RaceTrac Selects Blue Yonder to Digitally Transform Its Warehousing Operations and Transportation Modeling

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RaceTrac Selects Blue Yonder to Digitally Transform Its Warehousing Operations and Transportation Modeling

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 16, 2024) – As consumer expectations continue to evolve, retailers need to synchronize their execution across operations, resulting in faster transit times and reduced cost-to-serve. That’s why RaceTrac, a leading convenience store retailer, has selected Blue Yonder to digitally transform its warehousing operations and transportation modeling capabilities. The retailer will implement Blue Yonder’s Warehouse Management System (WMS), Labor Management, and Transportation Modeling solutions to support future company expansion.

RaceTrac is a family-owned and operated convenience store retailer that operates nearly 800 retail stores, under the RaceTrac® and RaceWay® brands. Today, the retailer’s geographic footprint is concentrated across 13 states. The company has aggressive growth and expansion for new markets, with a focus on its largest travel center format. RaceTrac’s current execution-focused solutions were not able to meet these future growth plans, so the company is turning to Blue Yonder, its supply chain solutions provider for category management. The project will be implemented by Open Sky Group, Blue Yonder’s partner.

With Blue Yonder, RaceTrac will be able to:

  • Support store growth and geographic expansion initiatives.
  • Automate supply chain execution processes, synchronize warehouse execution, as well as optimize labor retention.
  • Quickly onboard and seamlessly embed advancements in automation to further streamline operations.
  • Provide early visibility to demand and corresponding labor requirements to realize a more balanced and consistent operational experience, as well as improve labor standards and incentive pay.
  • Enhance the balance between carriers and private fleet, determine the appropriate size and deployment of private fleet, optimize fleet routing, and lay the foundation for continuous optimization while extending its transportation network.

“We needed a solution that would allow us to not only improve our basic system functionality but allow us to meet the needs of our growing business,” said Daniel Vasseur, executive director, Merchandise Supply Chain, RaceTrac. “After evaluating several vendors, we knew Blue Yonder was the right supply chain solutions provider as they could truly provide the end-to-end capabilities that we needed to digitally transform our operations and allow us to grow as our business and customer needs changed. Having worked with them for more than 20 years in the category management space, we are looking forward to implementing these – and future – solutions with them.”

Blue Yonder’s solutions will enable RaceTrac to gain more flexibility, real-time responsiveness, and prescriptive mobile workflows to easily manage complex warehouse operations, as well as unlocking opportunities for greater efficiency, performance, and cost reductions across the warehouse. At the same time, RaceTrac can manage labor to drive employee engagement and performance to enhance business results. With Transportation Modeling, RaceTrac can effectively reduce transportation costs and minimize distances and carbon footprint by optimizing their carrier-private fleet mix, fleet size, deployment, and routing.

“We are excited to assist RaceTrac with their Blue Yonder Warehouse and Labor Management System implementation in four warehouses across the southern U.S.,” said Eric McPherson, ice president, Client Services, Open Sky Group. “These solutions are going to increase their warehouse efficiency and give them a competitive advantage in a challenging supply chain landscape.”

“Having been a trusted supply chain solutions provider to RaceTrac for more than 20 years, we are excited that they selected us to lead their digital transformation journey. RaceTrac’s warehousing capabilities will be greatly enhanced once they implement Blue Yonder’s WMS solution and with Labor Management and Transportation Modeling their ability to better manage their labor and network performance will greatly improve. We are excited to be on this journey with them now and into the future,” said Vince Beacom, senior vice president, Retail, Blue Yonder.

About RaceTrac 
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, family-owned RaceTrac is the 22nd largest privately held company in the United States and has been serving guests since 1934. RaceTrac has nearly 800 retail locations representing the RaceTrac® and RaceWay® brands in 13 states offering guests an affordable one-stop-shop featuring competitively priced fuel plus a wide selection of food and beverage favorites, including freshly brewed coffee. RaceTrac employs more than 10,500 team members across RaceTrac, RaceWay and affiliated companies Metroplex Energy and Energy Dispatch.

