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July 2010
Jim Chamberlain, DSC's director of engineering featured in workforce management videocast

Jim Chamberlain, DSC Logistics Director of Engineering

As featured speaker and successful practitioner on workforce management challenges, Chamberlain discussed improving productivity, employee retention, the aging workforce, contract negotiations, compliance with labor laws, and more in a live interactive video produced by Supply Chain Digest. The videocast, entitled "The Evolution of the 21st Century Supply Chain: Balancing Inventory, Workforce and Transportation" was broadcast April 13. To view this video, click here.

June 2010
DSC Logistics Named Inbound Logistics’ “50 Green Supply Chain Partners”

DSC Logistics has been recognized as one of Inbound Logistics’ “50 Green Supply Chain Partners” for 2010. Inbound Logistics editors chose 50 companies in several categories of logistics service provider – 3PLs, truckers, ports, forklifts, etc. – that they determined are truly “walking the walk” when it comes to commitment to supply chain sustainability. Companies were evaluated in part based on their internal sustainability initiatives, how they are helping customers achieve their sustainability goals, and how they measure or benchmark the results of these initiatives.

DSC Logistics has established a Sustainability Statement of Purpose and formed a Sustainability Steering Committee to measure company progress towards sustainability goals throughout their Logistics Center network. Additionally, DSC Logistics is a SmartWay^SM Transport Partner, certified as a logistics provider and as a carrier partner. In 2010, DSC is applying their sustainability initiatives in a more consistent way throughout the company so that good ideas are able to become best practices.

May 2010
DSC’s director of engineering speaks at March 18 CSCMP Roundtable

Jim Chamberlain, DSC Logistics Director of Engineering

Jim Chamberlain, director of engineering for DSC Logistics addressed a seminar at the 27^th Annual Spring CSCMP Chicago Roundtable entitled “The Vendor/Customer Partnership: Working Together to Maximize Performance." Chamberlain, considered an expert on workforce management challenges, and David Hansen, managing director of RedPrairie described the partnership and collaborative journey that DSC Logistics and RedPrairie embarked on starting in 2005. The results were improved DSC productivity, and building on their already existing culture of continual improvement and accountability. Improving workforce productivity is one way DSC helps customers reduce total costs.

DSC Logistics trains engineering leaders

(pictured above) Michael Wolfenson, Engineering co-op student; Boom Aramwatananont,
Solutions co-op student; Ann Drake; Sunil Chopra; Christina Dempsey, Engineer; Scott Morgan, Vice President, Transportation; Jan Paszczykowski

On January 28, Sunil Chopra, interim Dean of the Kellogg school at Northwestern visited DSC’s CEO Ann Drake and DSC’s Engineering Co-op Training Program. Since 1996 DSC has partnered with Northwestern University’s Walter P. Murphy Cooperative Engineering Education Program to help undergraduate students gain valuable engineering experience by spending time working on actual projects at real companies. As part of the program, engineering students alternate periods of study with periods of paid engineering experience. Over the course of the program, students complete anywhere from twelve to eighteen months of project experience, and are exposed to a wide variety of engineering concepts including facility layout, system maintenance, labor planning, metrics planning, and tool development. In recent years, co-op students have supported DSC’s Labor Management roll-outs by performing equipment time studies and observations. As a result of the success of the program, some of the students have even gone on to become full-time DSC employees!

April 2010
DSC celebrates 50th anniversary

The year 2010 marks 50 years since DSC Logistics was founded as Dry Storage Corporation on the South Side of Chicago. Founder Jim McIlrath believed in the principle of listening to customers’ needs and focusing company resources and capabilities on meeting those needs. In the early 1990s, Jim’s daughter, Ann Drake, a business entrepreneur with an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, joined the company as executive vice president of Planning and Culture and became its CEO in 1994.

Today DSC is a strategic supply chain partner to companies whose business interests circle the globe, including Fortune 100 companies who are leaders in consumer goods, food and beverage, healthcare, medical devices, electronics, paper products, tobacco, and other areas. DSC’s mission is to help customers achieve their business goals by managing change and information in the supply chain.

Read message from Ann Drake
Read DSC’s history

DSC receives “Most Valuable Partner Award” from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company

John Sapp, Sr. Manager, Global Transportation Supply Chain Mgmt, RJRT; Tim Martin, VP, Supply Chain Management, RJRT; Jeff Gentry, EVP, Operations and Chief Scientific Officer, RJRT; Michael Weinstock, SVP, Operations, DSC; Dan Delen, Chairman, President and CEO, RJRT; Scott Morgan, VP, Transportation, DSC; Tommy Hickman, SVP, Operations, RJRT; Craig Demarest, Sr. Director, Procurement, RJRT; Tim Childress, Master Strategic Sourcing, RJRT

At an awards ceremony and luncheon held February 11 in Winston Salem, NC, DSC Logistics received a “Most Valuable Partner” award from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. The award was created several years ago to formally recognize companies that go above and beyond in their work with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. DSC has been partner to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company since mid-2009. “For DSC to achieve this recognition in the first year is quite an accomplishment and demonstrates the quality and depth of our partnership,” commented Tim Martin, vice president, supply chain management for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

February 2010
Employees compile 120 ideas into Giant Green List
As part of DSC’s 2009 Founder’s Day Celebrations, CEO Ann Drake issued a challenge to employees all across the network to submit Green ideas that would promote sustainability for “Our Company, Our Customers, and Our World.” Employees responded by sending in more than 400 suggestions – from ways to save water and electricity to tips for reducing waste to habits that improve the overall environment. Their “We Think Greener” submissions were compiled into a “Giant Green Poster” with 120 different ideas. The poster, in tabloid size, can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking here.

January 2010
DSC Logistics wins Green Supply Chain award
DSC Logistics has received the 2009 Green Supply Chain award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive (SDCE) magazine. The award recognizes companies that "stand out for their projects to incorporate sustainability objectives into their own supply chains or to enable sustainability in their customers' supply chains." Submissions were judged based on the clarity and content of applicant's goals and strategy, the extent of the steps being taken, the impact of the results to date and projected results, and the form and presentation of the information submitted. The winners included leading manufacturing, retail, high-tech and logistics companies. “DSC Logistics is proud to be a recipient of the Green Supply Chain Award," stated David Kahlow, DSC's director of sustainability. "This recognition validates our commitment to sustainability as part of our corporate culture, as well as our commitment to enable our supply chain partners to achieve their sustainability initiatives."

In 2009, DSC Logistics established a Sustainability Statement of Purpose and formed a Sustainability Steering Committee to measure company progress towards sustainability goals throughout their Logistics Center network. Additionally, DSC Logistics was accepted into the SmartWay^SM Transport Partnership and was certified as a logistics provider and as a carrier partner.

"Even in the wake of the recession, 'sustainability' has become an essential focus for organizations that would seek to maintain their competitive advantage, protect their market share and preserve their brand image," said Andrew K. Reese, editor, Supply & Demand Chain Executive. "The 2009 Green Supply Chain Awards highlights this paradigm shift and the role of the supply chain as a key enabler of sustainability."

DSC donates food and toys for the holidays
DSC's corporate office held a three week toy and food drive in November and December. After the three week period, the combined total of food donated to the Self-Help Closet & Pantry of Des Plaines was 23 boxes, which helped assist their well over 400 needy families for the month. And the Toys For Tots donation was two very large boxes of toys and 3 red wagons to economically disadvantaged children for the holidays.

December 2009
Transportation Policy Symposium features talk by DSC CEO
At the Third Annual William O. Lipinski symposium on Transportation Policy held in Chicago in early November, DSC’s CEO Ann Drake spoke about “Crossing the Boundaries to a 21st Century Transportation system.” She described the role of supply chain management in the entire transportation spectrum and gave examples of how modeling methods help companies design their distribution networks. Drake also spoke about the megaregion model for planning, policy-making, and funding and suggested that holistic, systems thinking and collaboration are needed to make most of the Great Lakes Region’s potential for future competitiveness and prosperity. The Symposium, entitled “Moving the Goods: Chicago and the Nation’s Freight,” was sponsored by Northwestern University ’s Infrastructure Technology Institute in collaboration with the Transportation Center.

