Hot Potato (processor) by Bob Garrison R&FF magazine

Hot Potato (processor) by Bob Garrison R&FF magazine – 2/13/2006
     

Just imagine ordering French fries at a restaurant….only to be told the kitchen has run out.  Hard to believe?  It’s also an unthinkable scenario for Mark Sampson, director of logistics for the Specialty Potato Products group.  As one of three ConAgra Foodservice businesses, Specialty Potato Products daily ships millions of pounds of potato products –as well appetizers, handheld entrées and bakery turnovers- restaurants and other foodservice venues nationwide.

  Working from Kennewick, Washington, Sampson and a team of logistics professionals coordinate a host of production warehouses, regional warehouses, mixing centers, rail carriers and trucking companies.  It’s a multifaceted approach to ensure that operators never run out of staples such as Lamb Weston French fries, or sides such as Con Agra Foodservice’s new AltraMashed potatos or Lamb Weston tantalizers appetizers. 

In fact, the Specialty Potato Products group is so good at its job that is was ranked first in a Refrigerated & Frozen Foods review of processor-shippers.  The magazine contacted as many as 50 third party logistics services providers and an overwhelming number –representing every major segment named ConAgra Foodservice Specialty Potato Product’s as the year’s most proactive and progressive supply chain partner. 

            “ConAgra foods has been proactive in putting together programs to get out trucks loaded and unloaded in a two-hour window in response to the {federal government’s} new Hours of Service ruling,” said one trucking company representative.  “They also have been proactive in working with their loading warehouses to make the environment friendly for our drivers.”

            “ConAgra Foods not only has been a leader in investing in private equipment but they also have helped us and other rail carriers by providing significant input into requirements for design of the next generation of reefer cars,”

One railroad executive said.  “They also are very progressive when it comes to product handling.  They are well versed on the latest inter-modal options and are willing to look at any alternatives that provided a better deliver and a better ability to serve a particular market.”

Concluded a third party warehouse operator, “ConAgra Foods has been supporting continuing replenishment through collaborative production planning, including excellent interface with vendors and shippers.  Their logistics strategy is very comprehensive and includes complete order tracking, timely feedback and response to vendors and shippers.  They also invest in state of the art technical tools in order to provide seamless electronic communications.”

To view the full story, visit: http://www.refrigeratedfrozenfood.com/ 

In the September ’05 issue.