Product Companies: Are You Fully Leveraging Resources Offered By the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance?

Are you an Idaho-based product company/manufacturer that is poised for growth, but hampered by an equipment problem, supply chain issue, or labor shortages? There aren't always easy answers to these challenges, but getting in step with the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance (IMA) — and Idaho’s greater manufacturing community — is a great place to start.

Recently, we had a conversation with Sheri Johnson, Executive Director of the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance, who shared with us the many ways the organization is holding up its three tenets: to connect, support, and promote manufacturing in Idaho.

We also asked for Johnson’s recommendations on how Idaho product companies/manufacturers can leverage the knowledge and many resources offered by the IMA. Continue reading for her suggestions.

What tips you would give to Idaho manufacturers looking to grow, get involved, and find connections in the industry?

SJ: Build relationships. Take the time to get out of your business and meet others in the industry, whether that’s through attending an IMA event, getting directly connected to others in your role, or intentionally seeking to meet the other manufacturers in your neighborhood or city, etc. These connections and conversations will be incredibly valuable!

Once connected, use your peers. Learn from their mistakes and benefit from their wins. Ask questions. Be interested in other people's stories and journeys. Find ways you can help each other.

Be willing to consider all available resources. During my years of running a manufacturing business, I was unaware of the valuable services and programs certain organizations, groups, and government agencies offered — many of which are free or have incentives to offset costs. We live in a great state that is considered very business-friendly. There are a lot of programs that small, medium, and large manufacturers could be taking advantage of — whether it’s workforce training reimbursements, trade assistance, small business consulting, import/export support, and more. Our Labor, Commerce, and Workforce Development groups are all committed to helping Idaho businesses grow and thrive.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Use the community! Odds are, someone else has had the same problem and can help you navigate to a solution. IMA has a sourcing needs/member requests section in our monthly newsletter that handles a lot of this. Equipment needed, equipment for sale, business systems user group needs, hiring, suppliers or parts needed, etc.

Spread the word. Manufacturing is a GREAT industry! Share with people in your circles all the cool things made in their backyards. If you need help learning about who some of those companies are, let us know!

What are some services the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance offers that would be helpful for product companies/manufacturers in this state?

SJ: Our 401k Association Retirement Plan, TalentSorter hiring platform, Nice Healthcare program, and some on-demand safety training offerings (coming soon) are something all manufacturers should be looking at. These programs all help in hiring, employee attraction/retention and offer great savings for members. We have curated these benefits after years of talking with manufacturers and what their needs were.

We currently offer both an HR and IT Cohort call each month. Those have been very valuable for manufacturing members to help problem solve in a safe, small-group environment. We hope to begin offering a C-Suite cohort soon.

As product companies/manufacturers work to find answers to new business and economic challenges, the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance continues to offer resources, connection, and support. “No one has all the answers,” says Johnson. Her advice? “Leverage the knowledge that members of the manufacturing community can offer. Your business — and life — will be richer for it!”

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The Idaho Manufacturing Alliance (IMA) is a membership organization focused on knowledge sharing, collaboration, and advocacy to cultivate an environment that creates benefits for the manufacturing industry and community as a whole. With passion for the manufacturing world in Idaho, IMA supports and connects manufacturers by building awareness and sharing knowledge throughout their camaraderie of members. They help to provide tangible and economic resources and are dedicated to authenticity, integrity, and service.

Network Expertise: Navigating Shipping and Fulfillment

We recently had a conversation with third-party logistics (3PL) provider Verde Fulfillment about the many ways manufacturers can take advantage of shipping and fulfillment services to spur growth, refine their internal development and culture, evaluate production, and streamline their processes. We spoke with James Wilfong, Verde’s Business Development Manager, who provided salient advice for manufacturers in Idaho.

Here are Wilfong's top three suggestions for manufacturers or other businesses who are facing issues in their fulfillment or production processes:

1. Have a good understanding of the timeline, from testing to production and inspection.

2. Build successful and trusted partnerships.

3. Ask for feedback in order to evaluate and improve upon processes.
   

Wilfong continues: “As a 3PL, we have merchandise being sent to our facility from hundreds of different manufacturers and something that can make a significant difference is to consider the best packaging to place the merchandise into."

Here are a few packaging tips:

• Don't skimp on the box quality.

• Consider double-wall when necessary.

• Choose the right ECT for the product weight and carton contents.

• Label the cartons with all the essential data, SKU, quantity, UPC/EAN, PO#, and Lot#.

"By considering the best packaging before production," he explains, "you can ensure you have them sourced and stocked for production to be completed, ensure that all product information is clear and accessible, and most importantly that the merchandise is protected and will arrive safely to its final destination."

