NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Puget Sound Supply Corps officers gathered at the Brooks Sports, Inc. Distribution Center in Sumner, Washington, to view the company's warehouse operations Nov. 7.

The tour was organized by NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound as part of a program the command established to provide opportunities for Navy supply officers to observe how successful businesses in the private sector handle logistics-related functions.

More than 30 Supply Corps officers and key civilians from around the Puget Sound region attended the tour. Brooks executives kicked off the day with a brief overview of the company and its operations. Attendees were then divided into smaller groups and led to the warehouse floor where products from Brooks Sports and its sister company Moving Comfort are distributed to consumers from individual customers to major retail outlets. At key points of the distribution process, Brooks personnel presented modules on order processing, shipping, receiving and inventory storage.

Seeing the processes and understanding the perspective of a private company allows officers to gain a unique insight that can be applied to improving processes in military logistics.

"With the current emphasis on decreasing military spending and increasing the need to conserve limited resources, the Supply Corps Community has recognized the importance of working closely with the commercial sector to gain insight and expand logistical knowledge on supply related processes with the goal of streamlining operations," said Lt. Gina M. Slaby, NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound logistics support officer and coordinator of the visit.

NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound also reached out to arrange tours at facilities operated by Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) and Starbucks Coffee Company. While all have efficient, high quality supply chains, each company approaches logistics in their own particular way, according to its own needs and objectives.

"Each company has developed its own way to conduct business and all are all extremely successful in their line of expertise. While Brooks relies heavily on e-commerce, Starbucks and REI have a much larger focus on retail stores. Walking through each of their facilities and discussing how they receive, process and ship inventory is invaluable," said Slaby.

"We appreciate the chance to see how the private sector does business, and view things from each company's unique perspective. Opportunities like this where the people at Brooks Sports shared their knowledge and experience are invaluable for Supply Corps officers as they grow and seek solutions in our current culture of continuous process improvement," said Capt. Tim Jett, NAVUP FLC Puget Sound commanding officer.

Brooks Sports, Inc., headquartered in Seattle since October 2014, was founded in 1914 in Philadelphia. Today, Brooks fitness-oriented products including running shoes, athletic apparel and accessories are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide.

NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP GLS, provides operational logistics, business and support services to Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command and other Joint and Allied Forces. Products and services include contracting, fuels, global logistics, hazardous material management, household goods, integrated logistics support, material management, postal, regional transportation and warehousing.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of more than 6,500 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.

For news and information about NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound, visit www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/navsupflcps or find it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/navsupflcps.

For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/.