References

StepChange Consulting was founded at the beginning of 2006 by experienced professionals with a strong track record in the industry. Despite the brevity of its history, StepChange Consulting has been able to put its footprint in the market and is working for some of the most respected names in the industry.

Our credentials range from forestry, via pulp and paper production, to converting and merchanting.

The following StepChange Consulting references represent an excerpt of our consulting experience and are available upon request:

Rapid Performance Improvement and Turnaround Management

Results: annual bottom & top-line improvements of 3-8%

• Performance improvement for European Paper merchant
• Turnaround for European kraft paper producer including national converting facilities
• Performance improvement for European converting plants
• Performance improvement for European envelop producer
• Performance improvement for several European recycled containerboard mills
• Different mill-wide organizational restructuring initiatives
• Different maintenance benchmarking and re-organization initiatives for European paper producer

Working Capital Management

Results: initiatives achieved 20-30% in working capital reduction

• Working capital reduction across multiple Pan-European corrugated paper mills & packaging plants
• Reduction of working capital for European coating company
• Reduction of working capital for an integrated European paper & packaging company

Supply Chain Strategy & Transformation

Results: Higher Service levels at lower costs

• Integrated (Sales & Operations) planning strategy development & implementation for a group of converting facilities
• Optimization of planning & scheduling processes for a packaging group
• Review of an integrated planning application for an integrated Pan-European paper producer
• Scenario modeling for cross-group logistics optimization and operational transport tendering

Wood Supply

Results: longer-term partnerships between customers & suppliers while reducing total costs

• End-to-end wood supply chain optimization of integrated European paper mill
• End-to-end wood supply chain & sourcing strategy for European pulp producer
• Feasibility study for cross-boarder wood sourcing for an integrated Eastern European paper mill

Merger, Acquisition & Post Merger Integration

Results: the PMI projects have helped exceed the defined synergy targets

• Post merger integration for southern European packaging company
• Merger preparation, PMI and turnaround for northern European paper producer
• Post merger integration for European paper merchant
• Market entry study and acquisition support for European paper merchant

Revenue Retention, Margin Improvement & Growth

Results: these projects have helped clients capture 0,5%-1,5% in margin improvements and reduce the risks of bad debt and customer churn

• Sales force effectiveness and margin analysis for domestic packaging plant
• Margin and pricing tool for western European sales force
• Rapid action customer retention initiative at European specialty paper manufacturer

Stakeholder Services

Results: These projects have provided solid decision support for our customers

• Pulp and paper industry study for equity broker
• Market study for Asian paper producer to enter European market
• Performance assessment & strategic evaluation of international, integrated paper company for European asset management firm