Eastman Kodak

A joint venture between Eastman Kodak Company of Rochester, New York and Fort Lee, NJ-based Sun Chemical Corporation made Kodak Polychrome Graphics one of the world’s largest supplier of consumable products, supplies and services to the global graphic arts market. Now, in order to compensate for warehousing space lost in the formation of the new company, Kodak Polychrome Graphics is faced with the monumental task of opening the staffing six new distribution centers and four crossdock facilities as well as closing nine other operations all by March.

“A lot of what we are trying to do depends upon this distribution network,” said Guy Fragnoli, a 30-year veteran of Eastman Kodak Company and now manager of physical logistics at Kodak Polychrome Graphics. “To most effectively service our customers as one company, we had to have all our product we manufacture and sell into a common distribution network.”

Led by Fragnoli, the Polychrome facilities team identified sites in New Jersey, Georgia, Illinois, California and Mississauga, Ontario.  After searching out rack manufacturers and vendors alike, the company chose Aloi to design and deliver rack systems for the more than 500,000 square feet of warehouse space.

“What I wanted was a single vendor who could handle this project from start-to-finish, including: design, layout, installation and contractors,” explained Fragnoli.  “I needed a supplier who could take care of all that for me, guarantee delivery and do it on time and within budget.  And, we liked the fact that Aloi was located in Rochester with the rest of our team.”

Fragnoli and his team met with Aloi on three or four occasions for what he calls “detail session.”  Because of the depth of Aloi’s experience, serving large companies like Eastman Kodak and Xerox, and the range of services offered, there was immediately a comfort level that Aloi was the best choice. That choice was also echoed by Interlake the world’s largest manufacturer of rack systems and Aloi’s primary rack vendor.

“We tried to buy direct from the manufacturer, because we were looking for the best pricing we could get,” remarked Fragnoli. “Interlake convinced us that Aloi could offer us the same price advantages as well as a number of value-added services that they, as the manufacturer, simply could not deliver.”

Once each lease is signed, Aloi is provided with a footprint of the building.  Although there is an assumption about the amount of racking needs, Fragnoli says that Aloi is charged with optimizing the layout of the rack and aisles to provide maximum storage space as well as good flow-thru for the work processes. Aloi is also providing CAD drawings and managing the installation from a top-down perspective.

“We are really acting as a consultant to Kodak Polychrome Graphics,” said John Skivingtion, President at Aloi. “Our team has the kind of specialized experience that our customers need, but need not develop internally. We can do the entire project at a very reasonable cost, no matter how aggressive the schedule."

The first four facilities opened in mid-December.  And, the fifth, a new building that is still under construction, is expected to open by their March deadline.