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 OCT / NOV 2008 - Inside Retailing Magazine – “Super Supply Chain”“Learn how Super Cheap Auto used industry-leading approaches to overhaul its supply chain…” Super Cheap Auto’s Chief Operating Officer, David Ajala, is interviewed about how the company funded tremendous growth from operating cash flow, versus debt, and subsequently outperformed the industry during a retail downturn. GRA worked with Super Cheap to help them adopt leading demand planning techniques, optimise their inventories and upskill their planning team.
OCT / NOV 2008 - Inside Retailing Magazine – “Chain Changes”“In a climate of tight credit, rising input costs and economic concerns, supply chain efficiency can be a key source of competitive advantage.” Inside Retailing’s managing editor, Jasmine Smith, talks to GRA’s Carter McNabb.
AUG 2008 - TandLnews.com.au – “ORion-PI lands in Australia”“Supply chain consulting firm GRA has announced the launch of ORion-PI, an internationally adopted supply chain optimisation tool, into the Australian market." "The ORion-PI program has been developed by the German firm Axxom Software AG, and is utilised by a range of global businesses including Adidas, BMW, DuPont, Avon, GlaxoSmithKline and Siemens." "GRA partner Carter McNabb said the introduction of the system is expected to boost the supply chain optimisation market in Australia, which has been lagging behind."... Click 'ORion-PI Lands In Australia' to read the entire article at tandlnews.com.au or download a copy below.
JULY 2008 - Fast Thinking Magazine – “From Cost to Advantage”“Over the last ten years in Australia, supply chain management has started to transition from the back office to the boardroom. Historically seen as a ‘necessary evil’ or simply part of the ‘cost of doing business’, supply chain was the realm of trucks, warehouses and burly men in fluorescent safety vests." "But this is changing and changing fast. Leading organisations have recognised that effective supply chain management can boost performance ratios such as Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) by reducing operating costs, increasing asset turnover and improving customer service levels." Click 'Supply Chain From Cost to Advantage' to view on your browser, or download the print magazine version below.
FEB / MAR 2008 - Logistics Magazine – “Making performance measurement digestible”“There have been vast tomes written on performance measurement frameworks, the characteristics of a good performance measure, sales & operations planning (S&OP) and the like. So rather than attempting a comprehensive dissertation on performance measurement that fits neatly on a single page, following are some readily digestible, low kilojoule tips for the day. Happy snacking!” GRA’s Carter McNabb is the author of this 'Expert's Note' on supply chain performance measurement frameworks. Click 'Supply Chain Performance Measurement'to view in your browser, or download the print magazine version below.
FEB 2008 - CIO Germany – “Aussies to watch”"GRA offers supply chain consulting, professional services, and advanced planning systems across a broad range of industries. The company's clients include many of Australia's leading organizations in industries such as manufacturing, distribution, fast-moving consumer goods, defense, and service parts/repair. GRA typically works with capital-intensive companies across industries throughout the Asia/Pacific region." FEB 2008 - TandLnews – “GRA becomes a UNICEF Champion for children”"UNICEF is the United Nations Children’s Fund, the world’s leading advocate for children. UNICEF is non-political and works in over 150 countries to make a lasting difference to the lives of women and children around the world." JAN 2008 - MHD Magazine– “Supply chain network simulation and optimisation – a review”Supply chain modelling and optimisation provide opportunities for assessing and choosing amongst strategic options in a risk-free environment, driving business value through cost reduction and managing supply chain risks. Practitioners who are not using simulation/optimisation techniques are potentially missing significant opportunities to improve competitiveness, making longer term supply chain investment decisions without all the facts and/or exposing themselves to unforeseen yet real-world risks. Those who use supply chain modelling and optimisation techniques however are able to make informed investment decisions, capitalise on competitive opportunities and mitigate supply chain risks. GRA’s Alan Denton is the author of this review on supply chain network simulation and optimisation.
DEC 2007 - Rust Report – “Pressure on users boosts GRA”"Marketplace pressures have provided a mini-boom for Victorian consulting firm GRA. The company has recently been awarded contracts to implement its GAINS demand, inventory, and supply chain planning system for Mitre 10, Super Cheap Auto, Atlas Speciality Metals, Wesfarmers Industry and Safety (Blackwoods), and Honda (Motor Vehicle) Australia." "We are increasingly finding companies are under intense pressure to reduce operating costs and increase cash flow to gain a competitive edge. One obvious way to achieve this is to reduce inventories, but the key is to do it whilst simultaneously improving service levels," claimed Carter McNabb, GRA partner. Read the newsletter at Rust Report online.
NOV 2007 - Logistics Magazine Online – “Wesfarmers Industrial & Safety’s rapid re-alignment”"When WIS embarked on the improvement of its range about 18 months ago, it soon became clear to national logistics manager Simon Moore that the company needed to resource its supply chain, starting with the alignment of logistics strategy to its sales and marketing strategy..." Later in the article Simon Moore says, “We’re currently well into the implementation of a high end forecasting and planning system.” The ‘high end forecasting and planning system’ referenced in the article is GRA’s advanced planning and forecasting system GAINS. Read the full article at Logistics Magazine online or download the article below.
NOV 2007 - Logistics Magazine Online – “GAINS purchased by big hitters”"Mitre 10, Super Cheap Auto, Atlas Speciality Metals, Wesfarmers Industrial and Safety (Blackwoods) and Honda (Motor Vehicle) Australia have all recently implemented GRA’s demand, inventory, supply chain planning and optimisation tool GAINS."
NOV 2007 - Supply Chain Review Online – “GRA ropes in five more retailers for its supply chain tool”"'GRA has added five big retailers to its GAINS supply chain software platform."
APRIL 2007 - Logistics Magazine – “Goals: Setting out the path before setting out”"We all know that goals are essential for projects or change initiatives. Goals are meant to provide clear direction and certainly can if defined
properly. As such, it’s worth investing a bit of time up front to make sure our goals achieve that aim."
FEB 2007 - Logistics Magazine - GRA Wins Mercury Award"The Mercury Awards panel of judges agreed that GRA has distinguished itself as a sophisticated
supply chain technology consultant, with particular expertise in the field of advanced planning and supply chain optimisation.
In particular, the innovative use of the company's GAINS planning tool to reduce Super Cheap Auto’s inventory by 12% and
generate a $12 million benefit to operating cash flow as part of the FOSIL Project, was an exceptional achievement in a difficult
retail climate."
DEC 2006 - Logistics Magazine - Retail Demand Planning Article Five: “Delivering The Benefits of Store Level Forecasting”This article, authored by GRA's Luke Tomkin, details some of the key requirements in successfully delivering bottom-up demand planning, by examining appropriate planning
system capabilities and business process design tailored for the retail environment.
DEC 2006 - Logistics Magazine - Top 30 Supply Chains "Leading Vision"Logistics Magazine editor, Anna Game-Lopata, asks GRA’s Carter McNabb and other supply chain experts how superior supply chains are achieved.
NOV 2006 - Logistics Magazine - Technology Application Mercury Finalists announcedGRA's GAINS project with client Super Cheap Auto is a finalist in the Mercury Awards for 2006.
NOV 2006 - The Sydney Morning Herald - Special Report: Careers in Transport, Logistics and Supply Chain – The Sydney Morning HeraldGRA's Carter McNabb is interviewed by SMH journalist about trends in Supply Chain and Logistics careers.
OCT 2006 - Logistics Magazine - Retail Demand Planning Article Four: "Letting Sales at Stores drive the Supply Chain"The merits of customer demand driven planning underpinned by store level or ‘Bottom Up’ forecasting are discussed by GRA's Luke Tomkin.
SEPT 2006 - The Australian – “Stock Push Makes Order of Chaos”The Problem: car parts supplier Super Cheap Auto had millions of dollars worth of working capital tied up in excess inventory in its stores and supply chain. The Process: staff were trained in managing inventory, business systems were updated and demand management software was installed. The Result: the group freed up $12 million in working capital last financial year and expects to reap another $6 million in extra revenue next year.
AUG 2006 - Super Cheap Auto Group announcement and presentation to the Australian Stock ExchangeIn 2005 GRA's advanced planning system GAINS went live at Super Cheap, some impressive results are now being delivered. Managing Director Peter Birtles announced the Group’s annual results to the Australian Stock Exchange, including inventory reductions of more than 10% per store, increased service levels and greater cash flow.
AUG 2006 - Super Cheap Auto Group Presentation to the Australian Stock ExchangeReduced inventory investment across Super Cheap has not only improved the company’s in-store stock position, but generated a $12million benefit from an operating cash flow perspective. "From a balance sheet perspective, the key take-aways are our significant reduction in inventory per store number, down to below $500,000 per store, and that’s resulted from our continuous improvement in relation to our supply chain area and in particular our forecasting and replenishing systems. The key point to note there is that we’ve actually improved our in-stock position while managing down our overall inventory level." (11:25 minute on audio).
JUL 2006 - Super Cheap Auto Group announcement to the Australian Stock ExchangeThe growth story continues at Super Cheap Auto Group with:
JUL 2006 - Logistics Magazine - Retail Demand Planning, Article Three: “Top Down”In this third article, the Top Down approach is examined; why one of its principal allures – its simplistic approach to demand
planning – creates complexity, inefficiencies, and additional workload throughout the distribution network. Specifically, this article
looks at how Top Down forecasting influences a business’ ability to: i) purchase the right stock into the business and ii) replenish the
right stock to stores.
MAY / JUN 2006 - MHD Magazine – "Advancing Health""In 2001, SPS (Symbion Pharmacy Services) initiated a software evaluation and selection process to enhance their forecasting and planning capabilities.
GAINS, a demand, inventory and supply chain planning system was selected and implemented. The aim was to equip the business with the ability to
optimally balance capital, costs, capacity and customer service levels. What did it achieve? Inventories reduced by 26% whilsts first-fill service
levels (excluding manufacturer stock-outs) increased from 96% to more than 97%. Noting that inventories are a significant item on the balance sheet,
the inventory reduction boosted return on assets (ROA) whilst freeing up capital, and the increase in stock turns improved supply chain efficiency.
Forecast accuracy has also improved markedly. SPS is now managing by exception and operating with less inventory, improved service levels and lower costs.
That's the bottom line, and it’s a good result, particularly because it is sustainable."
MAY 2006 - Logistics Magazine - Retail Demand Planning Article Two: "A Tough Sell"This second article, A Tough Sell, outlines some of the demand planning challenges that are common across retail businesses.
These challenges can be so daunting that they often halt demand planning evolution within a business, preventing the process advancement required to
continually improve performance.
APR 2006 - Logistics Magazine - Retail Demand Planning Article One: “What fits best?”Few would argue that demand planning directly and significantly impacts retail business profitability. Just think, how often can
missed sales or excess inventory holdings – leading to lost revenue and wasted investment – be traced back to poor forecasting? This article,
the first in a series examining Retail Demand Planning, looks at the various approaches to employing effective demand planning processes in a
retail environment.
FEB 2006 - Super Cheap Auto Group reports 17.1% growth and improvement in inventory levels and out of stock levelsGRA's advanced planning system GAINS was implemented at Super Cheap Auto in 2005. The new system has improved visibility, reduced inventory levels and increased service levels. Managing Director Peter Birtles stated in this Australian Stock Exchange release "Gross margins have improved, and costs have been well controlled. We are also encouraged by our management of inventory with both average inventory per store and out of stocks reducing as our teams capitalise on our investment in forecasting and replenishment systems."
FEB 2006 - Logistics Magazine - Editor’s Choice: GAINS ERP ApplicationLogistics Magazine selected the new GAINS’ enterprise resource planning (ERP) integration application for Editor's choice for February 2006.
JAN 2006 - Super Cheap Auto Group announces 14.3% increase in 1st half salesIn 2005 GRA's advanced planning system GAINS went live at Super Cheap, some impressive results are now being delivered. The new system has improved visibility, reduced inventory levels and increased service levels. Managing Director Bob Thorn said "We are particularly pleased that despite these tough retail conditions, we have been able to maintain margins and reduce our inventory investment whilst improving our in-stock position in store."
SEP 2005 - The Australian - "Vital links in the chain"With increasingly complex global markets it is imperative that supply chains are optimised to maximise competitive advantage. The Australian asked GRA how companies should take advantage of their international supply chain.
JUL 2005 - FMN - "Qantas: savings of 15% from GRA"GRA worked with Snap Fresh, a subsidiary of Qantas, to achieve some significant supply chain savings as reported in Food Management News.
NOV 2004 - The Financial Review - "Mix and match to gain best solution"This article discusses the best-of-breed technology versus a single vendor solution.
OCT 2004 - The Financial Review - "Super Cheap sets supply reform"Super Cheap Auto's Managing Director Bob Thorn, talks to the Financial Review about expectations for the the implementation of advanced planning system GAINS. He quotes goals for the new system.
SEPT 2003 - MHD - "The impact of Globalisation on the Australian Supply Chain"The flow of goods across national boundaries has never been greater. Reducing tariffs and the homogenisation of foreign investment and trade policy provides companies with new opportunities. Inexorably, these changes are intertwined with changes to supply chains, and, for each nation, the trend of this change is dependent upon the country’s economic environment. Carter McNabb looks at the effects on Australian enterprises.
"Inventory Chain Optimisation The Next Dimension for Supply Chain Management" - Achieving Supply Chain Excellence: A Thought Leadership Project for Montgomery ResearchMany firms have invested time and money in a variety of technologies to increase corporate return on investments. These systems have enabled management to make better and more timely decisions, but this has still in many cases resulted in only modest reductions in inventory levels. The ability to quickly reduce such inventories gives management a great opportunity to quickly increase ROI.
JUL 1999 – AMR Research - "GAINSystems: Optimized Inventories Are your Gain"The mantras of Supply Chain Management (SCM) disciples have long been ‘down with all inventory waste’ and 'eliminate all inventories at any cost and take no prisoners.' Among the many SCM vendors that support these principles by attacking inventory waste primarily through more accurate planning and reductions in cycle times, GAINSystems is somewhat different. It is one of the Inventory Management (IM) vendors that accepts that inventory is needed because of the volatility and uncertainty in demand/supply and helps its customers get maximum use of their inventory assets. GAINS, a vendor that started out as an operations research consulting firm, came in to brief us on its continuing repositioning efforts to move toward a more product-based, rather than project-based, business.
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  Symbion Pharmacy Services leads the way in supply chain optimisation – MHD MagazineOne of Australia's largest pharmaceutical companies, Symbion Pharmacy Services, successfully implemented GAINS and achieved the following market-leading
results: inventories reduced by 26%, service levels increased while supply chain efficiency improved.
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