Client: Lingarden Flowers The Project:
To improve the speed, efficiency, quality, dependability and cost
effectiveness of the inbound cut flower supply chain from Africa
and South America to the UK |
Background
The
UK grocery retailers have made flowers accessible and
available to consumers, encouraging more and more people
to buy as gifts or as treats for themselves. There is
a never ending programme for innovation in creating an
ever changing portfolio of bouquet designs to meet consumers
desire for new fashions in flowers. A sophisticated procurement
plan sources flowers from all over the world. The aim
is to ensure that exactly the right quality ingredients
are available for use in a bouquet at the right time bearing
in mind a typical bouquet might contain raw materials
from six different countries. For the supply chain to
meet the marketing ambitions whilst handling such a delicate
product is the ultimate challenge.
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Activities
Initially we analysed the current operations within
the supply chain to ensure a full understanding of the
demanding requirements in handling such a delicate product
in a very time sensitive and temperature controlled
environment. The current suppliers’ performance
/ costs were analysed to act as a benchmark for assessing
any future proposals. We them investigated all the potential
suppliers and commenced open negotiations which allowed
the suppliers to also make their proposals in determining
the optimum service / cost solution to the challenge.
This was followed by conducting trials to ensure that
service offerings were achievable and could be sustained
on an on- going daily basis. We then helped in the decision
making process which lead to us supporting the negotiations
to establish a contract with a new supplier. |
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Outputs
·
Reliable data from which change decisions could be made
with confidence
· Established a new, open and understanding relationship
with “market leading edge” suppliers
· Detailed contracts, which are primarily service
orientated, but still managing to show significant cost
savings |
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Results
·
The dependability which was being sought
· Fewer higher performing suppliers in the shipping
areas of the supply chain
· Full visibility of service performance which
enhances communications and problem resolution with suppliers
· Significant cost savings without impacting or
compromising service performance
· Coached and mentored staff, who are now motivated
to further investigate the on- going development of the
supply chain |
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