How Hershey Direct manages seasonal order peaks to avoid a Christmastime meltdown

By Alicia Orr , Editor In Chief and Catalog Success

According to Gill, “The greatest obstacle right now in dealing with the Internet is that inventory on the Web is not integrated on a real-time basis, so we must monitor inventory levels closely.” A real-time Web site is in the company’s long-range plans, she says.

Final Stage: Delivery

Similar to the call center, the distribution center is a lean operation; the staff grows five-fold from off-season to the peak time, explains David DeWees, a distribution manager who has been with the company for 16 years. “The full-time staff is supplemented during peak season with flex employees numbering about 25 over two shifts.”