Lineage Bolingbrook team reminds us that tech readiness starts with an adaptable culture

Innovation is one of our core values and the driving force propelling Lineage to develop cutting-edge cold chain technology and processes. It allows us to live our purpose of transforming the food supply chain to eliminate waste and help feed the world. But innovation doesn’t stop with creating the technology. The value of innovation is realized when it comes to life on the floor of our facilities as our teams adapt to new ideas, tools and processes—turning the possibility offered by new technology into real, tangible progress.

At Lineage’s facility in Bolingbrook, Illinois, that mindset was put to the test with the introduction of LinOS, Lineage’s proprietary organizational software. While LinOS represented a meaningful operational shift at the facility, the story that emerged wasn’t about the software. It was about how the team rallied behind a shared goal and stayed focused under pressure to make a new, better way of working happen with the help of a groundbreaking new tool.

An environment ready for change

Bolingbrook is on the smaller side for a Lineage facility, but it still punches above its weight in output. With limited space and constant inbound and outbound shipments, even small changes can have a noticeable impact on the day-to-day rhythm of operations.

General Manager John Medina referenced the facility’s previous workflow candidly.

“The best way to describe it was orchestrated chaos,” Medina said.

Before LinOS, leaders and team members often found themselves simultaneously juggling multiple responsibilities. Communication relied heavily on manual coordination, leading to complications in tracking progress and assigning tasks.

“There was a lot of running around amongst all the leaders to try to identify what was complete, where was the next assignment going to be,” Medina explained. “There was just a lot of extra work trying to understand, ‘OK, what’s ready for this team member to do?’”

The operation was working, but it required constant adjustments and effort from the team. There was opportunity for improvement to simplify workflows, increase visibility and reduce the strain on the team. When presented with the option of integrating the new system, a tool that was designed to take on those challenges, the decision was a no-brainer for the team.

A team leaning into change

Transitioning to a new warehouse organizational system and software can be an overwhelming task for any team. It requires training, trust and a willingness to change long-standing procedures. However, none of that deterred the Bolingbrook team—they were excited to get their hands on the new tool.

Per General Manager, John Medina, “I was on board and super excited,” he said. “When I started talking to my team, they got amped up immediately. They were like, ‘Yeah, this sounds amazing. We want to be a part of this.’”

That early buy-in set the stage for a successful adoption. Instead of approaching the rollout with hesitation and skepticism, the Bolingbrook team leaned into the change. They saw LinOS as a gamechanger with the ability to simplify their daily operations.

As with any major technological implementation, there were hurdles. New workflows took time to learn, but confidence grew with experience. The team treated this implementation as a shared challenge; one they could take on together. Their proactive enthusiasm and willingness to adapt helped minimize the headaches and built a strong foundation.

Putting adaptability to the test

Early into the LinOS transition, the team faced their first real-world test. A customer asked to transfer a large number of pallets of product into the warehouse over a three-week period—a request that would more than double their inbound shipments.

Instead of becoming overwhelmed, the team trusted the process and the new system. Empowered with seamless team coordination, real-time inventory insights and digitized task management, LinOS provided structure and visibility, and the team’s willingness to adapt kept operations running smoothly.

“The biggest change was how clearly everyone understood what needed to happen next,” Medina said. “People were ready to adjust and help wherever they were needed.”

Feeding the future together

Change is constant in the cold chain, whether it comes from shifting customer needs, operational demands or implementing new tools and technologies. What defines success is how the team responds.

At Bolingbrook, the introduction of LinOS was an opportunity to demonstrate Lineage’s adaptability in action. The team rallied behind their leader and approached change as a collective effort. They understood that they were in this together. This mindset helped turn a significant shift in operations into a moment of growth.

Innovation may show up as new systems and technologies, but it’s brought to life by people. We see this in Bolingbrook. The team’s flexibility, trust and commitment to one another continues to move the cold chain—and the future of cold chain logistics—forward every day.