Port Partner Spotlight: Tapestry

3 MIN READ

Written by Marcia Pledger

Tapestry Inc. is a multinational luxury fashion company that is known for owning several high-end fashion and accessories brands including Coach, Kate Spade New York, and Stuart Weitzman.

The company runs a large distribution center in Jacksonville, serving as a critical logistics hub for the brand. Leveraging the import capabilities of JAXPORT, it plays a vital role in delivering products to markets around the U.S.

We touched base with Randall Donlen, Tapestry’s vice president of global transportation & logistics, to highlight more about the company’s operations in Jacksonville.

How important is Jacksonville to your supply chain?

Tapestry’s Jacksonville fulfillment center is our largest U.S. warehouse. Jacksonville Port’s proximity to our facility makes it the quickest, lowest cost option for imports destined for that fulfillment center. In addition, we also leverage the JAXPORT Foreign Trade Zone #64 (see sidebar) to simplify the processing and flow of imports.

Sidebar [An FTZ is a federally designated area providing cost-saving options for importers. No. 64 is Florida’s largest FTZ by land area, covering more than 5,000 square miles throughout ten counties in Northeast Florida. By activating in the FTZ, a company’s warehouse is eligible for FTZ benefits, including the ability to defer, reduce, or eliminate U.S. Customs duties on raw materials imported into the U.S.]

What factors make JAXPORT an attractive partner for Tapestry?

In addition to the physical location of the port being key to our facility, one of the things that stands out is the personal touch JAXPORT and the terminals bring to the table. It’s one of the few ports we’ve worked with that make a sincere effort to get to know and engage with the local businesses and teams that rely on the port. They work to build those relationships and are always available to support needs.

What are the benefits your company has found when importing?

Tapestry was one of the first companies in Jacksonville to capitalize on the foreign trade zone. We’ve seen returns including cost savings, increased security and comprehensive compliance, improved cash flow, and better inventory management.

Tell us about your Jacksonville facility and the markets it serves?

In 1995, before Tapestry was created as the parent company of Coach, Kate Spade New York, and Stuart Weitzman, Coach selected Jacksonville for its distribution center based on a number of factors: JAXPORT and its services, quality infrastructure, access to rail and highway, backhaul opportunities, available workforce, and low cost of doing business.

Today, Tapestry’s Jacksonville facilities operate in over a million square feet located on a 47-acre site near the Jacksonville airport. It’s an omni channel operation serving all aspects of the North America market for the Coach brand.