Resources
AGR at LS Retail conneXion
We are pleased to announce that AGR Dynamics will be at LS Retail Partner and Customer Conference, conneXion, in Iceland between 17-18 May 2022. At the conference Finnur Bragason, AGR Dynamics’ Sales Director, will host a session titled: Are sustainable Supply...
Predict the Unpredictable
Back in 2020, nearly every business in the world felt the impact of COVID-19 on their business, in one way or another, making the need for accurate planning and forecasting even greater. But when supply chain disruptions occur, on both the supply and demand side, such as we have felt due to the pandemic and now war on Ukraine? The need for a Planning Solution becomes apparent. Read more…
Hugh Jordan & Co launch supply chain initiative to enhance service and value
Leading independent catering supplier looks to AGR to unlock additional value for customers and strengthen their already impressive service levels Since 1947, Hugh Jordan has provided service, innovation and excellence to the Catering and Hospitality Industry. They...
Re-thinking Retail: The Opportunity for Wholesalers
The phrase “COVID has changed nothing but accelerated everything” has been used many times, across all aspects of life. It has been particularly apt with retail. Prolonged periods of lockdown have accelerated shifts to online channels in every product category. It...
Those Who Plan Together, Stick Together
Manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers face a number of challenges as 2021 closes. But facing down challenge is nothing new for anyone who has lived through the last 2 years. What firms have had to do out of necessity during the toughest of times shows us the...
Templespa to Upgrade Supply Chain Operations Capability to Support Future Growth
Award-winning supplier of luxury skincare products turn to AGR Dynamics to provide smooth transition to a new management platform International Skincare brand, Templespa has seen its business flourish even against the tough backdrop of the COVID crisis. Run by Liz...
Birlea Furniture invest in driving further efficiency and responsiveness in their supply chain.
Innovative supplier of bedroom, lounge and dining room furniture is to partner with AGR to optimise stock levels and accelerate operational improvements. Following significant investments in warehousing and systems that have enabled the family-run business to increase...
The Environmental Case for Optimization
Climate change and sustainability is increasingly becoming a central element of commercial decision making. In June 2019, the UK parliament passed legislation requiring the government to reduce the UK’s net emissions of greenhouse gases by 100% relative to 1990 levels...
Don’t Just Manage, Optimize: Minimising Risk and Waste
As we close out 2021 and look to 2022 it’s clear there are increasingly tight margins for profit and error. Consumers are demanding shorter delivery times. Retailers are placing a greater premium on service levels. Costs are rising, inbound and outbound logistics...
Sense and Sustainability
In April 2021 the UK government set the world’s most ambitious climate change target into law to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels. The climate change agenda is hot news and despite protests from various organisations dividing public opinion,...
Resetting After Disruption: Are We Ready For a Promotions Challenge
As I write this in September 2021, the UK appears to be hitting peak supply chain challenge. As the constraints of COVID restrictions have eased, difficulties with driver shortages and availability right the way up the supply chain are coming to light. Talking to...
Navigating the Perfect Storm
If managing inventory can be challenging at the best of times, it can be debilitating at times of local and international disruption. Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and other companies that deal with household products, cosmetics and toiletries, office...
Becoming the Supply Chain’s ‘Most Valuable Player’
You can be the ‘All Star MVP’ in achieving supply chain excellence. You just need the support of the right information, tools and players. The barriers to excellence Everybody is aiming for excellence – delivery of the right product, to the right customer, at the...
Better Methods to Boost Sales
Consumer spending is increasing and given it is driving over a quarter of GDP growth this year, it is an important sign of economic life picking up as restrictions ease. In fact, the CBI is forecasting that the UK economy will return to pre-Covid levels by the end of...
Inventory Strategy in Uncertain Times
For many businesses, the cash tied up in stock can be 20%, 30% or even 40% of annual turnover. When considering those amounts, even seemingly small inventory management decisions can have a far-reaching and compounding effect across the organisation and on the bottom...
Creating the Space to Plan
Talking to manufacturers and wholesale and distribution companies has made it clear that there are several consistent trends at play at the moment. Competition is fierce Everyone is working hard to get their products to market, including suppliers and competitors....
When Results are Delivered, Do We Question the Approach?
When embarking on a journey somewhere, do you create a detailed route plan in advance or just set off in the general direction and rely on signs along the way to get you to your destination? Most of us probably combine the two approaches – we tend to take a look at...
Delivering for New Retail Trends
The shopping centre giant Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield have carried out research on the impact of the pandemic on the future of shopping. Westfield’s study, which polled 2000 UK consumers and 500 UK retailers, identified a range of trends: One of the five key areas of...
