Ryder Earns Elite Warehouse Certification for Healthcare Customer

Rhea-AI Summary

Ryder System (NYSE: R) has achieved elite certification from the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC) for its innovative healthcare supply chain management solution. The certification follows Ryder's implementation of a self-distribution model with a highly automated consolidated service center (CSC) in St. Louis, Missouri, serving BJC HealthCare's 14 facilities.

The 416,000-square-foot CSC, engineered and managed by Ryder, features the AutoStore™ automated storage and retrieval system, 1.3 miles of conveyors, and RyderShare™ visibility technology. The facility has demonstrated exceptional performance metrics:

• 100% real-time visibility and inventory control
• 99.75% inventory accuracy
• 99.7% fill rate
• 99% on-time delivery

The WERC certification involved an independent audit of 114 processes across eight core areas of warehouse operations, validating Ryder's excellence in healthcare supply chain management.

Positive

• Achieved elite WERC certification, validating operational excellence
• 100% inventory control and real-time visibility metrics
• Near-perfect performance: 99.75% inventory accuracy, 99.7% fill rate
• Successful implementation of highly automated warehouse system
• Strategic expansion in healthcare logistics sector

Negative

• None.

Insights

Supply Chain & Logistics Specialist

Ryder's elite WERC certification validates their healthcare logistics capabilities, strengthening market position in high-margin specialized service vertical.

This WERC certification represents a significant strategic achievement for Ryder in the specialized healthcare logistics market. The BJC HealthCare implementation showcases Ryder's advanced capabilities in healthcare supply chain engineering - a sector with higher barriers to entry, stricter requirements, and typically higher margins than standard logistics operations.

The metrics achieved are truly exceptional by industry standards: 99.75% inventory accuracy and 99.7% fill rates demonstrate near-perfect execution in a sector where precision directly impacts patient care. The AutoStore™ system and 1.3-mile conveyor network represent substantial technical implementation capability that few competitors can match at this scale.

Most compelling is Ryder's end-to-end solution integration - they've created a closed-loop system managing everything from warehouse automation to dedicated transportation with specialized drivers and real-time visibility technology. This positions them to capture growing demand for self-distribution models as healthcare systems seek greater control and cost efficiency.

The 416,000-square-foot facility serving 14 facilities with 3,200+ beds demonstrates scalability that could be replicated across other healthcare networks. While financial impact isn't quantified, this certification strengthens Ryder's competitive position in a sector experiencing increased outsourcing of logistics functions as healthcare providers focus on their core competencies.

• Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC) certifies BJC HealthCare’s consolidated services center (CSC), engineered and managed by Ryder
• CSC achieves 100% inventory control and real-time visibility; nearly 100% inventory accuracy and fill rates

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R) achieved an elite certification from the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC). The recognition comes after the company reimagined the traditional distributor model for healthcare supply chain management. Ryder then engineered a self-distribution model with a highly automated consolidated service center (CSC) in St. Louis, Missouri, for BJC HealthCare, which serves 14 facilities with more than 3,200 beds in the Midwest.

Ryder employees monitor multiple warehouse automation systems at BJC HealthCare’s 416,000 sq. ft. consolidated services center in St. Louis, Missouri. Engineered and managed by Ryder, the facility recently achieved an elite certification from the Warehousing Education and Research Council.

Ryder voluntarily entered the WERC Warehouse Assessment and Certification Program, which provides a robust industry standard-grading methodology. It requires an independent audit of 114 processes in eight core areas of warehouse operations, including receiving and inspection; material handling and put-away; slotting; storage and inventory control; picking and packing; load consolidation and shipping; shipment documentation; and warehouse management system. Only facilities that achieve a minimum score receive WERC certification and recognition.

The self-distribution model includes:

• A highly automated 416,000-square-foot CSC for medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and everyday supplies, engineered and managed by Ryder
• A fully optimized, dedicated outbound transportation network with professional drivers trained specifically to meet unique needs, also engineered and managed by Ryder
• A professional operations team — recruited, trained, and managed by Ryder — to ensure a culture of continuous improvement to drive efficiencies and keep service levels high

Inside the CSC, the AutoStore™, an automated storage and retrieval system, increases storage capacity and fulfills orders 24 hours a day, continuously feeding 1.3 miles of conveyors and giving the supply chain increased speed and reliability. And Ryder’s proprietary real-time visibility and collaboration technology RyderShare^TM enables everyone to easily see across the supply chain, work together to prevent costly delays, and find efficiency gains.

With this fully integrated, customized solution, the effort has achieved:

• 100% real-time visibility
• 100% inventory control
• 99.75% inventory accuracy
• 99.7% fill rate
• 99% on-time delivery

“From the warehouse to the point of delivery at the hospital, our RyderShare technology ensures everyone knows exactly what is in each delivery, down to each tote and its location on the truck — a key differentiator when dealing with life-saving supplies,” says Ryder President of Supply Chain and Dedicated Transportation Solutions Steve Sensing. “Patient-centric care has been paramount in reimagining the traditional healthcare supply chain model. When you start there, and you have two teams bring extraordinary expertise and achieve a remarkable level of collaboration, that’s when real change happens.”

For more about how Ryder can help healthcare organizations gain greater control over their supply chains while lowering costs and improving patient care, click here.

About Ryder System, Inc.

Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R) is a fully integrated port-to-door logistics and transportation company. It provides supply chain, dedicated transportation, and fleet management solutions, including warehousing and distribution, contract packaging and manufacturing, e-commerce fulfillment, last-mile delivery, managed transportation, professional drivers, freight brokerage, cross-border solutions, full-service fleet leasing, maintenance, commercial truck rental, and used vehicle sales to some of the world’s most-recognized brands. Ryder provides services to businesses across more than 20 industries throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. In addition, Ryder manages nearly 250,000 commercial vehicles, services fleets at approximately 760 maintenance locations, and operates nearly 300 warehouses encompassing more than 100 million square feet. Ryder is regularly recognized for its industry-leading practices; technology-driven innovations; environmental management; safety, health and security programs; and recruitment and hiring initiatives. www.ryder.com

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements and information included in this news release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements should be evaluated with consideration given to the many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including those risks set forth in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or to assess the impact of such risks on our business. Accordingly, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250416115129/en/

For Information Contact:

Anne Hendricks, amhendricks@ryder.com

Amy Federman, afederman@ryder.com

Source: Ryder System, Inc.

FAQ

What performance metrics did Ryder's BJC HealthCare facility achieve in 2025?

The facility achieved 100% real-time visibility and inventory control, 99.75% inventory accuracy, 99.7% fill rate, and 99% on-time delivery.

How large is Ryder's new automated healthcare facility in St. Louis?

The consolidated service center (CSC) is 416,000 square feet and serves 14 BJC HealthCare facilities with over 3,200 beds.

What automation systems are implemented in Ryder's BJC HealthCare facility?

The facility features AutoStore™ automated storage and retrieval system, 1.3 miles of conveyors, and RyderShare™ visibility technology.

What does the WERC certification process involve for Ryder's facility?

WERC certification requires an independent audit of 114 processes across eight core areas of warehouse operations, including receiving, material handling, storage, picking, and shipping.