Case Study: Developing a Supplier Network for a New Food Plant

Learn how a food company built a robust supplier network for its new plant in the US and Canada, ensuring reliable sourcing and smooth operations.
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Case Study: Developing a Supplier Network for a New Food Plant

The Client

A food company with new vertical farming plants in both Canada and the United States.

The Challenge

As the company grew, its costing methods became outdated. Management lacked the necessary visibility to know the real cost of each product, making it difficult to make pricing decisions and identify areas for cost reduction. The company needed an expert solution to gain a clear view of its operational costs.

If you want to learn more about these types of problems, read our article on 5 Common Bottlenecks in Manufacturing and How to Spot Them.

The UPKAIZEN Solution

UPKAIZEN provided a comprehensive solution by taking a deep dive into the client’s procurement needs. We developed a detailed methodology that included:

  • Product Specifications: We created a complete list of product specifications, including quality standards, regulatory compliance codes, and desired lead times.
  • Extensive Supplier Research: We conducted in-depth research into the industry to identify a wide range of potential suppliers, from global corporations to small, local businesses.
  • Supplier Vetting: We filtered the research to create a list of fully compliant suppliers, verified for legal and safety standards.
  • Custom Supplier Matrix: The final deliverable was a comprehensive matrix of regional suppliers per item, provided in a convenient Google Spreadsheet format. This tool allowed the client to make informed purchasing decisions quickly and efficiently.

The Outcomes

The project yielded significant outcomes for the client’s new plants:

  • Reliable Sourcing: The client received a comprehensive list of compliant suppliers, ensuring a reliable and robust supply chain.
  • Cost-Effective Operations: The detailed breakdown of item prices and delivery methods allowed the client to make cost-effective purchasing decisions from day one.
  • Informed Decision-Making: The custom spreadsheet provided management with a clear, organized view of all supplier information, enabling easy comparison and analysis.
  • Smooth Operations: The established supplier network provided the foundation for a more predictable and efficient start to their new operations.

Do you identify with this case? If your company suffers from a lack of data visibility or inefficient inventory management, our Production Efficiency Micro-Diagnostic can help you find the solutions.

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Ieva Kalve

Ieva Kalve

Associate Consultant

I believe that it is healthy laziness that moves the world and business forward, and I am always ready to help find the most effective and appropriate solutions concerning strategic and change management, as well as various efficiency solutions in office work.

As a practicing consultant in Latvia, I already have 20 years of experience in various fields related to the optimization of organizational management:

  • I can help with advice on implementing the Balanced Scorecard system,
  • I have experience in creating IT and document management system modernization strategies,
  • I am a certified European ergonomist, and therefore we can work together on modern office solutions that both increase work efficiency and create comfortable and health-friendly workplaces.

 

I am constantly updating my knowledge both informally – following everything new in my areas of competence, and also formally: I have master’s degrees in pedagogy, economics, nutrition science, and modeling of sociotechnical systems. In 2021, I was a full-time student again for 1 semester – at the University of Buffalo (USA).

It is this unique “set” that allows me to view various processes, trends, and organizational needs holistically, offering realistic and at the same time modern solutions.

I also share my experience with students of various Latvian universities, I have given lectures in Lithuania, Germany, and Moldova as part of the Erasmus+ program, as well as participated in the international Sail program.

I also like to conduct corporate training.

Antoine

Antoine Hauger

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Antoine is a marketing enthusiast with a deeper understanding of digital marketing.  

Having worked for SMEs and international groups, Antoine has gained deeper online marketing (B2B & B2C) experience in various industries like retail, automotive and software.

Being a Partner and Marketing Manager at a global software vendor in the open source segment enabled Antoine, on the one hand, to consult digital agencies to build up and extend relationships, increasing their client base and improving customer experience. And on the other hand, to build up his global marketing competencies (E-Mail/Social Media/Content/Event).

In his new role as Partner Marketing Manager, Antoine is responsible for the strategic & operative rollout of the partner marketing program to its worldwide partner network of 150+ members.

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