November 2009
DSC launches project to save 644,000 pages of paper a year
As one of DSC Logistics’ most recent efforts to reduce paper usage, a new Bill of Lading (BOL) system has been put into place throughout the DSC network. Alert employees noticed that the typical six-part BOL is usually not needed, so DSC worked with the supplier to arrange for each Logistics Center to order a form with only the number of pages it needs. Good ideas like this one become best practices through DSC’s APEX (Achieving Performance Excellence) process. Reducing paper usage is part of DSC’s Sustainability Statement of Purpose: To adopt practices that promote the responsible use of resources throughout Our Company.

DSC CEO shares expertise at global CSCMP Conference
Ann Drake, DSC Logistics’ CEO, was a featured panelist in two sessions at the 2009 Global Conference of the Council of Logistics and Supply Chain Professionals (CSCMP). In the first discussion, focused on “Evolution of Outsourcing to Lead Logistics Provider,” Drake joined two other panelists -- the vice-president/supply chain of a Fortune 300 company that recently chose DSC as its Lead Logistics Partner and the supply chain practice leader from the consulting firm that designed and facilitated the selection process. They discussed how the lead logistics role will help position DSC’s customer for the future by reducing complexity of the supply chain and improving cost efficiency. The session was provided on the CSCMP track entitled “The Value of Aligning Supply Chain with Business Strategy.”

Drake also participated on a panel covering the topic of “Women in Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Leadership.” The discussion included trends relating to women in leadership roles in the industry, as well as personal insights into the challenges of leading others.

Coinciding with the CSCMP Global Conference, DSC honored two outstanding supply chain leaders with the “Thinkers & Movers” Award. read more

October 2009
DSC awarded top 3PL in Inbound Logistics and Food Logistics magazines

DSC Logistics was chosen as a 2009 Top 100 3PL by Inbound Logistics magazine and a 2009 "Top 70 3PL" by Food Logistics magazine. DSC has made both lists from their inception (Inbound Logistics in 1994 and Food Logistics in 2006). To select the 2009 Top 100 3PLs, the editors of Inbound Logistics interviewed companies and customers, as well as conducting online research. As Felecia Stratton, editor, Inbound Logistics explained "Today's business logistics leaders say they appreciate 3PLs that are proactive, take the lead in offering suggestions, and help transform the enterprise. DSC Logistics qualifies as an Inbound Logistics 2009 Top 100 3PL Provider because it has shown consistent results in transforming customers' logistics and supply networks, businesses, and enterprises."

For its 2009 list, Food Logistics selected 70 top 3PLs that help food companies optimize their warehousing and transportation operations, achieving results that include reduced costs, increased flexibility and improved service levels. DSC has partnered with leading food companies for more than 45 years, allowing their customers to capitalize on their experience and expertise in designing, managing and adapting integrated supply chain and transportation solutions. Current customers include Kellogg Company, The J.M. Smucker Company, Tata Beverage group, and Tree of Life.

Each year, Inbound Logistics selection demands a great deal of industry analysis, given the pace of change and the number of new entrants in the global outsourcing market. Inbound Logistics editors conducted a diligent process of evaluating the submitted surveys and speaking with companies and customers, in addition to conducting online research. "Tactical operational results are fundamental to 3PL value, but so is the strategic vision of experienced logistics providers," stated Felecia Stratton, editor, Inbound Logistics. "Today's business logistics leaders say they appreciate 3PLs that are proactive, take the lead in offering suggestions, and help transform the enterprise. DSC Logistics qualifies as an Inbound Logistics 2009 Top 100 3PL Provider because it has shown consistent results in transforming customers' logistics and supply networks, businesses, and enterprises."

Food Logistics, the only publication exclusively dedicated to covering the movement of product throughout all channels of the food supply chain, publishes their list of top providers that help food companies optimize their warehousing and transportation operations. This year, the magazine added 20 new 3PLs to the list. The top 70 3PLs offer a broad scope of services and capabilities that enable food companies to reduce costs, increase flexibility and improve service levels. "Food and beverage companies and their third-party counterparts are discovering win-win successes being felt throughout the supply chain – right into the back offices of financials, sales, marketing and IT,” explained Katherine Doherty, editor-in-chief of Food Logistics magazine. “Selecting the right 3PL is vital to the success of a company’s overall operations—it’s a long-term commitment. We’ve created this listing to help our readers find and evaluate 3PL partners that can help them achieve their goals."

September 2009
DSC recognizes outstanding leaders with supply chain “Thinkers & Movers” award

DSC Logistics has announced the first two recipients of the newly established “Thinkers & Movers” Award. At a special event coinciding with the annual global conference of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) in Chicago on September 20-23, DSC’s CEO Ann Drake presented the award to Ralph Drayer, former chief logistics officer of Procter & Gamble, and Dr. Nancy Nix, executive director of the EMBA program and associate professor, supply chain practice in the Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University. According to Drake, “This award celebrates the relatively new role of the supply chain as a powerful strategic business tool – and the individuals whose thought leadership helped inspire and achieve the transformation.”

for more information on the award, click here

August 2009
DSC Logistics becomes a SmartWay^SM Transport Partner

DSC has been accepted into the SmartWay^SM Transport Partnership, an innovative collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the freight industry designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, and improve energy security. DSC has received certification in two areas; as a logistics provider and a carrier partner. As a logistics partner, DSC achieved the highest available score that less than 10% of new partners are awarded. Typically, a company has been in the program for some time and begun implementing items on their action plan to reach this level. Companies that participate in the program fulfill the program’s requirements of reducing fuel consumption and lowering costs and are recognized for their social responsibility and leadership. more

DSC will contribute to the Partnership’s goal to reduce 33 to 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide per year by 2012 by improving the environmental performance of freight operations. Carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas, and nitrogen oxide is an air pollutant that contributes to smog. By joining the SmartWay^SM Transport Partnership, DSC is demonstrating its strong environmental leadership and corporate responsibility.

“The SmartWay^SM Transport Partnership is one of the many ways our company is exercising our commitment to sustainability. In 2008 we began working to become certified in the program. In addition, we implemented a number of high efficiency lighting projects at our distribution centers throughout the United States. To take our commitment to the next level, this year we are launching a corporate-wide initiative that focuses on what DSC employees can do for Our Customers, Our Company and Our World. DSC also has expanded our energy efficient building management practices and is working closely with our supply chain partners on inter-company initiatives that benefit the environment and our respective business plans," remarked David Kahlow, DSC’s Director of Sustainability.

DSC hosts Symposium on Chicago's exciting future
DSC Logistics recently hosted a Symposium called “Ready to Rebound in Chicago”. The speakers included Andy McKenna, Chairman, Schwarz Supply Source, who discussed Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympics, entitled "Will Chicago be the Site?", Ann Drake, CEO, DSC Logistics who spoke on "Chicago’s Future as a Mega-Metro Region" and Scott Garwood, Director, Customer Care, DSC Logistics who gave insight into "Flexibility for Changing Circumstances" and described DSC's new short-term space solution, FlexSpace. In addition, the Symposium featured a panel comprised of Steve Krueger, Senior Client Executive, Marsh; Tom Murphy, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution, RSM McGladery; and Lynn E. Reich, SIOR, CCIM, Executive Vice President, Colliers Bennett and Kahnweiler Inc., who gave suggestions and answered questions on "Smart Strategies for a Changing Economy." The event was attended by supply chain professionals and other business leaders from throughout the Chicago area and was followed by a networking reception.

