FFI works closely with a contract assembler for the U.S. Army. This contractor provided multiple components that needed to be assembled with guaranteed accuracy for use in the field. Only some of these components were required, depending on the equipment used. FFI was asked to assemble these kits and package items to avoid breakage or deterioration during shipment and storage. Correct packaging was critical since material needed to last for long periods in harsh climates. FFI uses the kitting module within its fulfillment system to manage the task. The company’s systems specialists wrote a program to ensure that kit contents were accurate. Each of the kit components has a bar code. The system does not close out the kit until each item is individually scanned. The program is now in its second year of delivering 100% order accuracy. In the case of problems, FFI can track items back to the exact kit in which they were shipped.
category: Featured Case Study
The Ethical Manufacturing Order Fulfillment Success Story
The shoppers of today expect their items to arrive on their doorstep quickly. They want the ability to track their items during every step of their journey, and they expect their items to arrive in pristine condition. These buyer expectations were becoming a challenge to one of our customers, an ethical manufacturing customer. A wholesale B2B and B2C retailer, they sell products to wholesale boutique shops, large retailers, and Amazon direct, that were created by artisans and artists. They were growing rapidly and needed to optimize their e-commerce order fulfillment processes.
Growing Businesses Need the Right Fulfillment Partner
This manufacturing customer’s accelerating product demand was creating a fulfillment bottleneck. Having their orders kitted, picked, packed, and fulfilled out of their increasingly cluttered basement was no longer an option. They needed a fulfillment solution that could scale and support the growth of their business, and they turned to FFI to help them.
Within their first full year of operation after switching to Fulco Fulfillment Inc.’s services, our ethical manufacturing customer was able to triple their order volume.
The Customer Had Unique Fulfillment Challenges
Shipping: Finding a provider that has the correct expertise to keep up with order volumes.
Location: Pinpointing location and finding a 3PL partner located in the NY/NJ tri-state area to give the customer the ability to quickly and conveniently access their product.
Specialized Packaging: Finding a fulfillment provider with excellent attention to detail who supports their personalized touch. All packages are paper-wrapped and sealed with a logo sticker, including packing tape customized with their colorful logo.
Sales and Marketing: Getting meaningful, trustworthy fulfillment services so that they could focus on sales and marketing and continue to grow their business.
Trade Shows: Our ethical manufacturing customer displays at major trade shows and holiday markets throughout the year. In this method of marketing, the product has a chance to shine and captivate new customers. The fulfillment provider must get the product there on time and in good condition.
Customer Communication: Customers expect excellent communication, including phone calls, frequent status updates, and shared details about deliveries.
Timing Is Everything: At the time, peak shopping season was just around the corner and this ethical manufacturing company needed a solution that could help them meet and exceed their demands even when facing an unknown future.
Successful Fulfillment Creates Business Growth
Shipping/Freight Savings: Outsourcing fulfillment to FFI has allowed this customer to enjoy the combined freight discount offered by FFI, substantially lowering their shipping costs.
Inventory Management: Using Fulco Fulfillment Inc.’s Order Management System (OMS) and Warehouse Management System (WMS), this ethical manufacturing customer saw their inventory management streamlined. With the Veracore software platform, they manage inbound and outbound shipments along with inventory volumes and order status in real time.
Determining the Right Location: The customer’s base of operations in the New York East Coast Area meant that FFI in Dover, NJ was in an ideal location, conveniently located right off of Route 80, Route 46, and with access to Route 287 and Route 10. Clients can visit the warehouse and stop in for a continued hands-on type of approach.
Dedicated Client Service Manager: At FFI, a dedicated client service manager is assigned to each account and operates under the client service manager team of dedicated pickers. Our team ensures quality control of customized packaging by learning and mastering the details of each client’s specialized packaging needs.
Focus on What They Do Best: By choosing FFI to handle their fulfillment needs, our ethical manufacturing customer was able to increase marketing efforts and sales instead of being consumed by managing shipping and inventory.
