Behind the Seams Episode 8 Recap
In this episode of Behind the Seams, Rob welcomes Andrew Fairlie, Director of Logistics & Supply Chain at George Courey Inc. Andrew brings over 20 years of experience in warehouse operations, transportation, and third-party logistics (3PL). With a background that bridges finance and operations, Andrew explains how strategic supply chain management fuels customer satisfaction, cost efficiency, and sustainability in both the healthcare textile and hospitality linen industries.
From Containers to Customers: Why Logistics Matters
George Courey Inc. supplies essential products from reusable hospital gowns to luxury hotel linens across North America. That means logistics is more than moving goods; it’s about ensuring that clinics, hospitals, and hotels always have the textiles they need, when they need them.
Andrew highlights key considerations:
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Container Management: Understanding shipping routes and lead times from Asia ensures products arrive on schedule.
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Strategic Warehousing: With facilities in Montreal, Calgary, Orlando, Houston, Philadelphia, and more, inventory is staged close to customers for faster delivery and lower freight costs.
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Border Efficiency: U.S.-based warehousing helps minimize tariffs, shorten delivery timelines, and lower landed costs for clients.
Putting Customers First: Proximity and Precision
Customer service is at the heart of George Courey Inc.’s logistics strategy. By analyzing demand patterns and using a heat map approach, Andrew’s team ensures warehouses are positioned near key markets.
For example, staging inventory in Washington State reduced delivery times from three days to just one day creating a more cost-effective and reliable experience for the customer.
Technology and AI in Supply Chain Management
Like the textile industry itself, logistics is evolving. Andrew explains how AI-driven forecasting tools are helping George Courey Inc. move away from manual spreadsheets toward smarter, more predictive inventory planning.
Benefits include:
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More accurate purchase forecasting
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Optimized inventory allocation across warehouses
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Reduced risk of stockouts for hospitals and hotels
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Greater transparency in delivery timelines
Building a Greener Supply Chain
Sustainability is a George Courey Inc. hallmark and logistics plays a big role. Andrew shares how his team is reducing the carbon footprint of deliveries:
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Using warehouses closer to customers to cut long-haul trucking
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Partnering with carriers that embrace electric and low-emission trucks
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Implementing LED lighting and eco-friendly packaging in warehouses
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Recycling materials and minimizing excess packing waste
For healthcare and hospitality clients, this means linens and textiles delivered with care for both people and the planet.
Logistics in Healthcare and Hospitality: Why Reliability Matters
Whether it’s patient gowns in hospitals or towels and sheets in hotels, timely delivery isn’t optional, it’s mission-critical. Andrew emphasizes the importance of:
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Accurate forecasting to ensure continuous supply
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On-time delivery to avoid disruptions in patient care or guest services
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Customized handling (pallet sizing, dock requirements, special configurations) to fit each customer’s needs
By combining decades of textile expertise with modern logistics, George Courey ensures that healthcare facilities and hospitality clients can focus on what matters most: caring for patients and guests.
The Future of Logistics in Textiles
Looking ahead, Andrew predicts more AI adoption, green warehouses, and smarter packaging solutions. Customers are increasingly demanding supply chains that are not only efficient and cost-effective but also aligned with ESG goals.
At George Courey, that means continuous innovation—ensuring that from ports to pallets to patient beds, the logistics engine keeps running smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Behind every comfortable hospital stay or memorable hotel experience lies a complex supply chain. With Andrew Fairley at the helm, George Courey Inc. is redefining logistics in the healthcare and hospitality textile industries making it smarter, greener, and more reliable than ever.
Check out the full episodes of our podcast Behind The Seams!
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJxm9u_cwN0bnsq5thf2tO2RFf5p4tsly&si=_xSXEypSgwKa2jBU
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51WS4qet7nu2p5zYOTTa2V?si=fFGlmoxDSgaViXcxNtzCyw
Stay tuned for upcoming episodes, where we’ll dive deeper into the world of institutional textiles, hospitality linens, healthcare laundry solutions, and the people who keep this industry moving forward.