OTL launch supply chain project to keep up with increasing demand
Leading supplier of FMCG products to the UK and overseas markets, OTL has partnered with AGR to drive operational efficiency and optimise stock levels using AGR Software. Following several years of rapid growth, OTL, the international FMCG supplier, has this month...
Take Stock of Your Inventory!
It will come as no surprise to hear that having control of your stock is critical to success and yet many in wholesale and distribution don’t go beyond the fundamentals of stock management and are losing out. We know that the golden rule calls for the right product...
Why Robust Merchandise Financial Planning is Critical
Failing to plan is planning to fail. You’ll have heard that one before. The sentiment behind it is why we all plan for success. But all plans are not created equal, some are absolutely better than others. They’re easier to produce, deliver better results and drive...
It Takes People Equipped with the Right Tools to Manage Efficient Supply Chains
Supply chains are complex ecosystems that require tending to – they operate on a foundation of relationships and decision making. This means that you can never fully automate the S(I)&OP activity across the supply chain. The process cannot sustain itself without...
AGR Dynamics closes a strategic investment round
AGR is happy to announce a successful investment round led by a new shareholder VEX I. Current shareholders did also participate but the aim of the funding is to fuel and accelerate AGR's growth, as the company has grown by an average of 25% per year over the past...
Responding to Disruption
When you’re driving, your journey feels smooth thanks to your car’s suspension working to absorb any shocks from bumps in the road. The same applies to your business – if operations have started to feel smooth over the last few months that’s likely down to your...
Minimising the Cost of Uncertainty – Scenario Planning
‘Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth’ – Mike Tyson Plans are easy to come up with. The challenge is ensuring that they are good ones – able to withstand tests of turbulence and unexpected shocks. There are lots of signs to keep an eye out for as...
Demand Variability – Risk or Opportunity?
Unpredictable patterns of demand create challenges for managing inventory. These primarily manifest themselves in either excess inventory or issues with fulfilling service levels. Demand variability is a constant, there’s no way to predict with absolute certainty...
S&OP for Competitive Advantage: 10 Signs You Need to Up Your Game
We’ve previously considered the importance of strong inventory health to your success in wholesale/distribution. The health of your entire business is crucial though so here are 10 symptoms of larger problems you should be looking out for: Responding to disruption...
S&OP for Competitive Advantage: Why ERP Alone Can’t Deliver
Retailers need product, price and service level performance and it’s up to wholesalers to deliver. Those businesses with the best sales and operations planning (S&OP) processes are most likely to succeed in fulfilling the demands of their customers. What’s behind...
What Sets the Best Wholesale and Distribution Businesses Apart from the Rest?
A common factor among the best-in-class wholesale and distribution companies is their recognition of the importance of inventory on their bottom line. They acknowledge the need for effective and efficient management of inventory and shape their operations accordingly....
Carrington Textiles announces Inventory Optimisation and Merchandise Planning partnership with AGR Dynamics to support future growth
Carrington Textiles has a reputation for innovation, and continues to introduce exciting breakthroughs and new ideas to meet the most stringent performance requirements encountered in diverse areas such as heavy industry, light engineering, food processing, retail,...
Reduce the Resource Costs of Inventory Replenishment (10–25%) and Inventory Management (33–66%)
Inventory management takes place within an operating model with many variables and moving parts. Many of the links in the chain must be managed by people. But much of their daily work could (and should) be undertaken by technology, freeing them up as a resource to...
Cut Stock-Outs by 10–25% and Improve Service Levels
The last year has been defined by disruption and volatility. The unprecedented rate of change seen in consumer behaviour was a large factor. Looking ahead, there’s no tipping point on the horizon that will cause future prospects to settle into a predictable rhythm....
Reduce Obsolete Stock Write-offs by 5–20%
When excess inventory is managed effectively and stock levels are reduced, surplus no longer accumulates. A reduction of obsolete product means you can avoid selling off stock at a discounted price, or worse, writing it off entirely. Preventing this situation keeps...
Release 15–25% of Your Cash from Unnecessary Safety Stock
How do you consistently achieve high service levels without carrying large volumes of safety stock for each inventory item? Hitting those rates of order fulfilment starts with inventory classification. Like so many models, the wholesale and distribution approach is...
Inventory Optimization – The Impact on Your Bottom Line
We frequently talk about inventory optimization in terms of the ways in which it can help you better manage your supply chain. Perhaps you think of it as a ‘nice to have’ approach, something to incorporate in the future. You’d be wrong. There are quantifiable, in some...
