Business Chief Europe Magazine April 2015

SUPPLY CHAIN

For example , Arrow , one of Travis Perkins plc ’ s external providers , specialises in providing bespoke IT and telephony services for businesses in the UK , helping organisations to shape their telecom strategies as they transition to newer technology platforms . Arrow ’ s relationship with Travis Perkins plc spans 11 years and has developed into a close working partnership . Arrow not only supports Travis Perkins plc ’ s telephony infrastructure across all of their sites , but are currently rolling out a unique instore headset solution which will enhance overall customer experience as well as deliver productivity savings of 13 – 14 man days in store per week .

Smart concludes that a successful supply chain strategy depends on “ the ‘ Easy Supply of Product ’ and planning ahead to ensure this can be offered by all individual business units .” He continued , “ We have a general merchants division , which is different to the retail division , which is different to the plumbing and heating division for example . But ultimately , we need to ensure they all have quick and easy access to products through our supply chain and can pass the time and cost savings onto their customers . It comes down to understanding and working with the different business units , listening to what they and their customers are asking for , having an interpretation of what that might look like in five years ’ time and evaluating the investment required to enable us to deliver that .”

Business Chief Europe Magazine April 2015 | Page 89

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