SOURCE | Fall 2022 3

The GROWMARK System was created almost 100 years ago to deliver a reliable fuel supply to rural America . It was the answer to a supply chain challenge . While our business has grown in scope and complexity , maintaining a robust , resilient supply chain remains critical .

Four years ago , GROWMARK identified an optimized supply chain as one of the four pillars of our enterprise strategy . The focus then was primarily on driving out cost . Today , Rod Wells , GROWMARK ’ s Vice President of Supply Chain and Logistics , is focused on processes , capacity , and resiliency . This group includes logistics , carrier development , process improvement , and eight distribution centers driving toward the perfect order .

One of the most successful examples of this can be found at the Alpha Distribution Center near the Illinois / Iowa state line . The management team at Alpha holistically embarked on a continuous improvement journey focused on their crop protection liquid storage tanks . What was once an area with inconsistent loading processes , lacking written procedures and relying heavily on tribal knowledge is now a well-organized and safe working environment that utilizes consistent , documented operating procedures . As a result , employees can more easily and confidently load and unload crop protection products for customers .

This is a prime example of implementing practices that support our efforts to provide the perfect order – getting to the point where we are not only focused on process improvement but measuring our performance regularly through metrics rather than anecdotal observations . Alpha is now focused on improving any process that touches procurement , order processing , and transportation , because we must get products to our customers when needed , especially during the busy periods in our business .

In this issue , you ’ ll also learn about GROWMARK ’ s realignment of the transportation group to improve our supply chain , and find out how some FS companies are using technology to react quicker and improve the customer experience while also being efficient in this time of a tough labor market .

I believe there is the potential to improve the process in so much of what we do in our daily workflow . I encourage you to think proactively to streamline processes and drive innovation in your respective areas . And thanks for your continuing efforts as we strive to make this the best agricultural cooperative System in North America .