Key Areas of Focus for World-Class Wholesale Organisations, Part 6 – Integration and Alignment
The anatomy of a world-class wholesale organisation Based on our work with clients; analysis of the wholesale and distribution sector; and input from expert consultants; we’ve identified the characteristics that define world-class wholesale organisations. This set of...
Heads Up: Successful Forecasting and Demand Planning
What’s the state of your inventory management today? Are you reliant on spreadsheets, snapshots and individuals’ knowledge? Or do you have a near-time view of all activity that automatically prompts planners, buyers and the rest of the team, allowing them to run with...
Key Areas of Focus for World-Class Wholesale Organisations, Part 5 – Robust Governance
The anatomy of a world-class wholesale organisation Based on our work with clients; analysis of the wholesale and distribution sector; and input from expert consultants; we’ve identified the characteristics that define world-class wholesale organisations. This set of...
The State of S&OP in 2021
Even before the crisis emerged in 2020 and forced them to take action, organisations had started to recognise and experience the many benefits of optimizing their S&OP process. In the main, this was as a tool for balancing supply and demand. Now, as we shift to a...
Key Areas of Focus for World-Class Wholesale Organisations, Part 4 – Automation and Control (2/2)
The anatomy of a world-class wholesale organisation Based on our work with clients; analysis of the wholesale and distribution sector; and input from expert consultants; we’ve identified the characteristics that define world-class wholesale organisations. This set of...
Paws Holdings Ltd announce Inventory Optimisation and Merchandise Planning partnership with AGR Dynamics to support future growth
Leading European online pet wellbeing business to drive operational efficiency and optimise stock levels alongside their sector leading service levels using AGR software.Paws Holdings Limited, the online Dog and Cat Wellbeing business operating in the UK and...
What CEOs and MDs in Wholesale/Distribution Really Want From Their Teams
What leader isn’t looking for new ways to make their business more efficient and cost effective? What supplier isn’t claiming methods and solutions to help them achieve it? Across the board, everybody’s trying to make improvements and everybody else is offering...
Key Areas of Focus for World-Class Wholesale Organisations, Part 4 – Automation and Control (1/2)
The anatomy of a world-class wholesale organisation Based on our work with clients; analysis of the wholesale and distribution sector; and input from expert consultants; we’ve identified the characteristics that define world-class wholesale organisations. This set of...
2021 Wholesale / Distribution Benchmark – Early Findings
Our wholesale/distribution benchmark survey is based on the anatomy of a world-class wholesale distribution firm. Participants score their organisations against the statements that a world-class organisation would use to describe themselves and their operational...
Key Areas of Focus for World-Class Wholesale Organisations, Part 3 – Intelligent Replenishment (2/2)
The anatomy of a world-class wholesale organisation Based on our work with clients; analysis of the wholesale and distribution sector; and input from expert consultants; we’ve identified the characteristics that define world-class wholesale organisations. This set of...
Can We Talk About Recovery Yet?
The journey ahead might be a little bumpy, but there are signs we’re on the road to recovery. According to a Financial Times poll of more than 90 leading economists, it will take at least 18 months for the UK economy to return to its pre-pandemic size. They also...
Key Areas of Focus for World-Class Wholesale Organisations, Part 3 – Intelligent Replenishment (1/2)
The anatomy of a world-class wholesale organisation Based on our work with clients; analysis of the wholesale and distribution sector; and input from expert consultants; we’ve identified the characteristics that define world-class wholesale organisations. This set of...
2020 – That Was the Year That Was
And what a year it was! Across the board, businesses had to deal with demand shocks and everyone had to adapt rapidly to uncertain and dynamic circumstances in order to survive. Ultimately, the experience has shifted the approach organisations take to planning. Demand...
Key Areas of Focus for World-Class Wholesale Organisations, Part 2 – Advanced Forecasting
The anatomy of a world-class wholesale organisation Based on our work with clients; analysis of the wholesale and distribution sector; and input from expert consultants; we’ve identified the characteristics that define world-class wholesale organisations. This set of...
Key Areas of Focus for World-Class Wholesale Organisations, Part 1 – Data Driven
The anatomy of a world-class wholesale organisation Based on our work with clients; analysis of the wholesale and distribution sector; and input from expert consultants; we’ve identified the characteristics that define world-class wholesale organisations. This set of...
