processes, and performance standards that it needs to continue to provide excellent customer service, yet enjoy the benefits of a cost-effective, finely-tuned distribution operation. Our team is committed to managing every company’s distribution center that we serve as a lean, cost-effective and customer-driven operation. TZA’s engineering expertise, technology and organizational development capabilities deliver high performance operations and clear financial benefits for our customers. TZA’s 27 years of experience delivering high performance supply chain solutions is the key to our success with Focus Products Group.”