Essendant, a national distributor of business supplies, has entered into an agreement with Roadie, a UPS-owned delivery platform, to support faster local delivery and expand its last-mile logistics coverage.
The arrangement gives Essendant access to Roadie’s network of drivers for on-demand deliveries, allowing the company to meet growing customer expectations for shorter delivery windows without investing in its own fleet or adding to existing infrastructure, Essendant said.
By integrating Roadie into its distribution system, Essendant said it aims to reduce delivery times, particularly in urban centers and areas underserved by traditional freight carriers. The relationship also allows for more flexibility in how products are routed from Essendant’s network of warehouses to customer locations, the distributor said.
“Customers increasingly expect the kind of rapid delivery they experience in their personal lives,” said Tim Engstrom, senior vice president of supply chain at Essendant. “Partnering with Roadie enables us to adapt to those expectations.”
The partnership comes as the company undergoes a strategic and executive transition. David Boone, who had served as interim CEO, stepped down to take on the chief executive role at The Michaels Cos. In February.
Boone was succeeded by Dave Rickard, formerly Essendant’s interim chief transformation officer, who assumed the role of CEO. Rickard brings over three decades of experience from leadership positions at Boston Consulting Group, Uline, and US Foods.
Rickard now leads the company’s broader connected commerce strategy, which focuses on improving how Essendant serves B2B, B2C, and B2B2C customers. The initiative includes direct integration with major marketplaces, expanded ecommerce capabilities through partnerships with over 1,300 brands and 560 suppliers, and a fulfillment network that enables next-day delivery to 98% of the U.S.
Essendant is using these changes to strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive digital supply landscape, the distributor said.
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