Bo Andrén AB chooses AGR Dynamics as supplier of a new purchasing tool for their Jeeves ERP
Since 1942, BOA have looked for the right building boards from the best suppliers around the world. BOA aims for a sustainable building industry with products that are toxic free, environmentally friendly and with responsibility from start to finish. A modern and...
Bygma Gruppen chooses AGR as a supplier of a purchasing tool for their M3 ERP system
Optimal replenishment, optimal inventory levels and freight cost savings are some of the benefits which Bygma Gruppen gets from introducing an intelligent purchasing system. The system has been tested in 8 stores and will be rolled out to all of Bygma's 60 stores in...
Peak Trading 2020 – Initial Thoughts
In the week immediately after the typical Black Friday/Cyber Monday peak shopping weekend, it’s interesting to consider the ways in which things are looking different this year. The usual push to consumers started early this year and it’s likely to continue for...
Are You Experiencing More Business Pains Than You Should Be?
Every company experiences various pains – you could say it’s one of the costs of doing business. But are the difficulties you’re ignoring holding you back from becoming a world-class wholesale organisation? Acute vs chronic Given we regularly discuss the state of your...
Aktieselskabet Carl Christensen looks to proliferate agility in forecasting & purchasing and lowering costs, in addition to increasing the service level
AGR Nordic's Inventory system was again chosen as the preferred solution, when Aktieselskabet Carl Christensen needed a new system for forecasting and purchasing for central warehouse, as well as for allocation to au2part's 42 departments. The project ahead...
Etman Distribusjon AS improves the purchasing process and inventory management with AGR Dynamics Inventory system
AGR Nordic gets a new customer in Norway and continues its strong entry into the exciting and important Norwegian market. Etman Distribusjon AS / ETM Øst AS Etman Distribusjon AS, a Norwegian electrical wholesaler which together with ETM Øst AS serves the Norwegian...
Achieving Strong Inventory Health (and the Bad Habits to Avoid at all Costs)
Inventory health is one of the most important aspects of supply chain management. With valuable resources tied up in inventory stock, knowing exactly what you have and where it’s located is crucial to managing stock, avoiding accruing high carrying costs, and to...
Inventory Health Part 3: Increasing Stock Turn
Having considered the importance of relationship management and using your team’s knowledge to look behind the numbers, we’re going to consider the vital statistic for inventory health: stock turn. The rate at which your business turns its stock is a crucial indicator...
Inventory Health Part 2: Knowledge Matters
Strong management of the complex relationships and moving parts that determine inventory health requires quality information and proactive decision making. We looked previously at the importance of freeing your team from laborious tasks and equipping them with...
Inventory Health Part 1: People Matter
Strong inventory management was a key element in our focus on recovery and resilience. We’re going to take some time to consider this in more detail as inventory health is one of the most important aspects of supply chain management. With valuable resources tied up in...
Recovery and Resilience: Looking Ahead
As we’ve discussed over the last month, the supply chain is the engine of any retail and wholesale business model. When things are not running smoothly, the operation is stuck in a lower gear and the only way to create organisational resilience is to take steps to...
Recovery and Resilience Part 3: Removing Reliance on Spreadsheets
We’ve illustrated how important it is to remove vulnerabilities to your supply chain by targeting threats in the areas of demand planning, inventory management and financial fragility in order to increase resilience and build the momentum required to promote recovery....
Recovery and Resilience Part 2: Reducing Excess Inventory
We’re taking some time to focus on key challenges to your organisation’s resilience. As we highlighted last week, in order to increase resilience and build the momentum required to promote recovery, vulnerabilities around the supply chain must be addressed. The most...
Recovery and Resilience Part 1: Tackling Demand Fluctuation
Our ebook, Shifting Through the Gears, considers the supply chain as the engine of the retail wholesale business model. Some organisations are stuck in low gear, with the engine operating at high revolutions just to move forward. Businesses operating in the higher...
5 Supply Chain Trends in 2020
Supply chains are always evolving to meet company needs and bring about greater efficiency. And though 2020 has introduced new challenges for supply chains — all but stopping them in many cases for a number of months — general evolution in this space is not stopping....
What if ‘unprecedented’ disruptions to the supply chain weren’t so unexpected after all?
Global strategy consultancy, McKinsey, published their report ‘Risk, Resilience and Rebalancing in Global Value Chains’ in August 2020. In the report they demonstrate that – whilst the impact of this year’s COVID-19 crisis is severe and in many ways ‘unprecedented’...
Making the Right Inventory Optimization Decisions
The success of inventory optimization – and ultimately, positive customer service – relies on a multitude of decisions. Choices are required at every stage of the process to ensure not only that the right products are in the right place, at the right time, but also...
