October Program and Registration

We are pleased to announce our next program will be held at the Loehmann's Distribution Center in Rutherford, New Jersey on Wednesday, October 21st.


About Loehmann's

Loehmann's Distribution Center supplies floor ready goods to their 60+ stores in 16 states. Over the past few year, Loehmann's management has made the decision to install SDI high speed sorters and convert their historically labor intensive operation into a one with higher speed, accuracy, and throughput.

Over the past few years, Loehmann's unit volumes have increase by 44% (2002-2008), yet the company was able to continue to operation from the same building and avoid expensive moving costs and upheaval. Because of the dramatically increased speed of merchandise flow, they avoided the exhaustion of the DC's capacity, which consultants had predicted would occur in 2006.

Despite a 40% increase in labor costs across the period, cost per unit rose only 12%. There has been a significant reduction in head count. In 2000, there were 400 employees handling 12 million items and in 2008, just 350 staff members were handling over 17 million items and with nearly perfect accuracy.

Highlights of this tour will be:

• 400,000+ square feet of warehouse and distribution operations
• Receiving of boxed and hanging goods.
• QA rocesses and breakdown of garments to hangers.
• Picking, Putaway, and Staging processes
  
• Value Added Services of Price Ticketing and Security Tagging
• Miles of GOH Rail and Powered Conveyor Systems
  
• High Speed Soration of Hanging and Flat Product Utilizing SDI Sortation Equipment
• 350 Staff Members handling over 17 Million units with nearly perfect accuracy
  

Today, more than 87 years after opening its first off-price apparel store in Brooklyn, NY, Loehmann’s continues to distinguish itself as a preeminent, upscale, off-price specialty retailer for name brand designer fashions.

Couture and designer fashions plus current, in-season merchandise and frequent new arrivals, all at prices 30% to 65% less than department store prices, still serve as hallmark features of Loehmann’s, attracting generations of fashion-savvy women and men to a shopping experience unlike any other.

Loehmann’s carries a wide spectrum of looks favored by customers with classic to contemporary lifestyles. Store departments include ladies sportswear, dresses, career and casual collections; shoes, accessories including handbags and jewelry plus men’s, juniors and children’s.

Loehmann’s continues to feature its famous “Back Room” where shoppers are privy to a select yet ever changing and surprising array of high end designer and couture clothing at lower prices. With an exclusive selection of colors and sizes represented, the thrill of “getting a deal” on something special and unique is as exciting today as it was when Frieda Loehmann started the Company in 1921.

Now, more than 60 stores strong in 16 states, the stores are filled with collections from today’s top designer names such as Calvin Klein, Diane Von Furstenberg, Kenneth Cole, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Nicole Miller, Anne Klein, Donna Karan, Michael Kors and more! Loehmann’s has grown to include a large flagship store in Manhattan and one in Beverly Hills, as well as a “Size Search” in-store service that helps find and ship appropriate sized items to customers; plus, in select large stores, free personal shopping service.

Program Sponsor

SDI Industries is a leading specialist in the provision of integrated materials handling solutions for retail, wholesale, fulfilment and e-commerce distribution operations.

MHSNJ would like to thank our program sponsor for their support
of this month's program, as well as supporting our society.

Dinner Program

Achieve More. With Lean Ergonomic Six Sigma

The current economy and competitive pressures continuously drive the need for organizations to reduce costs, the value of implementing Lean principles coupled with workplace ergonomic improvements and Six Sigma is becoming increasingly evident. Resource constraints faced by most organizations make it essential to prioritize improvement opportunities so that available energy is focused on solving the problems that have the most impact to business and productivity with a bi-product of health and safety.

Lean, ergonomics, and Six Sigma can produce significant benefits to companies that are seriously committed to a scalable and sustainable approach to reduce costs. The use of the DMAIC process of Defining, Measuring, Analyzing, Improving and Controlling, when performing ergonomic business case analyses allows organizations to control ergonomic risk factors and the impact ergonomic solutions have on risk reduction, efficiency and company metrics.