Holiday Markets and Trade Show Solutions: FFI’s order management system allowed our client to allocate, manage, and track all of their tradeshow assets. They received special deliveries of materials directly to the New York City holiday show in a small delivery window and, upon conclusion of the show, items were picked up by FFI personnel and received back into client inventory.
24/7 Web Access: Our ethical manufacturing client now has 24/7 web access to its entire inventory via our web portal. They can generate reports, set understock notification levels, access order inquiries to track shipping status, or see a history of inventory usage.
Consistent Results: The FFI team has tested and optimized processes that streamline operations and get orders out on time. Even during peak season, our team has kept and maintained an astounding 99.8% accuracy on all orders.
Fulco Fulfillment Provides the Right 3PL Solutions
Fulco Fulfillment Inc. has improved this ethical manufacturing customer’s supply chain. It reduced the amount of time it takes orders to reach their valuable customers and increased the efficiency of their orders from vendors. In addition, FFI provided logistics solutions at a variable cost to maximize efficiency during the retailer’s peak and non-peak seasons.
We can have the same powerful effect on your business! To learn the ways we can solve your specific challenges, give us a call at 973-361-1700 or fill out our contact form.
American Nurse Association Turns to FFI for Efficient Event Kitting
At Fulco Fulfillment Inc. (FFI), we believe that the true measure of success lies in the achievements of our clients. In our recent partnership with the American Nurse Association, we completed a large kitting order for the ANCC NCPD Summit, a two-day conference that invites nurses from all across America to learn, network, and empower each other, allowing the organization to focus their time on other important tasks related to the upcoming event.
The Senior Meeting Planner at the American Nurse Association requested a quote from us for the kitting project. She also requested references, and we were able to supply glowing recommendations from all of our clients who participated. We then submitted our project proposal for handling their gift bag collation and shipment to the convention on October 25, 2024, in New Orleans. The gift bag collation was a typical convention goody bag giveaway, something we have extensive experience in doing. We itemized the contents of the gift bag to determine the production time and price for our services. Upon receipt of customer approval and all needed supplies, we set up our pick/pack stations and began. We were given three weeks to get the gift bags done before the two-day event on October 25th.
Tackling a Large-Scale Kitting Project
Anthony Marcello, FFI’s Director of Operations, explained, “For an assembly project of this volume, I need to ensure that the picking and packing of material happens efficiently. I set this project material up on our long tables with the bag in the beginning, packing box at the end, and the bag’s contents throughout the middle, creating a continuous flow.”
Challenges of a Large Kitting Project
“Certain items became depleted at different times during the assembly process,” said Anthony. “Once we exhausted the first item, we paused and communicated with the client to ask for directions. The decision was made to sticker the boxes that were completed in full to be used first at the event and then continue that process until the final bag tally was completed. Customer communication is always key.”
Experience Improves Time Estimates
Anthony acknowledges this project, like many projects, gave him some good insight into tackling future projects. “We packed sixteen different items in each bag, and now we know how much time was spent packing one single bag. In the future, we will use this as a time study to help quote additional projects with similar build-out. Having accurate time estimates allows us to manage labor and completion times properly, help plan correct supplies needed, and quote appropriately to cover costs and maximize profits.”
Planning and Communication are Key in Large-Scale Projects
Our collaboration with the American Nurse Association is a testament to the power of effective partnership and meticulous planning in executing large-scale projects. By leveraging our operational expertise and maintaining clear communication throughout the kitting process, we not only met the needs of the ANCC NCPD Summit but also laid the groundwork for future successes. As we move forward, the insights gained from this project will enhance our efficiency and service offerings, enabling us to better support organizations like the ANA in their mission. Together, we’re not just creating event materials; we’re fostering connections and contributing to the growth of a vital community in healthcare.
Fulco Fulfillment Helps Businesses Succeed
This is how we truly experience success: by helping our clients achieve or exceed their goals. If you’d like to see how FFI can support your mission, please give us a call at 973-361-1700 or reach out on our website.