CSI Business Consulting-petrol retail station pumps

Realising sustainable +10 M€ operational improvement – Retail

Context

Our client’s fast declining EBIT results required a drastic improvement in both cost management and margin generation. A Turnaround Program was designed, identifying > 15 areas of improvement. The most important area of improvement was operations. A total of +11 M€ operational improvement had to be realised throughout the network within 3 years.

CSI Business Consulting-petrol retail station

Our Mission

Design and deliver the operational improvement program, install a local and EU organisation that can carry continuous improvement forward autonomously and install a new operational culture in the whole network,

Results

  • Overall program designed + piloted in Denmark
  • Program implemented in 8 countries: Dk, Swe, Nor, Pol, Lat, Lith, Est, Rus
    • > 700 stations, > 5000 employees
    • Cost saving > 10 M€ realised, out of target cost saving of +/- 11 M€
    • Installed and coached organisation to drive autonomous continuous improvement, creating additional value in the years that followed
  • Strong demand from other departments for similar programs
CSI Business Consulting-Europe map
CSI Business Consulting-customer paying in petrol retail store

Approach

  • Set up of a transformation organsiation with a EU Team and local teams
  • Architecture of the transformation program, applying Lean manufacturing principles to station operations in close collaboration with the client team
  • Delivery based on intense coaching of local teams by CSI and the client’s EU team going through:
    • a diagnostic phase, identifying key issues and estimating benefit potential
    • a pilot phase, adapting tools, designing new ones, implementing and tuning them in pilot stations.
    • a roll out phase – bringing all tools and coaching to the individual stations
    • a continuous communication effort creating and maintaining interest and a positive atmosphere around Lean
  • Installation of Continuous –sustainable- Improvement, through:
    • strict performance follow up (KPI tool + Store evaluation tool designed by CSI)
    • local and EU permanent “Lean” staff
    • the creation of an internal “Lean” Network leveraging best practices

Main challenges

Dealing with the people aspect of change on all levels (management, local teams, employees in the field) was the main challenge:

  • Coaching and skill building
  • Overcoming resistance to change
  • Ensuring continued motivation throughout the organisation
  • Changing behavior
  • Dealing with cultural diversity of 8 countries
  • Ensuring project management rigor and perseverance