John Orendorff talks about improving inventory control

Q. When did GardenReady Solutions begin shipping plants?

A. GardenReady Solutions (GRS) has had a Texas cross dock model up and running for over a year. We are working in coordination with our first charter member, Seville Farms. This partnership has been crucial in the development of our model’s success. We are in the process of duplicating the model in the Houston market. We now have the ability to cover the whole state of Texas very efficiently along with distribution penetration in surrounding states.

Q. Which retailers and growers is GardenReady Solutions working with to ship plants?

A. Customers include both large and small retailers and growers. GRS has the functionality and flexibility to work with everyone. All our customers use us to lower freight costs and minimize their need for logistics. Growers can now spend more of their time and money on quality growing. The retailers get more frequent, smaller shipments of quality plants for better inventory control without slowing sales.

Q. What has been the biggest obstacle in convincing retailers and growers to agree to work with GardenReady Solutions?

A. It just sounds too simple to work. We are breaking a green-industry paradigm. We (the industry) have always believed that our products must go to the stores’ door, that they shouldn’t or can’t be moved through a cross dock. I think the benefits gained for both grower and retailer will change the way we think about distribution.

Q. Will the GardenReady Solutions program work with growers who have established in-store service programs or with growers who are working with third-party companies to handle their service programs?

A.Yes. We see third-party merchandising service organizations playing a critical role as partners with growers, retailers and GRS. They will be the eyes and ears in the market to improve communications back to growers and GRS. Their function in this partnership could also be to collect and analyze data.

Because the service groups are neither retailers nor vendors, they are best suited to provide an objective perspective to the entire supply chain. They will be crucial to retail execution and providing four merchandising standards: proper shelving, reporting out-of-stocks, POP distribution and pricing verification. GRS is currently partnering with an merchandising service organization to offer a cafeteria plan of custom options that will help increase retailers’ and grower’s sales and return on investment.

Q. Are there any concerns of product getting backed up at the GardenReady facilities due to inclement weather or changes in orders?

A. GRS is reviewing all options regarding facilities and their functionality to our customers’ product line. In our industry we all have weather concerns. We watch it daily.

One of the benefits of GRS is that the product in its possession less than 48 hours. GRS is at the right point in the distribution chain that it is possible to make just-in-time changes. GRS made changes throughout last season, right along with store-specific changes.

Q. Has GardenReady Solutions set up any type of restrictions and/or minimums on the order size of growers and retailers that it will work with?

A. The minimum is one rack. This is probably the biggest benefit for both growers and retailers. A retailer can go out and buy the best product there is available and not have to worry about the growers’ ability to deliver or have to add product to make a minimum drop. This will help growers possibly reduce the assortment they grow and sell smaller quantities of niche or specialty-type products.

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For more: John Orendorff, GardenReady Solutions, (817) 247-4885; john@gardenreadysolutions.com; www.gardenreadysolutions.com.