How Eagle Foods strengthens logistics performance through continuous improvement. * home * resources * blog posts * how Eagle Foods strengthens logistics performance through continuous improvement. A supply chain built for growth can't stand still. As order volumes increase and business needs evolve, retailers and brands need more than additional capacity. They need to keep refining how work gets done. Continuous improvement in logistics provides a framework for identifying opportunities to increase efficiency, strengthen service and deliver more consistent results. For Eagle Foods, that commitment is central to its partnership with Saddle Creek Logistics Services. Beyond managing day-to-day distribution needs, the teams regularly evaluate opportunities to make the operation better. Both partners bring ideas to the table and work together to put them into practice, making continuous improvement a shared responsibility. "Either we're bringing ideas to the table or Saddle Creek is proactively suggesting things they've seen work for other businesses." ~ FRED HARRIS, Senior Director of Operations at Eagle Foods The following excerpt from its case study details how Eagle Foods and Saddle Creek translate that collaborative approach into practical improvements that enhance productivity and make order fulfillment more reliable. Improving efficiency through continuous improvement. Continuous improvement is a key focus of the partnership. Together, the teams regularly evaluate opportunities to improve efficiency, service and consistency. For example, Saddle Creek recently proposed picking layers instead of cases in Joliet to increase efficiency for higher order volume. The initiative resulted in 33% labor savings while improving operational productivity. Saddle Creek has also collaborated closely with Eagle Foods on inventory reconciliation, pick-to-print labeling, reporting enhancements, overtime reduction, transportation optimization and more. "Either we're bringing ideas to the table or Saddle Creek is proactively suggesting things they've seen work for other businesses," says Fred Harris, Senior Director of Operations at Eagle Foods. "The majority of the time, we explore it together and then figure out a path to implement it." Reducing order carryover and improving reliability. One of Eagle Foods' most important KPIs measures how much gross revenue carries over from one month to the next due to unshipped orders. Before operational improvements were fully implemented, monthly carryover levels averaged 12% to 20% - adversely impacting the company's balance sheet, cash flow and EBITDA. Today, that number reliably averages less than 3% - a dramatic improvement the company has consistently maintained for nearly two years. Harris says the improvement was driven by tighter coordination, improved order quality, consistent execution across the network and - most critical - strong communication.

Freight Distress Report: More than 7,000 jobs cut in new wave of closures. Layoffs and facility closures are mounting across U.S. freight, distribution and manufacturing networks, with more than 7,000 jobs affected by recently announced workforce reductions involving companies ranging from Tyson Foods and FedEx to Ryder, CJ Logistics America and Daimler Truck. The largest reduction comes from Tyson Foods, which is reportedly eliminating more than 3,000 jobs as it closes facilities in Joslin, Illinois, and Eagle Mountain, Utah. The food giant said it is shifting beef operations toward Nebraska, Kansas and Texas amid what it described as a historic cattle shortage. Wholesale distributor Essendant also warned of sweeping cuts affecting more than 1,200 employees across six states as the company attempts to secure additional capital or find a buyer. WARN notices show approximately 644 jobs affected in Illinois, 192 in Georgia, 150 in Pennsylvania, 136 in Texas, 103 in California and 53 in Arizona. The reductions are scheduled to begin Oct. 3. The company has warned that it could cease operations and liquidate if financing or a sale cannot be secured. The announcements are part of a broader wave of restructuring hitting transportation, warehousing, fulfillment and manufacturing operations. Freight and logistics operations take hits. Postal Center International is eliminating about 457 positions across Florida, Texas and Massachusetts. The commercial mail and fulfillment provider said 181 employees are affected at its Weston, Florida, headquarters, along with 164 workers in San Antonio and 112 in Franklin, Massachusetts. Positions include delivery drivers, barcode sweepers, supervisors and managers. FedEx is cutting 173 jobs across three Southern California operations as part of its ongoing Network 2.0 transformation. The parcel carrier plans to permanently close its Victorville facility Sept. 28, eliminating 54 jobs. Another 62 employees will be affected in Palm Springs and 57 in San Diego. FedEx has characterized the moves as part of its broader restructuring and network consolidation efforts. Ryder is also closing an operation in Fayetteville, North Carolina, resulting in 73 layoffs effective Oct. 12. Ryder said it will continue operating in the area, but another logistics provider will take over operations at the Gillespie Street facility. CJ Logistics America plans to cease operations at a 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse in Upper Macungie Township, Pennsylvania, affecting 57 employees. The third-party logistics provider cited changing business needs for the shutdown. Saddle Creek Corp. filed a WARN notice Aug. 17 announcing 178 permanent layoffs at its Plant City, Florida, operation beginning Oct. 15. Dylan Logistics LLC also filed WARN notices covering 167 employees at facilities in Lewisville and Fort Worth, Texas. Those reductions are scheduled for Dec. 10. Flagship Logistics, an Amazon Delivery Service Partner operating from an Amazon warehouse in North Bath, New York, plans to eliminate 43 positions. Manufacturing and distribution facilities close. Commercial vehicle manufacturing is also represented in the latest round of restructuring. Daimler Truck plans to move truck manufacturing out of Portland, Oregon, to facilities in North and South Carolina by the end of the year, affecting approximately 375 employees. Daimler said it will continue building trucks used for testing in Portland. Carlex Glass America plans to permanently close its manufacturing operation in Vonore, Tennessee, affecting 325 workers. Layoffs are scheduled to begin Sept. 7 as the company shifts production toward Nashville. HelloFresh is closing its Swedesboro, New Jersey, distribution center and cutting 374 jobs effective Nov. 17. The meal-kit company said operations will be integrated into its broader fulfillment network. United Natural Foods Inc. is closing its longtime Northeast Philadelphia distribution center, eliminating 48 positions while shifting operations to other Pennsylvania facilities. Ferraro Foods of New York North is closing its Utica operation for economic reasons, resulting in 62 layoffs by Aug. 18. The foodservice distributor operated 17 trucks and employed 21 drivers, according to FMCSA data cited in the notice information. Other closures include a Staples fulfillment center in La Mirada, California, affecting 109 workers; a Mission Foods tortilla plant in Pueblo, Colorado, affecting 90; and TV Hardware Distribution's Chicago operation, where 116 employees are scheduled to be laid off in October. Bankruptcy and financial pressure. Financial distress is also behind several notices. West Marine is eliminating 80 positions at its Fort Lauderdale, Florida, support center effective Oct. 3 while the boating supplier goes through Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring and nationwide store consolidation. Revol Greens warned that approximately 115 employees could be affected if it closes its Temple, Texas, greenhouse Oct. 4. The company continues operating while seeking a buyer or additional financing and cited broader market disruptions in the leafy-greens sector. Silgan Containers, meanwhile, plans temporary layoffs involving 55 workers in Modesto, California, beginning Sept. 21 because of seasonal and market demand changes for canned foods. Layoff and closure tracker. Why it matters: Facility closures and network consolidation can reshape freight volumes and trucking lanes even when carriers are not the companies directly eliminating jobs.