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Supply chain plays a critical role in the consumer products and the past couple of years have seen significant changes as companies come to terms with market volatility and fierce competition.
So there is a strong chance that the overall winner in the European Supply Chain Excellence Awards could come from this category.
But what does it take to win?
Well last year saw a really strong entry from Merck Serono. This global supply chain was created in 2007 after the acquisition of Serono Laboratories by the German pharmaceutical company, Merck. Over a 29-month period the two companies’ supply chains were globally integrated, involving 50 sales affiliates, five business units, six global production sites and over 7,500 SKUs.
The judges were impressed by the way the merged entity approached this complex business environment and created an integrated supply chain across such a large geography. The results were impressive too. Overall sales forecast accuracy has been improved significantly, safety stocks and coverage of finished products have been optimised, write-offs have been greatly reduced while stock availability on main markets is now 99.8 per cent.
However, it was pipped at the post by winner Danone Waters UK & Ireland.
Over the past three years the company has been engaged in a series of initiatives to deliver improved customer service levels, a reduction in logistics CO2 footprint, a very significant reduction in supply chain cost per pallet and a 60 per cent reduction in overdue cash payments.
“Danone was able to realise outstanding results under pressing and difficult market and operating conditions,” said the judges.
“This was a supply chain transformation driven by people, business strategy and customers. There was evidence of clear simplification, communication and approach to execution, together with strong strategic alignment – all resulting in significant benefits to the business.
“This company made a step change, not an incremental change… they centred on collaboration and it paid off – the cost savings were significant.” All in all, this was an impressive performance and one which deserved the category trophy.
The European Supply Chain Excellence Awards are organised by Supply Chain Standard in partnership with PwC’s PRTM Management Consulting.
They are unique in the depth of analysis involved in the judging process, which in turn makes them uniquely worth winning.
This year it could be you. Entry into the Awards is free – the deadline is Friday 8th June 2012.
You can register and download an entry form at www.supplychainexcellenceawards.com
For more information contact: Dan Stone, E: dan.stone@akabomedia.co.uk
