Southern Living At HOME and Custom Marketing Services Receive 2004 Supply Chain Innovator Award

FORTE Noted as Key Technical Provider

November 8, 2004 — Supply Chain Systems (SCS) magazine recently recognized Southern Living At HOME and Custom Marketing Services as winners of the fifth annual Supply Chain Innovator Awards in the October issue. The companies are highlighted among the 13 winners for implementing exemplary supply chain management while improving the performance of their business operations.

The article cited flexible systems design, AIDC input, good visibility, and forward-thinking employees as key elements to successful supply chain. As a key technical provider, FORTE was distinguished for its principal role of planning, designing and implementing the automated system.

“Companies with successful supply chains are those that make distribution a frontline business strategy,” says Jerry Vink, VP of engineering with FORTE. “Custom Marketing Services was able to provide Southern Living At HOME with an excellent distribution operation able to support rapid growth. We are glad to see our clients recognized for innovation and success.”

Editors looked for companies that had successfully implemented supply chain management software and hardware, as well as changes in company processes. Each nomination was required to include a list of user contacts, and benefits achieved. The nominations were reviewed by several analysts at Boston-based AMR Research and then voted on by SCS editors on a scale of 1 to 10. The companies that received the highest scores were honored with the Innovator Award.

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 Custom Marketing Services

Custom Marketing Services, Inc. located in Calera, Alabama. Established in 1991, Custom Marketing Services, Inc. is one of the leading third party logistics companies in the Southeast with core competencies in distribution, consolidation, order fulfillment and storage. 205-668-3720.

About Supply Chain Systems Magazine

The magazine for business decisions makers who implement and approve complete systems for manufacturing/supply chain management. www.scs-mag.com

Press Contact

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