3PL news: OHL, Just Born team up for logistics services at new Pa.-based warehouse

Candy manufacturer announces it will partner with 3PL for integrated logistics services at its new 600,710 square-foot warehouse in Lehigh Valley, Pa.

Jeff Berman, Group News Editor -- Modern Materials Handling, 6/8/2009

Candy manufacturer Just Born Inc. recently announced it will partner with third-party logistics (3PL) services provider OHL for integrated logistics services at its new 600,710 square-foot warehouse in Lehigh Valley, Pa.

Just Born said this warehouse will serve as the central storage and distribution point for all its products—including Mike and Ike, Peeps, and Hot Tamales, among others. And OHL will be collaborating with Just Born on an integrated logistics platform for value-added warehousing, distribution, and transportation management services.

Just Born Logistics Manager Alan Sargent told Modern's sister publication Logistics Management that his company expects to see significant benefits from partnering up with OHL, including leveraging OHL’s expertise in operating tier one logistics system platforms such as Oracle Transportation Management and Synapse WMS (OHL’s proprietary warehouse management system).

“These fully integrated systems provide Just Born and other confectionery companies the ability to more effectively and efficiently plan, route and deliver quality confection items to our valued customers worldwide,” explains Sargent.

Moving the warehouse makes sense: Just Born officials say that by moving its distribution center closer to its Bethlehem, Pa.-based manufacturing facility, it will eliminate more than 500,000 truck miles from Pennsylvania roads. Its current distribution, says Just Born, is 75 miles away in Scranton, Pa., and the new OHL-operated facility will open later this year.

In terms of personnel, Bob Spieth, OHL president of contract logistics, says OHL anticipates hiring approximately 70 people for distribution center positions.

Along with leading the charge for an integrated logistics platform for value-added warehousing, distribution, and transportation management services for Just Born, OHL says it will manage a multi-vendor consolidated shipper program.

The 3PL explains it is an environmentally conscious effort that will efficiently facilitate customer shipments across the country on behalf of a growing number of participating confectionery companies. Through this initiative, OHL will consolidate freight with other confectionary companies that will allow Just Born to streamline its operations, says Spieth.

Spieth adds that OHL is thrilled to provide supply chain services to Just Born.

“While OHL is traditionally known for our expertise in warehousing, we are rapidly expanding and offer complete supply chain management solutions for our customers,” he says  “We are providing both warehousing and transportation services for Just Born, as well as other confectionary companies, from the growing Eastern Pa. market.  We are also excited about working with Just Born to reduce our collective carbon footprint and environmental impact.”