Frequently Asked Questions – Southshore Companies

What are the Southshore Companies?

Southshore is a third party logistics provider of various outsourcing and transportation services, delivering effective integrated logistics solutions to businesses in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Connecticut. Southshore is an asset based organization with employees, warehousing, transportation equipment and logistics systems. Southshore also performs commercial real estate development and leasing of warehouse, office and retail space. The Southshore Companies are a group of supply chain logistics management companies providing services in:

What is Logistics?

Logistics is the process of planning, implementing and controlling the efficient flow and storage of goods and related information from the point of origin to the point of consumption in response to customer requirements.

Logistics is based on seven Rs:

• right place
• right time
• right quantity
• right quality
• right price
• right condition
• right customer

Where is Southshore headquartered and where are its locations?

Southshore is a privately-held and managed group of integrated third party logistics companies headquartered in St. Joseph, Michigan. Southshore’s operations are conducted in St. Joseph, Benton Harbor and White Pigeon, Michigan; Elkhart, Indiana; Dayton, Ohio; and East Hartford, Connecticut.

Who are Southshore’s key customers?

Southshore provides third party logistics, dedicated transportation services and commercial real estate development and leasing services to a wide range of large and small customers in the automotive, retail, and food processing industries, plus government and non-profit customers. Key customers include: Robert Bosch Corporation, United States Postal Service, Tate & Lyle Ingredients Americas, Inc. and Monsanto Company. Please see the Southshore case studies for a detailed description of Southshore’s relationships with certain key customers.

Why should I consider switching from in-house warehouse operations management to a logistics outsourcing provider?

With logistics outsourcing, you save logistics dollars

• No capital investment in warehouse facilities, equipment or human resources is required
• Costs associated with storage and handling are well defined and predictable
• Direct matching of storage costs to volume resulting in stable fixed warehouse costs per unit sold
• The investment in new logistics technologies is absorbed by the third party logistics provider and allocated across its client base

With logistics outsourcing, you have reduced logistics risk

• Your distribution system is insulated from labor disputes
• Warehouse safety, worker's compensation and regulatory compliance are not your problem
• Changes in the logistics portion of your business model are easily implemented

With logistics outsourcing, you improve logistics efficiencies

• Logistics and inventory management are the third party logistics provider’s core competencies which result in optimal logistics efficiencies: best warehouse locations, design, practices, equipment, technology, and most important, personnel hiring and training
• Ability to provide an integrated logistics solution customized for the customer

With logistics outsourcing, you achieve flexibility with your business dynamics

• Ability to accommodate seasonal sales and production peaks and dips
• Short term warehouse agreements offer flexibility to deal with temporary, unexpected inventory spikes or to experiment with a new distribution design

Why choose Southshore over a large, national third party logistics company?

When you select Southshore as your logistics outsourcing partner, you get the best of both worlds. You can choose from a wide range of logistics service options that you would expect only from a large company, and you benefit from the attention and pricing structure of a small, entrepreneurial company.

What corporate values do you practice which develop your employees into motivated partners?

At Southshore, we have created a working environment where our employees view their work as an integral part of the customer business relationship. We teach the principles of self motivation, accountability and teamwork. We practice consistent and open communications, strive for daily improvements and create customer value. Please view the simple concepts that describe Southshore ’s culture in the Southshore House Rules.

How do I contact Southshore?

The Southshore Companies contact information is:

Integrated Logistics Solutions... From Concept to Completion