NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Defense Logistics Agency Distribution hosted an Industry Day event on May 14 in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, bringing together more than 100 industry partners and logistics experts to discuss current and future collaborations.
The event, kicked off with a welcome from Navy Rear Adm. Michael York, commander, DLA Distribution, served as a valuable platform for open dialogue, information exchange, and strategic alignment between DLA Distribution and the private sector.
“We’re trying to create an environment of open communication where ideas and feedback could be freely exchanged,” said Meg Ross, director, acquisition operations at DLA Distribution. "The insights and feedback we receive are invaluable in helping us refine our processes and ensure we're meeting the needs of our warfighters in the most efficient and effective way possible."
DLA Distribution directors and subject matter experts provided a comprehensive overview of DLA Distribution’s mission and evolving needs, highlighting key initiatives like acquisition modernization and improvements to processes, based on feedback from the 2024 DLA supplier survey. The day prior to the event, vendors were offered a tour of the Eastern Distribution Center, a 1.7 million square foot center that handles 25 percent of DLA Distribution’s worldwide receipt, storage, and issue mission. It serves as the eastern strategic distribution platform for the DOD and is the primary distribution point for all branches of the U.S. Armed Services, Foreign Military Services, and other Federal agencies in the eastern U.S.
DLA Distribution has been hosting Industry Day since 2018, with in-person events held in 2018 and 2019. The event transitioned to a virtual format in 2021 and 2023.
Attendees represented a wide range of industries critical to DLA Distribution’s operations, including storage and distribution service providers, packaging material suppliers, and construction firms. Industry Day underscores DLA Distribution's commitment to fostering strong relationships with industry partners and promoting innovation in its supply chain operations.