Xact Warehouse Solutions mentors Texas A&M students on their Industrial Distribution capstone project.
By Nicole Needles
For Kevin Kelley, vice president of Xact Warehouse Solutions, partnering with Texas A&M students on their Industrial Distribution capstone project is far more than a business decision — it’s a way of giving back to the university that shaped him.
“I love Texas A&M. Not only did I get an excellent education there, but it was an incredible experience for me at that time of my life,” said Kelley. “When an opportunity to give back was presented to me, I took advantage of it.”
That opportunity came through a colleague, a former customer who introduced Kelley to Tom Hollis, capstone instructor and coordinator at Texas A&M. After learning about the students’ project goals, Kelley knew Xact Warehouse Solutions could play a meaningful role.
Since then, Kelley has served as a mentor to a team of Texas A&M Industrial Distribution students working on a capstone project designed to address a real-world challenge: developing a business case and return on investment (ROI) tool for capital expenditure (capex) projects. This tool aims to help small and medium sized businesses justify investments, particularly in warehouse and distribution automation.
Hands-on Guidance for
Real-world Impact
Kelley’s involvement is hands-on. Every two to three weeks, he meets with the students, offering guidance, reviewing their progress, and helping them align their academic work with the realities of the distribution industry.
“I provide guidance, direction, and review their work progress. It gives the students the opportunity to provide a practical solution to a real industry problem — not just theory,” Kelley explained. “They get to be out in the industry and see what’s really going on out there.”
The capstone timeline runs across the academic year, beginning in January when the project was introduced to the students. Xact Warehouse Solutions became actively involved in mid-February, and Kelley plans to attend the team’s final presentation at Texas A&M this December.
Though the project is ongoing, Kelley has already seen a positive impact on the students and the quality of their work.
“After speaking with their capstone sponsor, Tom Hollis, I learned that their first-semester presentation was one of the best presentations in their class. It really stood out among other presentations from their peers,” Kelley said. He credits the students for their hard work and thoughtful approach.
A Partnership
With Mutual Benefits
The benefits of the collaboration extend beyond the students. For Xact Warehouse Solutions, the project offers a valuable outcome — a practical ROI tool that will support clients looking to modernize their operations.
“When this is all said and done, this project will allow us to have a tool to support our clients and help them justify projects that will make improvements, particularly related to automation,” Kelley said. “Helping small to medium-sized businesses find a path to automation is a passion of mine, and at the end of this, we’re going to have a good ROI tool that’s going to help us do that.”
Other industry peers and suppliers have already expressed interest in the results of the project. “They’re very interested to see how this project’s going to turn out. I’m excited to see the fruits of all the students’ hard work,” Kelley added.
Commitment to
Community and Education
Another beneficial aspect of this venture is that supporting educational projects aligns closely with Xact Warehouse Solutions’ values and mission.
“Serving our clients with excellence requires that we embrace education and learning about technology and solutions offered within our industry,” Kelley said. The company regularly takes advantage of resources provided by MHEDA, of which Xact is an active member.
“Our whole team participates in industry training offered through MHEDA to become more familiar with what’s going on in the industry. We also regularly participate in community give-back opportunities,” Kelley noted. These efforts include volunteering at local food banks, serving at thrift stores and participating in MHEDA’s own giveback initiatives during conferences and other events.
Looking Ahead
While Kelley is focused on supporting the students as they complete their capstone project, he’s also looking forward to how the tool will help Xact Warehouse Solutions better serve its customers.
“I’m very thankful for this opportunity to be part of the capstone project,” Kelley said. “We’ve got a lot to gain from this, too. This ROI tool is going to facilitate making it easier for our customers to know all the different things to look at when they’re trying to justify a project. I think that’s going to be really powerful.”
And just as the students are eager to deliver their final presentation in December, Kelley is equally enthusiastic about seeing the results of their work. “It’s been a great experience so far,” he reflected. “I’m looking forward to the completed project and to seeing how it helps our clients move forward on their path toward automation.”
