BearingPoint's operational excellence approach in consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing focuses on reducing production costs and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The strategy offers benefits such as increased profitability, enhanced flexibility, and improved organizational leadership, resulting in average conversion cost reductions of 10-15% and EBIT improvements of 5-10%. Specific case studies demonstrate successful implementations across various sectors, including food & beverage and dairy industries, where operational efficiency was maximized through process standardization and workforce optimization.

1. OPEX in CPG
Manufacturing
A BearingPoint Accelerator
BearingPoint’s operational excellence approach in CPG Manufacturing
primarily aims to reduce costs in production and to support clients in
their transformation journey. Our operational excellence approach
contributes to the creation of a culture of continuous improvements in
factories.

2. Contents
Market Drivers
Our Approach
Client Benefits
References
Contact
OPEX in CPG Manufacturing | A BearingPoint Accelerator

3. OPEX in CPG Manufacturing | A BearingPoint Accelerator
In today’s globalized market, manufacturing companies in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry experience
increased competitiveness and price pressure, which force them to focus on cost cutting initiatives in production and
the supply chain set-up.
Market Drivers
• Due to the competitive landscape,
CPG companies are required to focus on
continuous efficiency improvements in order
to minimize their cost base
• In order to stay profitable and reach EBIT
targets, factories need to utilize their full
capacity when it comes to machinery,
input material, and personnel
• In the CPG industry, acquisitions and
volume consolidations are necessary
in order to stay competitive
• However, due to a large degree of
uncertainty it is more of a norm than an
exception that companies miscalculate
expected impact and the effects of these
events, why it is important to secure the
variables that are possible to control –
such as production capabilities
• Customers demand a greater variety of
products while simultaneously altering
trends give rise to fluctuations in volumes
• This requires factories to manage volume
variety and adapt both machinery and
processes to enable efficient delivery of
small batches
Profitability Need for flexibilityUncertainty

4. OPEX in CPG Manufacturing | A BearingPoint Accelerator
Our approach centers around the BearingPoint Operational Excellence framework, which covers the three main
dimensions: core operations, management control systems, and culture.
While planning and maintenance are
crucial enablers for efficient production,
it is within the production elements where
the main part of the financial potential lies
The Core operations analysis seeks to improve
production related activities focusing on labor
productivity, machine OEE and yield, while
securing optimized production & workforce
planning and increasing the proactive focus
in the maintenance department
Core operations
Ensure an efficient flow of information
and an optimized organizational structure
for quick actions and improvement work
Analysis of the organizational structure including
span of control, roles and responsibilities as well as
performance management and meeting structure
Management control systems
The cultural dimension aims to improve the
organizational mindset and behavior to support
the continuous improvement capabilities
In this dimension, we’re looking at leadership
capabilities, corporate structures and competence
development, as well as environment, health and
safety (EHS) culture
Culture
Management control systems
Culture
Production
M
aintenanc
e
Planning

5. OPEX in CPG Manufacturing | A BearingPoint Accelerator
Improvement actions are developed in close collaboration with the client within each of the dimensions, and lays the
foundation for the improvement work.
• Set the project
foundation: establish
the business case,
define the project
mandate and
stakeholders
• Solution design of the core operation elements
• Planning process analysis to minimize planning
related costs with maximum flexibility
• Maintenance work order processes analysis
• Development of
implementation plans
• Detailed estimations of
potential Investments
• Secure and plan
resources
• Quick wins
• Implementation
activities conducted
• Define follow-up
metrics
• Fine tune and standardize
new ways of working
• Follow-up up on defined
metrics to secure sustainable
improvements
• Pre-analysis: data
gathering, management
interviews and
employee survey
• Analysis preparation:
set up war room,
establish hypothesis
and plan analysis
activities
• Established baseline
• Initial hypothesis &
analysis activity plan
Core operations
Mobilize
1-2 weeks
Analyze & Design
4-5 weeks
Plan
1-2 weeks
Implement
~ 20 weeks
Follow-up
12 weeks
• Design of organizational setup, effective
meeting structures and control system
• Secure metrics and
plan organizational
change
• Preparations for a
new meeting structure
• Implement org.
change and control
system
• Daily coaching in
meeting execution
• Follow-up on overall reporting
and meeting adherence
Management Control Systems
• Design future ways of working for leadership
and structure enabling as well as favoring CI
culture
• Improvement areas with calculated savings
• Future state design supporting CI and
operational excellence targets in all areas
• Plan activities for an
improved CI culture
• Tactical implementation
plans for each work
stream
• Management
coaching in CI
and safety culture
• Sustainable OPEX
design in place
• Quick wins realized
• Secure continuous
improvement culture
• Goal fulfillment through
implementation follow-up
Culture
Deliverables
> > > >

6. OPEX in CPG Manufacturing | A BearingPoint Accelerator
Our approach not only improves profitability and production agility, but also enhances the organization, its leadership
and the control systems to enable a continuous improvement culture.
Culture
Even though the easy-to-measure and direct effects, such as increased profitability, stability and flexibility are some very
pleasant results to be expected from an operational excellence project, the cultural improvement should be considered as
one of the major benefits. Expect an organization with positivism and pride in what they do while your EHS KPIs improve.
Expect an organization ready for continuous improvement delivering on the YoY savings target for the coming decade.
• From previous experience BearingPoint
estimates an average reduction in
conversion cost ranging between 10-15%
• Also, an EBIT improvement of around
5-10% is to be expected
• Reduced variability in production efficiency
gives more accurate capacity estimations
and thus reduces planning complexity and
provides less risk when consolidating volumes
• Efficient planning and optimized
changeover routines allow for increased
product complexity without losing valuable
production time or building up stock
Improved Profitability Increased FlexibilityStability and Predictability

7. OPEX in CPG Manufacturing | A BearingPoint Accelerator
Leading global food & beverage company
The client initiated a comprehensive program with an ambitious
cost-out target addressing several factories. BearingPoint was
engaged as a partner where several operational excellence projects
within food & beverage, home & personal care, and confectionery and
snacks was conducted.
BearingPoint helped the client to reduce conversion costs in the
production of goods by standardizing processes to optimize the use of
the workforce, maximizing machine utilization, and building
capabilities that drive continuous improvement. BearingPoint
supported the initiatives with its hands-on approach and analytical
and functional experience.
Leading dairy producer
The client was challenged by decreasing milk consumption volumes,
increased international competition and high cost-levels. BearingPoint
was chosen to do a full analysis followed by implementation at one of
the dairies. The project included an overall redesign and improvement
of the organization and processes within production, maintenance,
management systems and planning.
References

8. OPEX in CPG Manufacturing | A BearingPoint Accelerator
Contact
Peter Brente
Partner
BearingPoint Sweden
peter.brente@bearingpoint.com
Linda Helsing
Manager
BearingPoint Sweden
linda.helsing@bearingpoint.com
About BearingPoint
BearingPoint is an independent management and technology consultancy with European
roots and a global reach. The company operates in three units: Consulting, Solutions and
Ventures. Consulting covers the advisory business; Solutions provides the tools for successful
digital transformation, regulatory technology and advanced analytics; Ventures drives the
financing and development of start-ups. BearingPoint’s clients include many of the world’s
leading companies and organizations. The firm has a global consulting network with more
than 10,000 people and supports clients in over 75 countries, engaging with them to
achieve measurable and sustainable success.
For more information, please visit:
Homepage: www.bearingpoint.com
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