Michaels Stores Inc. has named Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) one of its top two transportation partners for 2011. The announcement took place at the Irving, Texas-based company’s 14th Annual Vendor CEO Summit.
Michaels Stores is one of North America’s largest specialty retailer of arts, crafts, framing, floral, wall decor and seasonal merchandise for the hobbyist and do-it-yourself home decorator.
Michaels currently owns and operates more than 1,050 stores across the U.S. and Canada.
“We’re tremendously honored to have been named a top transportation partner for Michaels Stores,” said MOL (America) Inc. Chairman, President and CEO Tsuyoshi Yoshida.
“We’re proud that we were able to meet the high standards necessary to achieve this recognition. MOL has a very close partnership with Michaels and we’re delighted that we’ve been able to provide quality service to meet their requirements,” he said.
Each year Michaels evaluates the service of its transportation providers through stakeholder surveys.
Companies are evaluated on key criteria such as customer service at the destination and origin as well as corporate level performance.
The company presented MOL and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad with the transportation partners of the year award Sept. 1.
The award recognizes Michaels’ key partners and the contribution they play in helping the company achieve its goals.
Although selection was based on a wide range of criteria, MOL’s continued commitment to its TraPac terminal in Jacksonville near the site of Michaels’ distribution center played a role in helping the company to be honored with the award, according to Michaels.
MOL operates networks of liner and logistics services around the globe, including weekly Transpacific, Transatlantic, Americas and Asia-Europe services.
MOL (America) Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of MOL (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd.), one of the world’s largest multimodal shipping companies.