Case study: Efficiency meets sustainability with smarter inventory management
By MWI Animal Health
Modern Animal, a companion animal company with 29 clinics in California, Colorado, and Texas, faced operational challenges that hindered their ability to focus on what matters most—patient care. Excessive cardboard waste, time-consuming inventory management, and delivery inconsistencies were creating inefficiencies across their clinics. Seeking a solution that aligned with their values and improved workflows, several of their locations have signed onto the sustainable tote delivery program. The results were transformative, from reducing waste to saving time, to fostering a more organized and intentional clinic environment.
Challenge: Inventory and packaging overwhelm
Inventory management had become a significant burden for Modern Animal, consuming valuable time and creating operational inefficiencies. Deliveries arrived scattered throughout the week, forcing staff to spend extra time organizing and prioritizing shipments, often disrupting their ability to focus on patient care.
Clinics were inundated with cardboard boxes from shipments, which quickly piled up and created disorganized, cramped workspaces. Staff spent considerable time unpacking deliveries, breaking down boxes, and managing the resulting clutter. This process detracted from patient care and added unnecessary stress to their already demanding roles. Macenzie Woolvett, RVT, clinic manager, explains, “We would put away orders in between seeing patients. It would sometimes take all shift, and that’s just putting away inventory. It’s not breaking down the boxes or putting them out.”
A lack of visual cues for temperature-sensitive items was another concern. Refrigerated products occasionally went unnoticed or were not prioritized, leading to some items being left out too long. This not only wasted valuable goods but also increased costs for the clinics. Staff described the process as chaotic, especially when managing scattered shipments alongside daily patient care.
For a clinic dedicated to efficiency and innovation, these challenges highlighted the need for a solution that could simplify inventory management, reduce waste, and allow staff to focus on their patients.
Action: Thinking sustainably about deliveries
To address these challenges, the clinics enrolled in MWI’s sustainable tote delivery program, which offers a practical, efficient, and sustainable solution.
Modern Animal’s delivery schedule is consolidated to specific days. This predictable schedule allows clinic teams to plan inventory tasks more effectively and reduces the chaos of scattered deliveries. “Having deliveries arrive on the same days each week has been a game-changer. Now we can plan ahead, and it’s made our days so much smoother,” says Mackenzie.
The totes are color-coded for quick identification to streamline inventory management. Blue totes contain refrigerated items and gray totes contain room-temperature products. This simple system helps staff immediately identify and prioritize sensitive inventory, saving time and reducing errors.
The sustainable tote delivery program also aligns perfectly with Modern Animal’s values. By reducing waste and creating a cleaner, more intentional clinic environment, the reusable totes reinforce the clinic’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence. “I’ve heard multiple comments from clinic teams about how much they disliked all the cardboard waste and how much better the totes are. It made me realize these totes are doing more than just organizing supplies. They’re contributing to a cleaner, more intentional environment, which is a subtle but meaningful part of our culture at Modern Animal,” explains Christine Kjell, Associate Director, Financial Operations.
Results: Less time unpacking and more time for patient care
The program delivered immediate and measurable results for Modern Animal. Staff saved hours each day that were previously spent unpacking boxes, breaking down cardboard, and managing waste. This freed up time for patient care, improving the quality of service the clinic could provide. “It’s amazing how much time we’ve saved. At the end of the day, we’re less stressed, and our focus is where it should be—on the animals,” says Mackenzie.
Cleaner, clutter-free clinics were another significant benefit. Eliminating cardboard waste created safer, more organized environments, especially in smaller locations where space was limited. The improved physical environment boosted team morale, making the clinics more enjoyable places to work. “One surprising benefit has been how much neater our storage areas stay,” remarks Christine. “The totes stack cleanly, don’t break down like cardboard, and do a better job of protecting supplies.”
The color-coded totes simplified inventory management. Staff could quickly identify and prioritize shipments, ensuring that refrigerated goods were handled appropriately. Mackenzie notes, “The whole box being one color signifies this needs to be put away ASAP, which improves efficiency and gives us time back in the day.”
Adoption of the sustainable tote delivery program was seamless as staff embraced the change without hesitation. The straightforward implementation and visible benefits made it easy for staff to see the value.
Christine explains, “Our teams are never shy about sharing their thoughts, yet when we rolled out the totes, we heard nothing. Not a single peep. It was mind-blowing to all of us. No complaints, no resistance - just immediate adoption. That’s unheard of for us, which tells you just how much this change made sense.”
Modern Animal’s experience with MWI’s sustainable tote delivery program showcases the power of a simple yet effective solution to address operational challenges. By reducing cardboard waste, streamlining inventory management, and improving delivery workflows, the program transformed Modern Animal’s clinics into more efficient and sustainable spaces.
For veterinary practice managers seeking to improve operations while aligning with sustainability goals, MWI’s sustainable tote delivery program offers a proven solution. It’s a practical step toward creating a more sustainable clinic—one that benefits both staff and patients.
