Case Studies
Assortment Optimization & Margin Improvement
Client: A National Retailer
Establish a direct customer-product connection through optimized, targeted, and more profitable store-level assortments at the brand level.
Logistics & Fleet Management
Client: A Midwest Do-It-Best Lumberyard
The lumberyard client was in fast growth mode, struggling to manage its customer delivery challenges. They were dealing with diverse fleets, operating out of multiple locations, allowing the sales force to set priorities as they saw fit. Vehicles were dispatched inefficiently.
Customer Acquisition
Client: A National Retailer
Inconsistent purchase behavior of professional contractors within current markets generated unpredictable sales results.
Creating a New Product Category and Improving Profitability
Client: A Manufacturer of Construction Adhesives and Sealants
The client had a single SKU with high brand awareness but commodity pricing. They were getting tremendous pressure from their customers to improve the gross margin on this item.
Succession and Growth
Client: A Family Owned Lumberyard
The current management is the second generation and nearing retirement age. The next generation is expected to take over business, but are not sure they want to and are also not prepared to run the business. We were engaged to evaluate the heirs to the business and develop a program to enable personal growth in all facets of the business that would enable a future transition.
Program Development and Market Launch
Client: A leading manufacturer of pumps and water movement products
Reposition a category at retail and grow the core pump business.
Redefining a Category
Client: A leading manufacturer of power tools
The client had two weeks to prepare for a major line review with their largest retail customer at a time when sales were down and they were in jeopardy of losing space for their automotive power tools.
Organization & Structure
Client: An Independent Lumberyard
The business had grown dramatically in recent times, and longtime employees were overwhelmed, working far too many hours. Management was bombarded with band aid suggestions to improve, and the team was breaking down into “we” and “they” groups. We were asked to evaluate the work flow processes, and recommend changes.
Expanding a Product Offering and Improving Working Capital
Client: The world's largest producer of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and specialty methacrylates
The acrylic replacement panel product offering at retail was characterized by inexpensive styrene products, sold at low prices, which damaged and discolored easily. This resulted in low margins and a large percentage of damaged goods for both manufacturers and retailers.
Human Resources
Client: A Midwest 2 Store Family Owned Lumber Yard
Our lumberyard client had no formalized Human Resources structure. They knew that they were exposed on several fronts, and found potential employees were expecting a more professional approach, and therefore were less likely to accept offers of employment. They needed a solution that was created specifically for lumberyards rather than adapting documents developed from other industries.
Product Assortment Optimization
Client: A leading manufacturer of decorative hardware products
Because these products are sold to a specific upperincome demographic, there were performance issues within their largest customer’s stores resulting in declining comp-store sales and a decrease in GMROI. Solutions needed to be developed quickly for an upcoming line review with this major retailer.
Product Repositioning and Distribution Strategy
Client: A global manufacturer of specialty coatings
The client's market share of premium pool paints was being eroded by lesser quality, lower priced products. The goal was to protect their market share yet still maintain their current pricing structure.
Market Potential
Client: A Global Manufacturer of Consumer Products
The client had developed a new technology and would have to spend 60mm in building a manufacturing plant to bring to market. They wanted to know the market potential prior making such a large scale investment to mitigate their risk.
Market Potential
Client: A Global Manufacturer of Consumer Products
The client had flat or low growth same-store sales.