WERC has announced the first recipients of its newly-established WERC Warehouse Certification Program-a voluntary initiative that certifies an individual warehouse facility's capabilities to perform core warehousing functions. 

• Gopher Sport, Owatonna, Minn.
• Starbucks Coffee Company, York, Pa.
• Starbucks Coffee Company, Carson Valley, Nev.
• Invacare Corporation, Homecare Division, Arlington, Tex.

"WERC is pleased to recognize these facilities and companies and congratulate their management teams and associates for their attention to operational best practice and continuous improvement," says Michael J. Mikitka, WERC's chief executive officer.

The WERC Warehouse Facility Certification program offers an unbiased, professional review of warehousing practices that includes a facility inspection and process assessment by an independent auditor against an industry-standard grading methodology. As the recognized leader in education and research for the warehouse, distribution and logistics industry, WERC focuses on advancing the art and science of warehousing/distribution and driving the warehouse profession to new levels."

Source: Warehousing Education and Research Council