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Operational Expertise is Vital – Before and After Acquisitions

PE firms work to execute successful turnarounds or carveouts. But too often, supply chain strategies take a back seat when PE firms and companies examine companies to invest in or buy.

However, in this era of significant global disruption and high complexity, PE firms that fail to conduct due diligence regarding supply chains miss opportunities. And many may pursue endeavors they should have avoided. Supply Chain Strategy Group LLC (SCSG) is ready to apply experience and expertise to your deal.

Operational expertise is vital to the success of any deal. But the subtleties of supply chain and operational dynamics differ depending upon the industry. Therefore, the right expertise is critical, and timing is everything. A seasoned supply chain/operations leader can add volumes of insights that go far beyond a professional consultant’s financial review.

Before considering growth stage companies, detailed analysis should go beyond finance to include supply chain operational efficiencies and strategies. And after acquisition, portfolio companies increase more in value when they implement winning supply chain and operations strategies.

Let’s examine how rigorously examining supply chain operations can benefit PE firms before a merger and acquisition and after the deal.

Due Diligence Must Include Focused Operational Diligence

We all have been involved in acquisitions where the team did not initially include operational experts. Without that insight, the team reached misleading conclusions often based on subtle oversights. These issues can derail success, although calling in operational rescue teams post-deal can salvage the merger and acquisition.

Consider the business impact of every 1% improvement in key objectives such as cash flow, inventory and/or speed/productivity. During operational diligence, PE teams should focus on several important areas of supply chain operations/strategy:

  • Operational and supply chain technology: ERP, MRP, WMS, inventory systems, S2P, sourcing/procurement systems, AP process, manual workarounds.
  • Operations and supply chain organization: Structure and competence.
  • Cross-functional interaction: Manufacturing, supply chain, sales and marketing, engineering collaborating across product lifecycle, NPD/launch, growth, maturity, decline as well as service and repair.
  • Sales channels: Distribution efficiency and footprint.
  • Cash, working capital: Inventory turns for product lines/plants/DCs and businesses. This includes a look at excess/obsolete inventory, SKU rationalization, returns and warranty costs.
  • Operational management processes: Monthly reviews, results, customer satisfaction, S&OP, supply/demand planning, KPI performance management, process improvement.
  • Leadership: Strategic vision and execution of plans supported by supply chain and operations strategy.

Depth of expertise in supply chain and operations is critical to driving the operational due diligence leading up to a deal. Growth stage and start-up companies often skip over improving efficiency and removing waste. Their focus has been on technology, capital and growing the customer base.

Improving the bottom line is actionable and within your control, while impact to the top line is more aspirational.

To that end, the best supply chain experts will immediately identify opportunities to improve efficiency/bottom line. Then, they will move beyond that to define a supply chain strategy for the end-to-end supply chain that enables the business strategy and growth in the top line.

How Supply Chain Strategies Drive Value Creation in PE Portfolios

After the deal, supply chain subject matter experts will advise on areas of opportunity and potentially act as an operating partner.

PE firms are served well by having the depth of expertise and experience available precisely when needed. Supply Chain Strategy Group was built to support these requirements. Our Managing Partners have decades of hands-on experience running successful businesses. PE firms want assessments and recommendations that produce real world results – not just on paper.

Consider the following:

  1. Are your portfolio companies’ current supply chain strategies built for value creation or just survival?
  2. Capital allocation: Do your portfolio companies’ supply chain strategies influence your priorities?
  3. Supply assurance: Are your portfolio companies confident in supply sources and locations, or are they one disruption away from disaster?
  4. Do your portfolio companies have strategies that minimize uncertainty and provide the right choices to react to surprises?
  5. Resilience: Have your portfolio companies defined a risk management strategy? Do they adhere to it?
  6. Customers: Do your portfolio companies really know their customers’ service preferences and buying behaviors/factors? Are they meeting those needs or just guessing?
  7. Technologies: Do your portfolio companies know whether their technologies – both software and equipment – give them a competitive edge? Do they have an AI strategy in place or in development?
  8. Costs: Each step in end-to-end supply chains creates costs. Do your portfolio companies have cost management strategies that focus on activities? Are their COGS optimized?
  9. Do your portfolio companies have different strategies based on whether they are a startup, an SMB or a mature organization? Are they partnering with the right service providers?
  10. Do your portfolio companies measure their supply chain strategies and performance with balanced scorecards?

These 10 current, important topics form the strategic difference between thriving and surviving for each individual company and its industry and market position.

Hands-On Expertise Helps Navigate Industry Nuances

For private equity leaders, company financial performance and operating margins are critical. Every company in your portfolio that makes, moves or sells products has a supply chain strategy – whether thoughtfully developed or indirectly assumed.

And improving cash generation from supply chain and operations strategies delivers strategic value.

An effective supply chain strategy can:

  • Boost EBITDA.
  • Enhance valuations.
  • Create sustainable competitive advantages.
  • Turn potential crises into opportunities for growth.

However, not every industry is the same. While it may seem obvious, expertise in one industry may not be adequate or applicable to all. Chemical processes, distribution and assembly processes are quite different, as are electronics, food and medical device supply chains, for example.

There is also a significant value-add to including a seasoned, hands-on supply chain/operations leader who has developed sharp consulting skills to supplement your professional consultant’s financial assessment.

Each has a role to play, and it is critical for the hands-on expert to discover the subtleties during due diligence to be sure they are a part of the game plan and do not emerge later in the deal.

To ensure your PE investments thrive, prioritize operational expertise and robust supply chain strategies both before and after acquisitions. By doing so, you’ll not only boost EBITDA and valuations but also create sustainable competitive advantages.

Don’t let overlooked supply chain opportunities derail your deals. Partner with experienced professionals who can uncover critical insights and drive success. Contact us today to strengthen your supply chain strategy and elevate your portfolio’s performance.