Distribution

Hong Kong - Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. has named Cathy Marie Robinson as senior VP, global operations effective. Robinson has 24 years’ experience in operations, logistics and supply chain management at various retail companies, and since 2012 was senior VP, chief logistics officer at Toys “R” Us.

The Hillshire Brands Company is about to expand its already robust portfolio of brands — which includes Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Birds Eye, Ball Park, Duncan Hines, Vlasic, Wish-Bone, State Fair, Sara Lee frozen bakery, Mrs. Butterworth's and Log Cabin — with the acquisition of Pinnacle Foods in a cash and stock transaction for approximately $6.6 billion.

Speakers at the recent Momentum 2014 conference held by Manhattan Associates in Hollywood, Florida, discussed a wide variety of supply chain topics. However, one theme that ran through many sessions was the expanded range of competition retailers face from a multitude of sources and channels. Properly meeting this competition requires a rethinking and broadening of supply chain strategy.

Coca-Cola Bottling Co., the nation’s largest independent Coca-Cola bottler, has signed a definitive agreement with The Coca-Cola Company to expand the bottler’s franchise territory to include the Morristown and Johnson City, Tenn., territories currently served by Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc. (CCR), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company.

York, Pa. -- The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. has secured a 743,000-sq.-ft. lease for a direct-to-consumer fulfillment center in West Jefferson, Ohio, with E Smith Realty Partners. The new e-commerce facility is expected to be fully operational and begin shipping orders by spring 2015.

McCormick & Company has named Brendan Foley as president of U.S. consumer effective June 2. Foley will lead the largest business unit for McCormick and will report directly to president of global consumer and CAO Lawrence Kurzius.

Bentonville, Ark. - At an event with President Barack Obama, Walmart announced that it will double the number of on-site solar energy projects at its U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs and distribution centers by 2020. The commitment is part of Walmart’s global initiative to drive the production or procurement of 7 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy by the end of 2020.

Boise, Idaho - Associated Grocers of Florida is adopting recall process management technology from Recall InfoLink. Recall InfoLink offers a Web-based product recall management platform that protects brand image and reduces liability for businesses involved in processing recalls.

It improves efficiency by providing standardized messages, automated communications, inventory tracking and reports for compliance efforts.