When Turtle Wax, a company known worldwide for quality car care products, decided to realign as a primarily sales and marketing organization and outsource their manufacturing, DSC Logistics helped the transition go smoothly.

For 60 years, Turtle Wax had been manufacturing all products in one Chicago location. It was either upgrade that facility or move their manufacturing. So they decided to move; in fact, they decided to change their model and have their products manufactured in multiple locations, primarily in the Midwest. The finished goods from these manufacturers are distributed from DSC’s Logistics Center near Joliet, IL.

Since the manufacturers make other products as well, meeting Turtle Wax demands presented a challenge for them. Plus, 65 percent of Turtle Wax’s volume comes in the first five months of the year and the transition took place in December. And, Turtle Wax was involved in a new promotion. It was a busy time, but DSC was ready.

The receipt process from the manufacturers was difficult at first so Turtle Wax relied on DSC to help manage their inventory. When inventory ran short, DSC worked closely with Turtle Wax management to make sure there was enough product on all shelves at all times. At daily meetings, the customer service team determined the amount of product on hand and the production route. We worked with the manufacturers to coordinate, constantly adjusting schedules, juggling the demands of Turtle Wax customers. Product was placed on hold with a customer’s name; that item was picked, released by the warehouse manager and put back on hold—general hold, international hold…every customer had some sort of hold.

Turtle Wax’s major new line, ICE, proved to be so popular—every major retailer needed the product at the same time—the manufacturers couldn’t make it fast enough. During one two-week stretch at the DSC Logistics Center, the product was inbound, picked and shipped the same day.

The transition was as seamless as possible for Turtle Wax and their satisfied customers. Turtle Wax was ready for a change and DSC was ready to help them manage that change. It’s our mission.