Cliff's Notes
Making A Difference
Effective supply chain professionals are known for their ability to see a problem, and quickly develop and implement a workable solution. Imagine the results to be achieved when a group of supply chain professionals come together for the common good. Case in point: the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN).
This volunteer, non-profit organization was formed by proactive supply chain professionals to provide a primary point of contact for those in the logistics profession who are interested in providing disaster relief support. ALAN's web portal serves as a clearinghouse for supply chain expertise, products, equipment, and services such as transportation, warehousing and material handling. ALAN works in concert with National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOADs) such as the Red Cross, Feeding America and the Salvation Army to deliver much needed assistance.
I’ve seen firsthand how supply chain professionals are uniting in support of this initiative. A wide range of industry organizations – from CSCMP to WERC to ATA – have joined forces as part of the ALAN network. In the event of a disaster, their members will log on to the ALAN web portal to match their resources with a specific need in their region – whether it’s industry expertise, supplies, vehicles to haul them or local warehouse space to store them.
It’s easy to see what brings everyone together. We’ve all seen the devastating effects of hurricanes like Katrina and Gustav. As good supply chain professionals, we’re overwhelmed by the desire to contribute expertise, products and services to solve the problem. ALAN offers the perfect opportunity to channel our good will – along with our unique resources – to provide efficient, targeted relief. We can be confident that, under ALAN’s guidance, our contributions will arrive when and where they are needed most.
ALAN’s effectiveness is due, in part, to the passion, creative ideas and commitment of my colleagues on ALAN’s leadership team – Jock Menzies, Mark Richards, Richard Sharpe and Cheryl Harrity. Their dedication and determination are key to the organization’s significant success in a relatively brief time span.
Based in Florida in the heart of hurricane country, the issue of disaster relief is close to the hearts of all of us at Saddle Creek. However, it’s not just our proximity to potential disasters that draws Saddle Creek into the ALAN network. It’s our company philosophy which is based on values like integrity, respect for the individual and service excellence. These values guide the decisions of our entire organization – from top management to the warehouse floor to the customer service desk to our drivers on the road.
Saddle Creek is proud to have had the opportunity to contribute to ALAN. Kathy Fulton, our Senior Manager of Technical Services, has played a key role in helping with the administration, development and documentation of the ALAN web portal. Her efforts, which earned her recognition from the International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA), have helped ALAN to develop a convenient, easy-to-use system that will simplify relief efforts and get supplies and resources where they are most needed quickly and effectively.
ALAN's web portal went live just days before Hurricane Gustav hit land and began to deliver results almost immediately. Donations flooded in – supplies, warehouse marshalling space, transportation services and more. Since then, ALAN volunteers have contributed to many other relief efforts with great success.
ALAN obviously shares our corporate philosophy – Whatever it takes! – and Saddle Creek will continue to support ALAN in the years ahead. I sincerely hope that you will join us.
For more information about ALAN, visit www.alanaid.org.
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Cliff Otto is president of Saddle Creek Corporation and Saddle Creek Transportation. He has more than 30 years of industry experience and has held leadership roles with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and several grocery industry associations, and served as national president of the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC).