Hi Tech, Communications and Electronics

Sponsored by Logistics Manager  

Winner: Telefónica O2 UK  

Shortlisted:
British Sky Broadcasting
Cisco
IBM Deutschland
Thomson (Thomson Connect)
THQ

Traditionally, the Hi-tech, Communications and Electronics category is the highest scoring sector, and this year certainly didn’t disappoint. Once again the top company in this category emerged as the Overall Winner.

The competition was tough with good entries from British Sky Broadcasting, IBM Deutschland, Thomson and THQ. But in the end, it came down to two excellent supply chains, with Telefónica O2 UK battling it out with past Overall Winner, Cisco. The judges thought IBM wasn’t too far behind, but it didn’t have the scope of the other two.

Cisco has been involved in a multi-faceted programme to improve service for customers, including improving the supply chain while adhering to fast-evolving environmental legislation, leveraging its supply chain in Europe to enter emerging markets, and driving down supply chain costs by centralising parts planning. The company has used Web 2.0 to drive down costs associated with their 3PL activity and transport. But in effect, this was a set programme of improvements – albeit very good ones.

However, it was Telefónica O2 UK’s complete redesign of its supply chain, on a global basis and across all businesses – involving people and processes in both forward and reverse supply chains – that just blew the judges away. “This supply chain transformation is leading the way in the Comms space, with its emphasis on customer service,” say the judges. By proactively managing the product portfolio and the end-to-end customer experience, Telefónica has reduced the cost of returns to the business, decreasing the average monthly cost by 16 per cent YTD 2009 versus 2008.

“The whole of their supply chain was designed around customer service,” say the judges. “They are leading the way in the Comms sector in reducing inventory, lead times and collaboration.” For the judges, this was a truly “excellent” supply chain transformation.

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From left: Dan King, publisher, Logistics Manager; Nick Lefever, general manager supply chain, Telefónica O2 UK; Jonathan Dimbleby.