The Supply Chain Consulting Group (SCCG) is a well-established logistics consulting firm with a great reputation for helping companies to meet their business goals through effective logistics strategy and design. Based in the UK, the company has completed over 700+ projects across 50+ countries. SCCG’s team offers a mix of operational and consulting experience, alongside up to date analytical and modelling capability. Services provided include logistics network strategy, operational warehouse design and process improvement, support to warehouse management systems (WMS) projects, advice on warehouse automation, help with outsourcing and managing third-party logistics contracts, inventory optimisation and transport solution design.
Director at SCCG
We build successful, long-term relationships with clients, with high levels of repeat business and recommendations. Clients include major grocery retailers, FMCG manufacturers, wholesalers, fashion brands, fast growing e-commerce retailers, utility companies and many more.
Gavin Parnell, Director at SCCG, spoke to Warehouse & Logistics News.
What are your best-known products/solutions/services?
We offer independent logistics consultancy, helping companies to make the right decisions and implement the right operational strategies to support business growth. Projects focus on areas such as logistics network strategy, operational warehouse design and process improvement, support to warehouse management systems (WMS) projects, advice on warehouse automation, help with outsourcing and managing third-party logistics contracts, inventory optimisation and transport solution design.
How is your industry sector performing at the moment?
E-commerce and omni-channel retail have continued to grow, placing a higher demand on efficient logistics and warehousing solutions. Additionally, sustainability and environmental concerns are driving industry-wide efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of logistics operations. As a result, there is a strong emphasis on optimising supply chain networks, enhancing warehouse operations, and implementing sustainable practices.
Which industry sectors are your customers in, and which ones are growing fastest?
Our clients come from a broad spectrum of industries with a focus on physical distribution. Our key sectors encompass FMCG, retail, e-commerce, fashion, automotive, healthcare, and industrial. The fastest-growing segment of our clients includes those venturing into the e-commerce landscape, where we’ve witnessed significant growth.
Which areas of your business are the best performing?
Our best performing areas in the business are around logistics network strategy and warehouse design consultancy. Furthermore, our expertise in supporting WMS projects and offering advice on automation has been another success for the business.
What sets your company apart as a supplier in your category?
I think each client is unique and their supply chain and logistics needs are different. We don’t offer ‘one-size-fits-all’ solutions but instead, we take the time to understand each client’s requirements and tailor our solutions and services to address each challenge.
What are your most recent product innovations?
We are working on more Logistics network strategies and WMS related projects. We are also developing our offer in the demand planning and forecasting space.
What are the major trends and developments affecting your category and your customers, and how are you responding?
We’ve been actively involved in plenty of international projects across the US, Europe and Africa. A big concern now for our clients is the rise in operational costs. To address this, we’ve implemented strategies to enhance productivity and optimise space efficiency within their logistics operations. Additionally, we’ve assisted clients in the evaluation and tendering of outsourced logistics contracts to help with the cost increases.
Can you tell us about any recent customer contract wins or projects and how you helped the customer meet their challenges?
We recently won a new client in the engineering sector, we helped them acquire a new warehouse, provided a new warehouse design and designated equipment selection and also supported WMS implementation.
How were business levels in 2023 compared to previous years?
This year has seen a massive increase in enquiries and also, new business wins. We’ve been engaged by many current clients, and we’ve had a lot of follow-on business. Due to this increase, we have planned to expand our team of consultants and get some extra hands to support our growth.
What is your strategy for succeeding in 2024 and how do you plan to grow your business?
Our strategy for 2024 is to get ahead of the competition and acquire more business but also to invest in workshops, conferences, and certifications to keep our consultants up-to-date with the latest industry trends, ensuring they provide the best solutions to our clients. We will continue to invest in building a great team with diverse capabilities and expertise.
Can you tell us about any areas where you’re currently making technical advances e.g. safety, sustainability, environment?
Our team is focused on implementing innovative practices and technologies to ensure safer and more eco-friendly supply chain operations where needed. We’re dedicated to promoting sustainability and reducing environmental footprint while enhancing safety measures for our clients.
Do you invest in staff training and skills development?
We believe in hands-on experience and on-the-job mentoring as the foundation of our training. Our team combines real-world expertise with collaborative learning on projects.
What is the company’s commitment to social responsibility?
Our main role is to provide clients with solutions that are aligned with their business priorities, which increasingly include a focus on ESG.
Are you helping customers boost the level of automation in their business?
Yes, we’re actively assisting our clients in boosting automation in their businesses. We help them build strong business cases for automation and guide them through the entire implementation process.
Do you help customers maximise the use of their existing warehouse space?
Yes, we do. Across the years, we have proved that our expertise has been what several companies needed to sort out their warehouse challenges. Due to this fact, we’ve launched a new whitepaper document that is exactly based on this topic: The Ultimate Guide to Optimising Warehouse Storage Capacity. This is an ultimate guide that gives a hand to those looking to get the most out of existing facilities or plan new ones.
Achieving effective, usable warehouse capacity is more complex than just fitting in as much racking as possible! Here we describe the principles and required actions.
Hop to our editorial on the next page and scan the QR code to get your free guide.
Will you be investing in your premises over the next 12 months?
We operate from offices in Slough and Leamington Spa and we are setting up an office in Manchester. As the business is growing, the Leamington Spa office will be moving to a larger office within the same building, where it will get a branded makeover including a brand-new conference room.
We are planning a great start for 2024!
How future proof and flexible are your solutions?
At The Supply Chain Consulting Group, we take pride in offering future-proof and flexible solutions to our clients. Our solutions are built on a foundation of industry expertise, innovation, and a deep understanding of our clients’ unique needs. We’re optimistic about our continued success because we’re passionate about what we do, always striving to improve, and committed to providing long-term value to our clients.
What exhibitions can we expect to see your company exhibiting at in 2024?
For the past couple of years, we’ve had great experience exhibiting at different logistics shows. This year we’ve given a go to a brand-new show for us, Retail Supply Chain and Logistics Expo, in London and it was brilliant. Given the great results at this show, we’ve decided straight away to plan our stand for the 2024 edition which I am sure will be amazing.
In 2024 we are looking to try different shows and not only exhibit at logistics-based shows but also try shows based on sectors such as e-commerce, retail, manufacturing, and business development.
You’ll see our presence more often.
How would you sum up your company in three words?
Efficiency, expertise and excellence.
SCCG
01926 430 883
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