Walmart honors Gwinnett-based carrier

L-R: Chris Sultemeier, Walmart senior vice president, transportation; Mike Wise, Averitt vice president of corporate business development; Beth Donham, Averitt director of corporate business development; Courtney Sparks, Walmart carrier compliance manager; and Ken Braunbach, Walmart senior director, carrier relations.

Walmart has named full-service transportation provider Averitt Express its 2011 Regional LTL Carrier of the Year.

Annually, WalMart recognizes transportation suppliers that demonstrate excellence or exhibit significant improvement in meeting core business objectives, including small parcel, less-than-truckload (LTL) and intermodal. This is the second time in the past three years that Averitt has been recognized by Walmart.

From its Lawrenceville service center, Averitt delivers to area WalMart stores several times a week. In addition, this carrier is integral to WalMart’s regional logistics network. Picking up products from vendors in the area like Biolabs, Continental General Tire, Akzo Nobel, Pennington Seed and others, Averitt delivers to WalMart distribution centers for transportation throughout its vast network or makes direct deliveries to the retailer’s metro Atlanta stores.

According to a letter of commendation from Ken Braunbach, Walmart senior director of carrier relations, Averitt was chosen because of its “overall dedication to customer service, operational excellence, and ability to provide creative solutions to complex supply chain opportunities that set [it] apart and raised the bar for quality in the industry.”

“Our entire team is honored to receive this distinction from such a great customer like Walmart,” says Phil Pierce, Averitt’s executive vice president of sales and marketing. He explains that Averitt is one of several regional LTL carriers providing transportation from thousands of vendors to the retailer’s distribution centers.

In the world of retail transportation, carriers that introduce creativity and innovation to the supply chain add value to both retailer and to consumers. Rob Kusiciel, Walmart vice president of inbound transportation and global logistics, commented in a statement, “By ensuring our products arrive intact and on time, Walmart is able to continue to fulfill our commitment to providing the products our customers want and need at prices they can afford.”

“Timing, flexibility and a focus on customer service are the keys to delivering on what we promise to all our customers,” says Pierce. “Earning an award like Walmart’s Regional LTL Carrier of the Year Award is icing on the cake.”