Steve Cosgrove has been appointed by UK based Entec International to lead a major MRO project in Africa for its client, a global leader in alcoholic beverages.
The project, known as Project Fulcrum, commenced two years ago for the leading distiller in Ghana, with Entec providing an MRO supply chain optimisation service; procuring MRO demand from multiple global suppliers, consolidating weekly shipments to their manufacturing operations and standardizing parts references. Now Entec are fully embedded as partners and the client is ready to transition from the ‘lite’ version to embracing the ‘full’ Project Fulcrum service.
Steve has been recruited as Project Manager: Implementation & Integrated Supply, to drive the project forward, moving Entec from operating as the single source for imported spares, to partnering with the client in managing its stores and optimizing held inventory. Entec will be responsible for driving best practices, introducing six sigma, 5S and ISO 55000 standard asset management processes as part of the service.
Steve will be working with the client to deliver the project to its own operational excellence team.
Commenting on his new role, Steve says, “Since joining Entec this summer, my primary goal has been to drive Project Fulcrum across the multiple sites in Africa. This is a marked change for the relationship between us as we move from being a ‘simple’ supplier, to a fully integrated partner. Project Fulcrum is designed to take the cost of the product away from being the focus when deciding on supply, looking at the overall cost of ownership by managing new spend and, even more importantly, stock control.”
He adds, “Quite simply, a supplier will sell a customer as much as they want to buy; whereas an integrated partner will work with a client to profile their stock to ensure that product is not purchased unless needed. This is particularly prevalent in markets such as Africa where stock on shelves can quickly deteriorate in the hot climate and become worthless despite the balance sheet showing millions of Euros of stock.”
“As well as P&L savings, Entec will ensure Fulcrum delivers millions in terms of cost avoidance and cash benefit for our client. I’m looking forward to the coming months as we follow our comprehensive implementation plan at multiple sites across Africa and benefit all partners in this project.”
Director of Entec International Mike Robinson added, “This is an important development in our 25-year client relationship. Under ‘Project Fulcrum’ Entec will move from a margin-applied business model to a fee-based service, as we increase our value to the client by improving cost of goods, optimising stock and matching supply and demand.”
Before joining Entec International, Steve spent 10 years with Brammer, Buck & Hickman, most recently as Director of Vendor Managed Services.
