News

FORTE Named to the 2012 Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100

05/07/2012: FORTE, the pioneering design-build firm in the distribution sector of the supply chain, was recently named to the 2012 Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100 for helping a national fashion retailer increase productivity and efficiency, improve accuracy and better utilize space by automating the manual processes in its distribution center to accommodate extremely rapid growth.Download Full Article >

FORTE Hires Eric E. Clark as Chief Information Officer

04/05/2012: FORTE hired Eric E. Clark as chief information officer (CIO). In this role, Clark is responsible for the overall technology strategy, implementation leadership and sales support of FORTE’s Smart Warehouse Suite of supply chain execution warehouse control system (WCS) software.Download Full Article >

FORTE's Bill Tyng featured in Distribution Center Management addressing WMS Implementation

03/29/2012: For most businesses, the distribution center is one of the most critical and strategic areas of their operations. And the evaluation and implementation of a warehouse management system (WMS) is mission-critical to any distribution operation. So, if you’ve been charged with researching, selecting, implementing and supporting your WMS, you already know it’s no small task. With everything that is involved, it’s easy to skip a step or, even worse, make a wrong decision that will have you retracing your steps and wondering where the whole thing went wrong. Instead of second-guessing your decision later, take a look at the five proactive steps in this article to help your WMS implementation succeed. Download Full Article >

FORTE Launches New Website and Brand Identity

01/11/2012: FORTE, the design-build pioneer of the supply chain distribution sector, announces the launch of a new website, www.forte-industries.com, that introduces the company's new brand identity. The new website prominently features FORTE's clients' successes through videos and case studies and highlights its comprehensive suite of supply chain optimization software. With clients that range from Fortune® 500 to mid-market and entrepreneurial enterprises, FORTE helps the world's fastest-growing companies gain a competitive advantage by optimizing their supply chains with technology, process improvements, systems integration and facility automation.chains with technology, process improvements, systems integration and facility automation. View Full Article >

FORTE's Gene Forte provides expert commentary in Supply Chain Digest on “Conveyor Industry Sales Channels” and “Choosing Between OEMs and SIs”

08/23/2011: Supply Chain Digest's Material Handling Editor, Cliff Holste, recently posted several informative articles in his Logistics News column. FORTE CEO, Gene Forte, was among a handful of industry leaders who provided valuable perspective on the evolving landscape of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers, integrators and consultants. Forte provides insight on the Consultant/Systems Integrator model that he pioneered, noting that FORTE “saw the need for an agnostic approach that combined the best attributes of the design/build business model with the consultant model. The Consultant/SI practice that resulted from FORTE's early vision and innovation is today regarded as the best approach by many of the fastest-growing, most successful companies in the world.” View Full Article >

FORTE's Jeff Ross Interviewed by RetailSolutionsOnline.com on Cross-Channel Retailing

07/30/2011: RetailSolutionsOnline’s Matt Pillar recently interviewed FORTE’s Jeff Ross, VP of Consulting, for an article entitled, Cross-Channel Fulfillment On The Front Lines. The article poses the question, “As retailers grapple with cross-channel fulfillment models, will a clear best practice arise from the fray?” Ross provides detailed and insightful responses, commenting “The order picking process for e-commerce drives excessively high cost per line or unit compared to store fulfillment orders. This is a new and growing challenge for many retailers and one that often requires the allocation of investment dollars to deploy new processes and technology.” Download Full Article >

FORTE's Bob Babel featured in Supply Chain Digest Expert Insight: Sorting it Out

07/27/2011: Supply Chain Digest's Material Handling Editor, Cliff Holste, recently interviewed FORTE's Bob Babel, VP of Systems Engineering, for an article on Pick & Pass Automation Metrics. FORTE has implemented automated pick & pass operations in the apparel, medical, home goods and hardware industries. In the article, Babel details FORTE's work with Kurt Jacobs, Director of Distribution at Holloway Sportswear, to take them from a garment-on-hangar (GOH) storage and picking operation, which was admittedly slow and cumbersome, to a more efficient flat goods automated zone Pick & Pass operation that incorporated eight zones with walk-back aisle configuration. View Full Article >

Distribution Network (Re)Design...When?...Now!

03/01/2011: WERCSheet — "Identifying and deploying network improvements can bring competitive advantage in service, costs..." Jeff Ross, VP of Consulting for FORTE, along with other supply chain industry professionals, offer tips and advice on when you should be looking at your Distribution Network (and why). Download Full Article >

Vera Bradley and FORTE Make Packing the Perfect Bag Faster

02/23/2011: FORTE and Vera Bradley complete a warehouse optimization project that increases delivery service levels by 67% during peak period through process improvements, additional material handling equipment (MHE) and an upgrade to Automation Director®, FORTE's Warehouse Control System (WCS) software. Download Full Article >

FORTE's Jeff Ross, A 2011 Provider Pro to Know

02/01/2011: Jeff Ross, VP of Consulting for FORTE was selected as a Provider Pro to Know by Supply & Demand Chain Executive magazine. Congratulations to Jeff and all the 2011 honorees! Read more about the award and see the full list of honorees. View Full Article >

Systems Integration, A New Understanding

01/21/2011: You may think you have integrated systems, but if you still have automation islands, you still need a bridge...Read more about Systems Integration and how it's helping Crate & Barrel on Material Handling & Logistics News. View Full Article >

FORTE and rue21, Bringing Street Cred to Retail Distribution Optimization

12/14/2010: FORTE, a leading distribution consulting and systems integration firm, and rue21, inc. (rue21), a major specialty retailer offering the newest fashions for girls and guys, recently partnered on an upgrade to rue21’s 189,600 square foot distribution center and office facility located in Weirton, West Virginia. The upgrade, which doubled the facility’s store packing capacity, included the implementation of a new, highly automated, material handling pack-to-light system, work platform structure, warehouse control system (WCS) and other warehouse management system upgrades. The project team was led by FORTE, serving as consultant, project manager, technology provider and systems integrator, with much of the project occurring during peak season. The upgrade went live just after rue21’s Initial Public Offering. Download Full Article >

FORTE Celebrates 30 Years of Supply Chain and Distribution Expertise!

11/23/2010: FORTE celebrates 30 years this month! Beginning as a one-man material handling equipment (MHE) distributor, the company has evolved to become a leader in supply chain and distribution optimization, building its success with highly skilled professionals and widely recognized and respected clients such as Crate & Barrel, rue21, Smith & Nephew, KitchenAid, Vera Bradley, Dean & Deluca, Procter & Gamble, Newell Rubbermaid, Delta Faucet, totes>>ISOTONER and many others. Download Full Article >

Jeff Ross Joins FORTE as VP of Consulting

10/26/2010: FORTE, a leading supply chain consulting and systems integration firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Jeff Ross as Vice President of Consulting. With over 30 years of operations management and supply chain consulting, Jeff will be responsible for all aspects of FORTE's Consulting Practice. His experience spans strategy, facility and process design, material handling systems implementation, inventory and network analysis and improvements, project and human resources management and supply chain software solution selection and deployment.Download Full Article >