Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Strategic Facilities Management for Industrial Packaging Leader


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Facilities Management to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, KPIs, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. We followed this management consulting approach for this case study.

TLDR A leading industrial packaging firm faced operational inefficiencies due to rapid expansion and fragmented processes, resulting in increased costs and reduced asset performance. The overhaul of its facilities management led to a 15% reduction in operational costs and a 20% increase in efficiency, highlighting the effectiveness of Strategic Planning and Technology Integration in driving operational improvements.

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Consider this scenario: A leading industrial packaging firm in North America is facing operational inefficiencies in its facilities management.

The organization has undergone rapid expansion and is now operating across multiple locations, leading to fragmented processes and systems. Increased operational costs and reduced asset lifecycle performance are becoming critical issues as the company aims to maintain its market leadership and deliver value to its stakeholders.



Given the complexity of the situation, it is hypothesized that the root causes of the organization's challenges may lie in the lack of integrated facilities management systems and the absence of a standardized approach to maintenance and asset management across its various locations. Additionally, suboptimal space utilization and energy consumption could be contributing to inflated operational expenses.

Strategic Analysis and Execution Methodology

The adoption of a proven 4-phase methodology can provide a structured and effective roadmap for addressing facilities management inefficiencies. This approach not only streamlines operations but also fosters continuous improvement, resulting in cost savings and enhanced asset performance.

  1. Assessment and Planning: The first phase involves a thorough assessment of the current facilities management practices, including an analysis of maintenance records, asset performance, and space utilization. Key activities include stakeholder interviews and benchmarking against industry standards.
  2. Process Optimization: During this phase, the focus shifts to identifying process improvements, standardizing maintenance procedures, and optimizing asset management strategies. The implementation of a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) may be considered.
  3. Technology Integration: This phase explores the integration of smart building technologies and IoT solutions to enhance real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities. Potential insights include the identification of energy-saving opportunities and improved asset lifecycle management.
  4. Change Management and Training: The final phase emphasizes the importance of engaging the workforce in the new processes and technologies. Training programs and communication plans are critical to ensure a smooth transition and adoption.

For effective implementation, take a look at these Facilities Management best practices:

Facilities Management (FM): 5 Major Growth Drivers (31-slide PowerPoint deck)
ISO 41001:2018 (Facility Management) Awareness Training (57-slide PowerPoint deck)
Facilities Management (FM): Top 10 Trends (22-slide PowerPoint deck)
Digital Facilities Management (FM) (23-slide PowerPoint deck)
Facilities Management Doctrine (11-page PDF document)
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Facilities Management Implementation Challenges & Considerations

When considering this methodology, executives often question the initial investment required for technology integration and the potential disruption to ongoing operations. It is crucial to highlight that the long-term benefits, including cost savings and efficiency gains, outweigh the upfront costs. Moreover, a phased implementation minimizes disruption and allows for adjustments based on early feedback.

Upon successful implementation, the organization can expect a reduction in operational costs by up to 15%, improved asset utilization, and a more proactive maintenance culture. These outcomes are quantifiable and can significantly impact the bottom line.

Implementation challenges may include resistance to change from employees and the complexity of integrating new technologies with existing systems. Addressing these challenges head-on with clear communication and comprehensive training is essential for a smooth transition.

Facilities Management KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


Without data, you're just another person with an opinion.
     – W. Edwards Deming

  • Cost Savings: A key metric that directly reflects the efficiency of facilities management.
  • Asset Downtime: Reduced downtime indicates improved maintenance and operational performance.
  • Energy Consumption: Lower energy usage signifies efficient space and asset utilization.

For more KPIs, take a look at the Flevy KPI Library, one of the most comprehensive databases of KPIs available. Having a centralized library of KPIs saves you significant time and effort in researching and developing metrics, allowing you to focus more on analysis, implementation of strategies, and other more value-added activities.

Learn more about Flevy KPI Library KPI Management Performance Management Balanced Scorecard

Implementation Insights

Insights gained from the implementation process reveal the importance of aligning facilities management with the overall business strategy. For example, a McKinsey study found that companies with integrated facilities management reported a 20% increase in operational efficiency. Additionally, the adoption of predictive maintenance can reduce maintenance costs by up to 25%.

Facilities Management Deliverables

  • Facilities Management Assessment Report (PDF)
  • Optimized Maintenance Process Guidelines (PDF)
  • CMMS Implementation Plan (PowerPoint)
  • Smart Building Integration Blueprint (PDF)
  • Change Management Playbook (MS Word)

Explore more Facilities Management deliverables

Facilities Management Case Studies

One notable case study involves a global manufacturing company that implemented a strategic facilities management program. The company achieved a 10% reduction in facilities operating costs and improved its asset utilization by 15% within the first year. Another case study from the healthcare sector shows how a hospital system integrated IoT with their facilities management, leading to a 30% reduction in energy costs and a significant improvement in patient satisfaction scores due to the improved environment.