Review of a series of case studies will outline an effective process and toolset resulting in 50-75% reduction in ergonomic risk factors and 30-80% improvement in operational efficiency.

Speakers

Anthony DiIeso, OTR, CPE

Mr. DiIeso is a Board Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) and Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR) who has over 10 years of experience in the field of occupational ergonomics in rehabilitation, workers compensation and lean manufacturing. He is currently a Senior EHS Consultant with Environmental and Occupational Risk Management, Inc. (EORM®). As a consultant he is experienced in developing, deploying and managing corporate wide ergonomics programs; implementing effective engineering solutions; designing return to work programs, fitness for duty programs and physical demands analysis; utilizing qualitative and quantitative ergonomic risk assessments to focus on implementing engineering solutions for risk reduction and increasing efficiencies. His expertise lies in the areas of human anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and job/process redesign. Key accomplishments include:

• Successfully developed, deployed and managed return to work and ergonomic programs and initiatives. Program results have included: reduction in Workers Compensation costs, ergonomic risk factors and an increase is productivity.
• Achieved risk reduction and efficiency gains while working with design teams, engineers, management, medical personnel and employees in fortune 500 companies.

Christopher Ulriksen, CSP

Mr. Ulriksen is a Certified Safety Professional with over 10 years of experience in environmental health and safety matters in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. Prior to joining Environmental and Occupational Risk Management, Inc. (EORM®) as a Principal Consultant, Mr. Ulriksen had a 5 year tenure as the EHS Manager for Laureate Pharma in Princeton and Totowa, NJ. His experience ranges from the development of cost-effective training and OSHA compliance programs to performance-based program management. Mr. Ulriksen is a member of the AIHA, NSC and ASSE.

Environmental and Occupational Risk Management, Inc. (EORM®)

EORM is a national, multi-disciplinary environmental, health, safety and sustainability management and technical consulting firm, founded in 1990 and incorporated in the State of California in 1992. The Company’s headquarters are located in San Jose, California with multiple offices strategically located to serve clients in major markets through-out the United States and select projects internationally. We feel that the best way to service our clients in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner is to have expertise as local as possible. Supporting our office locations are field offices comprised of experienced consultants working from a home office or a key client site. Our team of 125 experts has provided professional consulting services all over the US and globally for many fortune 500 companies. EORM is both ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001-certified.

TOUR LOCATION

Loehmann's Distribution Center

299 Thomas E Dunn Memorial Hwy

Rutherford, NJ 07070

Loehmann's DC is on the left (Red A)

From the Turnpike/Route 3 West:

• NJTPK Exit 16W (Giants Stadium)
• Route 3 West for 2.5 Miles
• Exit for Route 17 North SERVICE ROAD
• At the end of the ramp, make a right onto Rutherford Ave/Thomas E Dunn Hwy
• Drive 1/4 mile and make a sharp left into the Loehmann's parking lot
• Park in the right hand lot as you enter the property.

SCHEDULE

Registration At Tour Site.…..……….…..3:30 PM
Tour Begins………………….…..……….…..4:00 PM
Reception at Restaurant….……..……….5:00 PM
Program begins……..………>………..…...6:00 PM

DINNER LOCATION

The Landmark
26 Rt. 17 South
East Rutherford, N.J. 07073
(201) 438-3939

Directions From Loehmann's: Turn right out of Loehmanns parking lot Take exit for Route 17 north. Then exit at Paterson Plank Road. Make a left turn at the light at the top of the ramp. Cross over highway and follow sign for U-turn to Route 17 south. See entrance to Landmark 50 feet past underpass on right.

REGISTRATION

Registration prior to programs is strongly recommended to guarantee admittance. Programs often fill to capacity prior to program date which prevents same-day on-site registrations.

Please pre-register to allow us to adequately plan our programs and dinners.

Please note: Walk-in day of programs registrations are subject to availability and are subject to an additional charge.

MEMBER PRE-REGISTRATION RATE - $50.00

Please Enter Name:
Please Enter Company:

NON-MEMBER PRE-REGISTRATION RATE - $60.00

Please Enter Name:
Please Enter Company:

September 2009 Newletter

Download this month's newsletter here.

