KNGT Logistics Reinvents Itself as Concentrek, Inc.; Announces New Services and Technology to Deliver a 360o View of the Supply Chain
4 January 2001
KNGT Logistics Reinvents Itself as Concentrek, Inc.; Announces New Services and Technology to Deliver a 360o View of the Supply Chain
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--Jan. 4, 2001--KNGT Logistics has changed its name to Concentrek, Inc., effective immediately.
The name change coincides with the launch of expanded services for both the shipper and carrier community, and reflects a commitment to a 360o view of the supply chain. Under the KNGT name, the company has provided complete supply chain management services to shippers, including consulting and logistics outsourcing since it was founded in May 1999.
"The Concentrek name reflects our philosophy that high-quality logistics solutions require a 360o view of the supply chain," says John R. Patterson, president and CEO of Concentrek. "Our commitment to cost savings and service improvement for shippers is still our driving force, as evidenced by our continued investment in the market's best technology.
"But we've also listened to our customers' concerns about the availability of reliable, cost effective capacity to move and store their goods. To address those concerns, we've expanded our reach to include traditional supply chain service providers.
"Given the market environment today, targeting the complete supply chain for improvement is crucial to building and maintaining highly efficient logistics networks, eliminating waste and reducing inventory."
Concentrek shippers now have access to an expanded suite of tools for managing, measuring, and gaining 3608 visibility of their supply chain. Concentrek has entered into an agreement with i2 Technologies, Inc., the leading provider of marketplace solutions. Concentrek will deploy i2's transportation management tools and web-based visibility system internally as well as directly to customers.
In addition to the new technology capabilities for shippers, Concentrek is launching new consulting, analysis, and logistics support services designed to help a wide range of supply chain service providers improve profitability, deploy assets more effectively, and compete in situations where shippers require single-source solutions or e-commerce tools that exceed their internal capabilities.
The initial launch will focus on full truckload and LTL motor carriers. Concentrek will use yield management and network design technology to help carriers identify profitable lanes, design dedicated fleets, and respond more effectively to single-source bids from shippers.
Concentrek's goal is to help its service providers reduce costs, improve profitability and expand their technology capabilities.
The addition of these new services and internal growth drove the need for a new corporate identity that reflected this much broader approach to the market. "Our focus on operational excellence in our supply chain solutions has served our customers well," says Patterson.
"By expanding that focus to include a complete view of the supply chain, Concentrek can provide our customers with supply chain solutions that will be successful over the long term."
Patterson cites dramatic changes in the logistics industry over the last 18 months as another driving force in the creation of Concentrek. "The proliferation of transportation exchanges and pure web-based business models, and the subsequent shakeout, proves that transportation and other supply chain services cannot be treated as pure commodities.
"Technology alone has never moved a load or managed a supply chain. The financial health and growth of both shippers and carriers are essential for strong, long-term logistics solutions.
"Our expanded mission as Concentrek reinforces our belief that in a successful supply chain relationship, transportation and other supply chain services must be tailored to meet the specific needs of shippers, and that our service providers must be profitable."
Kevin Knight, CEO of Knight Transportation and a principal investor in Concentrek, concurs. "Last year, trucking companies failed at an alarmingly high rate, and we anticipate that rate will intensify this year. We applaud the move by Concentrek to help carriers better understand costs and improve profitability, and believe these services will be well received both by carriers and shippers."
Knight welcomes the logistics support services now available to supply chain services providers through Concentrek. "As a service provider in the Concentrek network, I'm excited about the ability for Knight Transportation to work with Concentrek to better serve our customers.
"Being able to draw on Concentrek's resources and technology is a cost-effective way for us to expand our own capabilities and meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of our customer base."
Concentrek's consulting, analysis and logistics support services will complement operational consulting offered by Knight Management Services, a Knight subsidiary that helps full truckload carriers become more efficient.
Knight Transportation is recognized as one of the best managed public trucking companies in the U.S. and has achieved Forbes "200 Best Small Companies" status for six consecutive years.
Concentrek will announce additional details of its expanded services throughout the first quarter of 2001. A complete listing of the expanded services is available on the new Concentrek website at www.concentrek.com.