(left) Andy McKenna, Chairman, Schwarz Supply Source; (right) Steve Krueger, Senior Client Executive, Marsh; Tom Murphy, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution, RSM McGladery; and Lynn E. Reich, SIOR, CCIM, Executive Vice President, Colliers Bennett and Kahnweiler Inc.

July 2009
DSC named as one of 100 Great Supply Chain Partners
DSC Logistics was selected as one of the "100 Great Supply Chain Partners for 2009" in the July issue of Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies magazine. The "100 Great Supply Chain Partners" program is the result of a six-month on-line poll in which logistics and supply chain professionals are asked to nominate vendors and service providers whose technology, logistics, transportation or consulting solutions have made a significant impact on their company's efficiency, customer service and overall supply chain performance. This is the seventh year DSC has been selected. Other recent awards for DSC include being named "Health Care Distribution Center of the Year" by Kimberly-Clark and receiving the "Supplier Achievement Award" from Philip Morris USA. In addition, DSC's CEO, Ann Drake, was named "Outstanding Leader in Industry" by the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT).

DSC awarded Tata Tea group's U.S. distribution
DSC Logistics has been selected as Lead Logistics Partner in the United States to Tata Tea group, currently the world's second largest tea company with recently unveiled ambitions to become a global leader in good-for-you beverages. DSC will offer supply chain and logistics support for Tata Tea group's three main products in the U.S.: Tetley Tea, Eight O'Clock Coffee and Good Earth tea and coffee. DSC will also deliver logistics support for Empirical Group LLC which provides tea and coffee to Tata Tea group's food service customers. As Tata Tea group's Lead Logistics Partner in U.S., DSC is working closely with the company to design and optimize its U.S. supply chain. Chris Robinson, Tata Tea group's U.S. Global Logistics Manager remarked, "DSC was awarded the Tata Tea group business for a number of reasons: their level of commitment, enthusiasm, professionalism, their consolidation program and design work, which proved to us that DSC sees themselves as a long-term partner and can support us in a new and exciting journey."

DSC opens Isolated Production Area (IPA) for Personal Care products
For more than 15 years, DSC has worked with customers -- including those in personal care and health care -- to meet special quality control requirements. A new addition to DSC's capabilities is an Isolated Production Area required for a variety of products, including feminine care products. The IPA is closed off from the rest of the Logistics Center, constructed of specified materials, and maintained according to a strict schedule. In this contained environment, products are packaged and wrapped to become ready for the shelf and the end consumer. Products also go through a metal detector to ensure there has been no contamination. These services take DSC beyond the typical responsibilities handled by third-party logistics providers and effectively make DSC an extension of the customer's manufacturing operation.

June 2009
DSC Corporate hosts Take Your Sons and Daughters to Work Day
DSC's corporate office hosted Take Your Sons and Daughters to Work Day on April 23. Twenty-one boys and girls participated in the educational program developed by the Marketing Communications group. As part of this program, the children interacted with various departments to learn about taxes, engineering, supply chain solutions and marketing, and they toured the Des Plaines Logistics Center. They also interviewed a panel of DSC employees in an activity conducted by the Human Resources Department to get them to think beyond the common stereotypes of the roles of men and women, on and off the job. They received goodie bags which contained products donated by DSC customer, Kellogg.

May 2009
DSC's McDonough I Logistics Center awarded Kimberly-Clark Health Care 2008 Distribution Center of the Year
DSC Logistics' McDonough I, Georgia, Logistics Center was awarded the 2008 Distribution Center of the year by customer Kimberly-Clark Health Care. The McDonough I Logistics Center outscored the other Kimberly-Clark Health Care facilities in the areas of picking accuracy, procedures, inventory (book-to-book score and random audit), repack and product damage. Their final score was 100%, with a book-to-book inventory measurement of 100% for the 12 month period. The Kimberly-Clark warehouses are scored on cost measurements, productivity, storage density, order accuracy, on-time shipping, procedures, inventory accuracy, a DC audit and total damage. This is the eleventh year that DSC has won this type of award. DSC’s Des Plaines and Roanoke Logistics Centers also performed well, achieving increases over their 2007 scores. Scott Martindale, global distribution analyst for Kimberly-Clark was on hand to present the award to the Logistics Center on March 24. He commented, “It has been a pleasure to work with the team at McDonough. The work they do on the Kimberly-Clark account is exceptional and we know that they are up to any challenge that comes their way. The Warehouse of the Year award shows their commitment to making sure the job is done the right way.”

Ann Drake honored as Outstanding Leader in Industry by IIT, becomes first woman recognized at the 14th annual event
Ann Drake, CEO of DSC Logistics, was named "Outstanding Leader in Industry" by the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) at the 14th annual Industrial Technology and Management Awards Dinner on Friday, May 1st. In presenting the award, IIT honored Drake for her visionary leadership as well as her professional and civic activities. DSC Logistics is one of the top woman-owned companies in Illinois, and Drake has transformed the company into an integrated supply chain management company with a nationwide network and partnerships with some of the country's largest and most successful companies. Read more about Drake's career.

Drake’s comments to the audience focused on “Beyond Industry and Technology: Reinventing America.” She described the need for a new mental model, encouraging leaders to think differently in three areas: envisioning America as a nation of metropolitan regions rather than 50 distinct states; improving diversity as a way of preparing for the global future of America; and learning to collaborate at all levels and among all groups. Read Drake's speech in its entirety.

Drake joins past honorees including Ronald Gidwitz, Helene Curtis; Barry L. MacLean, MacLean-Fogg Co.; Bruce C. Liimatainen, A. Finkl & Sons Co.; Rick D. Blasgen, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals; and James T. Ryan, W.W. Grainger, Inc.

April 2009
DSC's Logistics Center in Des Plaines welcomes seasonal customers
This goose and his family must have heard about DSC's FlexSpace, a new option that provides short-term space and services for unexpected needs. The geese are occupying a space of about four feet by four feet, with a short term contract for possible renewal next year.



Find out more about FlexSpace and how it solves a variety of situations such as seasonal spikes, special programs, cross dock activities, promotional events, inventory build or overflow, network rationalization or consolidation, and product recalls.

Drake has done extensive work on infrastructure, including being the Vice Chairman of the Business Advisory Council (BAC) for the Northwestern University Transportation Center, serving on the Board of Governors and formerly as Co-Chair of the Transportation Committee for the Metropolitan Planning Council. In December of 2007, she joined other leading business executives, economists, educators, and policy-makers from across the U.S. as a panelist at The Summit for American Prosperity: Washington and Metropolitan Areas Working Together, focusing on infrastructure and collaboration steps that must be taken to keep the nation competitive. The Summit, sponsored by the Brookings Institution, launched the policy phase of the Blueprint for American Prosperity initiative. Continuing in 2008, Ann was a member of a special Brookings delegation that traveled to Germany to study transportation and governance in that country.

February 2009
DSC showcases new Kellogg’s Logistics Center
DSC's newest Logistics Center, located in West Jefferson, Ohio, was showcased to DSC and Kellogg representatives on January 6, 2009. This 1.14 million square feet facility will hold 106,000 pallets of Kellogg's product. The Logistics Center has 100 dock doors, and room for 686 trailers. The building was designed with many energy efficient features and will utilize an all electric, fast charge material handling equipment fleet. The Logistics Center distributes to Kellogg's Morning Foods channels and Specialty channels, and provides mixing for six facilities in the Direct Store Delivery network. We will also be providing Kellogg with semi-automated value-added services such as modular pallet and display shipper building. Representatives from Kellogg and DSC who attended the opening included Kellogg's Mike McGrath, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain - US Snacks; Greg Ketchum, Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain Strategy; Dan Turney, Senior Vice President, Customer Logistics Services; Rich Dregne, Vice President, NSD Distribution & Transportation and Barry Smith, Vice President, Morning Foods Customer Service. DSC attendees were Ann Drake, CEO; Michael Weinstock, Senior Vice President, Operations; Scott Morgan, Vice President, Customer Care; Gregg Gill, Director, Customer Care; Rick Emerson, Group General Manager; Jim Heller, General Manager; Mark Piekarczyk, Logistics Manager III; Alan Tinker, Logistics Manager II and Steve Hubek, Logistics Manager I.