About Blue Yonder
Blue Yonder is the world leader in digital supply chain transformation. Global retailers, manufacturers and logistics providers leverage Blue Yonder to optimize their supply chains from planning through fulfillment, delivery and returns. Blue Yonder’s AI-embedded, interoperable supply chain solutions are connected end-to-end via a unified platform and data cloud, enabling business to collaborate in real time across functions, which supports more agile decision-making, improved customer satisfaction, profitable growth, and more resilient, sustainable supply chains. Blue Yonder – Fulfill your Potential™ blueyonder.com

“Blue Yonder” is a trademark or registered trademark of Blue Yonder Group, Inc. Any trade, product or service name referenced in this document using the name “Blue Yonder” is a trademark and/or property of Blue Yonder Group, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of the companies with which they are associated.

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Jeremy Hudson

Vice President of Client Services

Jeremy’s focus is on the products and services clients need to stay competitive. Open Sky Group’s mission is to deliver technology-enabled solutions that allow our customers to achieve more while having the flexibility to adapt to change. Jeremy lives the core values and mission by bringing the best experience possible to our clients. He is an essential member of implementation teams, working alongside clients, and encouraging them to use innovation and best practices instead of customizations for success.

Jason Yantiss

Vice President of Client Services

Jason provides leadership to a variety of teams focused on implementation and integration. With 27+ years of experience holding operational and technical management roles in transportation, billing, and warehousing across a vast array of industry verticals, Jason is adept at driving multiple complex projects, understanding customer needs at all levels of the operation and providing viable solutions. Jason’s resume of 150+ implementation projects include Warehouse, Labor, Transportation, Yard Management and multiple AR/AP Freight Pay and Customer Billing systems. 

Eric McPherson

Vice President of Client Services

Mac works to oversee implementation and integration projects. A former Marine officer and military police officer, he brings over 27 years of supply chain experience, including 11 years at Blue Yonder in both delivery and service sales. Mac is a dedicated, team-oriented professional with a background in business management, professional services, customer service, and supply chain technology. His specialties include sales support, supply chain execution systems, project management, fulfillment operations, distribution operations, and GSA contracts.

Shannon Caflisch

Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing

Shannon is responsible for the strategy and management of all sales, business development, and marketing programs. With over 25 years of sales experience and 15 years focused in the supply chain space, Shannon focuses on building strong relationships with clients and partners and strives to deliver the right software solutions to help conquer supply chain challenges. Shannon believes in learning by listening to understand clients’ goals, struggles, and what is important to their business to build lasting, successful relationships.

Alan Prillaman

Senior Vice President of Client Services

As Senior VP of Client Services, Alan oversees all consulting services and account management at Open Sky Group. Possessing over 30 years of combined industry and consulting experience, Alan leverages his unique background in IT, logistics, quality management systems, manufacturing and distribution operations, and facility and strategic account management to provide clients with creative resolutions to complex challenges. His core philosophy and passion are to deliver tangible value for and establish long-term trusted partnerships with our clients.

Mike Noble

Senior Vice President of Technology

As Senior Vice President of Technology, Mike leads Open Sky Group’s Managed Services, Software Services, Infrastructure Services, and Information Technology teams bringing 35+ years of experience in Supply Chain Execution and Information Technology. Mike and his teams ensure we maintain the highest levels of customer service in a secure and reliable environment, constantly reviewing and evaluating new technologies, their appropriateness and applicability so we can safely and securely transact our own business – and help our clients accomplish the same.

Chad Kramlich

CEO

Joining Open Sky Group in 2015, Chad, served as Chief Revenue Officer for three years prior to his appointment to CEO in 2022. With over 25 years of experience delivering results for high-growth software and consulting organizations, Chad is leveraging his background in building efficient and effective implementation teams, establishing high-impact services operations, achieving revenue growth, and deepening executive-level client relations to help propel Open Sky Group into a very successful future.