Mebane Consolidated Distribution Center Essential to Efficiency

The construction of the Mebane Consolidated Distribution Center in North Carolina was an essential strategic move to enhance the efficiency of the Trivantage network. The Mebane center incorporates the latest in warehouse management systems, receiving shipments from vendors and managing inventories throughout the Trivantage network, using automated replenishment guidelines for each of the 12 branches. Mebane also provides direct shipments to customers.

Other operational improvements for Trivantage have included:

• inContact Call System – The installation of this networked calling system enhanced Trivantage’s ability to respond to customer calls by leveraging the branch network. Call volumes are monitored automatically and individual calls are routed to the location that is best able to receive the call in the shortest timeframe.

• Branch network improvements – Trivantage has completed the consolidation of its branch network by eliminating overlapping locations, which allows for concentration of resources at fewer sites. At the same time, Trivantage recently opened a new branch in Seattle to improve coverage in the northeastern U.S. and Canada.

• Training and organization – Training of associates has been an important focus over the past several years with an emphasis on more effective service approaches for customers. Sales and service teams have been reorganized to achieve a sharper focus on customer needs in both areas.

• New technology platform – One of the most important investments Trivantage has made was the recent launch of new information technology for order and warehouse management and e-commerce. This software represents a substantial investment to replace existing systems with current technology that establishes a platform for continued growth and service enhancements in the future.

These operational improvements are in direct support of the Trivantage mission. With last year’s IFAI Expo, Trivantage launched a mission statement based on customer research. The mission statement – Order. Done. Good Call. – is based on customer feedback indicating the primary need of fabricators is for the most efficient, reliable and user friendly order placement system possible.

It would be hard to find anyone in the Trivantage organization with more experience than Rudie Bingham. She joined a distribution services company in Dallas in 1984 which was eventually acquired by The Astrup Company, which became Trivantage in 2007. During her career, she has worked in virtually every role you can imagine, from customer service representative to assistant branch manager and today site manager. While many things have changed, the focus on personal relationships remains essential.

“I am working with some customers that I have known for 29 years, including their sons and daughters who have joined these family businesses. We want customers to do business with us not just because we’re convenient and have good pricing, but because people like doing business with us. We have a lot of longevity among the staff members in Dallas, and we emphasize one-call resolution. Take care of it now, don’t delay, don’t pass it on. That’s our focus even in the busy season.”