Cut the Waste, Not Corners: Inside Barrett’s Supply Chain Strategy

Faith Artieda • April 23, 2026

Sustainability in logistics is often framed around packaging and emissions. But some of the most meaningful opportunities to reduce environmental impact happen much earlier—within the day-to-day execution of the supply chain.


At ºÚÁÏÍø911, waste reduction isn’t treated as a separate initiative or a one-time effort. It’s embedded into how operations are designed, measured, and continuously improved. Every process, every system, and every workflow is built with a focus on precision—because even small inefficiencies, when scaled, create significant waste.


The reality is that waste doesn’t just occur at the end of the supply chain. It builds quietly over time, showing up in ways that are often overlooked but highly impactful:


  • Inaccurate inventory, leading to overstocking, spoilage, or unnecessary markdowns
  • Inefficient processes, creating excess movement, labor, and energy consumption
  • Limited visibility, resulting in poor decision-making and reactive operations
  • Preventable returns, which drive additional transportation, packaging, and handling


Individually, these issues may seem operational. Collectively, they represent a major source of both financial and environmental waste.


Barrett takes a fundamentally different approach—focusing on eliminating these inefficiencies at their source rather than reacting to their downstream effects. Through disciplined execution, real-time data visibility, and a culture rooted in continuous improvement, Barrett helps clients operate with greater accuracy, consistency, and control.


Precision Inventory That Prevents Waste


Excess and obsolete inventory remains one of the most significant—and preventable—sources of waste in modern supply chains, particularly across food, beverage, and consumer packaged goods.


Barrett addresses this challenge through a disciplined, data-driven approach to inventory management built on accuracy, visibility, and control. Rather than reacting to inventory issues after they occur, Barrett enables clients to stay ahead of them with:


  • Lot and expiration date tracking, ensuring perishable and regulated products are properly rotated and shipped before they become unsellable
  • SKU-level visibility and velocity tracking, providing a clear understanding of how products move and where risk may be building
  • Real-time inventory data and reporting, allowing for faster, more informed decision-making


This level of precision allows brands to align inventory more closely with actual demand—reducing overstock, minimizing spoilage, and avoiding costly write-offs.


Just as importantly, it creates a more proactive supply chain. Instead of identifying problems after inventory has aged or expired, Barrett helps surface risks early—when there’s still time to act.


Getting It Right the First Time


Every incorrect order sets off a chain reaction—one that extends far beyond a simple mistake. Returns require additional transportation, more packaging, extra handling, and often create product that can no longer be resold at full value.


What starts as a small error quickly becomes a measurable source of both cost and environmental impact. Barrett is built around minimizing these breakdowns before they happen.


Through a disciplined focus on execution, Barrett emphasizes accuracy at every step of the fulfillment process—from order processing to picking, packing, and shipping. This is supported by:


  • Real-time KPI tracking, including order accuracy, fill rate, and on-time performance
  • Standardized processes reinforced by training and operational consistency
  • Root cause analysis and corrective action programs that address issues at their source


Rather than treating errors as isolated events, Barrett views them as signals—opportunities to refine processes and prevent recurrence.


This approach creates a more reliable and predictable operation, where fewer mistakes translate directly into fewer returns, less rework, and reduced resource consumption.


Because in supply chain operations, sustainability doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from doing it right the first time.


Continuous Improvement as a Core Discipline


What truly differentiates Barrett is that waste reduction isn’t approached as a one-time initiative or periodic review—it’s embedded into the rhythm of daily operations. Continuous improvement is not a project; it’s a discipline that shapes how processes are evaluated, refined, and executed over time.


At Barrett, every workflow is viewed as something that can be optimized. Teams are consistently analyzing performance, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing changes that drive better outcomes. This includes rethinking facility layouts to reduce unnecessary movement, refining picking and packing processes to improve speed and accuracy, and leveraging data to uncover trends that might otherwise go unnoticed.


We support this proactive approach with structured methodologies, including regular process reviews and improvement initiatives that bring cross-functional teams together to solve problems at their root. When an issue arises, the focus isn’t just on correcting it in the moment—it’s on understanding why it happened and ensuring it doesn’t happen again.


Over time, these incremental improvements compound. Small gains in efficiency lead to meaningful reductions in labor, energy use, handling, and ultimately, waste. The result is an operation that becomes more streamlined, more predictable, and more sustainable with each iteration.


At its core, this discipline reflects a simple belief: the most effective way to reduce waste is to design it out of the process continuously.


Less movement. Less handling. Less waste.


Your 3PL Should Do More Than Move Boxes



This Earth Day, the takeaway is simple: the most sustainable supply chains aren’t defined by add-ons—they’re defined by how well they run.


Because the most effective way to reduce waste is to get it right the first time.


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By Faith Artieda July 10, 2026
FRANKLIN, Mass., June 8, 2026 — ºÚÁÏÍø911 , a leading third-party logistics provider specializing in eCommerce fulfillment, announced a new partnership with RateFit , a Chicago-based athleisure brand under the Rate.com family of companies. “From the beginning, Barrett demonstrated the experience and capabilities we were looking for in a fulfillment partner,” said Jenny Sepulveda, president of RateFit. "During our visit, we were impressed by the scale of Barrett's operations and the team's ability to support our long-term growth plans. As we launch, it was important to find a fulfillment partner with apparel expertise, room to scale and the flexibility to support future value-added services." RateFit is a new business under the Rate.com umbrella. Inspired by the concept of living the 'Rate Life,' the brand offers an athleisure collection designed to transition seamlessly from recreational activities to everyday wear. “We’re super excited that the RateFit team chose Barrett to help launch their new brand,” said Harrison Smith , director, 3PL pricing and contract analytics at Barrett. “It’s been a pleasure working with Jenny and Mia throughout this process. With their passion and expertise in the space, I have no doubt it will become one of the leaders in the athleisure market, and we’re thrilled they trusted Barrett to be part of their journey.” RateFit is now live at one of Barrett’s Memphis, Tenn., fulfillment facilities, where Barrett provides direct-to-consumer fulfillment and parcel shipping services. The partnership supports the launch of RateFit’s which offers versatile apparel designed for everyday life from the studio to the office, coffee, and everything in between. Barrett’s fulfillment capabilities will help the brand efficiently serve customers nationwide as it scales its direct-to-consumer business. Barrett's Memphis operation is part of a nationwide fulfillment network supporting high-growth consumer brands across multiple industries. About RateFit RateFit is a Chicago-based athleisure brand under the Rate.com family of companies. Inspired by a wellness-focused lifestyle, the company offers versatile apparel designed for everyday life from the studio to office, coffee, and everything in between. Its collection combines performance, comfort and style to support consumers both on and off the course. About ºÚÁÏÍø911 Since 1941, Barrett has provided customized third-party logistics (3PL), direct-to-consumer (DTC) eCommerce fulfillment, omnichannel distribution, managed transportation solutions and retail compliance for clients across all industries, with a focus on apparel & footwear, health & beauty, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and education. Barrett continues to be a leading 3rd party logistics provider in North America, known for superior execution, customer engagement and direct access to senior leadership decision makers. As a member of Inc's fastest growing companies list 15+ times, Barrett is big enough to do the job and still small enough to deeply care about your business. Brands interested in a new 3PL partnership may contact Barrett directly here . Official Release Here Media Contact: Faith Artieda Marketing Content Specialist Faith.artieda@barrettdistribution.com
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By Faith Artieda July 7, 2026
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