Dole's online store offers a serrated produce knife sourced exclusively from a single domestic vendor with whom we have partnered for several years. We separately engage a decoration vendor to pad print their logo on these knives.
Given the typically long lead times, we maintain on-hand inventory to expedite order fulfillment. However, this system proved inadequate when a recent client order for 600 knives exceeded both our stock and our primary vendor's immediate capacity.
Recognizing the limitations of our current single domestic vendor and the separate decoration process, we proactively engaged our international sourcing partners. Our goal was to identify a vendor who could not only manufacture this precise serrated knife but also provide in-house decoration services.
This integrated approach would streamline our supply chain, reduce lead times, and ultimately create a more efficient and cost-effective process for fulfilling future orders of this popular item in Dole's online store.
To ensure accurate replication, we initiated the project by sending physical samples of the Dole produce serrated knife to a select group of our international vendor partners. This allowed them to evaluate the material, dimensions, and construction necessary for an exact match.
Our efforts resulted in a promising partnership with a vendor who demonstrated the ability to not only source and decorate the knife precisely to Dole's specifications but also offered significantly faster production timelines and more competitive pricing.
Recognizing the long-term benefits, we presented Dole with a thorough proposal outlining the advantages of direct bulk procurement from this new vendor, emphasizing substantial cost reductions and a dramatic decrease in order lead times.
At Dole, they aim to make the world healthier and more sustainable by marketing the most nutritious foods with the lowest environmental impact. By combining global scale with local expertise, they are creating a fresh produce leader. Click here to learn more about Dole: www.dole.com/about-us
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