Weber Distribution Signs a Contract With SunOpta for Value-Added Services and Nationwide Distribution of One of SunOpta’s Product Launches
SANTA FE SPRINGS, California – April 6, 2009 – Weber Distribution, a leading third party logistics and supply chain management provider, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with SunOpta, a specialist in sourcing, processing and distributing natural and organic food products, to provide value-added services and distribute their organic product to nationwide chain stores on a weekly basis. From the production plant, Weber uses its fleet of 53-foot Great Dane trailers, featuring the latest generation of Thermo King SB210 Whisper reefer units, to carry the finished product to its 275,000 square foot Rancho Cucamonga, California-based distribution center. Once at the facility, which maintains 35-40 degree refrigerated rooms, Weber prepares product for shipment. “Weber was impressive from day one both from a visual perspective, but also from a functional service perspective,” said Dan LeClair, Logistics Director, SunOpta Global Organic Ingredients Inc. International Trading and Sourcing Division. “Weber’s multifaceted capabilities lent itself nicely for this distribution opportunity so it was a natural fit.” “SunOpta is a great account in that it uses the entire Weber Distribution team, including local transportation, warehousing, our long haul truckload fleet and brokerage,” said Jim Marcoly, Weber Distribution’s Vice President Client Solutions, CPG, Food & Beverage. “It definitely showcases the fact that we are a true value-added logistics provider, along with other accounts like Buxton and California Innovations. We are very proud to be associated with a healthy, organic product like SunOpta – it’s a fantastic company and we are excited to be a part of their growing success.”
About SunOpta Inc. SunOpta Inc. is an operator of high-growth ethical businesses, focusing on integrated business models in the natural and organic food and natural health markets. The Company has three business units: the SunOpta Food Group, which specializes in sourcing, processing and distribution of natural and organic food products integrated from seed through packaged products; Opta Minerals Inc. (TSX:OPM) (66.2% owned by SunOpta), a producer, distributor, and recycler of environmentally friendly industrial materials; and SunOpta BioProcess Inc. which engineers and markets proprietary steam explosion technology systems for the bio-fuel, pulp and food processing industries. Each of these business units has proprietary products and services that give it a solid competitive advantage in its sector. The largest operating group, the SunOpta Food Group, represents over 90% of annual revenues and specializes in sourcing, processing and distribution of natural and organic food products integrated from seed to packaged products. About Weber Distribution Based in Los Angeles, Weber Distribution has evolved into a nationwide provider of logistics solutions. Weber’s expertise includes non-asset freight management, asset-based LTL and TL services, including temperature-controlled, dedicated and shared warehousing, distribution, cross-docking/pool distribution, transloading, network optimization modeling and analysis, retail compliance, order fulfillment, material handling, supply chain management, real estate development, and personnel staffing. Weber specializes in providing its clients with unique logistics solutions primarily to:-Importers-Retailers -Food -Beverage-Consumer Packaged Goods Companies-Chemical/Specialty Products -Paper Weber serves many well-known and respected companies such as Wal-Mart, Safeway, PPG, Chevron, Proctor & Gamble, General Mills, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Scholastic Books, Hershey, Nestlé, Coors, Ocean Spray, and Welch’s. As a result of its on-going innovation, experience and dedication, Weber has been the recipient of numerous industry awards, including: -Inbound Logistics’ Top 100 3PLs
-Logistics Management’s Top 50 3PLs
-The Los Angeles Business Journal’s Top 100 Privately-Held Companies
-Food Logistics Magazine’s Top 50 3PLs
-Food Logistics Magazine’s FL100 listing of the top technology solution and service providers to the food industry. For more information about Weber Distribution and its services, please call 877-624-2700 or visit www.weberdistribution.com.
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