Our Services

Following a major acquisition and strong growth, a specialist retailer with 150 out-of-town stores invited HWP to project manage, design and build a semi-automated National Distribution Centre (NDC), replacing existing supply chain networks.  

With responsibilities encompassing supply chain strategy development, site procurement, solution design and supplier selection, we assisted our client in achieving their objectives without having to neglect their day to day operations.  

For an understanding of our approach to procuring, designing and building a new NDC read the full case study.

Following a strategic review, our client, the largest independent drinks distributor in the UK, made the decision to implement a Warehouse Management System (WMS) to replace their manual, paper-based system. 

We assisted the client in drawing up a clear User Requirements Specification (URS), selecting and procuring an appropriate WMS and implementing the selected system. 

To learn more about our approach to the specification, procurement and implementation of supply chain systems read the full case study.

HWP were invited by the world’s largest wine company to undertake a European supply chain review, involving the integration of several sites and the development of the largest manufacturing and warehousing facility of its kind on Europe. Our remit encompassed business case development, site procurement, solution design, supplier selection and project and change management.

For an understanding of our approach to this wide-ranging change initiative read the full case study.

Warehouse build timelapse.

Following a strategic review, our client, a pet products manufacturer and wholesaler, made the decision to outsource their National Distribution Centre operations. In a flat market they needed to convert the high fixed costs of their own operation into the variable costs of a third party logistics provider. 

We assisted the client not only with the selection of a suitable provider but also with the design, planning and implementation of all the operational, organisational and behavioural changes required.  For a full account of the approach, methodology and results read the full case study.

With a radical proposal to change distribution arrangements in the offing, an improved understanding of the impact on net profitability was essential for a national distributor supplying 4,500 items to 22,000 accounts across the UK. 

It was vital to start with a consensus around the key objectives. In this case they were two-fold; to gain a clear understanding of the net profitability of customers and products and to enable actions to be taken to improve net profitability. To gain an understanding of our approach to Cost to Serve modeling read the full case study.

With continuing rapid growth and its existing supply chain nearing capacity, our client required the optimum supply chain strategy; to meet the forecast business growth, whilst ensuring low cost delivery of products and services to its customers. 

However, it was important to formulate a strategy that not only addressed the market requirements but also matched the capabilities of this leading national distributor. To learn more about our approach to Supply Chain Strategy formulation read the full case study.

To combat competitive pressures and reverse a decline in market share our client required a reappraisal of their Go to Market strategy. It was important to not only take account of changing market conditions but also to ensure the alignment of organisational capability and strategy. To learn more about our approach to Go to Market strategy formulation read the full case study.

Following a major acquisition by a rapidly expanding drinks manufacturer, HWP were asked to assist with the integration of the £400m turnover combined business. 

The integration involved significant rationalisation of staff, facilities, products and customers with the intention of realising over £17m in cost savings. 

For a full account of the approach, methodology and results read the full case study.

After reviewing various options for collaboration, two of our clients in the drinks industry decided to form a Joint Venture (JV). 

This involved the ‘carve-out’ of an operating company from one of the businesses and the implementation of a transitional services agreement across a number of key support functions. 

We supported the newly formed JV throughout the process and helped to ensure a successful transition and start-up.  To learn more about our approach to JV formation and start-up read the full case study.

Having outsourced their in-house distribution operation three years earlier, a global automotive parts manufacturer was conducting their first retender. 

Although they were unhappy with both the levels of service and the costs of their existing provider they had determined that a UK-based operation was required to service their aftermarket customers. 

For an understanding of our approach to specifying requirements, designing and managing an outsourcing exercise read the full case study.

As part of an overall review of logistics strategy, HWP were asked to conduct an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for distribution services by a leading UK soft drinks manufacturer.

The ITT covered customer delivery from their two production sites and four DCs and intersite shipments between all sites. 

For an understanding of our approach to specifying requirements, designing and managing an outsourcing exercise read the full case study.