DSC uses Labor Management System to Improve Efficiency
DSC was featured in an article in Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies entitled “Warehouses: The Supply Chain’s New Efficiency Experts.” The article cited examples of warehousing trends and concerns and then pointed to improvements made by a number of supply chain management providers. DSC’s director of industrial engineering, Jim Chamberlain, was interviewed about the RedPrairie DLx application DSC has added to its own WMS. For the purpose of measuring each worker’s performance, the application provides DSC with standards for every function in the warehouse. DSC is able to monitor the quantity, weight and cube of each item, as well as how far the worker has to travel to reach it. After aligning best practices with actual performance, DSC has been able to increase variable labor performance by about 15%.

Ann Drake named one of twenty “Influential Women in Business” for 2008
Ann Drake, CEO of DSC Logistics, was named as one of twenty area business owners and executives “Influential Women in Business” for 2008 by The Business Ledger. It is the 11th “class” of women to be recognized by the newspaper and its partner in the event, the National Association of Women Business Owners, Chicago Area Chapter, since the program’s inception in 1998. Drake was chosen because of her work in guiding DSC Logistics to become a dynamic network of integrated supply chain management operations, partnering with leading companies in a range of industries, including consumer goods, food, electronics, paper products, healthcare and medical devices. DSC is one of the largest privately owned third-party logistics providers in the U.S. and one of the top woman-owned businesses in Illinois. Drake is also Vice Chairman of the Business Advisory Council (BAC) for the Northwestern University Transportation Center. She also serves on the Board of Governors and formerly Co-Chair of the Transportation Committee for the Metropolitan Planning Council. She was a panelist at the Brookings Institution’s Summit for American Prosperity. She serves on the Board of A.M. Castle & Co. and the Committee of 200. She is a member of The Chicago Network, the Commercial Club of Chicago, the Economic Club of Chicago, and the Council for Supply Chain Management (CSCMP). The honorees were recognized at an awards lunch on November 6, 2008.

What it means to have a strong partnership in a weak economy
If there has ever been a need for creative thinking and collaborative problem-solving, it is now. At a time like this, in the area of supply chain management, there is a major difference between having a logistics “provider” and having a logistics and supply chain “partner” – and that difference can impact the ability of your company to make the right move at the right time. At DSC Logistics, we believe that a strong supply chain partner should be:

• Advancing your strategies (and this means understanding your overall business goals as well as your day-to-day objectives)
• Increasing your flexibility by being ready and able to rethink, reconfigure, and redeploy resources as your needs change.
• Exploring options with you and contributing information and knowledge that enable smarter and more timely decision-making.

The right supply chain partner will be able to apply experience and expertise to weigh options along with you. Providers sit back and wait for instructions; partners keep thinking of ways to help accomplish better results for their customers. But a great partnership doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a progression. It’s a learned behavior. It’s a process based on communication and trust. If you’d like to know more about DSC’s Partnership Process and how we work together to help you achieve your goals, click here.

January 2009
DSC identifies supply chain options to address economic challenges
In light of current economic conditions – including unpredictable fuel costs, higher raw material costs, lower consumer spending, tighter capital, fluctuating exchange rates, and growing uncertainty about the future – DSC Logistics highlights these supply chain strategies as options worth considering:

1. Identifying ways to shorten the distance between points along your distribution channel – manufacturing to warehouse to customer. Some companies are moving manufacturing back onshore; some others are adding warehouses in more regions, moving closer to the customer.
2. Rethinking your transportation strategy to include shorter hauls and less expensive modes (i.e. land instead of air).
3. Working with a supply chain/transportation partner who can consolidate truckloads by combining your shipments with their other customers.
4. Eliminating the extra miles it takes to get your product to a co-packer and back by handling value added services where the products are warehoused.
5. Reviewing inventory strategies, such as delaying deployment and reducing safety stock levels, to identify potential savings.
6. Outsourcing warehousing and/or transportation; companies are looking at this option to cut costs and reduce assets. The right supply chain partner will be able to apply experience and expertise to weigh options along with you.

   Read more about why it pays to have a strong partnership in a weak economy

Ann Drake speaks at CEO event about teamwork and leadership
At a roundtable discussion sponsored by Chief Executive Magazine, DSC’s CEO Ann Drake was one of five CEOs who addressed the topic “How Effective is Your Senior Leadership Team.” The program was held on July 17, 2008, in New York City, the day after the magazine held its CEO of the Year award dinner. The other CEOs who participated in the roundtable included Farooq Kathwari, chairman, president and CEO of Ethan Allen; Jane Landon, chief information officer, City of New York; Ronald Naples, chairman and CEO of Quaker Chemical; and Andy Taylor, CEO of Enterprise Rent-A-Car. During the discussion, Drake described some of the initiatives DSC has taken to build teamwork and develop leaders who understand the broader business picture as well as the specific field of logistics and supply chain management. Strengthening senior team leadership has been one of Drake’s priorities since becoming CEO in 1994. Recently Dick Armstrong, a well known expert in the supply chain industry, wrote about DSC's executive team, "The DSC execs I met with recently, act like a team. They work hard together, plan well together, seem to enjoy what they are doing, and like each other’s company. The key seems to come from Drake herself… She is a strong person who is much closer to the operation than she used to be...Relationships are flexible within this group and cooperation is strong."

December 2008
DSC's CEO and director, employee relations, address Human Resources Management Association of Chicago
Ann Drake, CEO, and Mona Mounts, director, employee relations, for DSC addressed a Human Resources Management Association of Chicago seminar on "Challenging Economic Times: How Does HR Add the Greatest Value?" The interactive seminar provided expert insight and ideas from economist Eric Sanders on current economic conditions impacting financial markets, housing, oil prices, unemployment as well as a context for where we are now and a glimpse of what we can expect in the future. Drake shared DSC's strategic business decisions based on current economic conditions as a three leveled approach; the enterprise level, the strategic level and the customer level. Mounts related some of the innovative approaches the company has utilized to support corporate strategies, including the strategy of preparing employees to be "ready for anything!", and always "thinking better"! The Human Resources Management Association of Chicago is a forum for human resources leaders, practitioners, service providers and business executives charged with designing and delivering workforce strategies to drive superior business performance in the organizations they serve. The seminar was held on September 26, 2008 at the Navistar Financial WCC Conference Center, in Schaumburg, Illinois.

November 2008
DSC receives "Top 50 3PL" award
DSC Logistics was listed as a "Top 50 3PL" by Food Logistics magazine, the only publication exclusively dedicated to covering the movement of product throughout all channels of the supply chain. The list is compiled to help food companies optimize their warehousing and transportation operations, and the 3PLs are selected based on their broad scope of services and capabilities that enable food companies to reduce costs, increase flexibility and improve service levels. "Today, many food companies are outsourcing various supply chain activities to gain a competitive advantage,” explained Katherine Doherty, editor-in-chief of Food Logistics magazine. “Selecting the right 3PL is vital to the success of a company’s overall operations—it’s a long-term commitment." DSC has partnered with leading food companies for more than 40 years, allowing their customers to capitalize on their experience and expertise in designing, managing and adapting integrated supply chain and transportation solutions. Current customers include ACH Foods, Kellogg Company, The J.M. Smucker Company and Tree of Life. DSC has made the "Top 50 3PL" list every year since its inception in 2006.

