News Summary
Nike Georges has taken over as president of Georges Enterprises, a company founded by his grandfather in 1916. At just 28, Nike will oversee growth strategies for the diverse operations of the company, which includes significant subsidiaries like Imperial Trading Co. and Georges Media Group. His leadership follows six years of experience, including innovations like an advanced automated order fulfillment system that improves efficiency at their distribution center. The transition signifies a commitment to expansion and supporting local businesses.
Elmwood, LA – Nike Georges has been appointed president of Georges Enterprises in 2024, stepping into the role previously held by his father, John Georges. At just 28 years old, Nike will oversee the company’s growth strategies and business development as it continues to expand its diverse operations.
Georges Enterprises serves as the parent company of multiple businesses, including the food distributor Imperial Trading Co., which supplies products to over 5,000 convenience stores across 21 states. Other notable subsidiaries under the umbrella of Georges Enterprises include AMA Distributors and the Georges Media Group. The Media Group is known for owning several prominent publications, such as The Times-Picayune, The Advocate, and Gambit.
John Georges, the current CEO, has expressed confidence in Nike’s readiness to take on this critical leadership position, citing his six years of experience within the company. John himself became president of Imperial Trading at the age of 30, following in the footsteps of his grandfather Gus Pelias, who founded the company in 1916.
Georges Enterprises has evolved significantly over the years, achieving over $3 billion in annual sales and employing approximately 2,500 staff across its various operations. This transformation into a diversified enterprise highlights the growing impact of the company in several industries.
Nike Georges, a graduate from the University of Virginia with a degree in public policy and leadership, initially joined the company in 2019. His contributions include leading the design and implementation of an advanced automated order fulfillment system, known as AutoStore, at the Imperial Trading Distribution Center in Bossier City. This innovative system utilizes robots to transport products to human pickers, substantially increasing efficiency in order fulfillment.
Under the new automated system, six human workers can fulfill up to 1,000 orders per hour, a significant enhancement compared to the previous arrangement, where employees would walk up to two miles a night to pick orders. The automation not only reduces physical strain on workers but also amplifies overall productivity.
The Bossier City distribution center, which manages approximately 200 employees, is one of seven warehouses tasked with supporting the company’s extensive distribution network spanning nearly 20 states. Covering an area of 140,000 square feet on 25 acres, the distribution center allows for effective logistics and infrastructure.
John Georges has emphasized the importance of supporting local businesses and has raised concerns regarding insufficient government assistance for their operations. The transition of leadership to Nike Georges signals a commitment to maintaining the company’s competitive edge and exploring further expansion opportunities in the market.
As Nike steps into his new role, he has confirmed that Georges Enterprises will continuously seek opportunities for growth and innovation amid the competitive landscape. His leadership is expected to pave the way for the next generation of leadership within the company, ensuring its ongoing success and adaptation to changing market dynamics.
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Additional Resources
- NOLA: Georges Enterprises Leadership Change
- Wikipedia: Nike
- Shreveport-Bossier Advocate: Imperial Trading’s Expansion
- Google Search: Georges Enterprises
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Software
- Google News: Automated Order Fulfillment
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