Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Strategic Procurement for Mid-Size Agritech Company in Precision Farming
     Joseph Robinson    |    Procurement Strategy


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Procurement Strategy 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TLDR A mid-size agritech company faced rising raw material costs and declining operational efficiency due to outdated procurement processes, necessitating an optimized sourcing strategy. By implementing new frameworks and technologies, the company successfully reduced procurement costs by 15% and increased market share by 10%, highlighting the importance of Strategic Procurement and Technology Adoption in achieving operational goals.

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Consider this scenario: A mid-size agritech company specializing in precision farming is facing internal and external challenges with its sourcing strategy and strategic procurement strategy.

The company has experienced a 20% increase in raw material costs due to supply chain disruptions and a 15% decrease in operational efficiency due to outdated procurement processes. The primary strategic objective is to optimize their procurement strategy to improve cost efficiency and supply chain resilience.



This organization is a mid-size agritech company specializing in precision farming technology. To properly diagnose the underlying issues, we would need to dive deeper into the root causes of its challenges. The company's reliance on outdated procurement processes and inability to adapt to supply chain disruptions have significantly impacted its cost efficiency and operational effectiveness.

Competitive Landscape

The precision farming industry is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements and increasing demand for sustainable agriculture solutions.

We begin our analysis by analyzing the primary forces driving the industry:

  • Internal Rivalry: Internal rivalry is high due to numerous competitors ranging from established agritech firms to innovative startups.
  • Supplier Power: Supplier power is moderate, with a few key suppliers dominating the market for specialized farming equipment.
  • Buyer Power: Buyer power is high, as customers have access to a wide range of alternatives and can easily switch suppliers.
  • Threat of New Entrants: The threat of new entrants is moderate, with barriers to entry being relatively low due to advancements in technology.
  • Threat of Substitutes: The threat of substitutes is low, as precision farming technology offers unique benefits that are not easily replicated by traditional farming methods.

Emergent trends in the industry include the increasing adoption of IoT and AI technologies in farming, and a growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental impact. Major changes in industry dynamics:

  • Adoption of IoT and AI: Creating opportunities for data-driven decision making, but requires investment in new technology and training.
  • Emphasis on Sustainability: Offers potential for differentiation but necessitates compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Consolidation of Suppliers: Could lead to reduced bargaining power but may also streamline procurement processes.

PESTLE analysis shows political stability in key markets, economic pressures from rising costs, social trends toward sustainable agriculture, technological advancements driving industry change, legal requirements for environmental compliance, and environmental factors influencing farming practices.

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Internal Assessment

The organization has strong technical expertise and a dedicated team but faces challenges with outdated procurement processes and supply chain inefficiencies.

SWOT Analysis

The organization's strengths include technical expertise in precision farming and a dedicated team. Opportunities exist in adopting new technologies and expanding into new markets. Weaknesses are outdated procurement processes and supply chain inefficiencies. Threats include rising costs and increasing competition.

Digital Transformation Analysis

The company has yet to fully embrace Digital Transformation in its procurement processes. Investing in advanced procurement software and data analytics could streamline operations and improve decision-making. However, this will require significant investment in both technology and employee training.

Value Chain Analysis

The company's value chain shows inefficiencies in procurement and logistics. Optimizing these areas could lead to significant cost savings and operational improvements. Attention to upstream supplier relationships and downstream customer needs is crucial to enhancing overall value delivery.

Strategic Initiatives

The leadership team formulated strategic initiatives based on the comprehensive understanding gained from the previous industry analysis and internal capability assessment, outlining specific, actionable steps that align with the strategic plan's objectives over a 3-5 year horizon to drive growth by 15% over the next 24 months .

  • Procurement Strategy Optimization: Implement advanced procurement software to streamline processes and improve cost efficiency. The source of value creation is the reduction in procurement costs and enhanced supplier relationships. This will require investment in new technology and employee training.
  • Expansion into New Markets: Enter new geographical areas where precision farming is gaining traction. The strategic goal is to increase market share and revenue. This will require market research, local partnerships, and regulatory compliance efforts.
  • Adoption of IoT and AI Technologies: Integrate IoT and AI into farming solutions to offer data-driven decision-making tools. The intended impact is to improve farming efficiency and customer satisfaction. Required resources include technology investment and R&D efforts.
  • Sustainability Initiatives: Develop and promote sustainable farming practices to meet regulatory standards and market demand. The source of value creation is the ability to differentiate from competitors and meet customer expectations. This requires investment in sustainable technologies and compliance efforts.

Procurement Strategy Implementation 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.


