Promotional Products Business Reorganization and Turnaround

Business Situation

  • 13 businesses represented that were not operationally integrated.
  • The businesses had multiple leaders, varying operating models, and disparate cultures despite similar products and customers. Profit margins were thin.
  • No unified vision and strategy.
  • Disparate data and multiple ERP systems.
  • Multiple service platforms in use.
  • Single site warehouses. Lack of synergies with vendors and partners.
  • Enterprise customers and “mom and pops” are served in the same manner.

Key Results Delivered ad GM

  • Unified leadership - After 3 weeks, I proposed and became GM of the business
  • Owned the Strategy and Execution for the integration of the legacy businesses.
  • Built one operating model, a common customer service model, and a common service platform.
  • Organization realignment created cross-collaboration and best practice sharing
  • Leveraged Shared Services to streamline operations.
  • Improved inventory turns by 20% via consolidation of warehouse locations and process optimization.
  • Negotiated partnerships with vendors to expand distribution and fulfillment capacity.
  • Revenue growth went from 2-3% annually to 9%
  • EBITDA margins improved from 5% to 14%
  • Employee engagement increased