Etienne Udry

Entrepreneur, Projects, IT and Logistics

Merging Products and Purchasing Department

pen om paper

Go Live : 1995

Results

Gained 42% market share in a market with 10% growth only

Objectives

Develop market growth and bottom line results to become a leading distributor in Switzerland

Scope

Purchasing

Inventory Management

Products Marketing

Challenges

Due to conflicts of interests, the Purchasing and Products Marketing functions were not performing at best and mostly fighting together.

Product Managers were invited by Brands on new products and technology training while purchasing

was left in the dark.

Buyers did no follow Product managers recommendation, as they felt theit sole interests was to gain marketing funds from brands without consideration for inventory and obsolescence.

Solutions

Merge of both departments into one

Create business units based on brands and technology

Develop common goals for each BU

Involve buyers in trainings

Improve products knowledge through the company