ADS Logistics Recognised by Institute as Leading Specialist Logistics Provider

(PRWEB) June 22, 2005

Following a detailed research and selection process into the leading providers of supply chain and third party logistics services, the Global Institute of Logistics has recognized ADS Logistics as the leading provider of specialist logistics services. The comprehensive study conducted by the research department of the Institute draws for a significant part on a quality-ranking system based on responses provided by concerned parties within the Global logistics end-users sector.

Lead analyst at the Institute Siobhan Kelly in her capacity as team leader of the Institutes G50 program said in support of today’s announcement of ADS Logistics as ‘Best Specialist Logistics Provider 2005’

“The research department continuously examines the providers operating in the logistics sector and through its expert knowledge establishes its choice of the leading 3PLs. ADS is uniquely focused on the metals industry and the expertise it has developed marks the company out in the sector. Based on this research the Awards Committee selected ADS as its choice for the leading specialist provider.

These awards are to honour those 3PLs that have helped clients save money and sell more. It is on that pragmatic basis that award-winners can be regarded as the best in the business.

On conclusion of its research and following careful analysis of the quality and value provided by the principal logistics service providers, ADS emerged as the unanimous choice of the Awards Committee for Best Specialist Logistics Provider.”

The purpose of the study was:

1.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 logistics and transport 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.

2.To establish which organisations 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 manufacture, that is delivering only what is needed by the customer, when it is needed in the quantities ordered. This method of manufacturing is done in a way that minimizes the time taken to deliver the finished goods, the amount of labour 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.

3.To investigate the role played by logistics providers in developing outbound solutions for manufacturing and the components of the supply chain that ensure the flow of goods from origin to consumption. The ability of the provider must be to maintain the materials management functions of the supply chain, taking a product from the point of concept through delivery to the customer. Value added services and understanding and incorporating customer requirements into supply-chain processes are all essential elements of supply-chain management and those providers that satisfy clients needs contribute to the development of the sector as a whole.

ADS is specifically focused as a supply chain solutions provider to the metals industry, in particular steel and aluminium which is the integral part of manufacturing industry. The company handles 5 million tonnes of material per annum, over 300,000 transport (truck, rail, water, rail) movements and has the only temperature and humidity controlled, rail served, national warehouse network.

ADS has over 30 years experience in providing supply chain solutions for the metals industry facilitating its customers with a variety of physical distribution and management services including business analysis and outsourced opportunities.

The Company’s capabilities in the technology area, primarily its supply chain management system, LoMaS® provides connectivity and visibility to all the participants. The system was developed internally and provides a management system that integrates the metals supply chain. Initially for its own warehousing and distribution divisions, the solution is now available to metals industry focused companies through an Application Service Provider arrangement.

ADS provides the complete range of outsourcing services to its clients to successfully source, coordinate and manage the metals supply chain to their specific requirements. Customized transportation services ensure that freight flow is optimised both nationally and internationally and together with crucially important document management. ADS distribution facilities are strategically located in close proximity to metals manufacturing centric geographies for just-in-time logistics programs.

Commenting on the award Kieran Ring CEO of the Institute said, “In choosing ADS Logistics, the Institute is confident that it has chosen an excellent organisation on which to bestow our inaugural ‘Best Specialist Logistics Provider 2005’ award. The express purpose of concentrating our research efforts on specialist 3PL providers was to demonstrate the ubiquitous nature of third party logistics and its application.

ADS has it all, a real working knowledge of the sector it serves forged through generations of hands on experience. Its portfolio of strategically located logistics facilities and its willingness to add value to product through logistics modelling has ensured its position as a Best In Class 3PL in the metals sector.

However, if I were asked to pinpoint the key reason for our selection of ADS I would say it is LoMaS®, the company’s proprietary supply chain management integration software, this is the tool that seamlessly integrates the client and ADS, providing what ADS calls the supply chain’s glass pipeline.

All of the Institutes current research points to IT as the critical factor which will determine the development of our industry together with the extent to which we can achieve total integration and visibility with our clients through technology. ADS in this regard is at the cutting edge and is uniquely placed to bring the type of cost savings only possible through 3PL partnerships to a sector that desperately needs to find both savings and margin rapidly.”

Reacting to news of today’s announcement Stephen Fraser President and Chief Executive Officer of ADS Logistics, LLC said

“We are honored to be recognized as the Specialist 3PL of the Year 2005. We want to thank the Global Institute of Logistics both for this prestigious accreditation and for recognizing the value that is provided by “niche” logistics companies. Specialist providers such as ourselves, operate somewhat off the beaten path of the large consumer packaged goods logistics companies, but are continually pioneering new solutions and processes for narrow but deep industries which have very specific and specialized needs (like the metals producing and consuming industries). Receiving this award recognizes ADS’ mission to deliver innovative solutions that generate strategic value, improve quality and performance, and reduces costs throughout a customer’s relevant supply chain."

About ADS Logistics

ADS Logistics, LLC is the only national and premiere provider of integrated logistics and supply chain solutions to the metals industry in North America. ADS provides metals producers, processors, service centers and consumers opportunities to reduce supply chain costs and increase logistics service quality.

ADS’ solid IT solution, LoMaS®, pulls together the various components of supply chain information creating a “glass-pipeline" to all participants in the supply chain providing customers a comprehensive view to managing their supply chain.

ADS has the only national network of purpose designed truck/rail served warehouses and transportation fleet for the metals industry. Its distribution network includes 1.6 million square feet of storage space primarily for the automotive and appliance industries.

About Global Institute of Logistics

The Global Institute of Logistics is the global forum for the 3rd 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 3rd party logistics community and is by invitation. Participants are organisations who have met the necessary standards for membership and that have been identified through the Institutes G50 programme. The G5O programme aims to establish the worlds leading logistics providers territory by territory across the globe.

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

The Institute promotes third party logistics to end-users through its 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.

###