
Case Study
Foremost's
Supply Chain Transformation
Foremost Farms USA, a premier dairy cooperative and a cornerstone of the U.S. dairy industry, has long been celebrated for its exceptional products and commitment to operational excellence. Recognizing the urgent need for modernization and a partner with unmatched expertise and innovative solutions, Foremost turned to Ever.Ag.
Partnership
In 2017, this transformative partnership began a bold journey to revolutionize Foremost’s supply chain, redefine efficiency, and cement the cooperative’s position as a competitive industry leader. Through Ever.Ag’s advanced technology, customer-first approach, and relentless focus on results, Foremost Farms not only overcame its challenges but also achieved sustainable success and operational leadership.
Collaboration
This collaboration highlights the power of trust, innovation, and industry expertise, showcasing how Ever.Ag’s tailored solutions drove Foremost’s evolution and set a new standard for excellence in the dairy supply chain.
Key Challenges
Foremost Farms USA faced significant hurdles that demanded the expertise of a trusted, innovative partner like Ever.Ag to drive transformation. Challenges Foremost faced included:
Rigid Operations
Hauler pay structures and dependency on traditional providers limited flexibility and scalability.
Inefficient Systems
Disparate, manual processes hindered supply chain integration and increased operational complexity.
Soaring Transportation Costs
Rising freight costs which strained finances and threatened profitability.
Rising Customer Expectations
The growing demand for real-time data required advanced tools and seamless operational visibility.
Industry Complexity
Navigating an evolving dairy supply chain required unmatched industry expertise and forward-thinking strategies.
“This partnership has been transformative for our business. Ever. Ag’s innovative approach and deep industry expertise have not only helped us navigate complex challenges but have also driven meaningful improvements across our operations, positioning us for long-term success.”
-Darin Hanson
-Darin Hanson
SVP, Milk Supply Chain & Risk Management at Foremost Farms USA
Integrated Timeline of Transformation
2017-2019
Laying the Foundation
Benchmarking and Optimization for Plant-to-Plant hauling:
- Focused on reducing high transportation costs and consolidating logistics.
- Introduced real-time dispatch optimization and hauler scorecards, reducing freight costs from 114% to 82% of market rates.
Trust and Foundation Building:
- Delivered sizable savings for plant-to-plant hauling costs while establishing trust for deeper collaboration.
2020-2023
Scaling the Transformation
End-to-End Supply Chain Integration:
- Expanded to milk dispatch, invoicing, and plant logistics.
- Transitioned to a unified technology platform, integrating KPIs and automating invoicing, sales orders, and accounts payable processes.
- Applied advanced transportation optimization analytics to identify and quantify savings opportunities.
Cross-Functional Leadership:
- Established a transformation leadership team spanning finance, IT, plant operations, sales and member relations to drive savings capture.
Operational Efficiency Gains:
- Enhanced accuracy, streamlined logistics, and solidified Foremost’s competitive position.
2024 and Beyond
Future-Ready Innovation
Advanced Optimization:
- Implementing full real-time transportation optimization for greater efficiency.
- Preparing for major projects like integrating a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and Energy Manager to improve production efficiency and energy utilization.
Sustainability Focus:
- Real-time insights into manufacturing and energy consumption to drive smarter, greener business decisions.
Results
Through every phase of this transformation, Ever.Ag proved to be more than a solutions provider—it became a trusted partner with unmatched expertise, consistently delivering innovative solutions that redefined Foremost’s supply chain operations.
Ever.Ag’s ability to deliver tailored, proactive solutions demonstrated their commitment to innovation and their role as a trusted partner in driving lasting change.
Key Achievements
- Cost Reduction: Plant freight costs dropped from 114% to 82% of market rates, savings millions
- Efficiency Gains: Integrated systems reduced bottlenecks and increased productivity
- Smarter Decisions: Real-time KPIs enabled faster, data-driven decision-making
- Flexibility & Agility: Modern pay structure delivered competitive, yet sustainable rates with milk haulers
- Member Alignment: New hauling contribution structure delivered fairness and accuracy across members and incentivized farm investment to drive hauling efficiency
- Leadership Transformation: Foremost emerged as an innovative, competitive leader.
“Ever.Ag’s seamless integration of their optimization solutions has transformed our logistics and operations, aligning with our strategic goals and enhancing efficiency across the board. Their expertise has been pivotal to our progress.”
-Darin Hanson