Few take their food more seriously than those who suffer from celiac disease. When you're unable to consume anything made with wheat, oats, rye or barley, preparing a healthy, let alone tasty meal is a challenge.

Kinnikinnick Foods of Edmonton, Alberta is easing that burden by creating delicious gluten-free food. Now thousands of celiacs and their families can easily order everything from great-tasting breads to cookies, cakes and pizza online at www.kinnikinnick.com. UPS then delivers the products fresh to their door within 24 hours.

"We've been working with UPS since 2001," says Kinnikinnick Foods CEO Jerry Bigam, adding that UPS's reliable delivery service, co-ordinated air and ground transportation and logistics network has convinced the company to deal with UPS exclusively. "UPS proved to us that they have the best on-time delivery track record," says Bigam. "Their extensive network allows us to get our product to customers' homes faster and for less cost."

The need for speed

Shipping food across the Canada-U.S. border comes with its own set of unique challenges. In addition to the usual export requirements, perishable products must reach the customer in the shortest amount of time. UPS's proven network makes it easy:

• UPS Connect® shipping software, the best of its kind in the industry, automates the preparation of thousands of waybills and other shipment documentation needed each week.
• UPS e-commerce experts ensure Kinnikinnick's systems are integrated seamlessly with those at UPS.
• UPS Express™ shipping services enable the company to guarantee overnight delivery without exorbitant shipping fees.
• UPS Quantum View™ Manage provides real-time, at-a-glance tracking information the company needs to stay on top of its supply chain.

"It's all so easy," says Bigam. "When a customer places an order on our website, everything happens – from payment processing, to shipping labels, to customer notification – without any human intervention. It's all fully automated."

Today, Kinnikinnick is a continental success story – the largest distributor of gluten-free food products in North America, with more than 120 employees. And UPS is a partner in their achievements.

"We are very appreciative of the help and services that UPS has provided us over the years," says Bigam. "They are a very significant part of our success."