Sustainers take tour of UPS facility in Louisville

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command
Story by Maj. Joel Anderson

Date: 07.25.2013
Posted: 08.24.2013 08:48
News ID: 112542
In-transit visibility

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Members of the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Support Operations Mobility Branch, based out of Fort Knox, conducted a tour of the UPS, Inc. Worldport Operations Facility in Louisville, Ky., July 25.

This unique opportunity provided Sustainers with a chance to share best practices with one of the Army’s and Department of Defense’s most important strategic partners.

The tour gave the members of the SPO-MB a chance to view, up-close and personal, the many innovations of UPS. This included designs such as merge logic, contingency planning and anticipatory logistics planning considerations with enterprise partners.

Maj. Christopher Wright, the officer-in-charge of the SPO Mobility Land Branch with the 3rd ESC, said he felt the trip was very informative and offered a look at how UPS operates.

“The best thing about UPS Worldport was their package tracking capability which allowed for in-transit visibility and dynamic operations management,” said Wright. “Their operational model combined with common-sense technology has enabled the operations staff to obtain transportation efficiencies that set the standard.”

Kevin Schoerlucke, assistant vice president for community relations for UPS in Louisville, said he was pleased to see Soldiers from the 3rd ESC.

“We appreciate when one of our partners, such as the members of 3rd ESC, come out to see our operation and discuss our ongoing partnership in a meaningful manner,” said Schoerlucke.

Schoerlucke also highlighted characteristics of Worldport for the SPO-MB group, to include the facilities’ 155 miles of conveyor belts and 4,500 miles of fiber-optic cabling.

Tour highlights included the automated sorting facility, aircraft fleet, global reach, contingency and air freight operations.