Foodstuffs Inbound Limited has announced that it has chosen online freight logistics provider eCargo to deliver a Freight Management System for their Primary Freight programme.

Foodstuffs Inbound Limited has been established by Foodstuffs Auckland, Wellington and South Island to manage the Primary Freight program on behalf of the three companies.

The eCargo system will become an integral link in the Foodstuffs supply chain, specifically the management of goods from suppliers to all Foodstuffs operations New Zealand wide. This includes its distribution centres, wholesale operations and direct to member stores.

Foodstuffs recognised eCargo as being a good fit with the programmed roll out plan for Primary Freight. 'We liked the fact that both companies are 100% New Zealand owned and operated businesses, with eCargo currently working within the Grocery industry in New Zealand.' says Stephen Baker, Foodstuffs Inbound Operations Manager.

eCargo General Manager Tim Strawbridge confirms the synergies that existed 'eCargo already has a presence in the FMCG industry, and with over 90% of Foodstuffs requirements already being met by the standard eCargo solution, it was clear that there was an excellent fit for the two
businesses.'

The three Foodstuffs companies, as part of their supply chain strategic plans, have made a decision to take responsibility for all their inbound freight from their suppliers and are implementing this program over the next 3 years.

Over the last 12 months Foodstuffs Inbound has worked extensively with suppliers, the transport industry and the NZ Food and Grocery Council to build an effective Primary Freight program that concentrates on delivering a supplier to customer transport solution.

eCargo will collect supplier consignment data via electronic B2B interfaces and a web based application, forward this data to the appropriate freight company and calculate freight costs for invoicing.

Foodstuffs suppliers will have access to the eCargo application for viewing consignment status information, freight invoices and various performance reports, all in real time.

The eCargo system will enable Foodstuffs to reduce administration overhead and simplify financial processing.

About Foodstuffs NZ

Foodstuffs NZ is the country's biggest grocery distributor and retailer and one of New Zealand's largest businesses. Operating 633 stores nationwide including major names such as New World, Pak'nSave and Four Square, plus Wholesale operators Gilmours, Toops and Trents.

Foodstuffs is a co-operative consisting of three co-operative companies: Foodstuffs (Auckland) Ltd; Foodstuffs (Wellington) Co-operative Society Ltd, and Foodstuffs South Island Ltd. All businesses are 100% New Zealand owned and operated.

About eCargo Limited

eCargo represents the 'classic' start-up to fully fledged business story - starting life in a business incubator in Wellington, eCargo moved to The Icehouse in Auckland, before being purchased outright by Carter Holt Harvey in 2005. With an Australasian customer base eCargo is successfully holding it's own amongst larger software vendors and carriers to provide a simple freight communication and management solution.

Other eCargo customers include FMCG manufacturers such as Griffins, Sanitarium and Nestle, as well as industrial manufacturers Carter Holt Harvey Pulp & Paper, Woodproducts and Packaging divisions & Owens-Illinois Glass Packaging.

For further information, contact eCargo on 0800 322 746 or info@ecargo.co.nz.