UPS Helps Anderson Seafoods Keep Deliveries Cool

Anderson Seafoods has been providing premium products to high-end restaurants, food markets and hotels for more than 30 years, but now at-home cooks can shop and order right from the company's website. "We have seafood options you can't find in your typical grocery store," said Dennis Anderson, chief executive officer. "We decided to pursue a direct to consumer channel and deliver premium seafood right to our customer's door. We know our customers have busy lives and want to help families cook healthy meals."

All of the seafood is hand-selected at the company's distribution facility in Orange County, California. "Most people do not realize our seafood is 3 to 8 days fresher than what is available at the typical grocery store," Anderson said.

To get products delivered on time, Anderson Seafoods ships each order UPS Next Day Air®. "No matter where you live in the United States, if you order by 1 p.m. Pacific time today, in most cases, it will arrive on your doorstep by 10:30 a.m. the next morning," Anderson said.

FRESHNESS GUARANTEE

Before allowing consumers to buy fresh seafood online, Anderson Seafoods needed to develop a process to keep frozen and fresh products in pristine condition. UPS account executive Steven Tick collaborated with the company's box designers to create a custom foil cooler with dry ice and gel packs. When the cooler is opened, it expands to the size of the box, creates a tight seal and keeps seafood at or below 38° F. "We tested the packaging for almost a year in all types of extreme conditions and we got it right," Tick said. "At the end of the day our customers only care about receiving their orders on time and fresh."

Tick also recognized the opportunity for the company to enhance its new website with the UPS Developer Kit. Anderson Seafoods uses these online tools to integrate UPS shipping and tracking systems into the business model and e-commerce website.

Quantum View® reports potential weather issues that may delay orders. The system also provides status updates allowing customers to track shipments from door-to-door.

Using the UPS WorldShip® system, Anderson Seafoods can process and maintain one database of customer information while printing shipping labels. "We can complete the entire shipping process in less than 10 minutes," Anderson said. "It also retains a customer's shipping history so processing becomes even faster for returning customers and the address validation tool is important when delivering fresh and frozen seafood."

SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD

Anderson Seafoods is serious about its environmental impact. "We do not do business with suppliers that overfish, deplete fish stocks or destroy habitats," Anderson said. The company's goal is to distribute at least 60 percent sustainable seafood over the next five years.

Since the company already had an internal sustainability program, Tick suggested UPS carbon neutral as an option within the UPS WorldShip system. Seafood lovers can select to offset the carbon dioxide (CO2) impact of their shipment by adding just 20 cents to each order. UPS collects the fees and uses the funds to support certified environmentally responsible projects around the world. UPS is the first U.S. small package carrier to offer carbon neutral shipping to its customers and has pledged to match the funds up to $1 million.

"The recipe for success is easy," Anderson says. "Provide the best quality, unmatched customer service, and partner with some of the best companies such as UPS."