methodical use of the platform as a key reason the system continues to unlock impressive gains in efficiency, real-time visibility, and operational control to this day. FROM PAPER TO PRECISION After implementing Kaleris’ YMS, one of the first improvements Hinson noticed was the end of manual yard checks. Previously, three drivers spent about 90 minutes collectively scanning remote yards
and emailing a paper-based report across the plant. The problem was these reports were outdated almost as soon as they were distributed. “Within 30 minutes, we were moving so much that the old yard check was no good on paper,” Hinson says. Kaleris’ real-time location system (RTLS) and RFID technology changed that overnight. Manual scans were
So, at about 3 a.m. one day, Hinson simply called the Kaleris hotline. To his surprise, a technical support staffer picked up. Hinson explained he wasn’t yet a customer; he just wanted proof that the service side worked. That 10-minute conversation checked a box for him and set the partnership in motion. From there, discussions shifted to return on investment, value, and how a YMS could address the company’s growing operational challenges. A contract was signed in December 2017 and implementation began in February 2018.
Brewing Up Efficiency THE CHALLENGE: As Westrock Coffee grew, trailer volume in its yards increased significantly, which created visibility gaps, inefficient driver coordination, and safety concerns. Manual yard checks and phone-based communication made it difficult to keep operations aligned across multiple facilities. THE SOLUTION: Westrock adopted the Kaleris yard management system to modernize its processes. The cloud-based platform introduced real-time trailer visibility, automated driver tasking, and a configurable interface that fit seamlessly into existing workflows. The system also supported future scalability without disrupting daily operations. THE RESULTS: Manual yard checks were eliminated, replaced by accurate live trailer tracking across all sites. Driver workflows became more efficient, reducing unnecessary travel and improving coordination. Trailer movements — from acceptance to roasting — were cut from nearly one hour to about 15 minutes, enabling higher throughput with the same resources. NEXT STEPS: Westrock plans to expand the YMS to additional sites to maintain consistent visibility, unified workflows, and operational efficiency as the company continues to expand.
For its part, Kaleris approached the YMS implementation with an
understanding of where S&D Coffee & Tea—which became Westrock Coffee two years later—stood operationally. The team recognized both the safety pressures the company faced and the need for a system that could grow with them without disrupting day-to-day work. “It couldn’t be ‘stop doing this, start doing something different,’” says Greg Lauber, Kaleris’ enterprise account director. “It had to be a progression.” That steady, scalable approach helped smooth the transition as the YMS came online. Lauber also credits the coffee company’s strong operational culture for the success of the rollout. “Their adoption was incredibly disciplined,” he notes. He points to their team’s consistent engagement and
Westrock Coffee Company, formerly S&D Coffee & Tea, produces private-label coffee, tea, flavors, extracts, and ready-to-drink products for a range of global brands.
178 Inbound Logistics • January 2026
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