Like many veterinary practices, West Central Veterinary Services a four-location practice in Indiana, relied on traditional methods for inventory management. Shipments arrived in cardboard boxes filled with packing materials, creating significant waste. Additionally, deliveries were spread across multiple days, requiring staff to repeatedly interrupt their work to unpack and restock items.

These inefficiencies disrupted the practice's operations. “We were frustrated because everything was so spread out. You’d place an order on Monday, and you’d get some items on Tuesday, some on Wednesday, and some on Thursday,” said Jennifer Clodfelter, RVT, Practice Manager.

The team’s growing impatience led them to explore a better solution.

Challenge: Inconsistent schedules created chaos

Before implementing MWI Animal Health’s sustainable tote delivery program, West Central Vets encountered several key challenges that hindered their operational efficiency.

1. Inconsistent delivery schedules. Uncertainty about when supplies and medications would arrive made it difficult for staff to accurately plan their days. When products did arrive, the team spent significant time unpacking boxes, sorting items, and disposing of packing materials. This repetitive process distracted team members from providing care to clients and patients.
2. Excessive waste. The practice received shipments in cardboard boxes with Styrofoam and other packing materials, generating overwhelming waste that created disposal challenges. “We started fighting with our trash and recycling people nonstop because they wanted to charge us an astronomical amount to recycle cardboard,” Jennifer explained.

It was clear the practice needed a more efficient and environmentally sustainable inventory management solution.

Action: Aligning with MWI to streamline delivery process

To address these challenges, West Central Vets partnered with MWI Animal Health to participate in the sustainable tote delivery program. This program offers a comprehensive solution that streamlined the practice’s inventory management while reducing its environmental footprint.

1. Consolidated deliveries. A key feature of the program is consolidating orders to arrive at a consistent time on the same days each week. This reduces the number of weekly deliveries and minimizes disruptions, enabling more effective planning. “Having a pile of totes that I unpack, stack up, and then someone takes away was a big draw for us,” Jennifer said. “It’s much better than dealing with tons of boxes and Styrofoam all week long.”
2. Sustainability improvements. Besides streamlining operations, the program aligned with the practice’s interest in improving its environmental impact. By consolidating orders and using reusable totes, West Central Vets significantly reduced its carbon footprint. The practice no longer needs to contract with a recycling company, as its use of cardboard and other packaging materials dropped dramatically. This saves them $175 monthly.

Results: More engaged staff and less environmental impact

Since adopting MWI's sustainable tote delivery program, West Central Vets has seen improved efficiency and sustainability.

1. Time savings. The consolidated delivery schedule has saved the practice hours of staff time each week. Instead of receiving shipments daily, the team now processes inventory on just two days per week. This change reduces interruptions, allowing staff to focus more on patient care. “It’s hard to quantify the exact time saved, but we aren’t stopping what we’re doing every day to unpack boxes anymore,” explained Jennifer. “Now, unpacking and restocking inventory feels like a manageable task instead of a constant interruption.”
2. Waste reduction. Switching to reusable totes has eliminated the need for hundreds of cardboard boxes and packing materials each month. This change has improved the practice’s waste disposal practices and with that, its environmental impact. MWI’s couriers pick up the totes each week, eliminating the practice’s need to schedule haul away with a recycling contractor.
3. Staff morale. With fewer disruptions and a simpler inventory process, the team feels less overwhelmed by administrative tasks. Jennifer noted that the ease of the tote system has been a welcome improvement. “It’s such a relief to not have to deal with all that waste and chaos anymore. The staff really appreciate how much simpler things have become.”

For West Central Vets, MWI Animal Health’s sustainable tote delivery program has been a game-changer. “The convenience of this program has been tremendous,” Jennifer summarized. “It’s saved us time, reduced headaches, and made our inventory process so much easier. I’d absolutely recommend it to any practice looking to simplify operations and reduce waste”