RaceTrac partners with Blue Yonder for strategic supply chain transformation
RaceTrac, a prominent convenience store retailer, has announced a strategic partnership with Blue Yonder to enhance its warehousing operations and transportation modeling capabilities. This collaboration aims to support RaceTrac’s aggressive growth plans, including the expansion into new markets and scaling up its largest travel center format. The initiative will involve the implementation of Blue Yonder’s Warehouse Management, Labor Management, and Transportation Modeling solutions.
Optimizing Operations for Expansion
RaceTrac, which operates nearly 800 retail stores under the RaceTrac® and RaceWay® brands across 13 states, has recognized the need for a digital overhaul to meet its future expansion requirements. The existing execution-focused solutions were falling short of supporting the retailer’s ambitious growth strategies. This led RaceTrac to select Blue Yonder, a provider with whom they have had a long-standing relationship in category management.
Daniel Vasseur, Executive Director of Merchandise Supply Chain at RaceTrac, highlighted the selection process, stating, “After evaluating several vendors, we knew Blue Yonder was the right supply chain solutions provider, as they could truly provide the end-to-end capabilities that we needed to digitally transform our operations and allow us to grow as our business and customer needs changed.”
Technology Implementation for Enhanced Efficiency
The project, which will be implemented by Open Sky Group, Blue Yonder’s partner, is set to automate supply chain execution processes, enhance warehouse execution, optimize labor retention, and provide early visibility into demand and labor requirements. This strategic upgrade is designed to create a more balanced and consistent operational experience across RaceTrac’s supply chain network.
Advanced Modeling for Sustainable Operations
With Blue Yonder’s Transportation Modeling solutions, RaceTrac aims to enhance the balance between carriers and its private fleet, optimizing fleet routing and deployment. This will not only reduce transportation costs but also minimize distances and the company’s carbon footprint, supporting sustainable operations.
Eric McPherson, Vice President of Client Services at Open Sky Group, commented on the implementation, “These solutions are going to increase their warehouse efficiency and give them a competitive advantage in a challenging supply chain landscape.”
Vince Beacom, Senior Vice President of Retail at Blue Yonder, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, “Having been a trusted supply chain solutions provider to RaceTrac for more than 20 years, we are excited that they selected us to lead their digital transformation journey. RaceTrac’s warehousing capabilities will be greatly enhanced once they implement our Warehouse Management, and with Labor Management and Transportation Modeling their ability to better manage their labor and network performance will greatly improve.”
This strategic move by RaceTrac to partner with Blue Yonder reflects a proactive approach to integrating advanced technological solutions that align with consumer expectations and operational needs. The collaboration is set to foster significant improvements in operational efficiency, scalability, and sustainability, positioning RaceTrac for successful expansion in the competitive convenience store market.