Ecommerce furniture company optimizes supply chain through JAXPORT

3 MIN READ

As an ecommerce furniture company who brings the world to your home, Industry West found their home was the right fit as it expanded its distribution.

While the company headquarters is based in Jacksonville, initially their distribution was handled at another Southeast US port where Industry West encountered logistical issues with drayage, timing, and trucking access.

“We were constantly having issues,” said Sissy McQuaig, Industry West’s COO. “We started looking at how we could change that. With JAXPORT’s international services, it just made sense to bring distribution here and since then, our logistical operations are much easier to manage.”

With JAXPORT’s international services, it just made sense to bring distribution here and since then, our logistical operations are much easier to manage. -Sissy McQuaig, @IndustryWest COOClick To Tweet

With an optimized supply chain, Industry West took off. Last year, the company outgrew its order fulfillment partner and opened its own distribution center — 123,000 square feet in Cecil Commerce Center.

“When our customers ship product through JAXPORT, we want their experience to be seamless,” said Aisha Eccleston, JAXPORT’s Director, National Container Accounts. “For Industry West, we facilitated contact with service providers and other retail customers, so they would have the best resources to grow their business and stay informed about port service.”

Industry West remains focused on growth and is expanding into lighting and accessories. “With each new line, we meet new regulatory issues,” McQuaig said. “JAXPORT provided guidance as we work with US Customs and Border Protection. Aisha and her team have helped with our global supply chain partners, too. It’s been an awesome partnership.”

Having the company’s distribution center so close to its headquarters has provided staff with total control and ownership of the brand, McQuaig said. “Our warehouse team understands they have just as much of an impact on our customers as a sales rep would. They can create the experience for the customer.”

In addition to homeowners, Industry West supplies furniture to major corporations, from local restaurants to national chains. The DC has helped ease some of the challenges of processing large orders.

“When you’re preparing a huge commercial order, it takes space,” McQuaig said. “Having our own DC just makes it easier, because we’re able to control so much more of the process.”

Industry West is committed to Jacksonville, even as it expands its customer base. The company recently opened its second studio space, in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. Learn more about Industry West at industrywest.com.

Furniture retailers: Connect with JAXPORT’s commercial team to learn how to lower your overall cost to market by as much as 8 percent.

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From startups to large retailers, more and more businesses are choosing JAXPORT to optimize their ecommerce supply chains.

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