Kimberly Morrison is the Director of International Markets for KGP Logistics, a multi-awarded logistics supplier with a great reputation in the U.S. and beyond. In this interview, Kimberly shares her insights on the competitive edge provided by selecting a supply chain partner, the growing demand for VMI and supply chain services in the U.S. and in the CALA region, and why towercos and carriers should select KGP as a service partner.
TowerXchange: Please tell us about KGP’s footprint and services for the telecom tower industry.
Kimberly Morrison, Director, International Markets, KGP Logistics:
KGP offers a full turnkey solution of engineering, supply of material and installation services through KGP Logistics and BlueStream Professional Services. KGP Logistics is the largest distributor in the telecom industry supporting over 1,500 different manufacturers.
KGP Logistics supplies all material needed on tower or DAS projects as well as offers inventory and warehouse management on large scale projects. BlueStream Professional Services offers installation and maintenance tower services as well as DAS engineering, design, and installation services. Together the two divisions of KGP offer a full turnkey solution.
TowerXchange: Who are your main clients?
Kimberly Morrison, Director, International Markets, KGP Logistics:
KGP services customers in all segments of the telecom industry. Our history of servicing tier one carriers dates back to the seventies when we started working with AT&T. Since then KGP has partnered together with all of the major OEMs in the telecom industry to service the tier one carriers, rural carriers, utility companies, MSOs, and data centres. This is true both in the U.S. as well as in the CALA region. Custom advanced supply chain solutions have been created for customers across all segments.
TowerXchange: Can you tell us about one success story where using KGP has produced substantial cost/time savings for your clients?
Kimberly Morrison, Director, International Markets, KGP Logistics:
KGP has been named Supplier of the Year by AT&T for the past three consecutive years. KGP is the only company to achieve this recognition for three consecutive years. Being a recipient of this award for the last three years speaks volumes to the level of customer service KGP offers and the creative solutions we deliver when it comes to advanced supply chain services which save the customer cost and time.
For example, KGP will study a customer’s flow of material and create a process which works together with the OEMs to identify and deliver a process that is the most cost and time efficient from OEM’s factory to customer’s site.
On an aggressive deployment, having the right process drives improved delivery times and a guaranteed lower bottom line project cost, taking advantage of inventory planning, demand planning, volume purchasing, supply planning, expediting, warehouse management, cable cutting, order staging, kitting and integration services.
TowerXchange: What does it mean to use a supply chain supplier? How does the workflow of your clients practically change and improve?
Kimberly Morrison, Director, International Markets, KGP Logistics:
A supply chain provider gives the customer a tailor made solution designed specifically around their project needs. Additionally, the supply chain provider engages with the OEMs as partners and initiates the customer solution at the OEM factory. When KGP applies supply chain solutions to a customer, KGP looks at the flow of all material involved – not just a couple of specific products.
For example as a tower owner, KGP would evaluate the overall process of sourcing and managing the supply of the towers and monopoles as well as DAS active and passive components, and everything in between, used at the sites. When KGP solutions are integrated, expedited delivery fees, penalties from the carrier, and other unwanted charges can be avoided. Due to the volume of business KGP handles annually, KGP ensures competitive pricing is included in each solution.
TowerXchange: Given the lean business models many towercos employ, have you seen many examples of them employing full scale vendor management inventory (VMI)?
Kimberly Morrison, Director, International Markets, KGP Logistics:
VMI programmes are commonly practiced in the U.S. Due to the success of these programs, we are seeing more and more towercos requesting VMI solutions outside of the U.S.
Traditionally, VMI programmes would support the telecom structures and related accessories. Today we are seeing the VMI programmes wrap around the DAS solutions as well. KGP is actively supporting VMI programmes today both in and outside of the U.S.
TowerXchange: How does KGP differentiate itself from competition?
Kimberly Morrison, Director, International Markets, KGP Logistics:
KGP is unique in its ability to offer a full portfolio of both sourcing and inventory management services as well as engineering, design, and installation services. KGP encounters little competition that can offer a true turnkey solution with advanced supply chain services bundled together.
TowerXchange: And do you have many competitors South of the border or is the supply chain logistics service still a relatively new one?
Kimberly Morrison, Director, International Markets, KGP Logistics:
The sourcing model South of the border is often direct, where the customer buys from the OEM. Leveraging supply chain logistics services is a new concept that is being widely embraced across the Americas. As competition increases both for the towercos and the carriers, delivering best practices that magnify cost and time savings is critical to maintain market dominance. Relying on practices that are years old will not give the competitive edge required to succeed.
Engaging with KGP to study, dissect, and create the best solution for the customer’s specific ecosystem optimises time and cost savings. KGP services have been proven time and time again not only through the results driven by KGP solutions, but by the numerous customer awards received.
