Lantech Voted First-ever Supplier of the Year to xpedx
In unanimous vote of xpedx regions, Lantech outscores more than 50 other suppliers on criteria ranging from quality and market knowledge to R&D and field support.
January 2007 - Stretch-wrap-equipment inventor Lantech's commitment to excellence was recognized at Pack Expo 2006 with the first-ever Supplier of the Year award from xpedx, North America's largest distributor of printing papers, graphics equipment, packaging supplies and equipment. "Lantech was recognized by our team in a surprising unanimous ballot of our three regions," said Mark Matthews, xpedx Vice President of Marketing for Packaging. "Judging was not based on volume, but on the overall level of commitment this company has to our joint success. Our national supplier base includes dozens of companies, many of which do greater volume with us than Lantech, but our field leaders wanted to recognize Lantech's overall commitment to excellence and continued growth with xpedx." xpedx's packaging business has over 100 locations operating in the U.S. and Mexico.
According to Lantech CEO James J. Lancaster, xpedx is the company's largest single channel customer, and together the two have placed more than 20,000 machines in the field. "We represent, I'm sure, a small piece of xpedx's overall business in packaging, so it's a real honor for us to be recognized by a company of this stature for the positive impact we have on its business," he said. "It is a great compliment on the efforts of our people, and strong validation of our business model and culture."
Judging criteria for the award involved six factors: market leadership, product quality, commitment to R&D, industry/market knowledge, field support and overall commitment to xpedx. In R&D alone, Lantech invests a significant percentage of sales every year, helping the company maintain its dominant market share in stretch wrapping systems. At Pack Expo 2006, Lantech introduced the world's fastest stretch wrapping system, a machine capable of 180+ pallet loads per hour at 99+% uptime, developed to meet the operating requirements spelled out by the world's largest manufacturer of consumer packaged goods.
"Lantech has recently broadened its footprint in packaging machinery with shrink wrapping systems and case erecting equipment, both of which have matched the reputation established by its stretch wrapping machines," Matthews added. "It's evidence for us that Lantech will never be complacent about its position in the market, even when that's number one."
Lantech is the originator of stretch wrapping technology and world's largest manufacturer, with 60,000 systems placed around the world and 150 U.S. and foreign patents. Other technologies include automatic case handling, automatic palletizing, shrink packaging and pallet-load conveying systems. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, with manufacturing operations in the U.S. and the Netherlands, Lantech products are sold and serviced by a network of 175 distributor locations around the world. The company is one of the largest private employers in Louisville, with a local staff of 325. Visit www.lantech.com for more.
Loveland, Ohio-based xpedx, an International Paper company, is North America's largest marketer and distributor of printing papers and graphics supplies and equipment. It is also a large distributor of packaging supplies and equipment, and facilities supplies and equipment. xpedx has more than 7000 employees in 250 locations in the U.S. and Mexico. Major customers include commercial printers, publishers, manufacturers, retailers, facility managers and companies across many industry segments.
