The Virginian-Pilot
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CHESAPEAKE
Cox Communications Inc. has teamed with a Pennsylvania logistics company to operate a warehouse on Indian River Road for testing, repairing and shipping cable equipment such as TV set-top boxes.
On Wednesday, Cox and its partner, Communications Test Design Inc., hosted a tour of the operation, which opened in October and employs about 50 workers to process products for Cox customers from Virginia to New England.
The 72,500-square-foot building is the first of four primary distribution centers planned across the country as part of Cox's new initiative for managing its supply chain. Cox and CTDI together are investing more than $4 million in the project over the next five to seven years.
CTDI has worked with Cox, based in Atlanta, for the past three years to "clean and screen" - or test and refurbish - converter boxes, modems, remote controls and other equipment at a smaller facility of its own in San Diego, said Jerry Parsons, CEO of CTDI. The company, based in West Chester, Pa., helped Cox develop its new distribution system and warehouse.
The center uses software systems and automation to speed and make more efficient the handling of converter boxes, in particular, that customers return after disconnecting service or that need repair.
It will do more than cut costs for the cable company, said Gary McCollum, senior vice president and general manager of Cox's operations in Virginia. "The real benefit is enhanced customer service."
The warehouse includes a computerized loading and receiving operation that sends equipment to fulfillment centers closer to customers, where technicians can grab it and complete service installations more quickly.
CTDI also uses shipping cartons with dividers and padding to transport multiple pieces of equipment at once with greater protection, so fewer arrive broken.
Cox, which has regional headquarters in Chesapeake, previously handled the testing and repair of its equipment with its own staff.
In the past, to test a returned converter box, a Cox technician would hook up each cable connection manually, one at a time, to check that channels displayed clearly on the screen and listened with headphones to check the sound. At the CTDI warehouse, a setup of docking stations allows a worker to evaluate 16 devices at once, using computer software that shows with electronic precision how each is working.
Parsons' father started CTDI in 1975, doing repairs on circuit packs for phone companies. Now, Parsons' brother, two sons and two nephews are in the business, which serves clients in the telecommunications and wireless industries.
As part of their long-term arrangement, Cox and CTDI plan to open three other similar distribution centers in Phoenix; Baton Rouge, La.; and Wichita, Kan.
Carolyn Shapiro, 757-446-2270, carolyn.shapiro@pilotonline.com
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"It not only will cut costs
"It not only will cut costs for the cable company, said Gary McCollum, senior vice president and general manager of Cox’s operations in Virginia. “The real benefit is enhanced customer service.”
So are they going to pass the savings on to the customers. I think not. Probably raise our rates again to pay for the buildings and workers.
I have a friend that worked
I have a friend that worked for Cox in the field.
It's great getting stories about the "worst you've seen." Boxes coming back to the cable provider so full of roaches and bugs that the entire thing is just jam packed full of them. Hoarders where the walls have no place to actually put a cable wire though to the outside because there is so much stuff piled up. Pretty wild.
cox
when are they hiring ? and how many jobs
It opened in Oct. and
It opened in Oct. and emoloyees 50 people according to the article....the boat has already sailed.