SVT Robotics Honored with Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics Top Supply Chain Projects Award

Katherine Wroth • June 18, 2024

Award profiles innovative case study-type projects designed to automate, optimize, streamline, and improve the supply chain.

Norfolk, Virginia – June 17, 2024 –  , the only publication covering the entire global supply chain, and Food Logistics, the only publication exclusively dedicated to covering the movement of product through the global cold food supply chain, named  as a winner of this year’s Top Supply Chain Projects award, which profiles innovative case study-type projects designed to automate, optimize, streamline, and improve the supply chain.


“It’s an honor to be named a winner of the Top Supply Chain Projects award,” said A.K. Schultz, co-founder and CEO of SVT Robotics. “ simplifies the journey to automation by providing a standard way for disparate systems and technologies to communicate. We’re empowering 91 Distribution Centers with the ability to easily integrate, manage, and scale automation solutions so they can meet and exceed operational goals. Our mission is to make automation accessible to all and we’re grateful that our technology has been recognized with this award.” 


“It was critical to integrate the SOFTBOT Platform into our warehouse to fulfill customer orders,” said David Lynch, Director of IT Solutions and Security at 91. “Last year, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday just two weeks away, SVT’s tech-agnostic platform enabled us to integrate our systems without any downtime or disruptions. Partnering with SVT allowed us to improve inventory accuracy and increase our overall throughput for clients. Additionally, our IT teams weren’t distracted by the integration, allowing them to focus on other company needs.”


“The past 12 months has seen companies within the supply chain and logistics space upgrade, enhance, adopt and adapt in order to achieve greater efficiency along the chain. Companies implemented others’ software and technology to work smarter, together. Their partnerships cultivated resilience and placed a spotlight on projects designed to make the supply chain space safer and more efficient,” says Marina Mayer, Editor-in-Chief of Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics. “And, now it’s time to celebrate those projects!”


To learn more about 91 Distribution Centers deploying the SOFTBOT® Platform, . To view the full list of Top Supply Chain Projects winners, click here .


About Supply & Demand Chain Executive


Supply & Demand Chain Executive is the only supply chain publication covering the entire global supply chain, focusing on trucking, warehousing, packaging, procurement, risk management, professional development and more. Supply & Demand Chain Executive and sister publication Food Logistics also operate SCN Summit and Women in Supply Chain Forum. Go to  to learn more.


About Food Logistics


Food Logistics reaches more than 26,000 supply chain executives in the global food and beverage industries, including executives in the food sector (growers, producers, manufacturers, wholesalers and grocers) and the logistics section (transportation, warehousing, distribution, software and technology) who share a mutual interest in the operations and business aspects of the global cold food supply chain. Food Logistics also operates SCN Summit and Women in Supply Chain Forum. Go to  to learn more.


About IRONMARKETS 


IRONMARKETS, formerly known as AC Business Media, is a leading business-to-business media and buyer engagement platform with a portfolio of renowned brands in heavy construction, asphalt, concrete, paving, rental, sustainability, landscape, manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain markets. IRONMARKETS delivers relevant, cutting-edge content to its audiences through its industry-leading digital properties, trade shows, conferences, videos, magazines, webinars, and newsletters. It also provides advertisers the analytics, data, and ability to reach their target audience. Learn more at 


About SVT Robotics


SVT Robotics empowers supply chain IT teams to integrate, monitor, and scale automation with the tech-agnostic SOFTBOT Platform. This reduces custom development and support by providing a standard way for technologies to communicate. The SOFTBOT Platform also delivers enhanced system visibility, simplified troubleshooting, maximized uptime, and access to aggregated data, enabling companies to optimize operations across their business. Visit.


About 91 Distribution Centers


Since 1941, 91 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. 91 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, 91 is big enough to do the job and still small enough to care about your business deeply. eCommerce brands interested in a new 3PL partnership may contact 91 directly here.