October 2008
DSC's Houston Logistics Center takes on Hurricane Ike
On September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike made landfall just one mile per hour shy of a Category 3 Hurricane. DSC's Houston Logistics Center, in the path of Ike, lost their power for seven days. The Houston team pulled together, and with the help of the other DSC Texas Logistics Centers, who supplied a couple of badly needed generators, IT support, and supplies donated by customer Kimberly-Clark, the facility was back up and running in four days. The team’s efforts in preparing for the hurricane and securing the building resulted in minimal damage to the building and product. Working closely with customer MeadWestvaco, the Houston team prioritized loads and quickly regained lost ground. "Our partners at DSC worked quickly to assess damage, arrange assistance from other locations in Texas, and get a partial staff onboard as quickly as possible," remarked Tom Guerci, Manager Inventory Operations, Packaging Resources Group for MeadWestvaco. "The speed at which they returned to full operation was of great benefit to us and is greatly appreciated.

September 2008
DSC's general counsel speaks at IWLA warehouse law symposium
Verlyn Suderman, DSC's vice president and general counsel, was one of the featured speakers at the 2nd annual IWLA Warehouse Legal Practices Symposium. The event, held August 7-8 in Rosemont, Illinois, and titled "Protect Your Business and Your Customers: Managing Risk and Legal Liability for Today's Warehouse/3PL Operator", was designed to update members of the 3PL industry on new developments in warehouse and business law. Mr. Suderman and another 3PL company's general counsel co-presented several sessions during the symposium, including those related to disaster planning and response and 3PL contract issues. Over sixty logistics, legal and insurance professionals from across the country attended the symposium. Mr. Suderman, a member of the IWLA's Insurance & Legal Affairs Committee, also spoke at the inaugural symposium last year.

Ann Drake named by Crain's as one of Chicago’s “Who's Who" for 2008
For the 13th consecutive year, DSC Logistics’ CEO Ann Drake has been named by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of “the individuals who are shaping Chicago.” The annual “Who’s Who” list is comprised of top business leaders, lawmakers, educators, and other “movers and shakers” in fields such as the arts, entertainment, and politics. Drake, who also has been featured in Crain’s listings of Chicago’s Largest Privately Held Companies and Largest Women-Owned Companies, has led the transformation of DSC into a leading provider of logistics and supply chain management and partner of some of the world’s best known companies. She is also active in business and civic organizations, serving on the Board of Governors and as Co-Chair of the Transportation Committee for the Metropolitan Planning Council, on the Board of Governors for The Committee of 200, on the Board of the Center for Women’s Business Research, and as Vice-Chair of the Business Advisory Council (BAC) for the Northwestern University Transportation Center. Crain’s "Who's Who" list, published annually, appeared in the September 1 issue.

DSC challenges employees to keep "Thinking Better"
At a company-wide Founder's Day celebration held the week of August 18 in all 33 Logistics Centers throughout the network, DSC Logistics sent the message to employees that the way DSC employees think sets them apart from other logistics and supply chain management providers. DSC's CEO Ann Drake pointed to examples of quotes from customers recognizing DSC for "being proactive," for "constantly thinking ahead and developing plans," and for “understanding the business as a whole.” Founder’s Day celebrates the company’s origins which date back to the South Side of Chicago in 1960. The guiding principle of the company’s founder, James McIlrath, was “Do a better job tomorrow than you did today.” In the 1990s, Ann Drake led the transformation into a united logistics company that not only provides warehousing and transportation services but also collaborates with customers to design, integrate, manage and adapt supply chain solutions. Employees throughout the company also celebrated the company’s recent win of major new business from seven of its largest customers.

DSC selected as 2008 Top 100 3PL
DSC Logistics was chosen as a 2008 Top 100 3PL by Inbound Logistics magazine. Each year, Inbound Logistics editors select the best logistics solutions providers by carefully evaluating submitted information, conducting personal interviews and online research, and comparing that data to their readers’ burgeoning global supply chain and logistics challenges. Inbound Logistics' editors selected this year's class of Top 100 3PLs from a pool of more than 300 companies. Felecia Stratton, editor, Inbound Logistics commented, "Companies of all sizes rely on world-class logistics performance to stay competitive in today’s global economy. DSC Logistics provides the flexible, innovative supply chain solutions that companies large and small demand. DSC Logistics is responsive to customer needs, and offers strategic solutions designed to drive business process improvement and change. Inbound Logistics editors are proud to recognize DSC Logistics as a 2008 Top 100 3PL."

August 2008
DSC helps Turtle Wax win Wal-Mart's Supplier of the Year 2007
With the help of DSC Logistics' Joliet, Illinois, Logistics Center, Turtle Wax won the Supplier of the Year 2007 award in the Automotive and Tire & Lube Express category. Turtle Wax and DSC became partners in 2004, and DSC provides Turtle Wax with Transportation Services and Logistics Center Management Services, including Value Added Services out of their Joliet Logistics Center. "We are proud of the work we have done for customer Turtle Wax," Michael Weinstock, DSC's senior vice president, operations, said, "We strive to achieve their business goals, which include providing their customers with outstanding service. And for Turtle Wax to win this award reiterates that we are doing our job."

July 2008
Yamaha chooses DSC to implement strategic consolidation
Deciding to expand a partnership that began in 2003, Yamaha Corporation of America has chosen DSC Logistics to manage the Yamaha Electronics Corporation (YEC) business. YEC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation of America, markets Home Theater components and systems featuring audio/visual receivers, amplifiers, DVD/CD systems, speakers, mini-systems, video projection, and audio/visual and information technology convergence products. In addition to the YEC segment, DSC is Yamaha’s supply chain partner for the Band & Orchestra (B & O) and Pro Audio & Combo (PAC) divisions. According to DSC’s senior vice president of operations, Michael Weinstock, “Yamaha will realize new efficiencies through the consolidation of three business segments in one strategic location. DSC understands Yamaha’s business priorities and will continue to provide supply chain leadership in this valued and highly-collaborative partnership.”

Logistics publication cites DSC as one of Great Supply Chain Partners; features successful partnership with leading food distributor
A story highlighting how DSC Logistics has helped Tree of Life, distributor of organic, ethnic, specialty and gourmet foods, gain control of its supplier base appears in the July issue of Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies. The issue also lists DSC among its "100 Great Supply Chain Partners." The story describes the way DSC manages transportation and consolidation for Tree of Life in the Northeastern quadrant of the U.S. and quotes Chris Sieburg, vice president of transportation for Tree of Life, as saying, "Since Tree of Life selected DSC as our supply chain partner, DSC has been extremely innovative, flexible, and responsive....We have saved more than one million dollars a year through our new partnership with DSC." more

DSC's CEO participates in panel for The Summit for American Prosperity
Ann Drake, CEO of DSC Logistics, joined other leading business executives, economists, educators, and policy-makers from across the U.S. as a panelist at The Summit for American Prosperity: Washington and Metropolitan Areas Working Together. The Summit, sponsored by the Brookings Institution, launched the policy phase of the Blueprint for American Prosperity initiative. The panel, “Driving Competitiveness: A Transportation Policy for the 21st Century,” explored what fundamental transportation reform means for metropolitan America and discussed policy options to support evidence-based, values-driven decision-making. Others who attended the Summit included Edward G. Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania; Michael Porter, Professor, Harvard Business School; Henry Cisneros, Chairman, CityView, former HUD Secretary; James Johnson, Vice Chairman, Perseus LLC, former Chairman and CEO, Fannie Mae; Dale E. Bonner, Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing, State of California; Michael Mandel, Chief Economist, Business Week; James Traub, Contributing Writer, New York Times Magazine, and Greg Nickels, Mayor of Seattle.

