Award Marks VASCOR Corp.as Leader in Logistics

VASCOR, a leading third party logistics provider [3PL, has been named U.S. Automotive Logistics Provider 2004-5" by the Global Institute of Logistics.

(PRWEB) February 20, 2004 --Following a detailed research and selection process, the Awards Committee at the Global Institute of Logistics (GIL) has designated VASCOR Corp. as the recipient of its U.S. Automotive Logistics Provider 2004-5" accreditation.

According to the GIL,the award recognizes VASCORs outstanding contribution to the U.S. automotive logistics sector and in particular its commitment to the support of Toyotas Production System at its North American plants.

VASCOR has demonstrated its ability and dedication to developing the principles of just-in-time and lean flow to manufacturers in the automotive sector. Getting parts to the production lines just as they're needed demands meticulous planning and execution along with solid cooperation, all of which VASCOR has achieved with quality," said Kireran Ring, CEO of the institute. We are left in no doubt that VASCORS contribution to Toyota in Kentucky has contributed to Toyota being recognized as one of North Americas most efficient vehicle manufacturing plants. In endorsing VASCOR as the Global Institute of Logistics choice for accreditation this year, we believe we are setting a standard, a benchmark for others in the sector to follow."

VASCOR (which is an acronym for Value Added Service Corporation) is a joint venture between APL Logistics and Fujitrans (Japan). Headquartered in Kentucky, it provides value-added supply chain services to a variety of automotive industry companies in North America, including Toyota, through more than 60 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

We are proud to have been recognized in this way," said Jim Dunn, VASCOR president. It is an acknowledgement of our peoples dedication, hard work and commitment to serving our customers, often under some very complicated and time-sensitive expectations. We set high standards for ourselves and this award reflects that we are achieving them."

About The Accreditation Award Study
The comprehensive selection for accreditation conducted by the research department of the Institute over the last year draws for a significant part on a quality-ranking system based on responses provided by concerned parties within the U.S. and global vehicle manufacturing sector.

The purpose of the accreditation study was:

To set forth criteria and procedures for developing and maintaining a wider classifying blueprint for assessing the key principles governing material flow in the global vehicle manufacturing sector and to highlight the unity of different functions on the supply chain, together with inventory management, capacity
utilization and movement, which reflect the basics of logistics.

To establish which organizations on the supply side of the manufacturing equation displayed an ability to react most quickly to the changing face of logistics and make the most significant contribution to lean manufacturing, that is, delivering only what is needed, when it is needed, and in the quantities ordered by the customer. This method of manufacturing is done in a way that minimizes the time taken to deliver the finished goods, the amount of labor needed, the floor-space required and it does it with the highest quality, usually at the lowest cost. This system changes manufacturing from large batch processing to product based, one-at-a-time flow
production.

More About VASCOR
Located in Georgetown, Kentucky, VASCOR began operations in 1988 as a 3PL coinciding with the start of production at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky plant.

The company initially concentrated on its Toyota contract using Fujitrans prior knowledge of the Japanese market, where many of the production parts were coming from, and APL Logistics knowledge of the U.S. market. Toyota's manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Kentucky has an excellent record for producing top quality cars. The Georgetown plant, which produces the top-selling Toyota Camry, has won numerous awards from J.D. Power & Associates, including four Gold Plant Quality Awards. VASCOR has exhibited enormous capability in adhering to the production system developed by Toyota Motor Corporation by championing principles of frequency, lean time and level flow of material.

Today, VASCORs methods and systems have proven so successful that it provides a wide range of supply chain services to other automotive manufacturers, automotive 1st tier suppliers, and Class 1 railroads including General Motors and DaimlerChrysler. Due to increasing demands for automotive logistics services in Mexico, in 2002, VASCOR also formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, VASCOR de Mexico S.A. de C.V. with offices in Mexico City.

Working under the Toyota Production System (TPS) VASCOR supports the flow of inbound freight to factories in a small but constant just-in-time (JIT) shipments. In the process, it logs more than 47 million miles of milk runs per year to support both individual assembly plants and cross-dock facilities. It also works closely with other milk run suppliers-including direct competitors-to establish the most effective methods of transportation for its clients.

The company has achieved ISO 9001 and Q9001-2000 certification for its Quality Management System from AQA International.

About The Global Institute Of Logistics
The Global Institute of Logistics is the global forum for the third-party logistics (3PL) industry. The forum serves its members by providing the platform for discussion and debate on the issues affecting the third- party logistics industry, both regionally and globally.

Membership is drawn from the world's third- party logistics community and is by invitation. Participants are organizations who have met the
necessary standards for membership.

The Institute acts as an intelligence-gathering agency and disseminates this information in the form of daily news reports and briefings via this website and its journal "RELAY".

The Institute promotes third party logistics to end-users through it's
circulation of regional and global reports. Our reports examine the
changing face of the logistics industry and include profiles on leading regional 3PL's. These profiles are supported by case studies demonstrating logistics in action and illustrating the cost-cutting, sales-building achievements of the world's best 3PLs.