The Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk Advanced Traceability and Control (ATAC) material operations team was announced as the recipient of the 2016 Department of Defense Packaging Achievement Award April 20.

According to Michael Pigford, ATAC eastern region director, his team was responsible for the packaging of more than 65,000 depot level repairable (DLR) components with an estimated value of $1.3 billion dollars during fiscal year 2016. These results were achieved while maintaining an impressive 99.5 percent on-time delivery rate.

"I am immensely proud of the ATAC team and I'm extremely honored that this extraordinary team has been selected to receive this award," he added. "This is a true testament of their sustained outstanding packaging skills and highlights their exceptional performance.

ATAC is the Navy's program for tracking components that are more economical to repair than to replace. The team packs, examines, identifies, and processes these assets from worldwide sites to U.S. commercial repair facilities, government storage facilities and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) disposal locations.

"Our mission is critical to Navy and Marine Corps operational readiness," Pigford explained. "Failure to properly identify and package depot level repairable material could delay urgent repairs of ship and aircraft, result in additional damage to DLR components, and increase replacement and replenishment costs.

He says the ATAC team's success is due in great part to their flexibility, allowing them to quickly adjust to changing and demanding workloads. They often provide process improvement suggestions to improve productivity and performance. An example is their use of shredded cardboard that would otherwise be thrown away as packing material and the use of recycled wooden skids instead of pallets to save an estimated $100,000 annually.

The award will be presented in a ceremony May 10.

NAVSUP FLC Norfolk, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP GLS, provides operational logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands with 37 separate locations in three Navy regions.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of more than 6,300 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 more NAVSUP GLS news visit https://www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/news.

A component of the Naval Supply Systems Command headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, NAVSUP GLS is part of a worldwide logistics network of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel providing combat capability through logistics.

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

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