Project Summaries

While the section entitled Case Studies gives some detailed examples of recent work undertaken for our clients, this section gives a number of bullet point summaries of more projects to illustrate the breadth of our activities and the scope of our skills and experience.

Assignment K101

Sector	Retailing
Product Type(s)	Convenience Stores
Project Type	Logistics Strategy Review
Scale of Business	£1bn. sales; 1,500 stores

Key Task 1	Review current logistics strategy and identify strengths and weaknesses
Key Task 2	Review warehousing operations and inventory planning to determine whether fit for purpose
Key Task 3	Analyse transport operations for cost and service efficiency
Key Task 4	Develop alternative operating strategy to maximize network performance at least cost
Results	Reversed existing strategy to protect peak sales and profitability targets; New strategy saves £1.8m and avoids £2m capital spend

Assignment K102

Sector	Retailing and Wholesaling
Product Type(s)	Discount Food and General Merchandise
Project Type	Logistics Strategy Review and Implementation
Scale of Business	£170m sales; 28 stores; 200k sq.ft. CDC

Key Task 1	Review existing logistics strategy and identify strengths and weaknesses
Key Task 2	Establish warehousing and transport development plan including major refurbishment programme for the central warehouse including updated WMS
Key Task 3	Analyse inventory and advise on business implications
Key Task 4	Developed and Project managed the implementation plan for central warehouse
Results	Successful implementation (28% more capacity; 24% higher efficiency); Kept operation running while relaying the warehouse floor; Avoided unnecessary capital spend of £2.8m; Specified the Upgraded WMS

Assignment K103

Sector	DIY Manufacturing and Assembly
Product Type(s)	Power Generators
Project Type	Mergers and Acquisition Logistics Review
Scale of Business	£30m sales; 3 Manufacturing sites; Pan-European distribution

Key Task 1	Develop logistics planning and costing model for pan-European distributor
Key Task 2	Assess impact of planned major East European acquisition on network configuration, costs and service;
Key Task 3	Develop alternative pan-European solution with selected 3PLs (including Tender specification, 3PL selection and evaluation)
Key Task 4	Identify role and location of inventory and stocks to service demanding customer base
Results	Cost savings of 24% identified; 3PLs selected and evaluated with an implementation recommendation

Assignment K104

Sector	Manufacturing
Product Type(s)	Electrical Products
Project Type	Northern European Distribution Centre
Scale of Business	£560m sales; 7 Manufacturing sites; Pan-European distribution

Key Task 1	Analyse optimum location of a new Northern European Distribution Centre based on a consideration of labour laws and costs, environmental legislation; customer service criteria
Key Task 2	Design a new 350k Sq. ft. distribution centre to operate at maximum efficiency
Results	Optimum Northern European DC location identified and cost-justified; Design and Build concept for new warehouse which was implemented

Assignment K105

Sector	Sports and Leisure
Product Type(s)	Sports Equipment
Project Type	Logistics review
Scale of Business	£25m sales; Internet and retail distribution

Key Task 1	Develop Cost-to-Serve model of existing operations and project impact of future volumes on supply chain costs
Key Task 2	Develop alternative options to reduce customer service lead-times and delivery costs
Key Task 3	Establish a cross-docking and assembly operation to shorten lead-times
Key Task 4	Tender specification; selection of Parcels Carriers; Evaluation of results; recommendations on implementation
Results	Reduction is costs by 20%; Delivery lead-times shortened by 48 hours

Assignment K211

Sector	Publishing
Product Type(s)	Newspapers and Magazines
Project Type	Economics of Manual Handling
Scale of Business	£400m sales

Key Task 1	Review economics of wholesale logistics costs for the processing and distribution of newspapers and magazines
Key Task 2	Review local shop handling methods and operating costs to determine cost of tasks
Key Task 3	Review alternative methods of handling and impact of new automated methods and compare to industry benchmarks
Key Task 4	Report on costs and impact
Results	The report found an objective measure and cost of performance which formed part of the input into the debate about changes in handling methods in the industry. It contributed to the change in, and implementation of new, handling methods in the industry

Assignment K212

Sector	Wine Merchant
Product Type(s)	Wines
Project Type	Business Process enhancement
Scale of Business	£120m sales

