Lean consulting provided by Carolina Handling delivers transformative results at The Salvation Army Food Pantry in Greenville
February 19, 2026
Carolina Handling’s Continuous Improvement Department has demonstrated how lean consulting can deliver measurable operational improvements across any facility through a recent transformation at The Salvation Army of Greenville, Pickens and Oconee Counties in South Carolina.
Carolina Handling, the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida’s Central time zone territory, partnered with The Salvation Army of Greenville staff to reorganize and standardize operations inside the food pantry located on the Social Service Campus at 417 Rutherford Street in Greenville, S.C. The results were significant:
• 53% reduced packing time
• 2x increase in production
• 62% decreased walking distance
• 100% reduction in motion
The partnership with The Salvation Army of Greenville, shown in this customer success story, aligned with Carolina Handling’s yearlong philanthropic focus on supporting the homeless population and people in need. The Continuous Improvement Department recognized the importance of applying lean management principles to a nonprofit environment where efficiency directly impacts the delivery of critical services to the community.
Carolina Handling’s Continuous Improvement Department recently took its proven process-improvement expertise to market, offering lean consulting services to customers.
“At its core, our work is about partnership. We take a consultative approach by listening, learning and collaborating to uncover new ways to optimize operations and drive lasting business success,” said Justin Benson, Vice President of Intralogistics Solutions at Carolina Handling.
During a multi-day intralogistics lean assessment at The Salvation Army of Greenville food pantry, the Continuous Improvement team reviewed inventory storage and organization methods, as well as processes for picking, packing, and volunteer engagement. Using current-state data, the team designed a customized roadmap that prioritized impactful change and equipped staff with the knowledge and tools needed to sustain improvements long after implementation.
“They walked with me and asked me how I wanted it to look. It made a huge impact to know that somebody cared about what we needed to have in here to make it more efficient for anyone that comes in here, volunteer-wise or other staff-wise. They can come in here now and say, ‘I know what to do,’” said Kelly Holzer, Assistant Director of Social Services at The Salvation Army of Greenville, Pickens and Oconee Counties.
To support long-term sustainability, the Continuous Improvement Department conducted Lean Basics Training with Salvation Army staff, and donated equipment and visual management tools to support the new environment.
While the project supported Carolina Handling’s philanthropic efforts, it also highlights how lean consulting can deliver meaningful results for any business or operation.
“Lean is for any organization that wants to work smarter or serve better. Every business has a process that can be simplified,” said Louise Preston, Continuous Improvement Lead at Carolina Handling.
ABOUT CAROLINA HANDLING
Founded in 1966, Carolina Handling is one of the Southeast’s leading material handling solution providers and the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida’s Central time zone territory. The company provides lift trucks and automation solutions for warehouses, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers, as well as parts, racking, storage, lighting and dock and door equipment.
Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, Carolina Handling operates branch offices in Atlanta, GA, Birmingham, AL, Greensboro, NC, Raleigh, NC and Easley, SC. The company has more than 900 associates. For more information, visit www.carolinahandling.com.
ABOUT THE SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 27 million people in America overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting human needs in His name without discrimination in nearly every ZIP code. By providing food, shelter, eviction prevention assistance, emergency disaster relief, rehabilitation, after-school and summer youth programs, spiritual enrichment, and more, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 6,400 centers of operation around the country.
