If you followed our recent
blog series about VMI benefits, you heard from Hanna Looney, who spends her workdays visiting customers and facilitating our vendor-managed inventory programs. Unlike many of our competitors, PackageIt Seattle offers free VMI services that help aerospace, retail, industrial and B2B companies maintain packaging and warehouse supply inventories while avoiding costly shortfalls and surpluses.
“As a VMI assistant, I keep track of customer supplies to streamline their business. In collaboration with the client, I recommend minimum and maximum supply levels that allow their operations to run smoothly. That way, clients don’t run out of shipping materials, personal protective equipment or office supplies, and they also don’t run out of storage space,” Hanna explains. “We keep track of applicable inventory and create orders based on our established mins and maxes, which we can always adjust as needed. It’s a great client benefit since it reduces their workload. I know what’s on-hand and what needs ordering, so if my customers have questions, I can provide that information quickly.”
VMI Onboarding & Logistics
When a company on-boards as a VMI participant, Hanna and her colleagues do a deep dive into their inventory needs, service offerings and macro business model. “As trust develops between our team and theirs, they ask us to forecast market changes and provide recommendations about inventory adjustments or bulk-purchase cost savings,” says Hanna. “For example, we might let them know when certain supplies are more in demand than usual so we can order more the next week. Or we may recommend new products to improve efficiencies. Things they might not have thought of before.”
The Seattle VMI program can save countless hours facilitating supply logistics, especially for companies carrying large amounts of products, packaging materials and other supplies. According to Hanna, most
participating businesses are scheduled for a PackageIt visit once per week. “In cooperation with my clients, we decide on a day that’s convenient for my visit — and they receive their order shortly after. Some customers use less product and require fewer orders, so we stop by their facilities once a month or at their periodic request.”
Inside Look: A Day in the Life of VMI Specialist
Hanna’s week often begins with a lengthy commute in Seattle’s relentless traffic congestion, but the reward of building customer relationships makes it worth her time. “I leave around 6 in the morning, and sometimes I drive a couple of hours to get to my first client,” Hanna laughs. “Seattle traffic, you know? But I love meeting with my clients, and sometimes we get away from talking shop and share insights about our lives. I show dogs on the weekends, and my clients like to hear about my dogs and our weekend competitions. I enjoy building a rapport with the people who trust us.”
Hanna’s VMI roster consists of mostly aerospace firms supporting Boeing and other Pacific Northwest aircraft manufacturers. “Many of these companies are multi-site, so I visit different locations on varying days of the week. Aerospace makes up around 80 percent of our VMI program, but we welcome any business to participate in our free vendor-managed inventory service.”
Navigating Supply Chain Challenges
Vendor-Managed Inventory Benefits
Getting started with PackageIt’s vendor-managed inventory program is easy once you reach out to Hanna or another VMI team member. “During our initial meeting, I get a chance to show you what we offer. We’re not just boxes and bubble wrap, and many businesses don’t realize we also manage their office supplies and cleaning materials — plus hand sanitizer stations and other facility essentials. As we chat with customers, they begin to understand we can help them in more ways than they realized since their product usage may be higher than they thought.”
Here is Hanna’s shortlist of the top vendor-managed inventory benefits:
- FREE service. “Competitors often charge for their vendor-managed inventory programs, but our VMI solutions are a complimentary service for regular customers because we like to help out.”
- Open to interested customers. “Any customer requiring help with inventory management is eligible to apply for our VMI program. We’ll review your business’ needs and see how we might make your job easier.”
- Mutual benefit. “There’s no doubt the program helps our customer base and makes our job easier, too. Clients know they won’t run out of things, and our staff has time to plan without the pressure of finding low-stock items with short lead times.”
- Face time.
Weekly meetups benefit our manufacturing, retail and industrial customers. Many VMI suppliers require customers to self-order products online. Unfortunately, clients may be unaware of supply chain delays or material shortages, and without a VMI representative managing their order, they may place it too late. At PackageIt Seattle, it’s our job to keep these emergencies from happening.”
Q&A: Hanna — On & Off the Job
Q1: How did you get started working for PackageIt?
“I’ve worked here in an official capacity for five years, but I’ve been loosely involved in the
family business
for much of my life. My grandfather, Bill Gunning, Sr., started the company in 1974. When I came on board, I worked in the front office, learning to process orders and take calls. After getting comfortable with our products and processes, I moved to the VMI program,” she recalls. “Some of our sales reps handle their own accounts, but having internal support is great because my colleague and I can cover their accounts during vacations or family emergencies since we are already familiar with their customers’ needs.”
Q2: What’s great about working for PackageIt?
“I love that we’re a family-owned business and a tight-knit community. We’ve been around a long time and have become an area mainstay. After almost 50 years in business, we are familiar with Seattle industry and area businesses. Clients find our company friendly and responsive since we believe in old-fashioned service. There are few businesses like that these days. Our team longevity is impressive, too. There are still a few people, like
Ward Bysegger and others, who are original employees hired by my grandpa when he started the firm. And many other employees spent their careers here and only recently retired from PackageIt.”
Q3: Tell us about life outside of work.
“Well, I recently had an exciting event in my life. After waiting an extra year due to COVID restrictions, I got married! The ceremony was planned for August 2020 — but plans sure change,” she joked. The couple and their families celebrated the big event in September at Lake Chelan, their favorite getaway spot. She now goes by Hanna Stone.
“When I’m not working at PackageIt, I show dogs on the weekends. I’m constantly training and working them when I’m not visiting VMI customers, so it’s a huge part of my life.” Hanna got involved in dog training after participating in 4H and showing animals at fairs when she was young. “One thing led to another, and I met people who showed dogs. I became passionate about it, and my husband is, too. We train dogs together and have quite a few golden retrievers at home. There’s a lot going on!”
Q4: What’s on your bucket list?
“I’d love to visit Europe. And it’s my dream to compete in the World Dog Show, which moves all over the world.”
Inquire About PackageIt’s VMI Program for Business
At PackageIt, we’re busy solving your inventory problems so that you can get back to work. Every day, we help B2B and B2C customers grow, thrive and plan, and our vendor-managed inventory system is a prime example of this commitment.
If managing your Seattle packaging materials and warehouse supplies takes up too much of your valuable time, we can help. Hanna and her VMI colleagues provide on-site inventory checkups, supply chain management and forecasting, weekly product replenishment and more. With our help, you’ll align your inventory with customer demand and make logistics decisions that level up your business. Call
888.743.0907 to speak with Hanna Stone and the VMI team or to request a vendor-managed inventory consultation. Need supplies now?
Order online
for delivery or contactless pickup by request.
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