Key Task 1	A review of current Business Processes throughout the company
Key Task 2	A review of Warehousing and Distribution operating processes
Key Task 3	And to identify and specify system enhancements required to improve business processes
Results	Improved inter-departmental communications, documented processes, warehouse process manual

Assignment K213

Sector	Wholesale and Franchise Distribution
Product Type(s)	Chilled Food
Project Type	Middle East Logistics Review
Scale of Business	£100m sales; 50k deliveries; 20k tonnes

Key Task 1	Review efficiency of centralization plans for the Middle East
Key Task 2	Review 3PL performance and advise on development
Key Task 3	Analyse inventory levels and develop supply process
Key Task 4	Project management and Sell in of programme to local franchise operations
Results	Centralisation project implemented; £1m inventory savings; buy in from local operators

Assignment K418

Sector	Print
Product Type(s)	In house Stationary and Display Media
Project Type	Re-Design warehouse Layouts in existing building.
Scale of Business	£ 60m p.a. sales;

Key Task 1	Translate sales growth plans into Logistics requirements.
Key Task 2	Create design options for layouts, to tight deadline.
Key Task 3	Advise on strategy re other UK sites
Results	Increase warehouse capacity by 30% Identify further potential savings of circa £1.2 m p.a.

Assignment K419

Sector	Health Care Supplies
Product Type(s)	Medical Supplies
Project Type	Reduce from 8 warehouses to 1 RDC Define Layouts & Processes Validate/amend Implementation plan.
Scale of Business	Sales £30m. Issues 12.7m Dispatches 78k

Key Task 1	Obtain accurate data on inventory and throughputs from Existing Operations . Translate into meaningful information
Key Task 2	Advise on suitability and modifications to warehouse
Key Task 3	Create design options for layouts.
Key Task 4	Align processes with Red Prairie functionality.
Results	Created meaningful data set from nothing Identified potential failings in building structure. Produced Layouts and implementation plans in 1 month.

Assignment K420

Sector	Telecommunications
Product Type(s)	Mobile phones and accessories
Project Type	IT Supply Chain Systems Strategy and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) Review
Scale of Business	£1000m sales; 1m customers

Key Task 1	Map operational systems architecture and functions
Key Task 2	Undertake Gap analysis between existing IT systems and future requirements established with management
Key Task 3	Review WMS, and develop functional specification. Assist in the management of the tender process and the evaluation of bids.
Key Task 4	Assess priorities and make recommendations on 3 year IT Strategy for the supply chain
Results	Identified and costed IT priorities for the Supply Chain. Developed operational specifications for WMS and identified suitable alternative supplier

Assignment K421

Sector	Fashion Retailing
Product Type(s)	Menswear and Ladieswear
Project Type	Retail and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) Review
Scale of Business	£65m sales; 40 stores

Key Task 1	Develop functional specifications for full Retail ERP systems requirements (with an additional sub-set on WMS)
Key Task 2	Undertake Gap analysis between existing IT systems provider and functional requirements with recommendations on strategy
Key Task 3	Develop tender document and manage tendering process for new Retail IT systems
Key Task 4	Help project manage implementation
Results	New systems suppliers identified and evaluated; Recommendations on appointed supplier. Successful assistance with project management of implementation

Assignment K422

Sector	Retailing
Product Type(s)	Clothing
Project Type	Future warehousing strategy
Scale of Business	£350m sales; 70,000 SKUs

Key Task 1	Analyse current operations and determine strengths and weaknesses
Key Task 2	Re-design layouts to improve capacity and performance
Key Task 3	Develop future design options for long term warehousing requirements taking account of development plans and centres of business gravity
Key Task 4	Create new warehouse operational designs to maximize productivity
Results	Identified opportunities to improve productivity by 32% and capacity of existing facilities by 18%; New operations reduce manpower requirements by 16% and are currently being planned for implementation

Assignment K424

Sector	Drinks industry
Product Type(s)	Wines
Project Type	WMS Training Package
Scale of Business	£120m sales

Key Task 1	Review existing processes and relationship to WMS
Key Task 2	Prepare a warehouse systems training package in modular form. Suitable for: new starters; existing staff as a refresher; existing staff as an aid to a deeper understanding of the system
Key Task 3	Train trainers in use and maintenance of package.
Key Task 4	Review process and implementation of package
Results	Written training document in modular format, includes exercises and tests for trainees, covers basic functions and common problems and more advanced work for experienced users.

