Featured Case Studies

To see how UPS synchronizes commerce for its customers every day, read the case studies below.

 adidas
 Crown Premiums
 Deer Stags
 Fabricut
 G3 Genuine Guide Gear
 Kingsdown
 LUSH
 Nikon
 TeddyCrafters
 Consumer Products Manufacturer
 Manufacturer of Seasonal Consumables
 Premium Beer Importer and Distributor
 U.S. Distributor of Periodicals

adidas Going for the Gold in Customer Service Challenge Improve the supply chain performance of a leading athletic apparel company to accommodate rapid growth and efficiently meet the requirements of major retailers and team distributors throughout the United States. Solution Consolidate the distribution system into a single, streamlined network, outfitted with automated inventory and order fulfillment systems to allow the company to rapidly scale its services and add enhancements to the supply chain as needed. Results Increased order accuracy rate Boosted on-time delivery performance Enhanced visibility throughout supply chain Improved customer satisfaction Added flexibility to operations Download Download Complete Case Study (520KB)

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Crown Premiums Keeping the Good Times Rolling at Crown Premiums Challenge Streamline supply chain to get goods to market faster Reduce administrative requirements Improve service levels Solution Implement UPS Trade DirectSM Ocean as a one-stop supply chain solution Integrate UPS Trade DirectSM Cross Border for uninterrupted flow-through to Canadian destinations Results Delivery times reduced as much as three weeks Increased administrative efficiency and accuracy Improved customer satisfaction due to reduced product damage Download Download Complete Case Study (171KB)

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Deer Stags Deer Stags Steps Up Service with Flexible Supply Chain Challenge Comply with strict vendor requirements set by Deer Stags' retail customers for the labeling, packaging and delivery of footwear, and adapt rapidly to ongoing changes to these requirements. Solution A flexible, synchronized supply chain, with a worldwide network, that can quickly adapt and tailor advanced technology and specialized services to meet changing business needs. Results Three major retailers honored Deer Stags as footwear "Vendor of the Year" Gained new vendor compliance capabilities with broad applications Enhanced potential to expand business Download Download Complete Case Study (303KB)

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Fabricut Fabricut Speeds Delivery to Stay a Cut Above the Competition Challenge Reduce delivery cycles of European-made fabrics and furnishings to U.S. wholesale customers to improve service without having to raise prices. Solution Switch from an ocean freight import model to air freight, leveraging the buying power of a global logistics provider to negotiate air rates and cost-effectively manage a streamlined, end-to-end solution. Results Reduced delivery cycle by four to six weeks Enhanced customer service Improved cash flow Lowered inventory costs Strengthened opportunity to expand market share Download Download Complete Case Study (301KB)

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G3 Genuine Guide Gear G3 Geared for Smooth, Efficient Cross-Border Passage Challenge Through UPS Trade DirectSM Cross Border, boost efficiency and reduce costs in the shipment of high-end backcountry ski equipment from Canada to hundreds of specialty shops and resorts throughout the United States. Solution Consolidate shipments in Canada before moving them through customs, then pick-and-pack individual orders in the United States and ship them at domestic rates. Results Significantly reduced overall transportation costs Reduced customs brokerage costs Streamlined and accelerated supply chain Enhanced customer service Expanded opportunities to grow business Download Download Complete Case Study (482KB)

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Kingsdown Kingsdown Finds Dream Solution in High Tech Fleet Management Challenge Maximize efficiency and tighten inventory controls while providing premium service in the delivery of high-end bedding products to retailers. Solution Dedicated contract carriage (DCC) equipped with advanced transportation technology that increases visibility and data access throughout the supply chain. Results Reduced overall transportation costs Increased on-time delivery rate Enhanced inventory control Improved customer service and key performance metrics Download Download Complete Case Study (308KB)

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LUSH LUSH Showers U.S. Market with Enhanced Service Challenge Add speed and efficiency to the processing and delivery of online orders of bath products from Canada to U.S. consumers, in a way that enhances customer service while also reducing costs. Solution Through UPS Trade DirectSM Cross Border, automate and integrate customer and shipping systems, consolidate shipments prior to cross-border transport, then send individual orders to their final destinations at domestic rates. Results Accelerated order fulfillment Enabled customers to track their orders online Increased accuracy of orders Improved inventory control Generated significant transportation savings Reduced customs brokerage costs Boosted labor productivity Download Download Complete Case Study (432KB)

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Nikon Nikon Focuses on Supply Chain Innovation and Makes New Product Distribution a Snap Challenge Design and implement new distribution strategy to introduce Nikon product line. Solution Integrated system for managing inbound air and ocean freight, repackaging and kitting products for final distribution. Results Significantly shortened Nikon's supply chain Increased speed to market Enabled higher level of service to retailers Improved product visibility across the supply chain Download Download Complete Case Study (451KB)

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TeddyCrafters Inbound Distribution Management Increases Flexibility in a Challenging Retail Environment Challenge Manage transportation and distribution of supplies sourced in Asia and the U.S. for fast-growing retail chain. Solution Comprehensive inbound distribution system that improves inventory management and replenishes retail outlets on a weekly basis. Results Provides lower costs than internally managed distribution Allows company to focus resources on other business challenges Offers flexibility to expand operation as company grows Download Download Complete Case Study (185KB)

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Designer and Manufacturer of Consumer Products Inventory Controls Gird Retailer-Wholesaler for Efficient Growth Challenge Improve planning and forecasting capabilities for a successful manufacturer, retailer, and wholesaler of consumer products to help the company satisfy customer requirements more efficiently. Solution Rank individual SKUs by their revenue contribution indexes, then use these rankings to develop a statistical inventory management process and formalize sales and operations planning. Results Gained precise tools and methods to improve inventory management Developed systematic way to improve overall service level Determined potential SKUs for rationalization Created guidelines for fact-based sales and operations planning Identified $9 million in potential annual savings Download Download Complete Case Study (377KB)

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Manufacturer of Seasonal Consumables Optimized Routing Steers Delivery Fleet to Major Savings Challenge Determine the most efficient way to expand the capacity of a delivery fleet for a consumable product, so that the fleet can handle a seasonal spike in demand. Solution Establish work standards and employ specialized technology to optimize delivery routes and manage time and resources more efficiently. Results Established work standards for delivery fleet Introduced technology for optimal routing and more effective field management Demonstrated that a leaner fleet could effectively handle peak season Identified $16 million in potential annual savings Download Download Complete Case Study (240KB)

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Premium Beer Importer and Distributor Premium Beer Promoter Taps Process Improvements Challenge Improve efficiencies in the production and delivery of promotional products for a premium beer label while maintaining their standards for high quality. Solution Centralize and simplify the planning and ordering process for the products and outsource high-end items to suppliers who can ship directly to customers. Results Raised accuracy and on-time delivery rates of shipments to 99.9 percent Lowered distribution costs nearly 15 percent Improved product price points by four to 20 percent Reduced waste and redundancies throughout the system Download Download Complete Case Study (845KB)

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U.S. Distributor of Periodicals Hand-held Fleet Technology Puts Savings in Distributors Grip Challenge Quickly design and launch a system of delivery fleet technology to enhance service and reduce costs for a company that distributes periodicals to thousands of outlets throughout three states. Solution Tailor a hand-held technology system that can quickly deliver a basic solution to boost driver performance and track product flow, with the capacity to add more complex features for further savings and service enhancements. Results Completed successful pilot program within tight timeframe Gained ability to significantly boost fleet efficiency and customer service Tapped automation to improve tracking of products, information, and funds Identified $6.5 million in potential annual savings Download Download Complete Case Study (472KB)

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