Tennessee Warehouse and Distribution of Morrison, at the suggestion of its only customer, wanted to become ISO certified and reached out to the UT Center for Industrial Services (CIS) for assistance.
The 15-year-old company with 26 employees met with Lynn Reed, CIS consultant, to discuss the scope of what would be required to become certified.
“From the first visit until now, Lynn has been well received on each level of the organization,” said Herschel Wells, owner of Tennessee Warehouse and Distribution. “The employees who band and wrap product speak as highly of him as the warehouse manager. Lynn has treated everyone with respect and dignity throughout this entire process and shows respect to each employee regardless of title or job description.”
Midway through the ISO certification, the company’s customer asked it to submit its qualifications to ascertain new business. Reed also stepped in to help the company with a presentation that it could use to help win the new business.
“Lynn worked tirelessly with me in putting this presentation together — in truth I gave Lynn information, and he put it together. I then reviewed it with him on a couple different occasions,” Wells said. “The end result was after I traveled to our customer’s U.S. headquarters and gave the presentation, it decided to award us the additional business. As I was leaving, the head of North American distribution told me that I answered every question they had during my presentation, and they were impressed with the way it was put together and delivered.”
The company is now beginning stage two of its ISO audit, and Wells said he feels positive about the outcome.
“I cannot say enough about the things Lynn has done for our business. He definitely secured the current jobs and played a huge, huge part in us receiving additional business (relocating to Tennessee from Mexico),” Wells said. ■
