Online Retailing Community Has New Manager

Compiled ByTonya Vinas St. Onge Co., York, Pa., has taken over management of the Consumer Direct Forum (CDF) Web site, which provides business models and logistics for online retailers and businesses with an interest in consumer-director practices. In addition, membership is open to suppliers of supply-chain services and equipment and catalog distributors. Current members include St. Onge, Procter & Gamble Co., Kraft Foods, Siemens Dematic, Lookheed Martin Corp., EXE Technology, AMR Research and Descartes. "What makes the CDF worthwhile for current members and those who consider joining is the brainpower we supply," says Paul Evanko, vice president for St. Onge, a global consulting/engineering company. "The forum is a combination of a learning center and consortium." The site originally launched in 2000 as a home grocery delivery channel but has evolved into a site for all forms of online retailing and consumer direct fulfillment, Evanko says. Members recently asked St. Onge to take over management of the forum, which includes quarterly educational meetings in addition to the Web site.