The Client
A medium-sized manufacturer and distributor of medical equipment, focusing on the European market.

Main challenges

• Inadequate commercial strategy
• Inadequate product portfolio
• Overstaffing
• Financial losses
• Low morale

Approach
The restructuring program conducted by CDS took place over a period of around 18 months, and involved working with over 80 individuals from the client’s staff; this program covered the definition and implementation of the company’s strategy, as well as a full operational review.

Impact: selected results

• Definition of a new strategy and implementation of all associated strategic actions, including spin-off of non-core activities and overhauling the product portfolio
• Improvement of manufacturing processes
• Rationalization of relationships with suppliers
• Institutionalization at all levels

The client says …
The advice we received from CDS permitted us to clearly visualize our new strategy and the restructuring and reorganization we needed. This restructuring involved all departments, activities, functions and processes of our company.

After CDS performed a complete review of our product portfolio, it was decided to develop some products and discontinue others. Another result of the review was the spin-off of a primary metals and plastic workshop in favor of subcontracting a plant owned by 12 former factory workers. Both decisions were very significant on the strategic level.

Steps were also taken to overhaul the production system and assembly line, and to reorganize the stock system. Other changes initiated by CDS involved creating a new generation of products and obtaining quality certifications such as ISO9001 that authorized our company to sell products in Europe.

By reducing the number of suppliers and sub-contractors, CDS enabled us to negotiate better terms and conditions with the remaining suppliers. In addition, our marketing and sales force were reorganized and the structure revamped to include a profitable after-sales and spare parts service.

CDS made it easy for our management to implement these changes thanks to the seriousness and professionalism of its consultants. We also appreciated their practical vision and total involvement in the daily life of our company, as well as their contact with each member of our organization.

The above is only a short list of the actions our company took as defined and guided by CDS.

We are pleased to acknowledge our entire satisfaction with CDS. After its restructuring, our company has almost doubled its revenues and more than doubled its capital from retained earnings. Perhaps the best measure of the impact CDS has had on our organization is that on the French stock market where it is listed, our company is now valued at twenty times its original acquisition value.

President and CEO