The Blueprint for American Prosperity is a multi-year initiative to promote an economic agenda for the nation that builds on the assets—and centrality—of America’s metropolitan areas. The Blueprint will put forth an integrated policy agenda and specific federal reforms that give cities, suburbs, and metro areas the tools they need to leverage their economic strengths, grow in environmentally sensitive ways, and create opportunities to build a strong and diverse middle class. The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Their mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide innovative, practical recommendations that advance three broad goals: strengthen American democracy, foster the economic and social welfare, security and opportunity of all Americans and secure a more open, safe, prosperous and cooperative international system. The kick-off event was held June 11 - June 12, 2008 in Washington, DC.

June 2008
Companies choose DSC Logistics to implement strategic initiatives
DSC Logistics is currently taking on expanded responsibilities for existing customers on projects representing a combined total of $40 million of new business for DSC. Each of the companies implemented a key strategic initiative through collaboration and supply chain design and execution. “In this challenging economy, more and more companies are utilizing their supply chain as a creative and flexible function to achieve their business service and cost reduction goals,” said Ken Heller, DSC’s vice president, supply chain excellence. “Whether the initiative is new outsourcing or consolidation or expansion of a network, trust becomes a high priority for customers seeking significant improvements in service and efficiency.” The companies who have recently expanded their supply chain partnerships with DSC include Kellogg, Smucker, MeadWestvaco, Cardinal Health, and Yamaha.

DSC's CIO serves on panels at 10th Annual eyefortransport North American Technology Forum
Greg Goluska, CIO of DSC Logistics, participated in two panel sessions, "How to ensure that your IT department is aligned with your company's business/corporate goals" and "Future technology trends for transport & logistics providers," during the recent eyefortransport technology forum. On both panels Goluska joined other CIOs and vice presidents of technology in the discussions. Goluska also presented, "Attracting the Right Assets," discussing how the transportation and logistics industry has often struggled to attract the most innovative, creative, and cutting edge players to the industry and has not always made recruiting and retaining IT talent a priority. He offered solutions on attracting, training and retaining the best individuals to push IT and technology into a revenue position. Eyefortransport is a leading provider of online logistics and transportation information and services. The forum, held June 3-4 in Chicago, gathered transport and logistics industry leaders to discuss the latest IT, technology and ecommerce developments.

Customer MeadWestvaco expands transportation services with DSC
MeadWestvaco has awarded DSC Logistics Transportation Management services out of DSC's Florence, Kentucky, Logistics Center. DSC will manage three main lanes, with loads made up of rolled paper stock and transported, using DSC's asset based carriers, to Hebron and Lexington, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio. DSC provides Warehouse Management Services out of this location. The partnership with DSC and MeadWestvaco dates back to 2005, with DSC providing Logistics Center Management services for MeadWestvaco in Illinois, Georgia, Kentucky and Texas, and cross-docking services for their finished goods division in North Carolina.

May 2008
DSC’s CIO describes growing technology needs of customers
Greg Goluska, chief information officer for DSC Logistics, recently highlighted dramatic trends in the role technology plays in supply chain management. In DSC’s in-house publication, Goluska identified nine key phenomena, including the “just-in time” culture that drives demand and the emerging opportunity to do “what if” planning based on patterns of information. Noting that DSC operates “right at the center of the supply chain – right at the intersection of Customer Driven Demand and Product Driven Supply,” he said that DSC has a number of IT initiatives underway in 2008 that will provide “greater functionality and efficiencies to our Logistics Centers and move us into a stronger technology leadership position in our industry.” more

DSC's Memorial Fund raises over $27,000 for the Memphis Boys & Girls Clubs
DSC Logistics' fund in memory of Marlys Peske, Leon Harbin, Jr. and Gregory Martin, three DSC employees whose lives were lost when a tornado hit the Memphis Logistics Center, was set up to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis. Ann Drake, DSC's CEO, handed the donation check totaling over $27,000 to Fred Smith, chairman of the Boy's & Girls Clubs' Central Board, during the 37th Annual Steak 'N Burger Dinner, April 17 at the Memphis Zoo. The goal of the Boys & Girls Clubs is "to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens." All contributions will go towards the new Technical Training Center, for logistics and distribution training. The dinner was also attended by Jerry Dolak, group general manager; Mona Mounts, director, employee relations; and Tracy Drake, director, Marketing Communications. DSC hosted two tables of family members of Marlys, Leon and Gregory.

March 2008
DSC honored as a Platinum Club member at customer Kellogg’s Million Dollar Club event
DSC Logistics was honored again this year as one of the founding members of The Kellogg Company’s Platinum Club at Kellogg's annual Million Dollar Club event on March 12, 2008. The Platinum Club is designed to recognize women and minority businesses doing more than $10 million in business with Kellogg. CEO Ann Drake, Mike Riley, vice president, regional operations and Doris Drayton, director, business development, attended the event, part of a two-day supplier conference focusing on sustainable growth for Kellogg's suppliers and encouraging suppliers to create their own supplier diversity program and widen the scope of opportunity for smaller diversity companies. Ann Drake, on behalf of DSC Logistics, accepted a Million Dollar Club plaque for 2007.

DSC's McDonough I Logistics Center awarded Kimberly-Clark Health Care 2007 Distribution Center of the Year
The McDonough I Logistics Center outscored the other facilities in the areas of picking accuracy, procedures, inventory (book-to-book score and random audit), repack and product damage with a final score of 99.3467% to win the Kimberly-Clark Health Care 2007 Distribution Center of the Year. They achieved a 100% score on the book-to-book inventory measurement nine out of 12 months, and 99.9% during the remaining three months. Shipping accuracy rate averaged 99.83% for the year.

Hanyard joins DSC as general manager
Annissia Hanyard has joined DSC as general manager of the Des Plaines and Chicago, Illinois, Logistics Centers. Annissia is managing all financial, operational and customer responsibilities for those locations. Annissia brings over 20 years of experience in the industry along with a proven track record of achieving results in progressive engineering and supply chain management leadership roles. Her career highlights demonstrate the ability to drive operational execution and customer service excellence within the 3PL industry as well as in Fortune 500 environments.

February 2008
DSC's CEO Ann Drake serves on leadership panel for BGSA Supply Chain 2008 Conference
Ann Drake was a panelist at the recent BG Strategic Advisors (BGSA) Supply Chain 2008 Conference. The panel, comprised of some of the industry’s most respected leaders, shared best practice solutions that helped them improve customer service, employee retention and profitability, and other strategies and innovative ways to overcome these hurdles and maintain their leadership position. The BGSA Supply Chain Conference gathers top executives of leading companies from all segments, ranging from warehousing and freight forwarding to specialty areas like packaging and niche supply chain technologies that are revolutionizing the industry. In addition, the conference provides a unique focus on key strategic ideas driving change in the supply chain marketplace. BGSA is a leading global investment banking and strategy consulting firm specializing in M&A advisory services for companies in the supply chain and logistics sectors. The conference was held January 28-30 in Palm Springs, Florida.

DSC mourns the loss of three Memphis employees
DSC mourns the loss of three of its employees who lost their lives when a tornado severely damaged the Memphis, Tennessee, Logistics Center, on Tuesday evening (2/5/2008). We are deeply grieved by the loss of the DSC family members: Marlys Peske, Leon Harbin, Jr. and Gregory Martin.

“We are currently focused on supporting the families of our workers who lost loved ones in this tragic event, as well as those workers who were injured and their families. Out of respect for the loss of our three DSC family members, we are flying all flags at our Logistics Centers at half mast for the next thirty days,” CEO Ann Drake said. “My thoughts and prayers are with each person affected by this terrible tragedy."

The Memphis DSC operations have been temporarily suspended, due to the condition of the Logistics Center and the resulting decision by the local government agencies to close it. We value our Memphis employees, and are committed to re-establishing our operations in the Memphis/Mid South area as quickly as possible. We have provided them with assistance to make the temporary transition as smooth as possible under the circumstances. We are extremely grateful to our loyal and dedicated employees, the surrounding community, as well as our industry partners and friends for all their support and efforts during this tragic time.

