FORTE Joins the Direct Selling Association

October 1, 2004 – FORTE, a leader in the plan, design and implementation of automated material handling systems, recently became a member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA). DSA board members officially admitted FORTE as a Supplier Member Sept. 14, 2004.

Supplier Members are companies that provide goods and services to support direct selling companies. DSA upholds the integrity of its membership by selectively accepting companies that apply for admittance.

FORTE understands the unique customer service requirements and complexities of distributing a variety of products to independent representatives nationwide. FORTE enables direct selling companies to fulfill and ship 100 percent customer-compliant orders at the least cost.

FORTE has experience delivering award-winning projects for direct selling operations. FORTE was recognized in the 100 Great Supply Chain Partners report by Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies magazine for its work with fellow Direct Selling Member Southern Living At HOME. The same project also resulted in Southern Living At HOME being recognized with the Supply Chain Innovator Award by Supply Chain Systems magazine.

“We are excited to be accepted as part of the direct selling community,” says FORTE's director of marketing. “Our work with Southern Living At HOME has facilitated development of operational best practices that permits distribution excellence within a direct selling supply chain.”

About the Direct Selling Association

DSA is the trade association for the direct selling industry in the United States and represents the interests of more than 164 direct selling companies. More than 90 percent of U.S. domestic direct sales are conducted annually by these companies, many of which also have large global operations. In the U.S., direct selling is a $28.7 billion industry providing income opportunities for more than 13 million people. In the U.S., direct selling is defined as the sale of a consumer product or service, in a face-to-face manner, away from a fixed retail location. Worldwide sales exceed $85 billion via more than 47 million salespeople. For more information, visit DSA’s home page at www.dsa.org, or the World Federation of Direct Selling Association’s home page at www.wfdsa.org.

About FORTE

FORTE (www.forte-industries.com) provides turnkey planning, design, and implementation services for automated distribution centers. The scope of FORTE’s projects range from reconfiguration, optimization, expansion, and consolidation of current distribution facilities, to the development of new, fully automated facilities. Clients include: Lenox, Leviton, Beiersdorf, Candle-Lite, totes>>Isotoner, IBM, Augusta Sportswear, Delta Faucet Company, Vera Bradley, REEF, Red Envelope, Sanford, Cintas, and many others. For more information, please call 513-398-2800, visit www.forte-industries.com.

Press Contact

William Taylor, associate director of marketing
FORTE
(513) 398-2800
www.forte-industries.com