PackageIt’s Vendor-Managed Inventory Program at Work

PackageIt Team • October 12, 2021

Client Case Study: Imaginetics Aerospace Manufacturing & Assembly

Post 3 of 4 | VMI for Smart Supply Chains: A Blog Series

Here at PackageIt, we are proud of our vendor-managed inventory (VMI) partners. It’s a cross-sector group comprised of small businesses, family-owned shops, midsized companies and large corporations around the Pacific Northwest, and we’re grateful to be part of their success!

In this third post in our four-part series about strategic VMI programs, you’ll hear from one of our valued Auburn, WA customers: Imaginetics Aerospace Manufacturing & Assembly. Imaginetics is a globally respected aerospace manufacturing facility serving the U.S. and beyond for more than 20 years. Between its two facilities — Auburn, Washington and Gilbert, Arizona — Imaginetics Holdings includes 110,000 square feet of space equipped to provide sheet metal fabrication, tooling, assembly and finishing for some of the nation’s largest aerospace companies.

To learn more about Imaginetics’ experience with our vendor-managed inventory services, we caught up with Roxann Lottes, the company’s human resources assistant. Lottes interfaced with PackageIt reps for several years after we established a vendor-managed inventory program with the major aerospace supplier. She shares her experience in this one-on-one interview.

Meet Roxann Lottes, Imaginetics HR Assistant

Before transitioning to Imaginetics’ Arizona human resources team, Roxann Lottes performed admin support and served as shop purchaser at the Auburn, Washington location.

“When I began working at our Auburn facility, PackageIt was an established vendor that was well-liked by our whole team. I took over as VMI account liaison. Every week PackageIt’s vendor-managed inventory rep visited the facility and evaluated our packaging and warehouse supply inventory. After those visits, she put together a supply order, and I approved the orders before they were delivered. It was a seamless process, and I loved being part of the partnership.”

In your eyes, what were the primary benefits of PackageIt’s VMI program?

“It was the fact that they managed everything. Anytime we had a new packaging project or wanted to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of shipping materials or other custom packaging supplies, PackageIt was on-site to help. We needed to make our shipping area more efficient, so our VMI rep visited and evaluated every part of the shipment process. She gave us tips on packaging and fulfillment efficiencies — and recommended products to make us successful.

We also appreciated PackageIt’s focus on green, environmentally friendly products. Some of our biggest customers were moving in that direction, and they wanted us to shift to more recyclable and sustainable materials. Whatever our needs were, we trusted PackageIt to meet those requests. They have always been so good to us.”

Can you share more detail about Imaginetics and the types of VMI services PackageIt provided?

“We are a sheet-metal manufacturer that makes airplane parts for Honeywell, Boeing, Gulfstream and other companies, and our Washington facility is kind of a one-stop-sh op with a finishing house, also. PackageIt taught us the materials and processes required to wrap each part, protect paints and finishes, and cushion items for damage-free arrival.

We typically ship smaller components, not a lot of large items. Most parts are small, and they arrive in smaller packages delivered by FedEx, UPS or the U.S. postal service. But there are many individual packaging requirements, and every customer has different preferences on whether we should use bubble wrap or paper, egg crates or other box fillers. PackageIt juggled all those requirements with ease.”

What are the main benefits of having a vendor managing your shipping and warehouse supply inventory? Would you encourage other companies to consider making the jump to a VMI program?

“For any company managing a large packaging supply inventory, I’d say it is a great asset to have PackageIt come in weekly and take over those responsibilities. It alleviates stress on our team, and it was a great asset having them on-site regularly. They also met our end-users while visiting the Auburn facility, giving them a chance to share valuable packaging and supply tips.

They also took care of day-to-day issues. For example, if the end of the month came around and we were out of packing slips, I just called my VMI rep, who had them there that afternoon. If we needed boxes or other Seattle packaging supplies and she could not make it to our facility that day, she scheduled everything for a same-day will-call — so we could pick them up. PackageIt is very customer-oriented and provides such personal service. Far more than other vendors I have worked with.

In terms of pricing, I think we also ended up saving a fair amount of money because they ensured we didn’t have obsolete inventory on hand. They kept our stock items under control and placed orders that included bulk price savings.”

Now that you’re in a new role with Imaginetics, what would you say about your overall experience with PackageIt’s VMI program?

“From a personal perspective, I have to say that their customer service approach was exceptional. Every person in the chain, from our assigned VMI representative to Operations Manager Bill Gunning to every person who answers the phone or helps you at will-call, is so helpful. Their customer service is truly amazing. I miss the opportunity to work with them, week to week, and I would encourage any company to jump into the program.”

Benefits of PackageIt’s VMI Supply Chain Services

As PackageIt partners with companies of all sizes across dozens of Seattle industries, we request feedback from customer liaisons like Roxann. Every word of feedback makes us better, and customer insights allow us to meet our ambitious service goals. Here are some of the benefits we hear about most:

VMI services are transforming previously sluggish fulfillment & shipping processes.
Inventory control is reducing logistics bottlenecks and helping companies better utilize their warehouse space.
Firms are eliminating the costly effects of inventory overages and shortages, which are an ongoing problem in B2B and B2C environments.
PackageIt gets to know every customer’s industry and understands the most common pain points.

Seattle Custom Packaging for The Long Haul

If inventory bottlenecks, fulfillment slow-downs and pandemic chaos have your company playing defense instead of offense, you may be the perfect candidate for PackageIt’s vendor-managed inventory program. Contact us to see if you’re a candidate for our logistics management program, just like Imaginetics Aerospace Manufacturing & Assembly did.

We don’t just provide packaging and shipping materials. Rely on our team for cleaning and janitorial products, PPE, sanitation centers, warehouse supplies, office supplies and custom packaging solutions. Backed by almost 50 years of experience, we are your single-source inventory partner. Call 888.743.0907 today, and request a VMI consultation or place an order for bubble wrap, stock and custom cartons, logoed tape and bags, or on-site Pregis void fill equipment. With PackageIt, your warehouse runs better.

If you missed post two in our four-part blog series (an FAQ guide to vendor-managed inventory programs), check it out today! Stay tuned for the final post in this essential VMI blog series, and please follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn to be notified when new posts are published. We look forward to connecting with you!