Imagine millions of products flowing into your distribution center daily while maintaining regular supplies for hundreds of stores. This isn't just a logistics challenge—it's a precision operation requiring symphonic coordination. For Weis Markets, a century-old grocery retailer, the solution to managing growth-driven complexity lies in its cloud-based Transportation Management System (TMS).
Since 2015, Weis Markets has experienced unprecedented expansion, far surpassing the modest community store founded by Harry and Sigmund Weis in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, in 1912. As operations grew, its legacy TMS became inadequate. Gary Kinneer, the company's Director of Transportation Management, recalls that system scalability was the non-negotiable priority during their 2014 solution search.
"To truly enhance distribution center efficiency, we needed better data access," Kinneer explained. "We required a TMS that could leverage this data for smarter decision-making. Simply put, we needed a solution."
With stores across seven states and over 23,000 employees, Weis Markets operates its own dairy and ice cream production lines while prioritizing locally sourced products. In Pennsylvania alone, the company purchases more than 26 million pounds of locally grown produce annually.
The vertically integrated retailer supplies its 204 stores through a 1.3-million-square-foot distribution center in Milton, Pennsylvania, located 12 miles from its Sunbury headquarters. "Nearly everything we sell flows through this facility," Kinneer noted, excluding direct store deliveries.
The Efficiency Imperative
In 2014, Weis Markets launched an initiative to optimize operations and improve inbound logistics visibility. "We lacked a TMS and needed distribution center improvements," Kinneer said. "Our goal was achieving better inbound-outbound balance for leaner operations."
With 166 stores at the time and anticipating organic growth through new locations and acquisitions, Kinneer recognized the urgency: "To absorb this growth and its accompanying shipment volumes, we had to elevate our distribution efficiency."
Strategic Partnership with Kuebix
Weis Markets selected Kuebix TMS after evaluating multiple vendors, prioritizing providers offering both technology and implementation expertise. "We needed a partner to help establish our managed transportation program," Kinneer emphasized.
The cloud-based system enabled inbound compliance protocols and route planning standards that improved warehouse utilization across dry, non-food, and temperature-controlled spaces. "This consistency streamlined efficiency both inside and outside our distribution center," Kinneer observed.
Operational Transformations
The TMS facilitated significant improvements:
LTL Consolidation: By partnering with three national LTL carriers instead of dozens previously used, Weis Markets reduced weekly inbound LTL shipments from hundreds to 20-30 through consolidation points.
Automated Scheduling: Replacing manual processes, the system now provides suppliers with precise delivery windows while generating valuable tracking data.
Backhaul Expansion: Enhanced data access allowed Weis Markets to transform its backhaul program, now including nationwide customer pickups that benefit both the retailer and its suppliers through cost reductions.
Lessons for Shippers
Kinneer advises companies considering TMS upgrades to evaluate all options against current and future needs. "Our relationship with Kuebix has evolved during record growth," he reflected. "What we envisioned in 2015 differs from today—that's positive because it means we're progressing."