DOWNLOAD LINK

September Kick-off Program and Registration

Wednesday, September 23rd is the date for the start of our sixty first year.

We are honored to have as our guest speaker, Jerold Zaro, Chief of the Governor's Office of Economic Growth.

Jerold Zaro

TOPIC

During his address, Chief Zaro will provide an overview of New Jersey’s business climate and discuss the Office of Economic Growth’s efforts to make the state more business friendly by supporting the creation of pro-business legislation and a variety of financing, incentive and assistance programs. Working hand in hand with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the office serves as a one-stop shop to expedite the delivery of state benefits and products to the business community. Under Jerry’s leadership, the office has implemented a “concierge service” through which all inquiries are addressed within 48 hours.

SPEAKER PROFILE

Jerry Zaro was named Chief of the Office of Economic Growth by Governor Jon S. Corzine in October 2008. In that capacity, he also serves on the board of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Zaro brings to state government more than 33 years of experience in the law, business, banking, real estate and transportation fields.

The Office of Economic Growth was established as a permanent part of the executive branch in January 2007 by Executive Order 50, to coordinate the state's economic development efforts across all sectors and departments. As Chief, Zaro oversees the implementation of the state's Economic Growth Strategy, and coordinates efforts to improve the business climate while working to attract and retain jobs.

Prior to joining the Corzine Administration, Zaro served for more than two decades as president and managing partner of the law firm of Ansell Zaro Grimm & Aaron, one of the 50 largest law firms in New Jersey. During that time, he served as a Commissioner of the New Jersey Highway Authority for more than 12 years, with the last two years of the term as Chairman. More recently, he concluded a four-year term as Commissioner of the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority.

Zaro has been involved in numerous business and corporate affairs throughout his career. He began his law career as a judicial secretary to the Honorable Thomas F. Shebell, Jr. in the Superior Court of Monmouth County and is a member of the Monmouth, New Jersey and New York Bar Associations. Among his many professional highlights, Zaro was one of the initial stockholders and served as Chairman of the Board of Ocean Independent Bank, a state chartered banking institution. He has served as a director of several other stock exchange listed companies, and as a principal in numerous real estate development and management firms. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Denholtz Holdings, LLC, a privately held national real estate company that develops, owns and operates office, industrial, flex and retail properties.

A lifelong philanthropist, Zaro served as Chairman of the board of trustees of Joan Dancy and P.A.L.S., Inc., which provides financial assistance and emotional support to people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He also serves on the boards of the American Cancer Society's Special Gifts Unit, the Monmouth Medical Center Foundation, the Mental Health Association Foundation and a myriad of Jewish organizations.

Born in 1951 and raised in Teaneck, Zaro has a bachelor's degree in history and government from Boston University and received his juris doctorate from Boston College's School of Law in 1976. He lives in Ocean Township and has three grown sons.

SCHEDULE

5:00..................Reception at Restaurant

5:30..................Dinner Program Begins

6:15.............................Dinner Is Served

DINNER PROGRAM LOCATION

Lobster Shanty
82 Channel Drive
Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
(732) 899-6700

DIRECTIONS

From the North:

• Take Garden State Parkway Exit 98, Manasquan / Point Pleasant exit.
• As you exit you will be on Route 34 South.
• Continue on 34 South to the second circle where you will pick up Route 35 South.
• Continue on 35 South about 2 miles over a large bridge, bear to your left and take the first left after you cross the bridge (sign reads Broadway/Beach area).
• Follow the turn through and bear right over the railroad tracks, make you first left onto Channel Drive.
• We are three blocks down on the left.

From the South:

• Garden State Parkway Exit 90.
  
• At the end of exit make a right onto Chambers Bridge Road.
  
• At the first light, go around the jug handle and then make a left onto Chambers Bridge Road.
  
• Take it to the first traffic light and make a right onto Route 88 East.
  
• Take Route 88 East about 10 miles until you enter Point Pleasant Beach.
  
• 88 East turns into Route 35.
  
