The Will Foods management team has implemented many changes since acquiring the company – formerly Will Poultry – in December of 2013, the latest being the upcoming installation of a state-of-the-art warehouse system.
The new warehouse system is part of a larger plan to turn more focus on technology. Improvements in this arena will help the 88-year-old company be more efficient and provide better service to their customers in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
President Jack Manley (below) is not new to the business world, but has taken the last 10 months to get acquainted with the food distribution world. He and Executive Vice President Bob Manley had to first learn all of the ins and outs before executing their plans, technological or not.
“We’ve made a lot progress,” Bob Manley said. “We bought a company that had a lot of very experienced people that generally speaking, lacked a lot of organization and direction.”
Technological updates started right away with a new phone system to ensure better service to calling customers. Then came the overhaul: Bringing order management software up to date, installing route optimization software, supplying drivers with GPS-enabled cell phones that route based off that software, rewiring the entire building, supplying all sales representatives with iPads and implementing a new warehouse management system.
While these updates are not mandatory, they are in the eyes of management. The new owners want to stay ahead of the game, allowing them to better serve their customers and continually improve their service. Modernization won’t end there. This is just the tip of the iceberg as Will Foods continues to push the technological envelope to make Buffalo a better place to eat.
Will Foods is located at 1075 William Street and is open six days a week.
Entry Image: Jack Manley (L) and Executive Vice President Bob Manley