NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Navy Rear Adm. Grafton D. Chase, commander of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, toured the full range of facilities operated by DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, including operations hosted at Naval Support Activity, Mechanicsburg.
Rear Adm. Chase was able to see the most recent work done on the Eastern Distribution Center modernization project. The EDC is the largest warehousing facility in the Defense Department , serving DoD customers across the globe.
A focus on the tour of the EDC was highlighting how the current model of the EDC operates on “person to goods” model, where the worker moves to where the goods are stowed to perform their duties. The new modernization project will move the EDC to a “goods to person” model, where automated processes will bring the goods to a worker. This new model will increase accuracy, increase the speed of work and create a safer working environment.
In addition to the current modernization effort, Chase was shown warehouses and material related to the ongoing COVID-19 fight. Personal protective equipment, temperature – controlled vaccine storage, test kits and material held as part of the Veterans Affairs mission are all currently stored at DDSP facilities in such a way they can be easily moved and accessed as the mission requires.
Chase and his leadership team are currently balancing the challenges of implementing both process enhancements and modernization investments to improve warfighter support and auditability throughout DLA Distribution’s worldwide network.