Recent Blog Posts

By Bryan Corbett August 13, 2025
3PL Finder 101 "Supply Chain is Not a Spreadsheet" There's so much going on in our industry and almost no time to talk about it all, so sometimes doing a quick 5 min video is best Plus, it's a great 🧠 release for me...sooo Here we go! Let's turn the 3PL search process upside down, maybe sorta just a little bit 👇 1️⃣ Be visible EARLY Don't be invisible or not part of early intro calls - it's OK to use personal discernment + gut feeelings + cultural alignment EARLY in the downselection process. Better early than late! 2️⃣ Meet the actual operators EARLY Ask to meet the operators in the targeted 3PL facilies near the beginning of the process. Imagine downselecting to 3 finalists only to find out that your entire team simply doesn't align with the personality of the leadership in the building?! Ruh-roh, sad face. 3️⃣ Get the financial truth upfront EARLY Ask for audited financials + company performance + a CFO 1v1 EARLY in the process. Again, what's the point in both teams doing all that work, only to find out your preferred future 3PL partner is bleeding cash or completely insolvent, looking for an IPO or a new buyer ASAP. Oops! The BEST partnerships at 91  are built on trust, culture, and long-term alignment This is universal Business 101 - believe it!
By Katherine Wroth July 31, 2025
As someone who once considered Sephora a second home, I never thought I’d say this—but I genuinely can’t remember the last time I bought any of my clean holy grails in a physical store. These days, I’m what you might call a “last-drop” shopper: I wait until I’m down to the final pump of my favorite serum, then panic order online for next-day delivery. Please don’t cancel me, but retail isn’t part of my beauty routine anymore, and I know I’m not the only one. At 91, we’ve seen a growing trend: clean beauty companies are turning away from traditional retail in favor of direct-to-consumer (D2C) eCommerce. The reason is clear: D2C creates room for brand storytelling, flexibility in operations, and a better end-to-end experience for today’s value-driven shopper. Here are the real reasons retail is losing its edge, and how D2C creates growth opportunities today. 1. Retail Is Built for Speed, Not Substance (not in this economy) Clean beauty brands are rooted in intention—ingredient integrity, sustainability, and cruelty-free practices. But the retail shelf doesn’t offer much room to explain any of that. When your product is sitting between a $15 drugstore brand and a $45 clean alternative, you’re left competing on price with no space to explain the difference. That disconnect often leads to missed opportunities, especially when: You’re penalized for being thoughtful. Retail prefers high-volume, fast-moving products. You’re held to costly terms. Slotting fees, markdown guarantees, and rigid planograms eat into margins. You’re locked into someone else’s calendar. Product launches are tied to shelf resets, not market demand or customer readiness. Retail often becomes a barrier for brands with a fast innovation cycle or a strong mission, not a booster. 2. D2C Gives You the Power to Educate, Connect, and Convert D2C isn’t just about selling online—it’s about owning the experience. When clean beauty brands shift to D2C, they gain: Creative control: Tell the full story behind your formulas, highlight ingredient sourcing, and explain your mission in your own words. Better margins: Without retail markups, you retain more revenue per order and can reinvest into growth. Direct relationships: With first-party data, you learn what your customers care about and tailor marketing and product development accordingly. Your website becomes more than a shop—it’s a hub for community, education, and loyalty-building. With tools like email, SMS, and loyalty programs, brands can drive repeat purchases without depending on third-party retailers. 3. Today’s Beauty Shopper Is Online (and doing their homework) Millennials and Gen Z consumers aren’t browsing drugstore aisles to discover clean beauty (I can attest to this). They’re scrolling. They’re reading labels. They want transparency, not gimmicky taglines. By selling direct, you can meet them where they already are: Share real reviews and before-and-afters that address real concerns. Use social media to gain exposure and drive traffic to your store—not someone else’s. Create an experience that mirrors what they value: personalized service, conscious packaging, and honest messaging. In short? The D2C model lets you keep the promise that clean beauty was built on. 4. Fulfillment Is the Missing Link—Until It’s Not Let’s talk supply chain. Because even the best product and cleanest brand message fall flat if shipping is slow, inventory runs out, or packaging arrives damaged. That’s where fulfillment becomes make-or-break. At 91, we help clean beauty brands scale without