The Lehigh Brewery project combines all elements of Supply Chain One:
Plan, Source, Make, Hold & Move, creating an award-winning source-to-shelf supply chain solution for our client.
What do you do when you are the world's largest producer of alcholic beverages and you have a run-away hit that is outstripping your ability to produce?
If you are DIAGEO, you contact TLC. That's exactly what happened when Smirnoff ICE hit the US market. Suddenly there was simply not enough capacity.
TLC's SCOPE team went into high gear. With no time to build a new brewing or bottling facility, TLC identified an idled brewery facility in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. With the clock ticking the TLC teams went to work converting this massive shuttered facility into a modern, functional plant.
TLC went from contact to first case in less than four months. This included a complete retrofit of the facility and hiring over 250 new associates from a pool of over 5,000 candidates. In addition to high speed bottling lines, TLC implemented new production, ordering and logistics systems.
Paul Clinton, President and CEO of Guinness UDV North America said, "The launch of Smirnoff Ice has been a stunning success. This plant will help Guinness UDV meet the ever-rising consumer demand and will expand our ability to deliver Smirnoff Ice more efficiently and conveniently to our clients across North America. Through our organic growth in the US, Total Logistic Control has demonstrated their expertise in supply chain management as well as their commitment to Guinness UDV North America. We are confident that this extension of our partnership will meet with continued success. "
The product produced here, flavored malt beverage, was something TLC had never produced before. DIAGEO, already a long time client of TLC, realized that this was not as important as TLC's proven ability to deliver flawless execution and meet critical startup deadlines.
Footnote (1): In 2005 this once shuttered facility was recognized by the State of Pennsylvania and the US Department of Commerce as the state's "Employer of the Year". Criteria for the award included TLC's ability to bring a high quality work environment and job opportunity to the area. TLC accepted the award on behalf of our client.
Footnote (2): In May of 2005, after the facility earned this prestigious award, the client assumed control of this operation, completing TLC's involvement in the project. It also ended TLC's involvement in the bottling or production of alcoholic beverages. The facility is now the flagship operation in Diageo's North American beverage network.