Twenty-two years ago, a Chicago-area can manufacturer called Continental Can first hired D/C Export to build skids on which to transport its machines. The machines were bolted to the skids, crated and shipped to Continental Can's manufacturing plant. As with all its customers, D/C strove to provide service as outstanding as its products. Since neither company was computerized at the time, D/C manually logged and tracked all logistics information for its customer. The relationship soon grew to encompass Continental Can plants in four countries.

In 1990, Continental Can was purchased by New England-based Crown Cork and Seal (CC&S), the renowned bottling company. "There were many new faces there," says Dominick Cocciemiglio, owner, "but

Crown Cork and Seal stayed with us. The old Continental Can people insisted." Nine years later, D/C still packs and exports machinery for CC&S and keeps detailed records on the computer for its client.

"CC&S used us because of our history with Continental Can," says Carol Cocciemiglio, owner, "but they stayed with us because our packing is superior and we're always improving our service. They demand it, and we give it to them."

"Our relationship with Crown Cork and Seal will be long and happy because we provide unbelievable customer service," maintains Dominick. "We will continue to grow and fill their needs."

In 1974--D/C Export's first year in business--the company developed a relationship with a construction-equipment company called Rotec Industries of Elmhurst, Ill. Initially, D/C built stock wooden export boxes, and for 18 years, this was all Rotec required from D/C. Then, at the beginning of 1993, Rotec began work on a dam in Mexico--a major contract for the company. When Rotec came to D/C to borrow a piece of machinery, D/C was happy to help. However, upon learning many of the challenges Rotec faced, D/C's Dominick Cocciemiglio Jr. knew he could provide more solutions than simply loaning out a banding machine.

"To begin the Huites Dam," says Dominick, "Rotec had to ship a huge amount of oversized equipment to the job site. They faced many logistics issues and the complexities of border crossings by truck and rail. We [at D/C] have greatly expanded our services since the beginning, and we reached a point where we felt we were able to accept and solve challenges in the export market."

D/C's Transport Division stepped in to help Rotec move the equipment to the job site. The company's logistics experience enabled it to provide a safer and more cost-effective route into Mexico. After the two-year job was completed, D/C was there to remove the equipment from Mexico, helping to orchestrate delivery to a job site in China.

Today, D/C still makes wood export boxes for Rotec, but it also provides turnkey logistic services and other consulting needs. "The two companies have a relationship based on trust, service and satisfaction that is a quarter-century old," asserts Dominick. "As Rotec grew, D/C grew. We were able to solve problems and provide services that exceeded their needs and expectations. This enabled them to better serve their customer, too, and that's what it's all about."

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