CD Sales serves wholesalers with vast inventory
BY MARY JO MARTIN
Editorial director
In 2005, CD Sales was formed as a unique supply channel that serves primarily as a master distributor to independent wholesalers throughout the U.S.
CD Sales takes full advantage of a $100-million inventory of plumbing, heating, HVAC, refrigeration, PVF (especially industrial valves) and specialty lines. All are available on one order from a single source. CD Sales carries lines such as Grohe, ASCO, Brizo, Ashcroft, Crane Valve, Apollo, Viega, Chicago Faucet, TOTO, American Standard, Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Flowseal, Centerline, Vogt and Spirax Sarco. Sales are divided fairly evenly among residential, commercial and industrial product categories.
Core function is master distribution
That function begins at the 408,000-square-foot Distribution Center in Amherst N.H. The facility is just short of 10 acres under roof that provides one-stop shopping and immediate response. The quantity and the type of material that’s shipped is based on current orders, the sales history and market conditions, as well as the time of the year.
Thanks to technology, cd Sales maintains consistent inventory levels. It works like this: when a customer buys a product, the computer automatically communicates that sale to manufacturers. This transaction triggers an EDI order to replenish that product purchased. No people or paperwork is involved in the process. Constant inventory cycle counts ensure that the computer and physical figures agree.
More than 100 FedEx orders are shipped by CD Sales each day.
CD Sales runs two shifts daily to receive product from its vendors and then load the trucks to supply its customers. In order to be both timely and accurate, lead times and fill rates from the organization’s manufacturing partners are tracked and measured.
Inventory is completely bar coded to improve efficiency. With the radio-frequency bar coding system, errors in receiving and picking material are significantly reduced. The overall goal is to move a high volume of inventory at the lowest procurement cost and be a valued member in the supply chain. CD Sales constantly looks at ways to achieve that goal. Its diverse product mix is complemented by several specialists who provide expertise in applications.
Customer service, systems approach
The operation is staffed with a team of experienced inside sales personnel and managed by veteran general manager Greg Bodlovick. He and his able staff of Phil Duncan, Mike Desrochers and Jesse Plourde are dedicated to taking orders and getting the material shipped in short order. This ensures that all wholesalers are treated like a customer and their orders are handled with urgent professionalism.
CD Sales uses the following systems approach to master distribution:
- Bar coding -- Bar coding is a great cost-saving technology. With bar coding, the device simply reads a part number, or a serial number, or bit of information and puts it into digital format. At CD Sales, radio-frequency bar code readers are directly attached to its computer system. Therefore, information such as availability, order status, product locations, etc., is updated immediately. This information is instantly and accurately tracked throughout the company, offering real-time product status to customers and customer service personnel.
- Direct applications today include picking orders for customers, selecting transfers for shipments, receiving product into central distribution, receiving product from a vendor shipment and cycle counting product within CD Sales’ inventory.
- EDI -- Electronic Data Interchange is used to send transaction data from one computer to another. It is typically used for placing purchase orders, purchase order confirmations, shipping notices and invoices. The greatest advantage of EDI is the quick and accurate exchange of information. CD Sales’ inside sales force integrates its EDI operation directly into the order entry and purchase order systems used everyday. Whether the data is transported through a conventional Value Added Network, by e-mail or a direct modem connection, CD Sales integrates EDI directly into its everyday operation.
The future is now
Distribution is a function of moving product from one location to another. Today, it is necessary to both delight the customer and to operate with efficiency. Information technology makes managing this complexity possible.
Information technology at CD Sales is driven by the need to satisfy customers. CD Sales is at the forefront of providing data and information and data services directly to its customers with customized programming and reporting. Customers need material when they need it because critical operations are involved. CD Sales’ management personnel also have ready access to critical sales history, current orders, product availability, automated bid faxing, as well as other computerized information.
CD Sales consistently uses technology to predict what needs to be stocked and to do that in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Like distribution, information technology is a function. It is the process of understanding and anticipating the needs of the distribution community and providing services based on those needs. With millions of annual transactions, with thousands of customers and employees, and with hundreds of suggestions and ideas generated every year, CD Sales is in a position to design better and more effective ways of servicing its customers.
CD Sales markets its message through association relationships such as ASA and Affiliated Distributors, industry periodicals such as The Wholesaler, internet marketing partners, and its own website, www.centraldistributionsales. com. CD Sales optimizes the internet, search engines, and analysis and diagnostic tools to manage website activity, qualify marketing and measuring quality of leads.
Wholesalers need CD Sales whenever they run short and absolutely need a reliable source of quality products and a high level of supply chain performance -- meaning customers can count on no backorders, on-time order fulfillment and full warranty. CD Sales does not sell obsolete, surplus or reconditioned products.
Another unique capability of CD Sales is export expertise. This requires a knowledge of laws and guidelines as well as proper paperwork and shipping, crating and special handling. The U.S. government has stringent laws and restrictions that vary country to country. CD Sales regularly attends update and briefing meetings that cover all the contingencies covering terrorism, blackmarket activity and financial transactions.
The goal of CD Sales is to continue to grow the master distribution channel business by being the most reliable supplier to other wholesalers providing competitive pricing, a large diverse product mix availability and unequalled service levels. Presently the organization is experiencing hundreds of inquiries daily from wholesalers in all 50 states and Canada. The majority are repeat customers that rely on a quick, professional solution.
CD Sales is backed by the reputation of the F.W. Webb Company, which has more than 141 years in wholesale distribution. For information, call CD Sales at 800/828-0557 and ask for Greg Bodlovick. He and his staff will demonstrate why they excel in master distribution.