• Broadline foodservice distributor in Western Canada
• Deployed workforce performance management in 1996
• Immediately achieved 10-15% reduction in labor costs
• High performance and morale now part of their culture
• SCE solutions provider: RedPrairie Corporation

Neptune Food Service, a GFS Canada company, is a leading broadline foodservice distributor in Western Canada. Since 1996 Neptune has used a Workforce Performance Management solution to reduce labor costs, increase throughput and foster positive employee morale.

Labor Management Challenge
In 1995 Neptune moved into a larger distribution facility with an increased workforce to better serve their expanding customer base. Yet they were still using their old manual methods for managing their workforce.

"Our labor management capabilities were antiquated," comments Ken Cizmar, Neptune's warehouse manager. "We were using simple pieces/hour measurements for selection, but had no standards for forklift operators or the loading and receiving areas. We wanted to better understand and manage our labor costs, and level the playing field for workforce management across all functions."

Workforce Performance Management Solution
To address these challenges, Neptune deployed a workforce performance management solution, including industrial engineering to develop preferred methods and discrete standards for performing warehouse tasks, change management programs to foster supervisor and employee cultural change, and advanced labor performance measurement and reporting software. Neptune experienced immediate results from this deployment, including: 10% - 15% reduction in labor costs, increased throughput and clear, accurate reporting on employee performance. In addition, they improved employee morale, helped lower performers learn how to succeed, and gained a better understanding of productivity and labor costs across all functions.

Productivity as a Way of Life
Almost 10 years after first implementing the workforce performance management program, Neptune is still enjoying significant benefits by keeping labor costs low and maintaining a level playing field for all employees. The program is an integral, well respected contributor to Neptune's operational success.

Notes Cizmar, "We used lots of communication to alleviate any fears employees might have, and we never use it as a disciplinary tool. We use the preferred methods to train new hires and coach existing employees on the best way to perform their jobs. As a result, high performance and high morale are a normal way of life."

Explains Cizmar, "We recently upgraded the system to, among other things, allow us to incorporate exact travel distances into standards calculations. This provides a better reflection of the actual worked performed for more fair and accurate reporting. We are also planning to integrate voice technology to further boost productivity through hands-free operations."

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