Future of Distribution Council
The Future of Distribution Council (FDC) provides distributors and manufacturers with a collaborative forum to address challenges and opportunities critical to the long-term success of the foodservice equipment and supplies distribution industry. The council examines industry strengths that could create new opportunities, identifies potential risks to the industry’s growth, and develops recommendations to help FEDA prioritize resources and implement programs.
The FDC brings together industry leaders to identify issues affecting the supply chain and develop practical, industry-driven solutions. Building on earlier work to establish a shared vision for the future of distribution and identify sources of misalignment among channel partners, the council is now focused on initiatives that address persistent operational challenges and improve collaboration across the industry.
The council and its subcommittees are advancing work in three strategic areas:
- Shipping, Packaging and Handling Standards (SPHS): Developing industry standards to reduce freight damage and improve LTL shipping, packaging, and handling practices.
- Product Data Standards and Integration (PDSI): Establishing common product data standards and recommended practices to improve data consistency and exchange between manufacturers and distributors.
- Transportation Management Systems (TMS): Developing case studies and practical assessment tools to help distributors evaluate transportation operations, improve logistics visibility, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Together, these initiatives aim to improve operational efficiency, strengthen alignment among supply chain partners, and develop practical resources that FEDA members can use in their businesses.
Subcommittee: Shipping, Packaging & Handling Standards (SPHS)
Freight damage creates costs and operational challenges throughout the foodservice equipment and supplies supply chain. Differences in packaging, handling, and shipping practices can make it difficult for manufacturers, distributors, and carriers to establish consistent expectations and prevent damage.
The SPHS Subcommittee is developing industry standards to address these challenges and establish clearer responsibilities across the supply chain. Drawing on National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) guidelines and industry expertise, the group developed draft standards addressing common causes of freight damage, including forklift handling, pallet design, labeling, packaging integrity, cross-docking, and training.
Current focus: The subcommittee is refining the standards based on industry feedback and preparing for pilot testing with participating manufacturers, distributors, and carriers. This work will help evaluate the recommendations in practice and support broader industry adoption.
Subcommittee: Product Data Standards & Integration (PDSI)
The PDSI Subcommittee is working to improve the consistency, quality, and exchange of product and shipping data between manufacturers and distributors. The group has developed draft standards identifying priority data elements, clarifying data ownership and responsibilities, and establishing common terminology and recommended practices. These standards aim to reduce data inconsistencies and support more reliable information sharing across business systems, including those used for contracts, purchase orders, and invoices.
Current focus: The subcommittee is incorporating industry feedback and advancing plans to test the standards with participating manufacturers, distributors, and technology providers. This work will help assess how the recommendations function in practice and identify opportunities to support wider adoption across the industry.
Subcommittee: Transportation Management System (TMS)
The TMS Subcommittee is developing practical resources to help distributors assess their transportation operations and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and shipment visibility. The group completed a case study examining how a FEDA member company developed its transportation management capabilities, from using carrier-provided tools to adopting more integrated systems as operational needs grew.
Building on the case study, the subcommittee is developing a maturity guide and self-assessment. These resources will help distributors evaluate their current capabilities, identify gaps, and determine appropriate next steps for improving transportation management and evaluating technology investments.
Current focus: The subcommittee is advancing the maturity guide and self-assessment, with the goal of providing members with practical tools to evaluate their transportation management capabilities, prioritize improvements, and make informed decisions about technology investments.