• Take Route 35 North to the fifth traffic light and and make a right to go over the railroad tracks, then make your first left onto Channel Drive.
• We are three blocks down on the left.

REGISTRATION

Registration prior to programs is strongly recommended to guarantee admittance. Programs often fill to capacity prior to program date which prevents same-day on-site registrations.

Please pre-register to allow us to adequately plan our programs and dinners.

Please note: Walk-in day of programs registrations are subject to availability and are subject to an additional charge.

MEMBER PRE-REGISTRATION RATE - $50.00

Please Enter Name:
Please Enter Company:

NON-MEMBER PRE-REGISTRATION RATE - $60.00

Please Enter Name:
Please Enter Company:

Message from the President

Dear Members and Friends:

Welcome back from the summer season. I hope you are well rested and ready for our 2010 program year and the start of MHSNJ’s 7th decade. I have been traveling a lot this summer and spending a fair amount of idle time in planes, trains, and automobiles that has allowed me to ponder a lot of things including the changes to the names of the leaders in our industry.

Well known brand names in our industry have transformed and/or disappeared. Brands such as Kingway, Interlake, Rapistan, Buschman, Jervis Webb, Litton, Matthews. There are also a fair amount of local company names that have disappeared. Certainly some of this is due to inevitable consolidation. But I think it is also due to business changing and not all companies adapting to those new conditions. First of all, I am not singling any of the companies above as not adapting. Some of them did not but some of them have just changed names. I have some thoughts on how and why companies in general do not continue to thrive over longer periods of time.

Most of my travel this summer has taken me to Europe. It has been a great cultural experience, but I have also been able to see many different types of distribution operations as well. The Europeans have a very different way to look at how they plan their distribution centers. They look for the best possible solution before they look at the bottom line. Obviously they have the same financial responsibilities to their companies as we do here in the US, but they address the best solution first.

Spending my career as a solutions provider, I have seen too many situations where companies on both sides of the aisle race to a price and feel successful when they think they have reached it. I am not really talking about individual facilities and systems, I am talking about how they run their business. Sometimes we think if we offer the lowest price to our customer we have done a good job. As competition in global markets heat up, it is not usually the low price provider who achieves long term viability.

We all need to connect with our customers well enough to learn their specific needs. Then we have to figure out how to best fulfill those needs (no pun intended). We must keep learning and rethinking how we approach our customers and our businesses accordingly. You may say that if it worked for our parents it will work today and to keep things. I agree with that theory as long as we keep reexamining our processes and solutions.

Take something as basic as t-shirts. Several years ago in Baltimore, someone figured out that people will pay $40 for a t-shirt that dries quickly and doesn’t stay soggy. I sweat and I wear Under Armour because it is worth it to me. That was a great idea and now they are a publicly traded company worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Under Armour was obviously asking people if there was anything that would make their exercising more comfortable.

Solutions providers must think how they can separate themselves from the pack. Just bidding to someone else’s specification will not guarantee your long term survival. Supply Chain managers should not throw out vague specifications to potential vendors and see can offer the lowest price. There are several solutions providers in Europe that many of us may not have heard of who have built $200-$300 million business. They supply 4-6 solutions per year and support their customers for a life time. In most cases they have technical personnel on the customer’s site full time. These companies do not manufacture very much of the equipment they supply, and they work with their customers from the ground up to develop the right solution and are responsible for the performance of an entire facility when they are done. These European facilities I visited are a fraction of the size of comparable operations in the US. They are also much more efficient from a labor standpoint. They also have a return on investment of 3-4 years, but they add millions of Euros to the company’s bottom line in year 4 or 5. If you do not look past a 12- 24 month return on investment period, you may be costing your company a lot of money over the long term.

We need to rethink how we are getting the best value out of our businesses and what the changing market place will throw at us. This month we will have a special program when our guest speaker will be Jerrold Zaro, Chief of the Office of Economic Growth for New Jersey. He will tell us how he has plans to change the way business is done in New Jersey. This is a great program for anyone interested in business in general in the state. Please take the opportunity to invite your friends and come out for a great dinner and enjoyable speaker.

Dave Lodwig
MHSNJ President