Papyrus
Industry
Retailer & Wholesaler of greeting cards and stationary
Size
Middle market
Expertise
Cost Mangagement
Assignment
MainStream Management was engaged by the Chairman of the Board as the company had not met earning expectations that the equity partners believed were possible. While profitable and growing, Papyrus experienced a slower ramp-up than expected in wholesale business to compensate for the loss of a major customer. In addition, inventory carrying costs were extremely high. Working with the Board of Directors, MainStream helped identify a number of specific financial targets. Also, a series of parameters were set in place to determine a successful outcome:
Papyrus needed to meet all of its future goals, including those established by their financial partners – no excuses;
A plan to deal with excessive inventory and dilution was absolutely necessary as both factors were robbing the company of cash.
Actions
A cross-functional group identified as key contributors by the Board of Directors were brought together and the CEO outlined the overall goals for the company. MainStream then conducted a four day cost reduction/business process improvement program bringing together specific actions Papyrus needed to take to control costs, reduce SKU’s, and eliminate excessive shrinkage in retail operations.
Results
At the end of the four day session, $8.0 million in potential savings had been identified, a level that was 30% above the stated goal. Savings were realized across the company and had an immediate (reduce seasonal inventory) impact through annual savings of SKU reductions, product design flow improvements and changing shipping methods to company owned retail locations.