Case Studies

1) Client A operates a closet and shelving business. Unassembled closet pieces are shipped in bulk to our warehouse. GFS receives materials and stocks according to part number. Client A sends an e-mail instructing GFS which part numbers to pull and set aside for Client A pick-up. Client also rents additional space for light assembly and cutting of shelving systems. Previously Client A was renting a mini self-storage unit. Since GFS, Client A now saves on expense of mini-storage and inventory is organized according to part number and space is allocated on an as needed basis saving the expense of unused mini-storage square footage. Significant time savings has occurred with elimination of Client A waiting for incoming deliveries, unloading of truck, stocking of materials, and pulling of specific part numbers for pick up.

2) Client B represents an Association of 12 individual Medical Providers across North Carolina. Commodity items that are frequently sold by all 12 independent businesses were being purchased in small quantities by each location. Individual orders were placed by each location and shipped from the manufacturer taking as long as 4 days. GFS approached the Association and suggested a volume purchase by the association for use by all locations. Using the GFS Model, the association orders items in bulk from the manufacturer taking advantage of significant volume price savings up to 43%. Bulk shipping charges are also significantly less than individual package shipment charges in total. Items are stored in the GFS warehouse and can be shipped anywhere in NC within one day. As needed, some locations are able to drive to the warehouse and pick up their items the same day. As a result of utilizing the GFS Model, all locations are saving significant money on these inventory items and providing more timely service to their customers.

3) Client C is a manufacturer’s sales representative for a complete line of Medical Equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, commodes and shower benches. He is able to utilize the GFS as a “satellite” warehouse to store his inventory. He can then make sales calls on his prospects to fill orders immediately passing shipping savings and delivery time savings onto his customers. He is able to show value added reasons for his customers to deal with him rather than his competitors.

4) Client D is a trainer and distributor of concrete countertops. Her company provides instruction and mixing materials for construction of custom countertops. Prior to doing business with GFS, her company stored 40 and 50 pound bags of mix, shipping supplies and boxes, demo materials and training supplies in her garage. Significant time and convenience was lost dealing with the storage and order fulfillment portion of her business impacting her ability to focus on new business and company growth. With the GFS Model, bags of mix, boxes and shipping materials are stored at the GFS warehouse freeing up space in her garage. Client D sends an e-mail order to GFS with shipping instructions. GFS pulls the appropriate items from her inventory, boxes and ships them per instructions charging the client discounted shipping fees available to GFS. As inventory stock reaches agreed to par levels, GFS notifies Client D and she re-orders inventory for delivery to GFS. Additionally, Client D provides sample boxes for display of concrete samples to her customers. These sample boxes arrive unfolded and their contents are delivered separately. GFS provides kitting of these sample boxes by folding the boxes and inserting the contents into one sample box. 10 Boxes are then packaged in a larger box and shipped to Client D’s customers. Again, Client D saves significant time by having GFS perform the kitting and the storage of all raw materials.

5) Client E is an internet based supplier of sporting apparel. His inventory is shipped directly from Client E’s suppliers to GFS and is stocked according to part number. Consumers order logo-ed shirts, hats and sweaters using an e-commerce web site. The order is automatically e-mailed to GFS. GFS pulls the order from shelves, packages and ships the order to the consumer. Inventory reports are sent to Client E and reconciled with the e-commerce engine on his web site. As a result of using the GFS Model, Client E is able to order inventory from suppliers, deliver them to GFS and package and ship orders to end users based on internet shopping. The whole process allows Client E to work from his home without hiring office or warehouse staff or take up room at his home. He has more time to grow his business by focusing on sales and marketing.

6) Client F is a retailer in a Medical Association. He had an overstock supply of wheelchairs that were not selling while taking up valuable space in his retail store. Using the GFS Model, he shipped his wheelchairs to our warehouse on a consignment basis. As other retailers come to GFS to pick up shipments they see his wheelchairs and often purchase them for sale in their stores. In addition, GFS sends out a monthly e-mail to other retailers listing the items in the consignment inventory and prices. As a result, overstock inventory is moved out of valuable retail space and sold to customers outside of the Client F’s typical sales area.

7) Client G runs a sunroom sales and installation business. He recently moved his business and needed both office and warehouse for sales and distribution needs. As a small operation he sought out an Executive Office Suite to address his sales and office needs. By partnering with the Executive Office provider, GFS was also able to provide Client G with a flexible solution for his product warehousing needs. As a result of this partnership, Client G leverages the shared resources of the Executive Office Suites and also leverages the flexible storage space and shipping and receiving tools and staff of GFS. This approach allows him to start his business immediately while limiting investment in buildings, furniture, equipment and staff. In addition significant time savings has occurred with elimination of Client G waiting for incoming deliveries, unloading of trucks, and stocking of materials.

8) Client H is an engineering firm that provides special, project based solutions for their customers. They require warehouse and light assembly space to construct and test their projects. Their projects result in the construction of a large, heavy product that must be crated and shipped across country. Working with GFS, Client H was able to acquire flexible warehouse space to meet their specific needs for storage, assembly and test. They were also able to utilize our full service shipping agreements with long range shippers. As a result Client H saves significant money by not having to acquire large warehouse space under long term contracts. They are able to outsource their storage and shipping needs allowing them to concentrate on their sales and engineering efforts.

9) Client I is a product sales representative. She handles a line of 61 products, all with literature and marketing collateral that she needed to get to 100 customers. Working with GFS, Client I had binders, literature and collateral shipped to our warehouse. GFS assembled the 6100 items into a “leave behind” binder. Client I kept the binders at the warehouse and either picked up what portion she needed or instructed GFS to ship the binder directly to her customer. A tremendous amount of time was saved by Client I by outsourcing the storage, kitting and assembly of these binders to GFS. Client I was able to spend time focusing on sales and deliver marketing materials to her customers in a timely manner.