DSC named one of 125 most influential manufacturing technology providers in 2007
DSC was listed as one of the 125 most influential manufacturing technology providers in 2007 by Start-It magazine, and one of nine providers under the Logistics & Fulfillment segment. The list is designed to provide a snapshot of the industrial market and the companies with the greatest impact on its direction. The criteria include customer references, business-model strengths and execution, market leadership, and technology innovation through partnerships.

January 2008
DSC recognized as a top supply chain partner in 2007
In 2007 DSC was named a top provider in the logistics field by four leading industry publications. In July, DSC was named one of the "100 Best Supply Chain Partners" by Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies magazine, one of the "Top 100 3PL providers" by Inbound Logistics magazine and one of the "50 Leading 3PL Pros" by Food Logistics magazine. Transport Topics magazine included DSC as one of the "50 Top Logistics Companies" in their September issue. "In 2007 we have many examples of helping our customers achieve their goals through the management of change and information in the supply chain," said Ann Drake, DSC's CEO. "We know how to master change, to step up to the challenge of designing, integrating, managing and adapting supply chain solutions. To receive the recognition we did in 2007 from our customers and the industry reinforces our mission of being the preeminent sense-and-respond supply chain organization."

DSC's Iwata presents at Supply Chain Conference in Tokyo, Japan
Sawako Iwata, an Associate Industrial Engineer at DSC Logistics, recently presented at the Supply Chain Network Conference, in Tokyo, Japan. Iwata's presentation, entitled "Workforce performance management by 3PLs in the United States" highlighted the ways in which DSC defines their Performance Optimization Process with various actions, and by having engineering standards. She also reviewed how DSC develops those engineering standards. The conference is one of the bimonthly working groups under the umbrella of the Operations Research Society of Japan. The Society was founded in 1957 with the following goals: 1. study and develop techniques for Operations Research, 2. utilize and apply OR techniques to various problems in management of corporations and government, 3. exchange valuable information among domestic members, 4. interact with international organizations. The conference was held Friday, December 21, 2007.

November 2007
DSC's CFO nominated for the Chicago Athena Award
JoAnn Lilek, CFO, was nominated for the Chicago Athena Award. The award is presented to someone who has attained and embodies the highest level of professionalism excellence in her/his business or profession, has devoted time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community and actively assists women in realizing their leadership potential. Lilek was among 20 nominees honored at the 2007 Chicago Athena Award luncheon, Monday, November 5.

DSC Logistics hosts potential Chinese partner
DSC hosted a visit from the Chairman of the Board and other executives of the Chinese company, Guangdong Rising Assets Management Co., Ltd., on Monday, November 5. Guangdong Rising Assets currently manages 2.7 billion dollars of assets in various types of companies located throughout China and is exploring future American logistics partners. The Chinese company chose DSC based on DSC's reputation in the industry and the quality of DSC's website. DSC looks forward to partnering with Guangdong Rising Management in the future.

Jorgensen joins DSC as general manager
Richard Jorgensen has joined DSC as general manager of the Joliet and Romeoville, Illinois, Logistics Centers. Richard will be responsible for all financial, operational and customer responsibilities for those locations. Richard has almost 30 years of supply chain experience, with 10 years experience in global supply chain management and manufacturing. He has extensive expertise in warehousing, transportation strategy, inventory management, production planning, warehouse management systems, vendor management and customer service.

Ann Drake serves on Global Logistics panel
Ann Drake was a panelist at the 2007 Global Logistics Summit of Will County, Illinois, on September 18, participating in a discussion on what logistics organizations do to create value in a global economy. The Summit, one of the most comprehensive transportation conferences of the year, hosted a lineup of respected industry experts covering key topics in both individual and panel presentations. Ted Fishman, author of the bestselling book China, Inc.: How the Rise of the Next Superpower Challenges America and the World, kicked off the Summit with the keynote address. Other featured speakers included Tim Feemster, Senior Vice President & Director of Global Logistics for Grubb & Ellis, and Mara Swan, Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources, for Manpower. The summit featured topics including the impact of China as a leading trade partner, how the growth of a global economy is affected by efficient supply chains, using the supply chain as a competitive advantage, and the issues and impact of a diverse global workforce. As one of the fastest growing counties in the United States, Will County is experiencing the challenges that accompany any rapidly growing region--primarily infrastructure and transportation issues.

September 2007
CEO Ann Drake selected as a “Top-Idea Maven” by The Woman’s Advantage
Ann Drake, CEO, was selected from among hundreds of submissions to be featured in the 2008 Woman’s Advantage Calendar. The calendar will provide advice for women business owners from influential women leaders across the US and Canada. Mary Cantando, Growth Expert of The Woman’s Advantage, today announced that Ann’s advice will be included in the calendar which is to be released this month. "Ann's quote was selected because it was powerful yet easy to understand. Her idea is relevant to almost every woman in business today.” says Cantando. “Women business owners and those who dream of starting a business will learn so much from the advice provided by Ann and the other successful women quoted in the calendar.” The Woman’s Advantage 2008 Calendar, scheduled for release this fall, will provide sound bites of advice on key business issues including: organization, promotion, sales, and human resources.

August 2007
DSC’s CEO Ann Drake offers thought leadership in Supply Chain Digest
Ann Drake discusses key supply chain issues in the Expert Insight section of Supply Chain Digest. Ann’s column, entitled Supply Chain Inview, appears bimonthly and has covered topics such as collaborating with your supply chain partner and taking on responsibilities outside the normal supply chain arena. Supply Chain Digest provides supply chain management and logistics news, opinion and education; the publication's panel of expert columnists represent supply chain management and logistics thought leadership.

      April 2008 “Bids: The Good, the Bad, and the Only ” SC Digest more
      January 2008 “A Work in Progress” SC Digest more
      November 2007 “Why Focus on Pennies When you Can Save Millions?” SC Digest more
      August 2007 “Ventures Requiring 'Super' Powers” SC Digest more
      June 2007 “What We Don’t Know Can Hurt Us” SC Digest more

July 2007
Ann Drake attends Rockefeller Foundation's Global Urban Summit
Ann Drake was a recent delegate to the Rockefeller Foundation's Global Urban Summit in Bellagio, Italy, as part of the Regional Plan Association's "America 2050" initiative. RPA's America 2050 initiative will provide a framework for the public and private investments needed to accommodate the nation's growth and sustain its competitiveness in the 21st Century. Through discussion of trends shaping America's future development, the goals of the week-long summit were to craft a long term physical, policy and investment framework for America's future growth and development; to create a communications strategy for elevating these issues in the national dialogue for the 2008 Presidential election and to draft an action agenda for reforming federal policy to support cross-jurisdictional governance and investments in ten emerging megaregions nationally; and to formulate a research agenda for further exploration of key issues. The project, held July 8-13, brought together a select group of urban planning practitioners, scholars, civic and business leaders and environmentalists.

June 2007
DSC named finalist for “Best 3PL for Fast Moving Consumer Goods”
DSC is one of three finalists in eyefortransport's 3PL Awards in the category "Best 3PL for Fast Moving Consumer Goods."  Established in 1998, eyefortransport is a leading provider of online Logistics and Transportation information and services. Eyefortransport readers, restricted to 3PL users, were given six weeks to vote for logistics providers they believe to be "head and shoulders" above the rest. The overwhelming majority of voters said that the level of customer service is the single most accurate measure of a 3PL's value to its customer. Other attributes include the ability to act as a seamless extension of the customer's company...flexibility and proactive problem solving...delivering on commitments...effective communication...and a closer understanding of the clients' full supply chain as a means to proactively suggest new strategies. The winners will be announced at the 3PL Industry Dinner & Awards Ceremony at the eyefortransport 3PL Summit and Outsourcing Logistics Conference in Atlanta on June 26, 2007. 

