The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) recently signed an agreement with Ruan for dedicated contract transportation and value-added warehousing. Ruan anticipates beginning operations on April 15, 2019.
ABD issued an RFP for transportation and warehousing fulfillment in May 2017, seeking a partner to serve its customers, reduce risk, build flexibility and scale, and maximize profit. After a thorough evaluation, the organization chose to partner with Ruan, a respected leader in the transportation, warehousing, and logistics industry based in Des Moines, IA.
“This partnership with Ruan will enable ABD to provide the highest level of service to our customers. With a trusted and capable partner, we will be able to focus on our core responsibility of governing the alcoholic beverages marketplace in Iowa,” said ABD Administrator Stephen Larson. “We are eager to begin a long partnership with a leading Iowa company and provide our customers with the best service possible.”
ABD enforces state laws and administrative rules related to the manufacture and sale of alcohol products in Iowa. Funds are generated by the sale of alcoholic liquor to off-premises retail licensees, license fees, civil penalties, and excise tax of beer and wine. These revenues are transferred to the General Fund as well as to public treasuries to support city, county, and state programs. Ruan will serve over 1,500 locations and manage approximately 2,300 SKUs.
“Ruan is excited to partner with another Iowa organization to better serve customers and optimize their transportation spend. This is truly a partnership of organizations built and sustained by Iowans, and we look forward to working with ABD to grow their capabilities to support our state,” said Marty Wadle, Ruan Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Solutions.
Ruan will hire 16 professional drivers and 30 warehouse personnel. Current ABD employees who meet Ruan’s standards, including years of experience and safety requirements, will receive an offer to continue their employment and receive a wage increase of as much as 14 percent.
“The current ABD drivers and warehouse personnel have provided great service to the agency and its customers. We intend to retain as many team members as possible,” Wadle said.
Ruan will have responsibility for the management of the fleet and professional drivers, including recruiting and retaining employees, training and development, providing state-of-the-art technology, complying with all regulatory and safety requirements, and implementing an equipment and maintenance strategy to keep ABD’s operation running efficiently and safely.
“Our search for a transportation and warehouse provider was an extensive one. We evaluated several respectable and successful organizations, but ultimately chose Ruan for its high standards of service and safety along with its longstanding Iowa ties. We look forward to partnering with Ruan for many years to come,” said Larson.