Distribution & Logistics
Improving Cost-to-serve at Premium Baked Goods Company
Created a new logistics strategy, including implementing a new DSD network and delivery process, developing a new transportation and warehousing strategy, and re-balancing production among plants. Over 75% of the $2.5MM in savings (from a cost base of $12MM) highlighted in the strategy was saved in the first year of implementation.
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Cleaning Up Distribution as a First Step in Establishing a Growth-supporting Distribution Platform at National Seafood Company
Conducted a diagnostic to reduce distribution costs as a part of an effort to integrate the distribution systems of two companies by identifying and sizing cost levers with savings benefits (quick hits, process changes, and cultural changes). Targeted cost savings of $1.5 to 2MM on a base of $7MM, of which $1MM are estimated to be achieved by quick hits alone.
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Unlocking Truck and Parcel Freight Savings at Portfolio Companies of Middle-market Private Equity Firm Freight
Created fact base for leveraging $11MM of freight spend across 3 portfolio companies of a middle-market private equity firm. Facilitated communication between management of portfolio companies to understand service requirements and the manner in which the individual portfolio companies would conduct freight negotiations. Led RFP process and analyzed new bids based on 2 years of historical freight spend. Created an evaluation matrix based on both cost and service to facilitate vendor selection. Purchasing consolidation led to $1.2MM in savings in the first year and improved freight service.
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Establishing Quick Read On Cost Savings at National Coffee Roaster and Distributor
Conducted 2-week operations assessment of target to establish initial read on cost reduction opportunities. Despite limited access to the target’s management, plants, and operations data, Gotham was able to create a clear picture of the target’s cost structure in both operations and its DSD network. While the cost reduction opportunities needed to achieve our client’s financial target did exist, capturing those savings posed significant culture and business strategy challenges. Given the high valuation of the target and the significant hurdles standing in the way of savings, the client leveraged our work to make a fact-based decision at the early stage of the process to exit the auction process.
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Rapidly Pinning Down Capacity/CapEx, Manufacturing Cost, and Distribution Situation and Opportunities at Leading Dry Ice Manufacturer
Conducted 2-week operational due diligence to pin down capacity and CapEx situation, and to identify margin improvement opportunities in manufacturing, distribution, and branch operations ahead of a competitive auction bid. Created plant-specific profiles of 150+ pieces of production equipment and determined target had ample capacity for growth with minimal replacement CapEx risk. Analyzed and reconciled financial data from the target’s ~100 P&Ls and reallocated costs to establish true operational costs and production and distribution cost benchmarks across plants, branches, and routes and identified up to $6MM in margin improvement opportunities through disciplined distribution and pricing practices. Gotham’s due diligence enabled our client to move forward with a competitive bid.
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Identifying Consolidation Opportunities and Creating Roadmap for Professionalizing Operations to Support Future Growth at Regional Family-owned Coffee Roaster and Distributor
Conducted a 3-week operational due diligence to establish a robust fact base of cost and operational performance in a data-poor situation, identify consolidation opportunities, and provide a fact-based, actionable plan for post-acquisition value creation, including: delivery and service route optimization to eliminate 30-40% of current routes; brewing equipment CapEx reduction through better deployment of used equipment; warehouse consolidation; sourcing efficiencies; SKU complexity management and inventory reduction; and professionalization of roasting and supply chain operations. Gotham’s findings enabled the client to close the transaction with confidence; the company started capturing identified opportunities within a few weeks of the deal closure.
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