Tell me how you measure me, and I will tell you how I will behave.
     – Eliyahu M. Goldratt

  • Procurement Cost Savings: Measure the reduction in procurement costs to gauge the effectiveness of the new procurement strategy.
  • Market Share Growth: Track the increase in market share in new geographical areas to assess expansion success.
  • Customer Satisfaction Score: Evaluate customer satisfaction to ensure the adoption of new technologies meets market needs.
  • Operational Efficiency: Measure improvements in operational efficiency to determine the impact of digital transformation initiatives.

These KPIs will provide insights into the effectiveness of the strategic initiatives and help identify areas for further improvement. Regular monitoring will ensure alignment with strategic objectives.

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Stakeholder Management

Success of the strategic initiatives hinges on the involvement and support of both internal and external stakeholders, including procurement teams, technology partners, and regulatory bodies.

  • Procurement Team: Responsible for implementing and managing the new procurement strategy.
  • Technology Partners: Provide the necessary technology and support for Digital Transformation.
  • Market Research Team: Conducts research to identify new market opportunities.
  • Regulatory Bodies: Ensure compliance with legal and environmental standards.
  • Customers: Provide feedback on new technologies and initiatives.
Stakeholder GroupsRACI
Procurement Team
Technology Partners
Market Research Team
Regulatory Bodies
Customers

We've only identified the primary stakeholder groups above. There are also participants and groups involved for various activities in each of the strategic initiatives.

Learn more about Stakeholder Management Change Management Focus Interviewing Workshops Supplier Management

Procurement Strategy Best Practices

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

Procurement Strategy Deliverables

These are a selection of deliverables across all the strategic initiatives.

  • Strategic Procurement Plan (PPT)
  • Market Expansion Strategy Roadmap (PPT)
  • Technology Adoption Framework (PPT)
  • Operational Efficiency Improvement Model (Excel)
  • Sustainability Initiatives Report (PPT)

Explore more Procurement Strategy deliverables

Procurement Strategy Optimization

The implementation team leveraged several established business frameworks to help with the analysis and implementation of this initiative, including the Kraljic Matrix and the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis. The Kraljic Matrix is a strategic tool used to segment the supply base and prioritize procurement efforts based on risk and profitability. It was particularly useful in this context because it helped the organization identify key suppliers and allocate resources effectively. The team followed this process:

  • Classified all procurement items into four categories: strategic, leverage, bottleneck, and non-critical.
  • Analyzed the supply risk and profit impact for each category to prioritize procurement efforts.
  • Developed tailored procurement strategies for each category, focusing on strategic partnerships for high-risk, high-impact items.

Additionally, the team deployed the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) framework to gain a comprehensive understanding of the long-term costs associated with procurement decisions. TCO analysis was useful because it allowed the organization to consider not just the purchase price but also the operational, maintenance, and disposal costs. The team followed this process:

  • Identified all cost components associated with each procurement item, including acquisition, operation, maintenance, and end-of-life costs.
  • Collected data on each cost component from internal records and supplier information.
  • Calculated the TCO for each procurement item and compared it against alternatives to make informed decisions.

The implementation of the Kraljic Matrix and TCO analysis led to more informed and strategic procurement decisions, resulting in a 15% reduction in procurement costs and improved supplier relationships.

Expansion into New Markets

The implementation team leveraged several established business frameworks to help with the analysis and implementation of this initiative, including the CAGE Distance Framework and the VRIO Framework. The CAGE Distance Framework is a tool used to assess the cultural, administrative, geographic, and economic distances between countries. It was particularly useful in this context because it helped the organization identify the most attractive markets for expansion based on various distance factors. The team followed this process:

  • Analyzed potential target markets based on cultural, administrative, geographic, and economic distances from the home market.
  • Identified markets with the least distance and the highest potential for success.
  • Developed market entry strategies tailored to the unique characteristics of each target market.

Additionally, the team deployed the VRIO Framework to assess the organization's internal resources and capabilities. The VRIO Framework was useful because it helped the organization determine which resources and capabilities could provide a sustainable competitive advantage in new markets. The team followed this process:

  • Identified key resources and capabilities within the organization.
  • Evaluated each resource and capability based on value, rarity, imitability, and organization.
  • Developed strategies to leverage valuable, rare, and hard-to-imitate resources in the new markets.

The implementation of the CAGE Distance Framework and VRIO Framework led to a successful market entry strategy, resulting in a 10% increase in market share and revenue growth in the new markets.

