MONTREAL -- The Quebec Furniture Manufacturers Association (QFMA) launched the first supply chain optimization program for the furniture manufacturing sector in Quebec.

The objective of this program is twofold: to reduce the ecological footprint of the furniture industry in Quebec, and to allow manufacturers to lower their transportation costs, giving them an advantage over the competition. 
The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is an important concern for the QFMA and its members.

"We have to do our part as an industry. We believe that the consumption of fossil fuels for the transportation of Quebec-made furniture can be significantly reduced through the pooling of transportation," said Gilles Pelletier, CEO of the QFMA.

The program, supported by the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, is being implemented in collaboration with Cedric Millar Integrated Solutions in Mississauga, Ont. Cedric Millar is a 4PL provider that provides supply chain solutions in Canada and the United States. The 4PL acronym refers to party logistics, and the numeric character refers to the number of parties involved within the supply chain system. 
The  Better Way program provides a “clear competitive advantage, through increased efficiency, for QFMA members during this time of widespread supply chain instability,” Brian Ware, managing director of Cedric Millar Integrated Solutions.”

The program is currently in the measurement phase: several companies are participating in the data collection that will allow, within a year, to set achievable and significant targets that will become an industry standard.
"We are among the first participants in this evaluation phase of the new program and are very excited about the potential gains in efficiency and emissions reductions," said Simon Lapointe, vice president, finance at Artopex, an office-furniture manufacturer in Granby, Q.C.

The program aims for major improvements in terms of cost savings, competitiveness, efficiency, and the environment. The QFMA will actively promote the program to its members to increase the number of participating companies.