Umpqua Dairy manufactures and distributes dairy products throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and northern California. In an effort to optimize productivity, the dairy implemented programs from HighJump Software, a provider of supply chain execution solutions. HighJump Route Administrator and HighJump Route Assistant support Umpqua Dairy’s growing direct store delivery (DSD) operations, including 70 route drivers. Since then, Umpqua has reduced its direct labor expense, increased efficiency and improved customer service.
The HighJump Route Administrator DSD route accounting system creates the backbone of the Umpqua operations, managing the routes, handheld computing devices, customers, and driver schedules. It also integrates with the company’s ERP system. Umpqua Dairy route drivers utilize mobile handheld devices powered by HighJump Route Assistant. The software automates daily settlement processes, eliminates paper invoices, and transfers data electronically in real-time.
“As a family business, it is of utmost importance to us to provide high quality service to our customers,” said Steve Feldkamp, chief operations officer, Umpqua Dairy. “Our HighJump solutions provide our route drivers with immediate access to up-to-date order and customer information, enabling our customers to make more informed buying decisions. Customers also appreciate more accurate, electronic invoices.”
Umpqua Dairy has also achieved cost savings through reduced labor spending and paper consumption. Before implementing its HighJump solutions, Umpqua had 10 to 12 people across the company’s seven distribution centers that had to help check-in the route drivers when the drivers returned. Now, the check in process is completely automated, eliminating mistakes and inaccuracies and allowing for the labor to be redeployed to other tasks. Additionally, route drivers are becoming more efficient, completing their routes faster and allowing for additional stops. The electronic transmission of data has eliminated confusion in the company’s accounts receivable department and reduced its order-to-cash cycle.
“Umpqua Dairy has clearly taken its operations to the next level with its HighJump direct store delivery solutions,” said Timothy Campbell, president and CEO, HighJump Software. “With a broad suite of solutions and a strategic commitment to the DSD software industry, HighJump Software helps companies achieve higher sales, lower costs and improved margins while maintaining low total cost of ownership.”