MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- After one year of hard work and dedication, the U.S. Marine Corps Servmart celebrated its one-year anniversary here Feb. 18.
“The past year has been fantastic,” said Lt. Cmdr. Keith Applegate, Station Logistics officer. “Every military installation has a community distribution center,” said Applegate. “Before Servmart, Leatherneck Depot was the distribution center for the air station. This store has done 10-fold what the Leatherneck Depot was able to do to support the air station.”
The USMC Servmart is an enterprise partnership between the Marine Corps and the General Services Administration to provide office, industrial and janitorial supplies to the Marine Corps community.
“I think all of our customers are satisfied because they are able to obtain the material they need for their operations,” said Robert T. Bugawan Jr., Storage Division officer, Logistics Department, here.
Before the opening of Servmart, supplies had to be ordered from the United States and would take anywhere from two to three weeks to arrive in Japan.
Applegate said Servmart makes obtaining supplies more convenient for the Marines and sailors stationed here.
“If we don’t carry a specific item, tell us so we can provide what you need,” said Bugawan. “Let us know how we can help you.”
The store currently has over 15,000 line items in stock with a substantial amount of space to expand its inventory based on customer demand.
“If items are not in stock, they are more than happy to order them for you,” said Sgt. Annie L. Spencer, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 Fiscal chief here. Although the store has only been in business for a year, both Bugawan and Applegate said they believe the store’s volume is estimated to double within the next five years based on sales statistics and the expectation of population growth.
“We foresee our management in depth and inventory will increase as future growth approaches,” said Bugawan.
With a small staff of only 17 employees, the store managed to distribute 89,853 individual items and receive $1,264,026 in sales the past year.
Unlike other stores on base, Servmart does not sell to the general public. All units have designated supply runners who are registered with Servmart. They can purchase whatever materials their unit may need from the store. Servmart has a number of different payment options including government purchase cards, standard purchasing documents, GSA accounts and an online ordering system for special orders.
“We do special orders for items that are not in the shop,” said Applegate. “If people need the item enough, we will keep it in stock.”
Due to preparation for Exercise Total Shield 2010, the Servmart staff wasn’t able to arrange a formal one-year anniversary celebration, but Bugawan said the real celebration is the satisfaction of the customers who shop at Servmart.
“They treat me fantastic,” said Spencer. “They have kind and friendly customer service.”
Bugawan said two customer service representatives that really contributed to the store’s success this past year are Marlene Nelson and Chananuch Reed.
“They put their personal pride in their work,” said Bugawan. “They are full off innovation and good ideas, and they provide no less than an excellent job.” Servmart is located in Building 1007, down the road from the IronWorks Gym.
“We just want the public to know that we are here,” said Bugawan, “and we’re here to provide the necessary materials and information they need.”