Assignment K510

Sector	Wholesale Distribution
Product Type(s)	Non-Food Consumables
Project Type	Network Configuration and Transport Review
Scale of Business	£120m sales; 500k deliveries; 50k tonnes

Key Task 1	Review efficiency of transport operations and fleet usage
Key Task 2	Determine best fit locations for regional depots
Key Task 3	Develop cost planning and KPI model for contract costing
Key Task 4	Advise on role of inventory and future depot network configuration
Results	£2m inventory savings, £1.5m transport and overhead savings; business review of inventory

Assignment K511

Sector	Wholesale Distribution
Product Type(s)	DIY products
Project Type	Primary Transport Review
Scale of Business	£200m sales; 12,000 pallets

Key Task 1	Analyse current operation and establish benchmarks
Key Task 2	Analyse options for alternative operation to improve service levels and security of deliveries
Key Task 3	Develop Tender specification; Identify suitable contractors; Evaluate 3PL responses
Key Task 4	Develop recommendations
Results	On-time delivery services with minimal product losses; 10% transport savings

Assignment K512

Sector	U.K. National Retail
Product Type(s)	Office Equipment & Stationery
Project Type	Strategic Review of U.K. D.C's. & Transport Network
Scale of Business	£252m p.a. sales; 160 outlets

Key Task 1	Analyse & advise on strategy for D.C network
Key Task 2	Create outline design for New Build additions
Key Task 3	Re-design existing D.C. layouts & processes
Key Task 4	Re configure Transport Network Schedules
Results	Net Reduction in Warehousing costs £1.6 m.p.a. Projected reduction in annual kilometers 25%

Assignment K513

Sector	Furnishing Retail
Product Type(s)	Carpets
Project Type	Strategic review of UK Distribution: Design N.D.C. & Transport Network Contract Mange 3PL implementation
Scale of Business	Sales £ 387m. Deliveries 60k.Units 700,00k

Key Task 1	Identify Network options and determine optimal solution.
Key Task 2	Specify and acquire: Warehouse/racking - Outbases M.H.E. - Transport fleet
Key Task 3	Provide Budgets and Transition/Implementation plans
Key Task 4	Mange 3PL in the execution of the strategy
Results	38% reduction in Core Transport mileage. Improved store delivery service, both in regularity and frequency

Assignment K514

Sector	3PL
Product Type(s)	Transport and Haulage
Project Type	Customer contract review
Scale of Business	£3m contract

Key Task 1	Review profit and loss account and establish level of losses attributable to customer contract
Key Task 2	Analyse current operations to identify strengths and weaknesses of the current operation
Key Task 3	Analyse transport movements using DPS-Logix transport planning software to determine what options were available to reduce operating costs and losses
Key Task 4	Preparation and presentation of findings to haulier management and customer with recommendations on corrective action
Results	Identified cost cutting improvements which were implemented, but also recommended withdrawal from 50% of the contract which could not be improved

Assignment K515

Sector	3PL
Product Type(s)	Transport and Haulage
Project Type	Haulier profitability review
Scale of Business	£45m sales

Key Task 1	Develop a model to analyse fleet operations and haulier profitability
Key Task 2	Analysis of profitability by vehicle, route and customer; established strong and weak performing areas
Key Task 3	Make recommendations on changing operations to address profitability weaknesses
Key Task 4	Train management on use and further development of the model
Results	Identified cost cutting improvements which were implemented, but also recommended withdrawal from 50% of the contract which could not be improved

Assignment K516

Sector	Retailing
Product Type(s)	Food
Project Type	Network Configuration and Transport Review
Scale of Business	£300m sales; 80k deliveries; 800k cages

Key Task 1	Develop model of future volumes and activity
Key Task 2	Determine best fit locations for central and regional depots
Key Task 3	Design new cross-dock operations
Key Task 4	Model costs of future network configuration and make recommendations on strategy