Cases

How to sustain growth in a department store chain

imcn — 2011-03-18T13:10:00Z

Monoprix and Hommes et Performance were jointly nominated in 2009 for the award „Les Espoirs du management“, for the initiative regarding management and professionalisation of the cashing staff. “Les Espoirs du management” is a prize attributed yearly to management initiatives delivering value to an organisation and its employees.

Completed by: Hommes & Performance

A European – China joint venture for solar cell production

imcn — 2011-03-18T13:10:00Z

Our global member in China assisted a European company in their negotiations with a Chinese state-owned company. The aim was to set up a joint venture in China for the mass production of solar cells and solar modules for the Chinese and worldwide markets. The European renewable energy company had undertaken research and development on solar energy over many years and the Chinese company was keen to obtain the technology and know-how from the client in order for mass production in China to serve the national market.

Completed by: K K Yeung Management Consultants Limited

A successful post merger integration of three firms

imcn — 2011-03-18T13:10:00Z

The task of merging three firms into one is extremely challenging and demands careful negociations. Unless quick action is taken, it is likely that valued executives and employees will leave the company. See how Irish company, CRH The International Buildings Materials Group, took advantage of the support of professional management consultants.

Completed by: ARCOM Management Consulting

Restructuring of the logistics and selling organisation in Europe

imcn — 2011-03-18T13:10:00Z

Head is the leading manufacturer and marketing specialist in the field of sports equipment/licences. It is listed on the stock exchange and produces skis, ski boots, tennis rackets and diving equipment at units in Austria, Czech Republic, China and the US.

A large-scale project was conducted within the logistics and selling function in Europe. Besides centralisation, higher efficiency and improvements in services, the goal was also to make significant cost-cuttings in the sales department.

imPlus supported the company in the design and implementation of this project over a period of 1 and a half years.

Completed by: imPlus Unternehmensentwicklung GmbH

From strategy and structure improvements to a "new firm"

imcn — 2011-03-18T13:10:00Z

Background
Metal fabrication company Fulterer Auszugsysteme GmbH has its headquarters in Vorarlberg and was founded over 50 years ago. It focuses on manufacturing drawer slides for the furniture, cabinet and woodworking industries and now has over 330 employees.

The Fulterer Group consists of three companies with locations in Austria, Switzerland and the US. Its drawer slides are sold worldwide in over 60 countries and it has a turnover of E50 million.

Abstract
The Austrian team of imPlus were employed as consultants to Fulterer Auszugsysteme (fittings systems) during an important time of change in the company. Their aim was to optimise the structure of the companies in Austria, Switzerland and the US.
Dr. Thomas Boeckle, project leader, initialized three core projects:
- Ownership structure
- Strategy adjustment and restructuring of the Sales & distribution department
- Mergers & acquisitions

Completed by: imPlus Unternehmensentwicklung GmbH

How to judge investments in hedge funds

imcn — 2011-03-18T13:10:00Z

At the end of the year 2007 management consultancy firm Van Oortmerssen Organisatie-Advies was approached to execute a due diligence process and was asked to judge two proposals from two major Dutch Banks. The diligence process was developed by us through a tailor-made judgement of criteria on behalf of these two interest-groups.

Completed by: Van Oortmerssen Organisatie-Advies

Hot times, fights and difficult situation

imcn — 2011-03-18T13:10:00Z

The sewage disposal of the city of Zürich consists of a sewer system (1000 km; value 5 billion Swiss Francs) and a very modern sewage works (a company with 250 employees). Due to the corruption of one individual, in 1995 a parliamentary fact-finding commission was convened to deal with outstanding legal issues. Uncertainty, rumours, and accusations were creating feelings of distrust and an explosive atmosphere.

The city council charged the consulting team of ARCOM to develop the most appropriate process to implement the necessary changes. Its aims were:

To ease the tensions
To develop a new mission statement as well as an appropriate organisation structure
To support the cultural change towards a goal of consolidation

After two years, the assignment was successfully completed and expectations were exceeded. As a side benefit, a potential for cost-reduction of 100 millions Swiss Francs emerged which resulted in a reduction of fees for the inhabitants of Zürich.

In very difficult situations - such as the public being suspicious of criminal activity in an entire department – it is important not only to come to terms with the past but also to maximize its focus on the future and potential. The project continues to be successful because the ARCOM consultants paid equal attention to the aspects of business administration as well as psychological and political ones.

Kathrin Martelli, City Councillor of Zürich (2005)

Completed by: ARCOM Management Consulting

New organisation, new systems for competing global markets

imcn — 2011-03-18T13:10:00Z

" Supermarket trolleys: millions are used everyday – but do you know who makes them?”

Leading supplier of wire and wire mesh, Farame S.A., was founded in 1983, in Portugal. It mainly focuses on manufacturing supermarket trolleys, but it also works in other market segments such as the car industry, postal services and logistics. In 2003 its sales reached € 11.7 million.

Facing the immininet growth of its organisational structure, the implementation of a Management Innovating System (MIS) became necessary. With the help of management consultancy firm, Mercal both its competence and positioning in global markets were vastly improved.

The system is extremely innovative in Portugal as it simultaneously involves three areas: Quality, Environment and Health & Safety at Work, establishing organisational improvements at various levels. With the development of the management integrated system Farame was able to increase its productivity and profitability.

The MIS was optimised and adjusted facing new management objectives and when it became necessary, to monitor Farame’s Strategic and Operational Plans.

Completed by: Mercal Gestao e Marketing Internacional

How to enter the European market?

imcn — 2011-03-17T14:00:00Z

Every marketplace follows its own rules. For this reason, the key to successful and sustainable market development is following a consistent market entry strategy, which considers the peculiarities and demands of the target market.

In the course of its globalisation strategy, a medium-sized Asian company, specialising in the manufacture of electric cars, intended to tap the growth potential within the European market. ANXO Management Consulting was assigned to advise and to support the Asian newcomer through the entire market entry process for the German, Austrian and Swiss market.

Completed by ANXO Management Consulting

Faster growing through M&A

imcn — 2011-03-17T14:00:00Z

A dynamically growing international producer of technical textiles with a strong focus on glass fiber-based heat protection products, is following an aggressive strategy of internal and external growth. A strategy is being developed together with IMCN member IFM as consulting partner and the expansion is due to take place both nationally and internationally. It is viewed as a major success factor for the group. (Germany – France was the first step.)

Completed by IFM GmbH