losing their identity. We offer: Custom kitting and sustainable packaging solutions that mirror your mission. Climate-controlled environments to maintain product integrity. Nationwide 1–2 day delivery so customers never wait too long for their skincare staples. Dedicated account support from a team that knows beauty isn’t just another category—it’s a commitment. We see fulfillment as a brand experience. Done well, it reinforces your value. Done poorly, today’s buyers are not afraid of a return. Our job is to ensure it supports your growth, not slows you down. 5. Yes, D2C Has Challenges—But They’re Solvable Ad costs are rising. Customer acquisition is tough. Setting up the right tech stack takes time. But those hurdles aren’t unique to clean beauty. And they’re not insurmountable. We work with brands that overcome them every day by: Building communities, not just campaigns. Using subscriptions to create predictable revenue. Leveraging data to improve conversion and retention. Partnering with 3PLs who streamline operations behind the scenes. D2C can be your most efficient, brand-aligned channel with the proper foundation. Clean Beauty Deserves More Than a Shelf Clean beauty was never meant to be crammed between conventional products and explained in three bullet points. These brands were built to lead with purpose and scale with integrity. If that sounds like you, D2C isn’t a risk—it’s a return to your roots, with the tools to grow. And at 91, we’re here to help you deliver. From warehousing and fulfillment to scalable shipping and custom packaging, we support beauty brands that believe in doing things differently. Contact us today for a free D2C complimentary supply chain consultation.
By Katherine Wroth July 31, 2025
Partnering with a 3PL is like getting into a new relationship. It most likely included multiple dates (a lengthy vetting process), maybe a few awkward first conversations, and finally, someone popped the question (aka, signed the contract). But just like any good relationship, the real work (and fun) begins after the honeymoon phase. Here’s what to expect during those first few months together: 1. Onboarding Isn’t Just a Kickoff Call—It’s the “Define the Relationship” Talk You’ll have meetings, and then meetings about the meetings. But don’t worry, this is where the magic starts. From reviewing order profiles and peak seasons to mapping your brand’s packaging specs, this phase is all about setting expectations and getting aligned. At 91, we’re not winging it. We follow a structured timeline that ensures everyone knows who’s doing what (and when). 2. Systems Integration = Meeting the Family WMS, OMS, EDI, API—I know, it sounds like alphabet soup. But this part is essential. During these first few weeks, your tech team and ours will ensure your systems play nicely together. Because if your inventory data doesn’t sync or tracking numbers don’t send, it will be a rough honeymoon. 3. Inbound Product Planning: Move-In Day Gets Real Bringing inventory into a 3PL is like moving in with a new roommate. It requires planning, coordination, and maybe a few spreadsheets. We’ll help schedule deliveries, confirm labeling standards, and ensure your SKUs are stored for optimal picking. No one likes that awkward “where did I put that” feeling. 4. Training the Fulfillment Team: Learning Your Love Language You’ve got brand standards. We’ve got checklists. During the first 90 days, your dedicated warehouse team gets trained in everything from your product line to packaging details and QC steps. At 91, we aim to make your unboxing experience feel like a love letter to your customer, every time. 5. Soft Launches: The First Weekend Trip Together We won’t go full throttle on Day 1. Instead, we start with a soft launch—fulfilling a smaller volume of orders so we can test processes, troubleshoot, and fine-tune. It’s like a weekend getaway before booking the two-week vacation. Let’s make sure we travel well together. 6. Daily Communication: Texts, Check-ins, and “Are You Free for a Quick Call?” You’ll be hearing from us—a lot. Regular performance updates, DMs, and issue resolution calls are when trust is built and kinks get worked out. With 91, you’ll have a dedicated Customer Success Manager (aka your supply chain therapist) to keep things running smoothly. 7. By 90 Days In, It’s Starting to Feel Like a Real Partnership You’ve been through enough together to know it’s working by this point. You’ve ironed out processes, shared a few wins, and maybe even a fire drill or two. Your 3PL should no longer feel like “them”—it should feel like “us.” Ready to Build Something That Lasts? At 91, we treat the first 90 days like the foundation of a long-term partnership—because we’re in it for the long haul. Let's chat if you’re ready to start strong (and maybe skip the awkward phase). Contact us for a free supply chain consultation today.
More Posts