Backcountry.com is the host for the 2008 Warehouse Benchmarking ShareGroup. They are based in Salt Lake City, UT. Backcountry.com is an online retailer of performance outdoor adventure gear and apparel. The e-commerce site carries more than 400 brands in various categories, including backpacking, camping, hiking, climbing, trail running, paddling, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and adventure travel. Backcountry.com also operates BackcountryOutlet.com, SteepandCheap.com, Dogfunk.com, Tramdock.com, and WhiskeyMilitia.com.

Backcountry.com ships over 1,400,000 orders nationally and internationally from their 200,000 square foot facility supported by an open source WMS system they wrote in-house. The WMS is seamlessly interfaced to their order management system and e-Commerce solution. They manage approximately 21,100 different SKUs from 400 domestic and international vendors. Backcountry.com carries an average of 750,000 units of inventory, and stores over 450,000 cartons of merchandise.

Backcountry.com’s facility operates 7 days a week with 225 employees (60% full time and 40% part time). If the order is placed before 5 PM, they are able to ship out the same day. They currently use UPS and USPS to ship to their customers.

What is a Benchmarking ShareGroup?
A ShareGroup has a few important parts to it: 1) Operational benchmarking metrics, 2) hot topic discussions and strategic planning, 3) facility tour and audit of Backcountry.com, and 4) networking opportunities with other directors and managers of direct warehouses and operations.

1. Operational Benchmarking Metrics
We will be reviewing a series of benchmarking metrics and reports that show the operating cost and productivity comparisons between participating companies. There are over 100 different metrics that are benchmarked within your company’s operations. These benchmarks are to be used as a “barometer” at your company to identify where you stand at this particular time and where you should focus your attention to maximize improvements in your operations. The detailed operational data and profiles will provide actionable benchmarks for direct warehouse operations as well as the opportunity to question the source for an even greater understanding.

2. Small Group Discussions and Strategic Planning (click to view)
The Warehouse ShareGroup will bring together direct warehouse managers in an open forum setting to discuss and examine benchmarking data; direct warehouse operations hot topics and issues; and best practices in direct operations within multichannel businesses. A ShareGroup is a peer-to-peer exchange of ideas where prior to attending, each participant is asked about his or her areas of interest so that these hot topics can be entered into the meeting’s agenda. The agenda is updated regularly after each participant is interviewed before the ShareGroup. The final hot topic list will be e-mailed to each participant prior to the ShareGroup.

3. Facility Tour and Audit
Along with the many roundtable discussions held during the ShareGroup, participants will be conducting a tour and intense operational audit of Backcountry.com’s 200,000 square foot warehouse. The operational audit will be done through a detailed analysis of the warehouse layout and product flow as part of the warehouse tour. This is an opportunity to observe how other direct warehouse managers analyze and assess direct warehouse operations, and learn from each other as you tour the facility of Backcountry.com.

Who is Eligible to Participate?
To become a member of the 2008 Warehouse Benchmarking ShareGroup, your company must: own your direct warehouse operations, have annual sales in excess of $10 million, and be able to split out direct warehouse costs from other distribution costs, if you are a multichannel business.

In addition to the above qualifications you must be able to: 1. Share your company's profile and operational information with other members of the ShareGroup and identify your company to other members in the data submitted. 2. Collect and submit your company's profile and operational information to F. Curtis Barry & Company by March 7, 2008.

Who Should Attend this ShareGroup?
This two-day ShareGroup is developed for the Vice President of Operations, Direct Warehouse Director/Managers, Direct operations area leads and managers (I.e. Shipping Manager), and others responsible for day-to-day operations of the direct operations of your distribution center.

Membership in this Warehouse Benchmarking ShareGroup does not require that your company divulge any competitive information on merchandising, marketing, or pricing strategies. It does, however, require your commitment to actively and openly share warehouse operations data in exchanges with other members of the ShareGroup.

From the data collected, your company will be able to assess how your operation measures up to other catalog companies. You will also be able to discover and discuss ideas that will help you improve your warehouse operation and implement new methods and concepts with greater confidence.

Dates: March 17-18, 2008 Click here to view the agenda, or visit our Agenda page on the website.
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Warehouse ShareGroup Fee: $500 for the first person, $400 for each additional participant. The cost includes ShareGroup resource binder, bus transportation to and from the hotel to Backcountry.com's facility, Monday and Tuesday's breakfasts and lunches, cocktail party Monday evening, and conference room rental.
ShareGroup Hotel: Little America Hotel – 801-596-5700
Hotel Cost: $169/night (must tell them you are with F. Curtis Barry & Co. Group)

Please contact Jeff Barry via email or call him at 804.740.8743 with any additional questions you might have.

Warehouse ShareGroup 2008 Registration

March 17-18, 2008: $500 for the first participant, $400 for each additional
Fill out the form below to reserve your spot.

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Confidentiality Agreement This agreement is intended to cover the confidentiality of all information provided by the membership of 2008 Warehouse ShareGroup. The undersigned participant(s) agrees that all operational data, profiles, and other information received as a result of participant’s membership in the ShareGroups is to be deemed Confidential Information. Each participant agrees that Confidential Information will not be sold or shared with companies or individuals that are not active, participating members of the ShareGroup; except that such Confidential Information may be shared in an aggregate, non-company specific format. There will be No discussion by any ShareGroup participant concerning the areas of Marketing Data, Pricing Information, Art, Samples, Product Development or Customer Files. At the end of this Confidentiality Agreement, upon your review of all of the terms and conditions, you will be presented with an "I ACCEPT" button. By clicking on the "I ACCEPT" button you represent that you have reviewed and understand the Confidentiality Agreement, and agree to be legally bound by all its terms and conditions listed in the Confidentiality Agreement. In order to register and participate in this Benchmarking ShareGroup, you must click the “I ACCEPT” button.