What We Do
Examples
Representative examples of the work we do and the results we deliver for our clients.
OPERATIONS IMPROVEMENT
Private Equity Retailer Performance Improvement
The Challenge
A private equity-owned omni-channel retailer was experiencing financial and operational performance that was heading in the wrong direction.
Our Approach
True North evaluated the business and developed a roadmap addressing opportunities across DC slotting and processes, sourcing and vendor management, inventory management, store receiving and stocking, and returns processing.
The Outcome
Quantified more than $25 million in annual cost reduction opportunities, greater than 8% of revenue, and provided the roadmap to achieve those benefits.
FULFILLMENT STRATEGY
Multi-Channel Retail Fulfillment Strategy
The Challenge
A private-label, multi-channel retailer located in the Northeast U.S. needed an overall fulfillment strategy to support an explosive growth curve.
Our Approach
True North developed the fulfillment strategy and, as part of its execution, led an RFP process for a 3PL partner covering distribution center operations and outbound transportation, including daily deliveries to the client's retail stores. The distribution center scope was approximately 600,000 square feet.
The Outcome
Completed the 3PL selection process and selected the partner to support the client's growing business.
3PL & TECHNOLOGY
Startup Retail 3PL and Systems Implementation
The Challenge
A startup omni-channel retail CPG business needed the logistics and technology infrastructure required to support its operation.
Our Approach
True North conducted an end-to-end 3PL search resulting in partner selection, provided IT systems design and implementation assistance, and performed EDI partner selection and implementation assistance.
The Outcome
Selected the required partners and supported implementation of the logistics, systems, and EDI capabilities needed by the business.
3PL SELECTION
U.S. Market Entry for European Retailer
The Challenge
A large-scale European-based retailer preparing to open stores in the United States needed a 3PL partner to support its U.S. operations.
Our Approach
True North conducted an RFQ process to identify the best 3PL partner and supported the client through due diligence, evaluation, and contract negotiation.
The Outcome
The process resulted in a five-year contract agreement with the selected 3PL.
TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS
3PL Transformation for Industrial Products Company
The Challenge
A private equity-owned industrial products business needed to transform its logistics partner strategy in its largest cost category.
Our Approach
True North developed the logistics partner strategy and selected and implemented a new 3PL while upgrading the client's IT, processes, and customer service performance.
The Outcome
Delivered more than 15% annual transportation savings, approximately $2 million annually. Savings realization was nearly twice the client's expectation when True North was hired.
SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGY
$50M+ Supply Chain Transformation for Global Materials Manufacturer
The Challenge
Following a major acquisition, a global materials manufacturer needed to reduce costs and optimize its manufacturing and distribution footprint.
Our Approach
Conducted a comprehensive supply chain diagnostic, evaluated channel and logistics strategies, modeled network alternatives, and developed a transformation roadmap.
The Outcome
Identified more than $50 million in recurring annual benefits and established a clear path to improved efficiency, lower costs, and stronger supply chain performance.
SUPPLY CHAIN & OPERATIONS
Supply Chain Transformation for Regional Grocery Retailer
The Challenge
A major grocery retailer needed a supply chain strategy that could support growth and acquisitions while lowering operating costs and improving service.
Our Approach
Centralized purchasing and warehouse functions, implemented forecasting and demand-planning tools, established a corporate forward-buy strategy, and redesigned key supply chain processes.
The Outcome
Reduced landed costs by 12% in year one and 13.5% in year two, reduced purchasing overhead by 25%, improved store service levels, and supported significant growth while integrating acquisitions.
NETWORK & DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY
Self-Distribution Strategy for Convenience Retailer
The Challenge
A multi-billion-dollar convenience retailer needed to determine whether moving from wholesaler-based distribution toward self-distribution would create sufficient strategic and financial value.
Our Approach
Evaluated more than 30 strategic scenarios, analyzed supply chain economics and service implications, reverse-engineered distributor economics, developed future-state operating models, and created conceptual DC designs and implementation roadmaps.
