Effective planning is the backbone of a high performance supply chain. It masterminds the flow of material and use of resources. At its simplest, effective planning enables a supply chain to do more for less. PA’s integrated and adaptive approach to planning, with information integration as its foundation, allows an organisation to stay competitive through greater co-ordination and collaboration across the end-to-end supply chain.
Case studies
Nissan - Optimising production scheduling to achieve the unthinkable
PA worked with Nissan Sunderland to increase output efficiency while making optimal use of existing facilities. PA developed a scheduling system in close co-operation with Nissan and ILOG to enable the scheduling of a third vehicle model to be mixed along the existing two main production lines, while maintaining production of the Micra and Primera models. In parallel, the plant has realised an increase in the potential plant throughput by 30% without major additional plant investment.
A leading agro-chemicals company - Implementing an integrated supply chain project
The client briefed PA to help develop a single supply chain system that would integrate all of its activities. The resulting supply chain system has enabled the company to improve customer service and reduce time-to-market of its products.
A major healthcare provider - Strategic supply chain decision modelling
PA developed a supply chain rationalisation model which allowed the client to evaluate the economic effects of complex supply chain re-organisations in a matter of minutes. Benefits realised included an increase in annual profit by $50 million. The client is now able to assess economic impacts and the model provides a central consistent repository for company information. The client continues to use the model to evaluate other economic drivers fundamental to developing its long-term business strategy.
Sonoco - Delivering value from an acquisition
Sonoco is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial and consumer packaging products and services, with more than 300 operations in 32 countries. The UK business manufactures and sells paperboard-based tubes and cores from four UK sites. As part of the ongoing consolidation of the UK market, Sonoco acquired a direct competitor that owned a further three sites. The product range in each factory was complex and there was significant overlap between the sites. Radical re-organisation and rationalisation of sites was required to realise acquisition synergies, reduce costs, and rapidly add value.
PA deployed its proven change management framework to achieve rapid integration. As a result the rationalisation will deliver synergy benefits equal to a 6% reduction of total costs and customer retention of over 95%. Additionally the structured process has provided a blueprint for Sonoco to integrate its future acquisitions.