Adoption of IoT and AI Technologies

The implementation team leveraged several established business frameworks to help with the analysis and implementation of this initiative, including the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) Framework and the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI). The TOE Framework is a comprehensive tool used to analyze the technological, organizational, and environmental contexts that influence technology adoption. It was particularly useful in this context because it provided a holistic view of the factors affecting the adoption of IoT and AI technologies. The team followed this process:

  • Assessed the organization's technological readiness, including existing infrastructure and technical expertise.
  • Evaluated organizational factors such as leadership support, culture, and resource availability.
  • Analyzed environmental factors, including market trends, regulatory requirements, and competitive pressures.

Additionally, the team deployed the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) to assess and improve the organization's processes. CMMI was useful because it provided a structured approach to process improvement and helped the organization achieve higher levels of process maturity. The team followed this process:

  • Conducted a maturity assessment to identify the current level of process maturity.
  • Developed a roadmap for process improvement based on the assessment results.
  • Implemented process improvements and monitored progress to achieve higher maturity levels.

The implementation of the TOE Framework and CMMI led to successful adoption of IoT and AI technologies, resulting in a 20% improvement in farming efficiency and enhanced customer satisfaction.

Sustainability Initiatives

The implementation team leveraged several established business frameworks to help with the analysis and implementation of this initiative, including the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) and the Natural Step Framework. The Triple Bottom Line (TBL) is a sustainability framework that considers social, environmental, and economic impacts. It was particularly useful in this context because it helped the organization develop a balanced approach to sustainability. The team followed this process:

  • Assessed the social, environmental, and economic impacts of current farming practices.
  • Identified areas for improvement in each of the three dimensions.
  • Developed sustainability initiatives that balanced social, environmental, and economic goals.

Additionally, the team deployed the Natural Step Framework to guide the organization's sustainability efforts. The Natural Step Framework was useful because it provided a science-based approach to sustainability and helped the organization align its practices with sustainable principles. The team followed this process:

  • Conducted a baseline assessment to understand the organization's current sustainability performance.
  • Developed a vision for a sustainable future based on the framework's principles.
  • Created an action plan to transition towards sustainable practices.

The implementation of the Triple Bottom Line and Natural Step Framework led to the development of effective sustainability initiatives, resulting in improved compliance with regulatory standards and enhanced market differentiation.

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Key Findings and Results

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

  • Reduced procurement costs by 15% through the implementation of the Kraljic Matrix and Total Cost of Ownership analysis.
  • Achieved a 10% increase in market share and revenue growth in new geographical areas by leveraging the CAGE Distance Framework and VRIO Framework.
  • Improved farming efficiency by 20% and enhanced customer satisfaction through the adoption of IoT and AI technologies, guided by the TOE Framework and CMMI.
  • Enhanced sustainability practices, resulting in better compliance with regulatory standards and market differentiation, using the Triple Bottom Line and Natural Step Framework.

The overall results of the initiative indicate a successful implementation of the strategic objectives. The 15% reduction in procurement costs and the 10% increase in market share are significant achievements that demonstrate the effectiveness of the new procurement strategy and market expansion efforts. The 20% improvement in farming efficiency and enhanced customer satisfaction underscore the positive impact of adopting IoT and AI technologies. However, there were areas where the results were subpar. For instance, while sustainability initiatives improved regulatory compliance and market differentiation, the report does not quantify the direct financial benefits, suggesting that the economic impact may not have been as substantial as anticipated. Additionally, the initial investment in technology and training was higher than expected, which may have strained financial resources. Alternative strategies, such as phased technology implementation or seeking external funding for sustainability projects, could have mitigated these challenges and enhanced overall outcomes.

For next steps, it is recommended to continue monitoring the procurement strategy to ensure sustained cost savings and to explore further optimization opportunities. Expanding the use of IoT and AI technologies across more operational areas could yield additional efficiency gains. It is also advisable to quantify the financial impact of sustainability initiatives more rigorously to better assess their economic value. Finally, consider a phased approach to future technology investments to manage costs more effectively and ensure a smoother transition for employees. Regular stakeholder engagement and feedback will be crucial to refining these strategies and maintaining alignment with the company's strategic objectives.


 
Joseph Robinson, New York

Operational Excellence, Management Consulting

The development of this case study was overseen by Joseph Robinson. Joseph is the VP of Strategy at Flevy with expertise in Corporate Strategy and Operational Excellence. Prior to Flevy, Joseph worked at the Boston Consulting Group. He also has an MBA from MIT Sloan.

To cite this article, please use:

Source: Strategic Sourcing Plan for Textile Mills in Emerging Markets, Flevy Management Insights, Joseph Robinson, 2024


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