Cut that waste

Client Profile

Type: Owner managed business

Sector: Transport

Turnover: £6m

Personnel: 2 directors, 57 staff

Background

The company started with a relatively modest fleet of four vehicles. It has now grown to a fleet size in excess of 50 vehicles through organic growth. The company is specialised in that it services a niche sector where it can charge premium rates for service and its expertise in moving unusual loads. The business is family owned with a strong focus on its future plans.

Solution

During a session specifically focusing on identifying and reducing waste, a large number of potential areas of saving were uncovered. After auditing these, the following actions were prioritised as important to undertake first:

• cut back on the use of subcontractors through better forward planning


• revised system for recording and tracking pallets


• altered layout of warehouse area to reduce unnecessary movement of items, and so decrease the likelihood of damage


• greater delegation to cut time spent waiting for management decisions

Outcome

Savings of 12% were made in the first six months of this project. The business now organises the waste removal process through teams which focus on an issue over an eight week cycle, before presenting their proposals for management approval. This ensures that waste will continue to be an ongoing area for action for this business.