Wilfong also told us that “not valuing employees, which are [the] number one asset [a company has]” is the biggest mistake he sees companies make. Wilfong added that Verde strives to “lead by example in hopes that partners recognize [their] success in this area.”

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Verde Fulfillment specializes in e-commerce fulfillment, direct-to-store or DC fulfillment (B2B fulfillment), as well as product returns management. Verde can completely take care of shipment into their facilities or can provide assistance if relationships are already in place. Their goal? To help move inventory as quickly and easily as possible. Verde Fulfillment's services include: providing warehousing, managing bulk inventory, pallets, cross-docking, lot-controlled inventories, quality control, and more. Whether you are a manufacturing company looking to increase production, hone in on your product, or smooth out internal processes, Verde Fulfillment is the perfect logistics partner to get you from testing to distribution (and help with everything in between).

Navigating Idaho’s Supply Chain: Immediate Logistics and Warehousing Support

As widespread supply chain issues continue to impact companies globally and in our region, we are continuing to make valuable connections between these businesses and our diverse network of channel partners. In this success story, read about how Vessel's Logistics Management team and two of our manufacturing partners, Verde Fulfillment and Expeditors, answered one client's need for affordable and timely product sourcing, storage/warehousing, management, and delivery of important shipments.

Background

In late 2020, a high-tech research company based in the Pacific Northwest reached out to Vessel for help with product sourcing. At that time, the company, which was referred to Vessel by one of its healthcare partners, was unable to obtain important lab equipment from its usual distributors. In the months that followed, Vessel located an alternative source for this equipment and facilitated multiple shipments — answering the company’s need for uninterrupted access to critical lab equipment. An ongoing professional relationship ensued.

All Hands on Deck

Although Vessel quickly addressed the company’s product needs, the client ran into an unexpected snag with a later shipment in 2021 — they found themselves without the in-house warehouse space needed to accommodate a large quantity of lab equipment they were expecting. To further complicate matters, the products would need to be kept sterile.

The company contacted several facilities in the Northwest to inquire about available storage, but global supply chain issues have resulted in widespread warehousing constraints, so space was limited — and what was available would cost them a premium. Uncertain how to proceed, the company again contacted Vessel for help.

Global supply chain issues have resulted in limited warehouse space available for storing products

Finding Longitude

Vessel’s logistics team contacted two of its channel partners — third-party logistics (3PL) partner Verde Fulfillment and freight partner Expeditors — to find a solution. Verde Fulfillment confirmed they would be able to store the client’s lab equipment in its 200,000 square-foot facility — a well-maintained, temperature-controlled environment that would ensure the products remained sterile. Additionally, Verde offered a more affordable storage solution than the other facilities the client had contacted. Expeditors also stepped up to the challenge, with its secure network of truck drivers transporting the client’s lab equipment from port/customs directly to Verde Fulfillment in Boise, Idaho.

Beyond providing storage space for the client’s products, Verde Fulfillment offers inventory management, a robust warehouse management system (WMS), and a highly vetted network of transportation partners. These services meant Verde was able to reliably and affordably deliver regular product shipments back to the client on a bimonthly basis for the remainder of 2022.

Verde Fulfillment offers inventory management, a robust warehouse management system (WMS), and a highly vetted network of transportation partners

“The most important aspect of any relationship is providing a service that is financially sustainable,” says James Wilfong, Business Development Manager for Verde Fulfillment. “In the case of this client, it was important that we provided a cost-effective solution for both the storage of their merchandise as well as delivery to their facility on a reoccurring basis.”

Staying the Course

Throughout this client relationship, Vessel has demonstrated its capabilities in strategic sourcing and logistics management. Not only did Vessel find an alternate source for its client’s lab equipment, but the team came through at another critical time — connecting the client to a highly capable 3PL partner that offered an affordable and timely end-to-end solution for the storage, management, and delivery of its products.

"Verde Fulfillment consistently goes above and beyond to address their clients’ needs — and this situation was no exception,” says Jared Brodd, Vessel’s Director of Logistics. “That’s one of the many reasons Verde is Vessel's go-to partner for storage and warehousing. Their facilities and operations are top-notch and their service is outstanding. They always respond to our requests in a timely manner, allowing us to meet our customers' needs more efficiently. We feel confident in Verde's ability to fulfill the services they offer, as they have always maintained constant, transparent communication."

When it comes to helping its clients navigate increasingly challenging supply chain issues, Vessel's resourcefulness and extensive network of trusted channel partners provide significant benefits to Idaho companies.

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Download the case study below to read this success story in its entirety.

Verde-Fulfillment-Vessel-Case-Study

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Also, check out the following video in our Supply Chain Insights series. Here, Brodd talks with Vessel Co-Founder Derik Ellis about what companies can do when storing products is a logistical nightmare due to global hijinks.