Choice Logistics

Choice Logistics, Inc.

Industry	Logistics
Founder(s)	Ed Katz, Chairman
Headquarters	1 Whitehall Street 12th Floor New York, New York, United States
Services	Supply Chain Management
Website	choicelogistics.com

Choice Logistics is a third-party service parts logistics provider that offers customized solutions for global high-tech OEMs and service organizations. The company has more than 400 strategic stocking locations around the world to provide same-day logistics solutions to optimize inventory, reduce costs and improve customer support. Choice’s clients include Avaya^[1], Cisco, Cox Communications, Dell, Dolby Digital, EMC, Hitachi Data Systems^[2][3], Intuitive Surgical, L-3 Communications^[4], Oce North America, and Quantum Corporation.

Choice’s technology infrastructure was designed specifically for mission-critical requirements and provides real-time inventory control on a global basis. Expertise includes Regional Distribution Center (RDC) and Strategic Stocking Location (SSL) operations, secured storage, inbound and outbound handling, and expedited same-day delivery options. The company also provides Importer of Record (IOR) and Exporter of Record (EOR) services to clients who require locations in country and need a local legal entity or means of import into and export from the markets they serve to ensure compliance. One of the key components of this support operation is Choice’s real-time web accessible system.

History

Choice Logistics is a privately owned business that was founded in New York City in 1964. It was originally a local courier service for accountants, lawyers and other professional service firms. Choice adapted their services when technologies such as email and fax machines emerged.

Now Choice’s entire business is focused on third-party, high-tech service parts logistics, delivering parts in as little as one to four hours around the world, in addition to other modes of delivery including scheduled and next-business day.

The company continues its global expansion, serving clients where they need support.

Expertise

Choice takes an innovative approach to its management processes. Executive leadership is intimately involved with the accounts^[5], offering counsel, insight and experience to ensure the most efficient processes are implemented and executed. Each team member operates under a high level of accountability and takes a personal stake in their client’s success.

Global logistics infrastructure

Choice has a global network of more than 400 SSLs^[6] and eight regional distribution centers. The company is non-asset based, so the best transportation mode and provider can be identified based on client requirements.

Global Logistics Center

Choice’s Global Logistics Center (GLC) is the hub of the worldwide operation, housing the Call Center, Control Desk, Inventory Control group, and Field Services and Account Services. Choice’s IT system integrates the entire operation, including remote strategic stocking locations, forward stocking locations, and regional distribution centers to manage client inventory assets throughout the service supply chain.

Strategic stocking locations

Through a network of about 400 SSLs around the world^[7], Choice offers local expertise and partnerships to provide time-definite deliveries around the clock. This allows for high tech parts to be dispatched at a moment’s notice and delivered within hours to comply with demanding service level agreements (SLAs).

Regional distribution centers

The company has seven regional distribution centers^[8] around the world in Atlanta, Georgia, Hong Kong, Mexico City, Rotterdam, Singapore, Sydney, and Toronto to ensure the timely delivery of high-tech service parts. Each center is aligned with Choice’s network of SSLs to offer superior, optimized inventory control, distribution and reverse logistics services.

Trade compliance

Choice’s dedicated Global Trade Compliance (GTC) group offers international expertise to help clients understand the complex requirements associated with global commerce.^[9] Choice is also sensitive to local environmental regulations and advises each client accordingly.

Primary industries served

• Data Networking
• Data Storage
• Digital cinema
• Supercomputing
• Medical equipment
• Office Automation
• Point of Sale
• Security and Detection
• Semiconductor Capital Equipment
• Telecommunications

Industry acronyms

• 3PL - Third-party logistics
• SLA - Service Level Agreement
• SSL - Strategic Stocking Location
• FSL - Forward Stocking Location
• SPL - Service Parts Logistics
• NFO - Next Flight Out
• RDC - Regional distribution centers
• GTC - Global trade compliance
• CSS - Customer Support Services
• POS - Point of Sale
• ERP - Enterprise resource planning
• CRM - Customer Relationship Management

Management

• Ed Katz, Chairman and Founder
• Michael Katz, CEO
• Mike Beck, Executive Vice President and CFO
• Gary Weiss, Executive Vice President of Global Operations
• Paul Malamet, Executive Vice President, Business Development
• Anne Yarmark, Senior Vice President, Human Resources
• Robert Bacchi, Senior Vice President, Information Systems

See also

• Aberdeen Group (industry analyst)
• FedEx (competitor)
• Logistics
• Logistics Management
• Mission Critical
• Spare parts management
• Strategic Service Management
• Fourth party logistics
• UPS (competitor)

References

1. ^ "Choice and Avaya: A Case Study". Choice Logistics. http://www.choicelogistics.com/news/casestudies/avaya.html. Retrieved 2004-11-30. 
2. ^ "Hitachi, Choice Logistics Expand Relationship". American Shipper, Howard Publications, Inc.. http://www.americanshipper.com/ecc/ECC_story.asp?news=161091. Retrieved 2010-06-17. 
3. ^ "Choice and Hitachi Data Systems: A Case Study". Choice Logistics. http://www.choicelogistics.com/news/casestudies/hitachiDS.html. Retrieved 2009-01-19. 
4. ^ "The Road to Outsourced Logistics is Full of Surprises". Purchasing.com, Reed Business Information. http://www.choicelogistics.com/news/media/purchasing-magazine-0410.pdf. Retrieved 2010-05-07. 
5. ^ "Gary Weiss, Executive VP of Global Operations, Choice Logistics named “2010 Pros to Know”". Supply & Demand Chain Executive. http://www.sdcexec.com/print/Supply-and-Demand-Chain-Executive/2010-Pros-to-Know/1$12263. Retrieved 2010-02-24. 
6. ^ "Choice Strategic Stocking Location Listing". Choice Logistics. http://www.choicelogistics.com/custom-solutions/ssls.html. Retrieved 2010-07-23. 
7. ^ "3rd Party Service Providers Extend Offerings with Choice Logistics Around the Globe". Choice Logistics. http://www.choicelogistics.com/news/news-article/third-party-logistics-offering-expansion.htm. Retrieved 2010-11-24. 
8. ^ "Choice Regional Distribution Centers". Choice Logistics. http://www.choicelogistics.com/custom-solutions/distribution-centers.html. Retrieved 2010-07-23. 
9. ^ "Reforming Export Controls". Purchasing.com. http://www.choicelogistics.com/news/media/joc_reforming_export_controls_080309.pdf. Retrieved 2009-08-03.