MHW Magazine News and stories from the Materials Handling Industry
Food packaging specialist, Ono, has received Class A certification for planning and control at its French plant, following a highly successful Integrated Business Planning (IBP) programme with Oliver Wight.
With impressive advances in its supply chain management, Ono Packaging has achieved 30 per cent growth in the past three years, with reduced costs and inventory days. At the same time it has substantially improved customer service levels.
President, Christophe Aynes credits Oliver Wight for its key role in the company’s success. "Without doubt, it is the IBP implementation, which has given us the opportunity to drive growth," he says.
Following an LBO in 2006, Ono was looking to achieve greater cash generation by reducing inventory and improving the efficiency of its supply chain management, so Aynes engaged business improvement specialists, Oliver Wight to implement an IBP (advanced S&OP) Programme.
Despite the 30 percent increase in business over the past two years, the company has been able to run increasingly smaller batches with shorter lead times, whilst inventory days have reduced from 40 to just 27. At the same time customer service has improved to reach the consistent 99 percent required for Class A certification.
By the end of 2010, the company expects to only have 20 percent of its original debt to repay to the banks, and Aynes believes the business has become more integrated, with accurate numbers, realistic plans and improved decision making. "The business control IBP brings has had a huge positive impact on the credibility of the company, not just with suppliers and customers but also with the banks and shareholders," he concludes.
Ono manufactures expanded polystyrene (EPS) trays and employs 200 people. It is headquartered in the eponymous town of Auneau, between Paris and Chartres in Northern France. As progress in France continues, Ono now plans to roll out its IBP implementation at its Portuguese and Moroccan manufacturing sites
