# Modernization paves the way for a successful year

/ Published Dec. 13, 2022
BATTLE CREE, Mich., 
With 2022 nearing an end, the Disposition Services South East team had a chance to reflect on a year of accomplishments and improvements across the region.

One consistent theme for the year was modernization, as there were multiple sites that saw improvements to facilities. These upgrades served both as improvements to work efficiencies as well as increasing safety for the work force. Upgrades included several construction projects as well as two military construction projects at the Anniston site.

“These latest projects will allow for the relocation of the Small Arms Serialization Program (SASP),” said the Director of South East Region, Becky Watson. “The building is currently six miles away on the East Side of Anniston Army Depot to be relocated under Anniston Proper footprint.  This will allow for better command and control – bringing all three organizations under one roof.  Once complete, Disposition Services Anniston will have over $62.2 million dollars in facilities upgrades.”   

Ft. Bragg also saw major facility upgrades as a $2.5 million warehousing project completed in September. Watson went on to say that planned renovations were designed to improve productivity through enhancing lighting, adding overhead heaters to provide climate control, and new racking and battery charging stations.

These are just a few of the facility improvements upgrades throughout the region and aren’t the only way sites are improving the quality of work as the personnel are also helping to provide upgrades in their own ways. Watson spoke on how her team’s quality of work has been strengthened through bringing together members for trainings. The trainings have led to an increased knowledge and skill level resulting in internal promotion of multiple positions over the past year.

“There have been multiple displays of upward mobility and the promotion of team members in the southeast region – either internally at the site or other agencies,” Watson said. “In the past year, over 25 team members have received job promotions within the region.”

The South East team looks to build on this past year by looking towards more improvements and upgrades in the future. One of the primary initiatives on the horizon is the transition to the Warehouse Management System. While Mid-America’s San Antonio is the first to roll out the new platform in the new year, Warner Robins is the first site within the region to undergo this transition – scheduled for March 2023 with more sites to follow suit into the summer months.

“What we are most looking forward to accomplishing in 2023 is transitioning to the Warehouse Management System from the Distribution Standard System,” said Watson. “WMS is commercial off-the-shelf software that will help modernize system processes that DLA Disposition Services uses to conduct warehousing and transportation functions.” 

The team also plans on bringing leaders together as the team continues making process improvements. An upcoming leadership summit will gather supervisors from around the region as they focus on safety mishap prevention, operations, and human resources review. These are just a few examples of the ways the South East team is setting itself up for success.

As the region reflects on the year filled with modernization, internal promotions and sustained training, the sites within South East also look forward to building our future with a new set of accomplishments in their sights for the coming year – and continuing to serve as the nation’s reverse logistics center of excellence.