Kanban Chosen as A Top 100 Third-Party Logistics Provider in U.S.

JULY 26, 2007
Kanban Logistics continues to gain recognition as a leader within the logistics industry. Headquartered in Tarboro, NC, Kanban Logistics was just recently selected by Inbound Logistics magazine as a Top 100 Third-Party Logistics Provider in the U.S. for 2007. This is a huge honor for Kanban, given the pace of change and the number of new entrants in the global outsourcing industry.

This accreditation couldn't come at a more appropriate time, as Kanban now has even more to offer industries, manufacturing facilities and companies throughout the U.S. and internationally. The company prides itself on having the capabilities to customize services for clients to fulfill any logistics need. Kanban's current facilities are comprised of 700,000 sq. ft. in three locations in eastern North Carolina: Tarboro, Rocky Mount, and Plymouth.

Among their core competencies lie some highly marketable certifications. "As a warehousing and logistics company, we have grown our portfolio of services to ensure outsourcers can meet logistics challenges head-on without compromising service to their customers," stated Billy Wooten, CEO. Their most recent achievement is their transportation brokerage licensing. Kanban has offered transportation services for many years, however just recently added to its service offerings the total transportation segment by having their own brokerage license and trucking line. This includes long and short haul services which may extend in to the Midwest U.S. This allows Kanban to offer the "total package" to customers through warehousing, trucking, and value- added services.

Kanban is also certified through ISO 9001:2000 standards. The ISO 9001:2000 certification shows that Kanban is recognized for its processes to fulfill the customer's quality requirements, to meet applicable regulatory requirements, to achieve customer satisfaction, and for continual process improvements.

Since 2003, Kanban has held the status of a General Purpose Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), and remains the only General Purpose FTZ along the Interstate I-95 corridor in North Carolina. The U.S. Foreign Trade Zone Program facilitates trade and increases the global competitiveness of U.S. based companies. Legally, a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) is a location within the United States that the Government considers outside the U.S. Custom's territory. Once goods are inside the FTZ, merchandise may be stored, processed, assembled, repackaged, salvaged, tested, destroyed, processed, sampled, mixed, cleaned, relabeled, manufactured and stored - all duty free. In the FTZ, goods may be brought in without formal customs entry or duty charges. As a result, Kanban may offer customers significant financial benefits by integrating the FTZ into their global supply chain and domestic distribution strategies.

Another proud accomplishment for Kanban came when CSX TransFLO Railroad named them as a "Premier Provider" this past year. The newly constructed full service transload yard is located at their Kingsboro (Rocky Mount) facility and enables them to offer rail services to customers of various capacities (box car, center beam, flat bed, etc). Kanban's experience with loading and unloading product by rail side directly into the building as well as the transload yard opens the door for business products such as wallboard, wood products, steel, paper products and food grade products.

Additionally, Kanban Logistics is certified through AIB (American Institute of Bakeries) to store food grade products which is a highly distinctive honor. Currently they are one of only a select group of food grade certified logistics providers in eastern North Carolina.

As Kanban Logistics has grown, other leadership positions have been filled to help grow the company further into untapped territory. Harold Hobgood, Business Development Manager, and Erin Grimsley, Marketing Manager, work with the dedicated staff to continue to build upon the ongoing success of the business. Wendi Lewis, Jeff Slack, Nancy Crisp, Jeff Butler, Wade Warren, and Carol Smith provide the management leadership within the operations that ensure the continued growth of this vibrant local company.

Aside from holding many certifications and licenses necessary to operate as a credible logistics partner, Kanban has continued to be recognized for its profitable growth and progressive distribution solutions. The distinctive honor of being selected as a Top 100 Third-Party Logistics Provider (Inbound Logistics magazine) in the nation proves that Kanban continues to stay ahead of the outsourcing curve.