The Outcome
Validated selective vertical integration with projected IRRs ranging from 10% to more than 50%, giving leadership a clear roadmap for transitioning key categories toward self-distribution.
SUPPLY CHAIN & OPERATIONS
$30M+ Transformation for High-Growth Retailer
The Challenge
A high-growth arts and crafts retailer needed to improve store productivity, inventory performance, and distribution effectiveness while supporting rapid growth.
Our Approach
Redesigned store ordering, replenishment, and receiving processes, reengineered product flows, and optimized utilization of distribution assets.
The Outcome
Reduced store labor requirements, lowered inventory investment, improved in-stock performance, and generated more than $30 million in annual savings.
PROCUREMENT & STRATEGIC SOURCING
Private Label Transformation for Regional Grocery Retailer
The Challenge
A large grocery retailer needed a unified private-label strategy capable of supporting multiple banners, customer segments, and markets.
Our Approach
Consolidated private-label brands, streamlined sourcing and packaging requirements, reduced supplier complexity, renegotiated supplier agreements, and diversified sourcing.
The Outcome
Reduced net landed costs by 8%–27%, improved product availability during commodity shortages, increased purchasing leverage, and established a scalable platform for future growth and acquisitions.
AI-ENABLED IMPROVEMENT / TECHNOLOGY
Order Management Transformation for Global Technology Manufacturer
The Challenge
A global technology manufacturer needed to improve order-management performance within a major sales channel.
Our Approach
Redesigned order-management processes and supporting systems, streamlined workflows, and strengthened operational controls.
The Outcome
Within 60 days, increased order-entry productivity by 26%, achieved order accuracy above 95%, and reduced open-order backlogs by more than 25%.
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT
$20M+ Value-Creation Opportunity for PE-Owned Retailer
The Challenge
A private-equity-owned omni-channel retailer needed to improve profitability and prepare the business for a future transaction.
Our Approach
Conducted a rapid assessment of supply chain and SG&A performance, identified major cost drivers, and developed a prioritized improvement roadmap.
The Outcome
Identified more than $20 million in annual savings opportunities and provided leadership with a practical roadmap for improving profitability and enterprise value.
DISTRIBUTION & FULFILLMENT
Distribution Transformation for Convenience Retailer
The Challenge
A leading convenience retailer needed to reduce supply chain costs while supporting a growing fresh-food strategy requiring more frequent store deliveries.
Our Approach
Analyzed end-to-end product flows, transportation operations, and fleet economics, redesigned the distribution model, optimized fresh and perishable product flows, and developed a private-fleet strategy.
The Outcome
Reduced total cost of ownership by approximately 7%, increased delivery frequency from twice weekly to daily, and improved freshness and product availability.
DISTRIBUTION & FULFILLMENT
Distribution Center Transformation for Automotive Aftermarket Distributor
The Challenge
One of North America's largest automotive refinishing-product distributors needed a new distribution center to improve responsiveness, reduce stockouts, and strengthen its competitive position.
Our Approach
Led the planning, design, implementation, and startup of the new facility while coordinating operational readiness and systems deployment.
The Outcome
Delivered the facility on time and on budget with no significant system defects. The operation exceeded planned volume expectations and enabled consolidation of satellite facilities six months ahead of schedule while improving customer service.
NETWORK & DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY
Growth Strategy for Agricultural & Horticultural Products Distributor
The Challenge
A distributor serving commercial growers and lawn-and-garden markets needed a supply chain strategy capable of supporting aggressive acquisition-driven growth and expansion toward a national footprint.
Our Approach
Evaluated acquisition opportunities, modeled future-state network alternatives, analyzed facility and transportation economics, and developed a phased expansion roadmap.
The Outcome
Enabled growth at approximately twice the original plan, minimized operational disruption, improved service performance, and optimized facility and transportation costs.
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