When DSC Logistics started handling MeadWestvaco’s product—9000 lb. paper rolls 81 inches in diameter—the systems and processes in place depended on which of four mills produced the paper. Not surprisingly, this wasn’t efficient or cost effective. So, in collaboration with MWV, DSC streamlined the processes for the entire warehouse operation and implemented them as Best Practices across the network.

Now, at all four DSC Logistics Centers handling the product, in Kentucky, Georgia, Illinois and Texas, the processes for damage reporting, inbounding and loading of outbound rolls are standardized and documented, and employees are thoroughly trained in these Best Practices.

MeadWestvaco has come to rely on DSC’s expertise and flexibility. When MWV needs help with load pattern and securing of their large rolls of paper, they call us. They ask, for example: how would you arrange and brace this load? What would you do with a load containing this number and size of paper rolls? And, we tell them.

Or, MWV might have a breakdown in their supply chain—there’s a problem at a destination or something has to be changed with a shipment—and they depend on us to handle it. An example: The rolls can be loaded on the round (on their sides) or on the flat (standing up), based on customer requirements. When a mill loads a truck in such a way that a customer cannot receive the product, the truck is diverted to DSC. And, we reload it.

MeadWestvaco has been impressed at how quickly we’ve become seasoned experts at handling their product. Yes, these huge paper rolls are a different world from the finished goods we’ve traditionally handled. But, continual improvement and process management are so much a part of our culture that we have the necessary methodology in place to implement Best Practices across multiple sites. And, we recognize the importance of constant thinking and learning, so we’re ready to apply our extensive logistics knowledge and experience in new situations.