Holiday season expansion
IOS broke ground on its new 385,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing and logistics center located in southeast Juárez near the new Electrolux and Lexmark complexes. Move in date has been set for mid- December 2005.
Multiple plant certification
IOS box and foam packaging manufacturing facility located in Cd. Juárez, Mexico passed its ISO 9001 audit for re-certification. Goals have now been set to certify the wood packaging plant located in Cd. Juárez as well as the packaging and logistics center located in Chihuahua City, Mexico.
Data operations re-certify
The Juárez Data Services plant successfully passed the ISO 9001 re-certification audit.
IOS broke ground on its new 385,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing and logistics center located in southeast Juárez near the new Electrolux and Lexmark complexes. Move in date has been set for mid- December 2005.
Multiple plant certification
IOS box and foam packaging manufacturing facility located in Cd. Juárez, Mexico passed its ISO 9001 audit for re-certification. Goals have now been set to certify the wood packaging plant located in Cd. Juárez as well as the packaging and logistics center located in Chihuahua City, Mexico.
Data operations re-certify
The Juárez Data Services plant successfully passed the ISO 9001 re-certification audit.
France—IOS on the front page
Agences, a French banks and networks specialized magazine, featured IOS on the front page, focusing on its quick progression of the bank checks processing market (+41 percent since 2002) and highlighting the financial solutions IOS provides to its customers with its quick and cost-effective processing method.
Germany—Bank news
IOS Germany has started cooperating with an important German bank and is entering into the direct marketing arena. Akim Knick joined IOS as production director.
French plant
The Moissy plant in France has been upgraded for efficiency, quality and profitability in a successfully implemented plan. Christian Rouchouse and his team led by Aymeric Enguehard and Murielle Rangeard spearheaded this plant evaluation and enhancement process.
Indiana exec moves to Paris
Matthew Martin was transferred from the Bloomington, Ind., office to Paris as controller of Data Services worldwide. Previously as controller in the U.S., this role will be similar but on location
in Paris.
New France exec
Laurent Coeurderoy came aboard as head of operations in France.
Paliseau mega plant
Generating a new mega plant, facility consolidation of Paris production and Paliseau will allow for expansion and enhanced efficiency.
Slovakia news
In Bratislava, Slovakia, efficiency continues to improve with increased growth from 250 employees to a projected 350 by year's end. Bindiku Nikodem was promoted as production director.
Far more U.S. employees keep their jobs because outsourcing helps the company stay competitive—USA Today, May 2004 MORE >
Smart packages deliver value
Packaging Digest, June 2005, states, "To truly be 'smart', intelligent packaging must add value to the consumer's product-usage experience." Read expert advice on how to go beyond gimmicks to get a truly valuable product in packaging supplies. Contact IOS Packaging & Logistics for packaging solutions.
Butterfly effect of RFID
In an esoteric editorial on the Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility (AIIM) Web site, the butterfly effect is explored. "Most reports tend to look at RFID in a fairly limited context: market demands, customer mandates, and standards. The truth is, RFID is just as susceptible (if not more so) to the "butterfly effect" of seemingly unrelated events as everything else in today's global economy."
Harmony with your 3PL
In an article earlier this year from Logistics Management, a utopian world of shippers and their 3PL service providers was explored. Similarly, businesses desire a relationship of harmony with their vendors in all aspects of the supply chain from manufacturing and assembly to packaging to shipping. Contact IOS for details on how to streamline processes and keep the peace.
IOS employs senior citizens and people with disabilities
IOS Laborgistics de México started negotiations with the municipal government in Cd, Juárez to enter into a joint venture to employ people with disabilities and senior citizens as part of the assembly operations for its packaging unit. This will not only lower assembly costs for simple assembly projects but will also provide a needed social benefit.
Products update
Activity on new products is gaining momentum. Material has been received to begin production of the mattress enhancer/topper mentioned last quarter. Orders for QVC, catalog houses and others should begin shipping over the next two months as specialty packaging bags are received. Customer response to this new product has been excellent. Pet product designs are near completion and initial inventories being planned and produced. All efforts are pointed toward two upcoming industry shows in Las Vegas and Chicago during September and October.
Marketing client
IOS welcomes new customer, Student Marketing Group. The company specializes in advising its clients how to best target the youth market of students and young adults.
Manufacturing & Assembly Division
New accounts
Several new accounts continue to ramp up with increasing production and additional people. Powell Products (cosmetic applicators), Arizant (medical gowns), Global Accessories (car dash protectors) and Atrium (windows) were the most significant. Krebs (Christmas ornaments) is at the height of its production season and utilizing more people than any other account. Homaco (telecommunications equipment) is just beginning more product transfers, following the success of its initial program, which will increase production over the next six-to-nine months. Alan White (furniture) has similar plans for later in the year.
Product news—sleeping better
IOS offered a solution of providing more economical production and transportation of the Brown Jordan sleeper sofas. After the phase-in period, this will represent a win for Brown Jordan by cutting costs, for IOS in gaining another satisfied customer, and reduced prices for the end customer.
Packaging & Logistics Division
Enhanced pallet capacity
IOS Laborgistics de México announced September 1 as inauguration day for its new wood pallet manufacturing facility located in Cd. Chihuahua, Mexico. With an expected capacity of more than 100,000 pallets monthly and state-of-the-art heat treatment units, it will be able to meet the anticipated surge in demand resulting from the new ISPM 15 and Semarnat 144 regulations that require certified heat treatment of raw wood packaging materials crossing
the border.
Data Services Division
New plant
IOS is opening a second Data Services plant in Juárez due to both increased business and customer requests to provide a local backup plant for contingency purposes.
© 2005 International Outsourcing Services, LLC
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