Inventory Optimisation for Industrial Distributors

Bridging the gap in the supply chain

The world is getting smaller. The Far East now dominates the supply scene, bringing with it the challenge of predicting future good needs up to six months in advance. Add to that the restrictions of minimum order quantities and the constraints of containers, Trade Merchants perform a delicate inventory balancing act on a day-to-day basis.

End users are now more demanding than ever, looking for the one-stop-shop solution, and if you don't hold the stock, someone else will. New products have to be accounted for and good stock management is critical if Trade Merchants want to avoid getting stuck with obsolete stock. This requirement to hold broader product portfolios with shorter life cycles means Trade Merchants must also become the masters of promotions, pushing 'older' products or products with excess out of the door.

Taking control of inventory management

At Barloworld Supply Chain Software, we understand that managing a complicated forecasting process across many products and with many inputs is a real challenge; it's little wonder that many Trade Merchants are forced into buying outside of the system at inflated prices in order to satisfy their customers. But this doesn't have to be the case. Taking back control of inventory management can be a painless task. We at Barloworld Supply Chain Software bring a world beating methodology, teamed with first class software and expertise that will transform your supply chain into a process that works with you and your staff to inspire your business.

Demand Planning and Understanding your needs

At Barloworld Supply Chain Software we understand the need for effective processes to ensure effective demand management and that optimal orders are placed week-in and week-out. While Trade Merchants can easily collect accurate inventory data, without the right tools, successful manipulation of that data to create good forecasting information is a challenge. All too often, pressure is unfairly placed on Trade Merchants inventory planners to perform magic with that data, but with our help you can analyse and properly present this readily-available raw data, and transform simple replacement of inventory into forward planning, strategic modelling, visibility and control.

Delivering effective inventory management for our customers

As the UK's largest supplier of industrial goods and services of its type, WYKO came to Barloworld Supply Chain Software looking to reduce stock in its national distribution centres and improve service to its branches.

"In order to ensure the highest level of service to our customers, traditionally WYKO has maintained a very sizeable inventory. We found that the cost implications of such stock holding was constricting the company's ability to grow and approached Barloworld Supply Chain Software to provide us with the means to significantly reduce stock while maintaining service levels," comments Alan Whetstone, Commercial Director at WYKO.

"Barloworld Supply Chain Software's inventory management software, Optimiza, together with an improved methodology for inventory management has allowed WYKO to grow our business without any significant increase in stock."