In the News...
Ocala
firm wins industry's highest award for trucking excellence; Seminole
Feed Captures prestifious National honor.
Seminole Feed-Branch Logistics LLC, of Ocala,
Florida wasrecognized today as the feed industry’s Truck
Fleet of the Year 2006 by the American Feed Industry Association
(AFIA) and Feed Management magazine. The national award is bestowed
annually for overall excellence in trucking operations. It represents
the industry’s highest award in that field.
In ceremonies at the company’s headquarters, 335 N.E. Watula
Ave, Greg Branch, president of Seminole Feed, received a plaque
symbolic of the achievement from AFIA Vice President Rex A. Runyon.
“Seminole Feed is very honored to receive AFIA’s Truck
Fleet of the Year award. It comes as a result of efficient planning,
teamwork, dedication and determination on the part of our transportation
team. I am extremely proud of our accomplishments in this significant
area. This recognition validates the company’s vision –
“To provide the World’s Best Equine Feed and Service
to our customers.“
According to Runyon, the award represents the best that the feed
industry has to offer in truck fleet operations. “It is
a tremendous accomplishment and places Seminole Feed on a very
elite list of industry leaders that received these accolades previously,”
he said.
AFIA, headquartered in Arlington, Va. and Feed Management magazine,
located in Mt Morris, Illinois have jointly sponsored the award
for the past 17 years. It involves a very stringent grading process
and competition from industry trucking operations across the nation.
Seminole Feed’s excellent management, high-tech operations,
and emphasis on customer service were elements that placed it
ahead of the competition. Fleet manager Stephen Temple’s
experience in operations and sales helped to increase efficiency
of deliveries by employing global positioning systems from the
drivers’ phones, focusing on safety training and emphasizing
quality products. The plant specializes in delivering to the area’s
thoroughbred horse owners and the specialized dealers who serve
them.
Richard DeSimone, Seminole’s vice president of production
and logistics, credits the plant’s 19 drivers for outstanding
customer service. “Our dealers and their customers expect
the best products and the best service. We respond with the best
horse feed available and we deliver it, fresh, in the best possible
way. Providing less than the best customer service is not an option.
Our drivers are an integral part of Seminole Feed customer service.”
In addition to the plaque and special features in key industry
publications, Seminole Feed received Truck Fleet of the Year signs
for displaying on its vehicles.
AFIA is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively
to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests
of the animal feed industry and its suppliers. Membership includes
550 domestic and international companies; state, national and
regional associations. Firms are feed manufacturers, integrators,
pharmaceutical companies, ingredient suppliers, equipment manufacturers
and companies that supply other products, services and supplies
to feed manufacturers.
The feed industry makes a major contribution to food safety, nutrition
and the environment. It plays a critical role in the production
of meat, milk and eggs and provides abundant food at the lowest
cost. Over 75% of the commercial feed in the United States is
manufactured by AFIA members.