May 2007
Ann Drake hosts international visitors for Women Business Leaders Summit (WBLS)
Ann Drake and DSC hosted Nevine Leheta of the Leader Group from Cairo, Egypt, and Asmahan Abboud, Aramex International, from Lebanon as part of the U.S. State Department’s co-sponsorship of Arab and American women business executives. The purpose of the visit on May 21 and 22 was to share experiences, exchange best practices and share management styles and business skills with partner companies. On Wednesday, May 23, Ann and her guests traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with senior level government officials and members of Congress, and attend special program sessions at Georgetown University. A private reception was held at the White House for the WBLS participants, and they were honored by an appearance from First Lady Laura Bush.

March 2007
Yamaha marches on with DSC Logistics, awarding their Band & Orchestra Division
Current customer Yamaha has expanded DSC’s logistics center management services to include their Band & Orchestra (B & O) Division. This new division will occupy additional square feet at DSC’s Joliet Logistics Center. The Yamaha instruments for marching bands and orchestras will join the keyboards, digital pianos, guitars and drums DSC currently handles. The Joliet Logistics Center will provide container unloading, each and case picking and drum drilling (drilling special holes so they fit on the drum rack used in marching bands) services. The B & O products will be shipped to schools and retail stores.

DSC expands locations with current customer Kimberly-Clark
DSC was awarded logistics center management services for a new Chicago-area facility by current customer Kimberly-Clark for their Professional division. The new Logistics Center, leased by Kimberly-Clark, will be located in Romeoville, IL. DSC will be handling the full line of Kimberly-Clark Professional products, including products and systems made for the washroom under brands like Scott, Kleenex and Kleenguard brands. DSC will provide the WMS and warehousing services, and will support small packaging projects.

CEO Ann Drake attends IWLA Annual Convention; Board member, Ralph Drayer, speaks
Ann Drake attended the IWLA 116th Annual Convention, March 4-7, 2007, in Hilton Head, South Carolina. DSC’s Advisory Board member, Ralph Drayer, spoke on “Collaboration—The Key to Supply Chain Transformation.” IWLA is a trade association of warehouse logistics providers that helps members run high-quality, profitable businesses. DSC has been a member of the IWLA since 1965.

February 2007
DSC partners with new customer Pinnacle Foods
Pinnacle Foods Group Inc., one of North America's largest packaged food companies and maker of Duncan Hines baking mixes, Log Cabin and Mrs. Butterworth's syrup, Open Pit barbecue sauce, Hungry Man and Swanson frozen dinners and Vlasic pickles, has awarded DSC Logistics a three-year contract for warehousing and distribution management services out of DSC’s Mira Loma and Tracy, California, Logistics Centers. Pinnacle Foods product will come from their manufacturing locations (six primary locations in the Mid-West and East Coast) and then be shipped to major retailers located in 11 states on the West Coast and Canada.  

DSC honored as founding member of customer Kellogg’s Platinum Club
DSC Logistics was honored as one of five founding members of The Kellogg Company’s newly-formed Platinum Club, as part of the annual Million Dollar Club event on February 28, 2007. The Platinum Club is designed to recognize women and minority businesses doing more than $10 million in business with Kellogg. DSC attendees included Ann Drake; Gregg Gill, director, customer care for Kellogg; and Doris Drayton, director, business development. Ann Drake was presented with an award at the Platinum Club dinner following the Kellogg Top 40 Suppliers reception.

DSC provides solutions for customer, Kimberly-Clark’s, “Network of the Future”
DSC was awarded an exciting growth opportunity with current customer Kimberly-Clark, providing logistics management services, including custom kitting, at a new Logistics Center in the Los Angeles, California, area. Kimberly-Clark will be combining two divisions into this location, Consumer and Professional. DSC will be handling the full line of Kimberly-Clark Consumer products, including Cottonelle, Kleenex and Huggies brands, as well as Professional products made under brands such as Scott, Kleenex and Kleenguard. Kimberly-Clark has been a DSC customer since 1992 and currently occupies space in DSC’s Logistics Centers in Arlington, Coppell and Roanoke, Texas; McDonough, Georgia; Des Plaines, Illinois; and Mira Loma, California.

DSC signs three-year contract for West Coast expansion for customer, Cardinal Health
Cardinal Health, one of the largest healthcare companies in the U.S., signed a three-year contract with DSC Logistics, beginning their West Coast expansion project. DSC will start up and transition Cardinal product into the newest Logistics Center in the DSC network, Rancho Cucamonga, CA. The new Logistics Center services two divisions within Cardinal Health—Gloves and Converters. DSC will be handling medical gloves, surgical masks, gowns, and other items coming from Asia and El Paso, Texas, and going to 50 Cardinal distribution centers and over 200 direct customers throughout the U.S. In addition, DSC will be providing "ETO Degassing," degassing of sterilizer products prior to stocking. DSC's relationship with Cardinal began in 2004.

January 2007
Ann Drake elected to Board of Directors of A.M. Castle & Co.
Ann Drake, CEO was elected to A.M. Castle & Co.’s Board of Directors on January 25, 2006. Founded in 1890, A.M. Castle & Co. is a leading global distributor of specialty metal and plastic products, value-added services and supply chain solutions. Its customer base includes many Fortune 500 companies as well as thousands of medium and smaller-sized firms spread across a wide spectrum of industries.

December 2006
Patrick Swartz promoted to vice president, Regional Operations
Patrick Swartz has been promoted to regional vice president. In his new role, he will continue to provide leadership for the Texas and Chicagoland Logistics Centers, foster a culture of continual improvement, open communication, customer satisfaction, and to grow and develop talent. He also has expanded responsibility as Consistency Executive for Kimberly-Clark. Patrick joined DSC in 1998 as a facility manager of the Arlington, Texas, facility. In 2000, he was promoted to a general manager position, responsible for all the Texas Logistics Centers, and was later promoted to group general manager in 2003.

DSC leaders discuss workforce and labor management success on Supply Chain Digest webcast
JoAnn Lilek, CFO, and Cheryl Tibus, former VP, Human and Organizational Effectiveness, and DSC field personnel are featured in a Supply Chain Videocast presentation from Supply Chain Digest™ and The Supply Chain Television Channel™. The webcast features DSC’s personnel answering questions about a detailed case study describing DSC’s experience going through work force and labor management change, discussing both the benefits and the challenges.

October 2006
DSC partners with new customer, ConAgra
ConAgra Foods, a manufacturer of well-known food brands such as Chef Boyardee, Swiss Miss, Butterball, Fleischmann's and Peter Pan, and provider of food and ingredients to major foodservice establishments and commercial customers worldwide, has awarded DSC warehousing management services out of the Arlington, Texas, Logistics Center.

DSC grows with new customer, Tree of Life
Tree of Life, the nation’s leading distributor of natural, organic, specialty, ethnic, and gourmet food products, has awarded DSC their Northeast Consolidation Center business at the Allentown, Pennsylvania, Logistics Center. DSC will be picking up finished goods from Tree of Life suppliers, cross-docking the goods in Allentown, and delivering the goods via consolidated truck loads to the 12 Tree Of Life distribution centers across the country.

Adrian Potgieter moderates panel for CIP Transportation and Logistics Conference
Adrian Potgieter, vice president, Business Development, moderated the panel “Bringing It Home” for the 5th Annual CIP Transportation and Logistics Conference held in Rosemont, Illinois on October 5, 2006. This panel was a conversation between a third party logistics provider, developers and owners about strategies, goals and meeting customer’s needs in a changing marketplace.

Ann Drake, CEO, serves as a member of CSCMP’s “Learn to be a CEO” panel
Ann Drake, CEO, served as a member of a panel entitled, “Learn to be a CEO” at CSCMP’s 2006 Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas, on October 16, 2006. The panel of three successful CEOs gave personal perspectives on executive leadership in today's supply chain world. They covered more than successes, looking at the deep learning that takes place during the trying times they have faced.