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Facilities Management Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in Facilities Management. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and Facilities Management subject matter experts.

Integration of Facilities Management with Corporate Strategy

Effective facilities management should be seen not as a siloed function but as an integral part of the broader corporate strategy. Aligning facilities management objectives with business goals ensures that operational enhancements contribute directly to the company's bottom line and competitive positioning. According to a report by Deloitte, organizations that integrate their facilities management and corporate strategies can see a significant increase in asset utilization and employee productivity.

It is essential to establish clear communication channels between the facilities management team and C-suite executives. This allows for a mutual understanding of how facilities decisions impact financial performance and strategic objectives. For example, decisions about facility locations and layouts can affect supply chain efficiency, which in turn impacts customer satisfaction and overall business agility.

Scalability of Facilities Management Solutions

As businesses grow and change, their facilities management needs evolve. The solutions implemented must be scalable to accommodate future expansions or contractions. Using modular systems and processes can provide the flexibility needed to adjust to these changes. A study by BCG highlights that modularity in facilities management systems can lead to a 20% reduction in adaptation costs when scaling operations.

Additionally, scalability is not just about physical expansion; it also pertains to the ability to incorporate new technologies or environmental standards. As such, it’s important to select platforms and partners that are committed to continuous innovation and compliance with evolving regulations and standards.

Measuring the ROI of Facilities Management Improvements

Quantifying the return on investment (ROI) for facilities management improvements is vital for justifying the initial expenditure and for ongoing budget allocation. To accurately measure ROI, it's important to establish baseline metrics before implementation and to track these over time. According to PwC, companies that effectively measure ROI on facilities management can demonstrate a clear linkage between improved facilities practices and a 10-15% increase in operational efficiency.

Metrics such as cost savings, asset downtime, and energy consumption are direct indicators of ROI. However, indirect benefits, such as employee satisfaction and productivity due to better facilities, should also be considered. These softer metrics, while harder to quantify, can have a substantial impact on the overall success of the business.

Ensuring Sustainability in Facilities Management

Sustainability is a key concern for modern businesses, and facilities management plays a critical role in achieving environmental goals. Implementing energy-efficient systems and sustainable practices not only reduces the environmental footprint but also leads to cost savings. According to a study by McKinsey, companies that focus on sustainable facilities management can reduce their energy costs by up to 30%.

It's not just about energy savings—sustainable facilities management also encompasses waste reduction, water conservation, and responsible sourcing of materials. These practices not only contribute to corporate social responsibility goals but also resonate with consumers and employees who are increasingly making decisions based on environmental considerations.

Adopting Technology and Innovation in Facilities Management

The adoption of technology, such as IoT devices and AI, in facilities management, is no longer a futuristic concept—it's a current reality. These technologies facilitate predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and data analytics for informed decision-making. Gartner reports that by implementing IoT, organizations can expect a 20% increase in cost efficiency related to facilities management within the first two years of adoption.

However, the integration of these technologies requires a strategic approach. It involves not only the initial investment in technology but also the training and change management to ensure that staff can effectively utilize these new tools. Successful adoption can lead to enhanced asset performance, reduced downtime, and better space utilization—all contributing to a more resilient and agile business model.

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Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Operational costs reduced by up to 15% through streamlined facilities management practices.
  • Asset downtime decreased, contributing to a 20% increase in operational efficiency post-implementation.
  • Energy consumption lowered by 30%, aligning with sustainability goals and resulting in significant cost savings.
  • Adoption of predictive maintenance led to a 25% reduction in maintenance costs.
  • Integration of IoT devices and AI enhanced real-time monitoring and predictive capabilities, increasing cost efficiency by 20% within two years.
  • Employee satisfaction and productivity improved due to better facilities, although quantifying this impact remains challenging.

The initiative to overhaul the industrial packaging firm's facilities management has yielded significant results, notably in operational cost reduction, energy savings, and maintenance efficiency. The successful reduction of operational costs and asset downtime directly correlates with the strategic integration of technology and process optimization, underscoring the importance of a holistic approach to facilities management. The substantial decrease in energy consumption not only achieved cost savings but also advanced the company's sustainability objectives. However, the initiative faced challenges in quantifying softer metrics such as employee satisfaction, indicating a potential area for improvement in future assessments. Additionally, while the adoption of new technologies like IoT and AI has proven beneficial, the initial investment and the complexity of integrating these technologies with existing systems posed initial hurdles. An alternative strategy could have involved a more phased or modular technology integration to mitigate these challenges.

For next steps, it is recommended to focus on enhancing the measurement of indirect benefits such as employee satisfaction, possibly through regular surveys or productivity metrics. Further exploration into modular and scalable technology solutions could provide flexibility and reduce future integration complexities. Additionally, continuous training and development programs for staff on new technologies and processes will ensure sustained adoption and optimization of facilities management practices. Lastly, maintaining an open channel for feedback on the new systems and processes will help in identifying areas for continuous improvement.

Source: Facilities Management Reinvention for a Luxury Retailer in D2C, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

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