How KeHE Transformed Its Packaging Operation with BradyPLUS

KeHE is a leading distributor of organic, natural, and specialty foods, serving over 4,100 supplier partners and 8,500 brands across North America. With 16 facilities in the U.S. and 4 in Canada, KeHE handles an assortment of dry, refrigerated, frozen, and fresh products daily.

Their mission is clear: ensure every item arrives intact, unspoiled, and on time to grocery stores, supermarkets, and online vendors.

But behind the scenes, KeHE faced a growing operational challenge. Each facility operated independently, sourcing its own packaging materials, equipment, and suppliers. This decentralized approach led to:

• A fragmented supplier base of 20 vendors
• 75 SKUs and 12 different box sizes
• Inconsistent equipment and parts across locations
• Redundant inventory and overspending
• A lack of standardization and visibility across the network

With a need for more operational efficiency, cost savings, and a packaging system that could scale with their growth, KeHE partnered with BradyPLUS for a results-driven solution.

The Solution

BradyPLUS and Sales Representative Bob Riggins presented a unified packaging strategy designed to simplify and streamline KeHE’s operations. The solution focused on three pillars: consolidation, standardization, and service.

Here’s what we delivered:

SKU Reduction

Consolidated 75 SKUs down to 50—a 33% reduction that simplified inventory and ordering.

Centralized Procurement

Implemented a single, customized “shopping list” for all facilities to ensure consistency and ease of ordering.

Single Point of Contact

Provided one dedicated partner for all packaging materials and automated equipment, including stretch wrappers, tape machines, case erectors, shrink bundlers, and conveyors.

Equipment Servicing

Delivered ongoing support to maximize uptime and long-term ROI.

Simplified Invoicing

Streamlined the billing process with one supplier—BradyPLUS.

Supplier Consolidation

Reduced the supplier base from 20 to 1, eliminating redundancies and improving service levels.

In addition, BradyPLUS helped KeHE prepare for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation compliance by emphasizing total cost of ownership and sustainable packaging practices. This proactive approach positions KeHE to navigate future regulatory changes with confidence.

The Impact

Although implementation is still underway, KeHE is already seeing measurable improvements:

Inventory levels
are down

Procurement is
more efficient

Operations are more consistent across locations

The transformation is both operational and strategic. KeHE is building a packaging system that supports scalability, sustainability, and long-term growth.

Beyond Packaging

The BradyPLUS partnership has expanded beyond packaging. We are now in the process of supporting KeHE with:

• Foodservice and JanSan supplies to keep facilities running smoothly
• Packaging Automation like automatic case erectors and stretch wrapping machines to reduce labor output and increase productivity
• Modernized eCommerce packaging systems, including integrated labeling, mailers, and barcoding to support their growing online business

This holistic approach ensures KeHE is equipped for the future—whether it’s in-store, online, or anywhere in between.

KeHE’s success shows the value of a unified packaging strategy built on efficiency, consistency, and scalability. With BradyPLUS as a trusted partner, KeHE has transformed a fragmented system into a streamlined network ready to grow and adapt.

Whether your business faces similar supply chain challenges or needs to modernize its packaging operations, our experts are ready to help. Talk to our packaging specialists today to start building a smarter, more sustainable system for your organization. ⬇️