Regardless of Brexit's outcome, UK businesses should prepare operations for new regulations, new registrations and new processes. In preparation for this, ACCO UK formed a project team comprised of members of the firm's sales, operations, supply chain, and marketing departments. The aim was to help to identify and minimise any potential consequences that Brexit could have on their supply chain and delivery of ACCO Brands to its customers.
ACCO UK produces 80 per cent of its own products and has long done so in factories based in Poland, Portugal, and Belgium. Its presence across Europe has enabled ACCO UK to operate in close proximity to its customers, control and maintain high production quality, and keep the supply chain short, flexible, and reliable. The project team's attention has been focused on ensuring this continues, no matter how the UK chooses to proceed with Brexit.
ACCO UK's main priority has always been and will continue to be the customer, its channel partners. The first tangible move was mapping out the firm's current supply chain model and preparing for every potential outcome of Brexit that could impact customer operations.
As a result, the firm embarked on a large-scale stock building project, which is complete. The supplier now boasts healthy stock levels of its entire 4,500 strong product portfolio range, available in a warehouse in Halesowen in the UK. With its own fleet, ACCO UK is ensuring swift and reliable delivery from within the UK.
Mark Wilkinson, Regional Vice President – UK & Ireland, ACCO Brands EMEA said, "for most organisations, it is impossible to know what form a supply chain will take in the months to come. At ACCO UK, we have taken measures, so we are prepared to respond to any challenges that Brexit may have on business proceedings. We have been able to ensure that we have the systems in place so that whatever the outcome, ACCO UK can continue to support our channel partners so that they, in turn, can deliver our products to their customers."
Sam Ludlow, Customer Service & Operations Director, UK & Ireland, ACCO Brands EMEA added, "the projected exit from the EU has the potential to bring large-scale change within business, causing challenges to the supply chain. ACCO UK has benefitted from early and effective scenario planning, combined with analysis of the potential impacts of a post-Brexit economy. We are entirely confident that we have the secure infrastructure in place to adapt to the changing political landscape, and to remain competitive in this changing market."
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