Building a Better Future: How CES is Evolving for You

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes, 42 seconds. Contains 541 words

At CES, we’ve been on quite the journey. Since I joined the team, we’ve been laser-focused on making our operations smoother, faster, and more efficient – all with one goal in mind: providing the best possible experience for our clients. We’ve always known that we could do better, and we’ve worked tirelessly to make that happen.

The Big Move: Upgrading Our Systems

One of the first things we tackled was upgrading our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Warehouse Management System. Our previous system worked, but we knew we needed something more sophisticated to keep up with our growth. I’m thrilled to share that the new ERP officially went live in December 2023, and it’s already making a huge difference. We’ve been able to streamline processes, improve accuracy, and provide a clearer view of operations, both internally and for our clients.

Better Spaces, Better Communication

But it’s not just about technology. We also made a big move into a renovated office and warehouse space in Manchester. Bringing all our staff under one roof has done wonders for communication and team morale. Now, we have shared spaces where people can collaborate more easily, and that’s translating directly into better service for you.

Listening to Our Teams – And Acting on It

We didn’t stop there. We launched an in-depth Operations Process Review to ask the people on the ground – our teams – what could be improved. And they didn’t hold back! We got insights from every department, which helped us streamline our workflows even further. Two standout tools that came from this are our Quote Tracker and Shipping Tracker. These have been game-changers, making it easier for us to pull up the exact information you need, right when you need it.

Efficiency in the Warehouse

On the warehouse side, we’ve completely revamped how we handle incoming goods. Our team is now multiskilled, which means fewer delays and faster turnaround times for shipping. We know how important it is to get products out the door as quickly as possible – especially during busy times – and we’ve cut down on unnecessary steps to make that happen.

Data-Driven Decisions

We’re also using better data. With Power BI reporting, we can track back orders and supplier performance more effectively, which means we can give you more accurate information about your orders and what’s on the way. It’s all about transparency and keeping you in the loop.

Partnering for Success

And let’s not forget about our export suppliers. Since we work with partners around the world, we’ve made sure that the companies we collaborate with share our commitment to great customer service. They’re an extension of our team, and together, we’re able to provide the smooth, efficient service you’ve come to expect from CES.

Looking Forward: The Journey Continues

It hasn’t always been easy, but our team has been incredible through all of these changes. They’ve shown resilience, adaptability, and a real drive to make CES better. And while we’ve made huge strides, we’re not done yet. We see this as an ongoing process of improvement. There’s more to come, and we’re excited to keep pushing forward to serve you even better.

Thanks for being a part of our journey. We’re committed to evolving, growing, and delivering the exceptional service you deserve – now and in the future.

Mark Pollard, Operations Director