Two FORTE Project Managers Recognized as Frontline Superstars

Butch Bell and Carl Marcinkowski Runners-Up

October 29, 2004 — Frontline Solutions magazine recently recognized Butch Bell of Southern Living At HOME and Carl Marcinkowski of Lenox, Inc. as Supply Chain Superstar runners-up in the October issue.

For an individual or team to earn the designation of Supply Chain Superstar, judges required a demonstrated return on the supply chain investment, as well as demonstrated process changes and new metrics of performance. These stringent requirements resulted in the placement of some first-rate efforts in the runner-up category. Their accomplishments are noteworthy due to the vision and efforts of the implementers.

“Supply Chain Superstars are those that rise to the challenge, championing superb go-to-market strategies,” says Gene Forte, president of FORTE. “Both Butch and Carl demonstrated forward-thinking leadership capabilities when sizeable challenges arose. We are pleased to have worked as an extension of their internal operations and information technology teams. Their transforming achievements have progressed internal process changes that go beyond supply chain efficiency, enhancing overall market competitiveness.”

Bell is recognized for successfully managing Southern Living At HOME’s exploding growth when order requirements exceeded capacity of its 3PL, Custom Marketing Services. Bell was a key team member in conceiving and developing a 500,000 square foot DC, fully equipped with an automated material handling system and best-of-breed WMS.

Carl Marcinkowski is noted for his leadership in a large-scale project consolidating Lenox’s distribution network, a web of 20 facilities, into a new integrated 500,000-square-foot distribution center. As a result, Lenox reduced operating costs 15 to 18 percent.

About FORTE

FORTE (www.forte-industries.com), a distribution operations improvement firm, 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. For more information, please call 513-398-2800, visit www.forte-industries.com.

About Southern Living At HOME

Southern Living At HOME, the direct sales company of Southern Progress Corporation, a division of Time Inc., was launched in 2001. The company experienced exponential growth, making it the fastest-growing party plan company in the history of direct sales. Started in Birmingham, Alabama, the business has vastly broadened throughout the United States. Southern Living At HOME is an active member of the Direct Selling Association. www.southernlivingathome.com.

About Lenox

Founded in 1889, Lenox is a national designer, manufacturer, and marketer of fine gifts, china, crystal, tableware, and collectibles. Over the years, they have expanded their products to include casual collections in stoneware and earthenware, crystal stemware, and flatware. They are committed to upholding the high standards of excellence in artistry and craftsmanship set forth by our founder, Walter Scott Lenox. www.lenox.com.

About Frontline Solutions

Frontline Solutions is the only integrated publishing platform to provide collaborative business strategies and tactics for the end-to-end supply chain. It supports operations, IT, and senior managers in core vertical markets. Frontline Solutions is headquartered in Peterborough, New Hampshire with offices in California, Minnesota and Colorado. It is published by Advanstar Communications Inc. www.frontlinetoday.com.

Press Contact

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