This renowned food company, with over 17,000 employees and more than $5 billion in annual
revenue, faced a critical challenge: an outdated MRO inventory system. Discover how our tailored solution, featuring meticulous data analysis and a reconstructed database, streamlined
their operations and unlocked considerable cost savings. By enhancing their inventory management, we’ve reinforced the foundation for their continued growth and success in the global food industry.
Case study | A leading food manufacturer
How CB transformed the company’s inventory management system to achieve optimal efficiency and unlock considerable cost savings
The Context
A global food industry leader that began in Germany, this renowned company offers a diverse range of products, from baking staples to frozen meals. Their expansive reach extends worldwide, with over 17,000 employees and an annual revenue of more than $5 billion. From their Southwestern Ontario base, they remain committed to innovation, ensuring their loyal customers continue to enjoy the delicious, high-quality products they’ve come to expect.
Despite a legacy of success, the company faced a pressing challenge: their MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) parts inventory management system was outdated and unreliable. Plagued by inaccuracies and gaps within their SAP and CMMS platforms, they needed a solution that would enable advanced data analysis and improve inventory control, ultimately reducing unnecessary costs. The company was looking for outside help to streamline its operations and enhance efficiency with a robust and innovative inventory management system.
The Solution
Understanding that the company needed an inventory management solution that integrated seamlessly with their existing systems, we got to work. We began with an exhaustive inventory analysis, data cleansing, and enrichment process. Our solution entailed:
- Onsite Data Collection: Our experts conducted thorough physical inspections and image
captures of each part, ensuring detailed identification and recording of essential
information such as bin location, part number and descriptions.
Offsite Data Processing:
We meticulously cleansed the existing item master data file,
enriching it with comprehensive attributes for enhanced descriptions and standardized
data to eliminate redundancies. Our efforts also included OCM part conversion to
generic forms for broader applicability and efficiency.
Database Reconstruction: We worked with the company to develop a newly
constructed, functional database that both encapsulates all essential information and is
tailored to the company’s specific requirements. This was complemented with the
preparation and application of barcoded labels for all SKUS, streamlining the inventory
management process.
We seamlessly integrated our comprehensive solution into the company’s systems, with a focus on user acceptance and minimizing disruptions. The transition to a cleaner, more efficient database was facilitated through detailed collaboration, ensuring any potential issues were swiftly addressed, guaranteeing a smooth implementation and optimal system functionality.
The Result
Efficiency soared with drastically reduced replenishment cycle times, thanks to streamlined quoting, easier part searching and centralized ordering. Cost savings were also substantial, driven by OEM conversions, identifying interchangeable parts, eliminating duplicate inventory and consolidating vendors to reduce administrative overhead. Moreover, the company gained greater visibility and control over its MRO inventory, leading to better asset management, fewer stockouts and more efficient maintenance practices. This ultimately translated to increased
equipment uptime and a boost in overall productivity.
Much more than just a vendor, CB is a true partner invested in our clients’ success, as
demonstrated by this project’s tailored approach to solving their critical inventory challenges.
By enhancing the company’s inventory management system, we have not only streamlined their
operations but also unlocked considerable cost savings, reinforcing the foundation for their
continued growth and success in the global food industry.
