It seems like just yesterday that the branch managers were gathered around the boardroom table at Millstone Coffee for their annual routing session. Every year the managers would meet at a centralized location and reorganize territories for each of Millstone's 13 branches throughout the United States. These meetings were not only costly, but also time consuming. Millstone knew there had to be a better way to effectively plan territories.

Millstone Coffee, acquired by Procter & Gamble in 1995, is a fast-growing premium whole-bean Arabica coffee brand. Although its primary market is the Pacific Northwest, their products are available in stores nationwide. Millstone distributes many varieties of whole-bean gourmet coffee products though its efficient direct store delivery (DSD) system.

After several presentations, persistence and willingness to meet with upper management at Millstone, UPS Logistics Technologies introduced the solution that would save Millstone time and money. That solution was Territory Planner, a strategic routing tool used by many DSD operations.

Finally, pushpins would forever be put to rest for Millstone. After just one month of using the software, they reported outstanding results. Their starting fleet of 286 trucks was subsequently reduced to 250, totaling a 13% fleet reduction their first year. Management was more than just pleased with their decision, they were convinced!

Millstone also reports:

• 12% reduction in miles
• 15% increase in customer service

Above all of these savings, Millstone prides itself on serving their customers, products and services of the highest quality and an on-time delivery. Sales Associates now feel more productive, and this has improved morale. Territory Planner allows them the ability to deliver more products at the time their customers need it delivered. Territory Planner is not just a cost cutting solution, it enables Millstone to be more productive, and enables them to gain new business, and all while keeping their costs competitive and keeping customers smiling.

Since their initial license was implemented, Millstone Coffee has purchased two additional licenses of Territory Planner. And as their business continues to grow Millstone Coffee will depend on UPS Logistics Technologies' solutions to help lead the way towards effortless delivery planning.