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Produce Show Daily 5 9 Friday, October 20, 2017 Service Centers: A Crucial Link in the Fresh Supply Chain By Craig Mack, Director of Global Sourcing, Service Centers, Robinson Fresh When it comes to understanding the fresh produce supply chain, most people know that the journey begins at harvest and ends with consumers. But in between those two points, there's a whole process that's pivotal to the quality of the fresh fruits and vegetables – as well as other perishables and temperature-sensitive commodities – that end up in stores, in restaurant kitchens and on consumers' plates. That key link: service centers. Service Centers at a Glance To efficiently and effectively keep the flow of goods moving from field to shelf – while avoiding any hiccups in the sup- ply chain that could impact the quality of the product or cause delays in the supply chain – service centers must have well- defined processes in place. Depending on the product, service centers function in different ways. For produce and other temperature-sensitive goods – which add complexity, urgency and responsibility to the supply chain – there are some key features that are essential for the fresh supply chain. Strategic location. Service centers that are located near key ports of entry, major interstates, forward distribution hubs and growing regions are optimal; these strategic locations are easy to access and contribute to supply chain efficiency. Space and amenities: To be able to flex up to meet the capacity demands during seasonal surges while still meeting the critical timing that temperature-sensitive produce requires, service centers need enough space and the right amenities. This could include multiple dock doors – including refrigerated docks to help ensure that produce maintains the proper temperature as it arrives and departs – and dedi- cated coolers for specif- ic produce temperature storage requirements, a temperature-controlled production room for sorting and repack- ing, facility backup generators and more. Stringent guidelines and certifica- tions: Look for a service center that adheres to food safety and quality assur- ance requirements. These can include Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) cer- tification, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance, Product Traceability Initiative (PTI) compliance and organic certification. Flexible suite of customized solu- tions: To help bring fresh products to market more efficiently, find a service center that provides solutions that meet your business's needs and are supported by a team of distribution and supply chain experts. Versatile solutions to con- sider include: Transportation: inbound and out- bound freight modes for national and regional programs, direct store delivery. Distribution: crossdock, LTL con- solidation, forward dis- tribution, inventory stor- age, just in time services. Packing: sorting, repacking, bulk/bin cus- tom packing, tray pack- ing, overwrapping, flow wrapping, value-added packing, private label capa- bilities. Quality control and assurance: load reconciliation, inspections (tempera- ture pulping, weighing, visually inspect- ing, sizing, pressure testing, brix testing and more). International: import/export han- dling. Robinson Fresh has a new service center in Los Angeles, California. The 105,000 square foot facility includes 45,000 square feet of temperature-con- trolled operations, 50,000 square feet of ambient operations, 15 dock doors, a production room and food safety lab – all in close proximity to the major ship- ping ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. For more information, visit booth #1017 or go to www.robinsonfresh.com. Able Freight Services' Technology Puts Customers' Needs First Believed to be first coined by the famous Selfridge's Department Store in London, the slogan "the customer is always right" was originally intended to convey to the store's patrons that they could always expect the best in customer service. In today's data-driven business envi- ronment, the meaning of that old adage has taken on a new perspective. The cus- tomer is still always right, but now it's for a host of new reasons related to the vast pool of information easily available on the Internet. Online retail pricing comparison tools are a standard expectation of today's modern lives, and consumers expect instant ratings and reviews to advise them on which products and com- panies to use – or to avoid. Word of mouth, always a powerful force in pre- digital times, now takes on a new dimen- sion through social media and can some- times make or break a company. Orlando Wong, Able Freight Services' Executive Vice President, notes that the new challenges brought about by greater reliance upon technology-sup- ported customer service and operations cannot be overstated. "If the industry does not effectively adapt to changes in technology, then the risk of obsolescence becomes very real, very fast," explains Wong. To that end, Wong championed Able Freight Services' team to become one of the first to create a Technology and Innovation Department within a perish- able freight forwarding company. According to Wong, Able's leadership in the transportation and logistics industry is because of the company's focus upon data and analytics systems, and he sees an even greater technological focus over the next five years. One of Able's first projects to come out of its new technology department is a new customer portal. 'Data Hub' makes available to its customer all relevant data pertaining to any shipment they have going through Able Freight Services. "It is more than just a shipment air- way bill tracker," says Wong. "It is a real- time visibility of all the processes and milestones throughout the journey of the customer's shipments. It allows for proactive resolutions and management." With this innovative tool, customers can now instantly review historical and current data to assist them in making informed decisions about upcoming shipments, and it guides clients when forecasting future shipping seasons. "It is a literal one- stop shop of all client data and it provides vast opportunities to improve performance and service," explains Wong. The leading role of adapt- ing relevant technology for use in the perishable freight forwarding industry is cast, and the mar- ket now demands high performance and precision for its players. Wong proudly notes that Able Freight Services' early attention to a customer-centric approach with technology allows it to provide the best possible customer service now and into the future. After all, he reminds his team, "the customer is still always right." About Able Freight Services Based in Los Angeles, California, Able Freight Services, Inc. is a global expert in importing and exporting perishable com- modities from the United States to destinations world- wide. The company creates competitive advantages for customers by offering innova- tive solutions and access to proprietary technology. Many of the world's most recognized brands trust Able Freight with their shipments. Able Freight Services' 25 years in the business and hundreds of years of collec- tive employee experience means clients benefit from industry-leading knowledge and responsiveness. For more information, stop by booth #3922 or go to www.ablefreight.com. Stonewall Kitchen's Organic Miso Ginger Dressing Wins Best Condiment Award Stonewall Kitchen's Organic Miso Ginger Dressing has received the Best Condiment Award in the oils, vinegars and dressings category from The Dallas Market Center. "It's an honor to receive this award," said Janine Somers, Director of Marketing at Stonewall Kitchen. "For more than 20 years, we continue to stand by our com- mitment to producing the highest quality and most innovative foods. Our Organic Miso Ginger Dressing is a huge hit and is receiving great industry recognition. Made with wholesome organic ingredi- ents, including white miso, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, wildflower honey and candied ginger, it's simply delicious and the perfect addition to any salad." This is the second award Stonewall Kitchen has received for its Organic Miso Ginger Dressing. In April, the prod- uct received the sofi Bronze Award in the Salad Dressing Category from the Specialty Food Association.