Aptly named Elevate, HighJump’s annual user conference helps businesses build better logistics networks. Over 800 people attended this year’s convention hosted in San Antonio, Texas.
While some may say that supply chain management can’t be sexy, HighJump is there to gainsay those that naysay. Whether they are receiving the Food Logistics Champion: Rock Stars of the Supply Chain award or giving a keynote address on ‘Warehouse Practices that Matter’, HighJump’s people are committed to delivering the logistics-promised-land to all their customers. In fact, the recurring theme amongst Elevate’s attendees was the company’s customer-centric approach.
A global provider of supply chain solutions, the Minnesota-based business is best-known for their flagship-product warehouse management systems (WMS). Even with all the benefits that come with the company’s software, it’s a complex system and sometimes implementation does not go smoothly. When that happened to Tom Kirkham, Head of Information Technology for John B. Sanfilippo & Sons, HighJump was there to help him work through the worst of it. Kirkham shared how the support team stayed with him into the early hours of the morning while he rewrote an algorithm essential to his warehouse’ opening. He was successful and the new center was able to commence operations without delay. “No other supplier would have done that,” Kirkham said to the convention’s crowd.
HighJump Software has changed hands a few times over the last decade. In 2004, the company was sold to 3M Co. who, in turn, sold it to Battery Ventures in 2008. A scant six years later, the company was acquired by Accellos Software and subsequently sold to German holding company Körber AG in 2017. Known as a ‘patient investor’, the parent company typically invests long-term in logistics-related businesses. Capital provided by Körber will help HighJump capture customers interested in a broader supply chain suite. CEO Chad Collins alluded to future plans for mergers and acquisitions so HighJump can complement the company’s current offerings.
HighJump Software was founded in 1983 and currently serve 4,500 customers across the world. They provide software solutions for distribution and logistics, direct store delivery, trading partner connectivity, and mobility and manufacturing. Their software is well-liked for both its functionality and its flexibility. HighJump serves small and large businesses alike in the distribution, food and beverage, 3PL, retail, healthcare and the consumer goods industries. Like many software companies, they are in the process of cultivating their cloud-based solutions. They are well on their way, however, with one thousand customers now calling the cloud their logistics home.
