North America’s leading distributor and processor of metals, with annual sales of $2.2B. With 50 service centers across the US, Canada, and Mexico with joint ventures in Asia, the company provides its customers the ability to order a variety of high-quality metal in economic quantities by consolidating their purchases through a single supplier.
Realized targeted cost savings
One-time gain for the sale of excess assets more than offset the cost of restructuring
New analysis tools and staff training that can be leveraged for future assessments
Operating as both a local service center and as the main depot for distributing slow-moving items nationwide, our client’s Chicago division was not attaining profitability goals.
Once the scale of operations was established, Gibson worked to “right-size” the processing and warehousing equipment to reduce the overall cost structure while maintaining deliveries and improving customer service.
We determined the variety and quantity of necessary processing and warehousing equipment, developed improved material flow plans and relocated equipment to reduce workflows and redundancies. We developed financial and virtual warehouse models to guide equipment relocation and material handling changes. We also presented twelve options for division restructuring based on model evaluations and worked with the client to implement the selected solutions. Lastly, we advised the client of potential asset sale gain or loss.
Gibson was able to guide the client through the restructuring necessary to realize its targeted cost savings. We generated $10M in ongoing annual manufacturing, staffing and lease savings and helped the client realize a one-time gain from the sale of excess assets that more than offset the entire cost of restructuring. We developed analysis tools for determining appropriate levels of inventory, processing capability, and staffing for changes in business, and we trained a client in analysis tools and processes to facilitate future assessments. The analysis tools developed and the staff trained for this project can be leveraged to carry out similar assessments at other large service centers.
