Optimise your supply chain and solve operational challenges to find and deliver growth opportunities.
In today’s uncertain and volatile world, operational excellence and supply chain security can give businesses a vital competitive edge. Achieving this requires the right blend of expert guidance and cutting-edge digital solutions to enhance customer experiences while managing costs and inventory levels. With our deep expertise in supply chain management and operations optimisation, we can help your business transform while reimagining your business strategy and upskilling your workforce. |
Businesses face numerous challenges, from supply chain disruptions and procurement pressures to productivity inefficiencies and misaligned operating models. Addressing these issues is crucial for maintaining competitiveness and achieving strategic goals.
In today's complex global landscape, companies face numerous challenges in managing their supply chain operations. Geopolitical threats are causing significant disruptions, complicating logistics and creating uncertainty. Economic factors such as slowing growth, inflation and higher interest rates are driving up costs related to inventory holding, labour and transportation. Additionally, companies must navigate the high volatility in consumer demand and behaviours, which adds another layer of complexity to supply chain management.
There is also relentless pressure to manage and reduce costs while maintaining efficiency. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges further complicate the picture, with evolving regulatory frameworks, the introduction of environmental taxes and the need to understand supplier risks like pollution, corruption and raw material shortages. Generating and collecting accurate ESG data remains a critical yet challenging task for many organisations.
In the current global environment, ensuring an effective and efficient procurement function has become increasingly challenging for businesses. Geopolitical threats and congestion in shipping lanes are significant obstacles, disrupting the smooth flow of goods and materials. Rapidly changing consumer demands compel organisations to build more resilient supply chains and develop robust sourcing strategies to stay competitive.
Inflation adds another layer of complexity, driving up costs and making it harder to maintain budgetary control. Additionally, the push towards more ambitious ESG targets means that companies must balance sustainability goals with cost-efficiency. This dual pressure of managing rising costs while striving to meet stringent ESG standards makes executing an effective procurement strategy a delicate and demanding task.
Clients are grappling with operational inefficiencies that drive up costs and erode productivity. One significant issue is the loss of competitive advantage due to high market prices and increased operational costs. This financial strain is compounded by long or delayed processing and handling times, which further inflate costs and hinder productivity.
External influences, including regulatory and market pressures, often necessitate operational restructuring, adding another layer of complexity to managing efficient operations. Additionally, inadequate management information systems contribute to processing errors and delays, exacerbating inefficiencies and impacting overall productivity. These challenges highlight the critical need for streamlined operations and effective management systems to maintain competitiveness and control costs in a dynamic market environment.
Many clients find that their operating models are not fit for purpose or aligned with their overall strategy due to several factors. Following a merger or acquisition, underperformance and misalignment often necessitate a complete restructuring of the operating model to ensure cohesion and efficiency. Additionally, a loss of competitive advantage can signal the need for realignment with evolving market needs to stay relevant and competitive.
Internal functions frequently operate in isolation rather than as a cohesive unit, leading to inefficiencies and communication breakdowns. The adoption and adaptation of new technologies further complicate this landscape, requiring careful integration and alignment with the broader strategic goals. Addressing these challenges is crucial for optimising operations and achieving strategic objectives.
Organisations need greater visibility of their end-to-end supply chain operations in our increasingly interconnected and interdependent world. Our Supply Chain and Operations Consulting team helps clients achieve their business objectives by defining and implementing supply chain management practices. We combine our decades of industry and consulting experience with our technology partnerships to provide clients with real-time industry knowledge and tech-powered supply chain solutions. Through PwC, you can access world-leading technology platforms such as Blue Yonder, SAP, Oracle and Microsoft.
Organisations increasingly demand more complex solutions and greater value from their procurement functions, which requires a long-term strategy. We help clients future-proof their procurement functions by combining technology with human insight to identify opportunities that create value and have transformative potential. Procurement optimisation can help leaders align business objectives and corporate strategy with process improvement efforts to achieve sustainable results. Our comprehensive approach to procurement transformation helps clients leverage strategic value drivers to achieve cost savings and efficiency while maintaining compliance and control.
Manufacturing companies face a range of challenges in today's complex business environment. These include increasing productivity and flexibility, developing better risk management, reducing costs and keeping up with digital technology advancements. Our consulting services are designed to support leaders of facilities and global groups operating in Ireland. We specialise in:
Our productivity team helps clients tackle productivity challenges through three primary capabilities: process intelligence (mining), process optimisation (lean) and perform plus. We provide a comprehensive service, as the insights gained from process intelligence and optimisation can improve workforce capabilities and efficiencies. And in today’s digital era, our tech-powered and human-led approach creates a competitive advantage for our clients.
Our operating model offering delivers end-to-end solutions. We begin by assessing your current operating model and work towards implementing a more efficient and sustainable future state operating model. Our approach is practical and based on global insights and best practices.
Our team takes a comprehensive approach to designing your future operating model. We consider all aspects, including often-overlooked areas such as tax, risk and people. We take a phased approach to ensure seamless integration and successful implementation.
Our team has vast experience in optimising customs duty savings, ensuring high compliance with regulations, and managing customs audits for clients worldwide. We specialise in addressing VAT recovery issues, Brexit-related customs duties and other taxes throughout the supply chain. Our team of professionals can help you transform your supply chain and operations to reduce costs, mitigate risks and enhance resilience.
Our Fit for Growth methodology is a proven approach that helps companies develop unique capabilities, manage costs strategically, and restructure their organisation for growth. Our services allow clients to reduce costs while becoming more resilient and competitive.
In an era of constant global change, businesses must reevaluate their strategic priorities at every stage of the value chain. Cost reduction is crucial, and those who can maintain the essential capabilities needed for success during the recovery period will have a significant competitive edge.