Achieving Inventory Service Levels in 2020 – can we just start again?
Nobody said this year was going to be easy, but who would have forecast we’d be in this situation 6 months ago? Although COVID-19 first hit the news cycle in December, there was no mention of UK lockdown until at least early March. In fact, rather like Michael Fish...
Access the Value of Inventory Optimization
There is a large difference between managing and optimizing your inventory. ERP systems can track items; provide the data required to analyse sales and inform the process from initial purchase order to payment, but they can’t handle supply chain optimization. ...
Avoiding Killer Impacts on Stock and Service Levels During Recovery
Current market volatility and turbulent demand patterns call for some 'padding' in your inventory in order to satisfy unexpected spikes in demand or issues with supply. A fine balance needs to be struck though – too much excess stock ties up your working capital; too...
The Trouble with Excel: Part 2 – Where Spreadsheets Come Really Unstuck
We’ve previously addressed some of the fundamental issues with employing an Excel-based system. The weaknesses of these models is currently being brought into particularly sharp relief by the volatility of demand levels and changing consumer behaviour. Here, we’re...
The Trouble with Excel: Part 1 – Why Spreadsheets Aren’t Ideal
Demand planning and inventory management processes exist to help avoid: Unnecessarily high levels of inventory (overstocks) Costly inventory write-offs Excessive use of premium transportation services Missed commitments and poor service levels ERP systems track stock...
How Are Lasting Shifts in Consumer Behaviour Going to Affect You?
Things have changed in the first half of 2020 and there will undoubtedly be lasting impacts. Consumer attitudes and behaviours have changed – some caused by necessity, others an acceleration of existing trends. A report by global professional services firm Alvarez...
Control Your Stock and Cash Flow with Merchandise Financial Planning
Retailers today are in a constant balancing act – they need to satisfy their customers needs for choice, availability and value while making a profit for the business. This can be tricky but one of the key ways retailers can acheive the perfect balance is through...
There’s no ‘I’ in S&OP. Are you missing a trick?
Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) gets a lot of attention in tough economic times. Given the volatility caused by the recent crisis it’s an essential process and everybody will be scrutinising their plans and forecasts right now as the future they had...
How to Reduce Uncertainty and Anticipate Change in your Supply Chain? Forecasting is key.
Forecast quality is inevitably dependent on the quality of the underlying data. One-off events, such as a dramatic increase in sales or an unusual drop in demand, can dramatically change the forecast for the worse. Therefore, one must pay attention to the historic...
Get Your Business Back in the Game After COVID-19
As business re-opens on a small scale, just six to ten weeks after the shutdown of hotels, restaurants, non-essential retail trade, tourism and significant shares of manufacturing, the focus is swiftly turning to what's ahead this year and next. The question is...
Achieve Your Financial Targets with the AGR Financial Planning Module
Learn more about our new Financial Planning module and how it can help your company achieve its financial targets. Our webinar will show you how the best practice methodology embedded in AGR Financial Planner can help you to plan and track your financial...
Søstrene Grene Improves Allocation Accuracy to its 250 Stores
Fill out the form below and you will be redirected to our Søstrene Grene case study. Latest AGR Dynamics NewsFollow us!facebooklinkedinyoutubetwitter
Bikeshop.no Signs Agreement with AGR Nordic on Implementation of New Forecasting and Replenishment Solution
AGR Inventory will help to automate and streamline the replenishment process at Bikeshop. Bikeshop.no is Norway's largest bike shop, offering better prices and more variety for bicycle and triathlon equipment than anyone else in the country. The company places a high...
AGR Allocation – Right Products, Right Place, Right Time
Get a Full Overview of your Allocation with AGR The AGR Inventory module has managed allocation since the beginning, but it has always been 'behind the scenes'. We at AGR Dynamics have developed a new user friendly interface in the AGR Inventory module that brings our...
Managing the Impact of COVID-19 on your Supply Chain
The rapid global spread of COVID-19 means few answers and lots of supply chain uncertainty across all industries. As nations strive to protect their people’s health, the impact on productivity and consumer demand is inevitable - leaving supply chains disrupted. As...
A Culture of Gender Equality is our Secret Sauce at AGR Dynamics
International Women’s Day 2020 is billed as a time to celebrate women's achievements, to raise awareness against bias, and to take action for equality. And how wonderful that there is a specific mission this year ‘to celebrate digital advancement and champion the...
Safety Stock: What Is It and Why Is It So High?
Whether you're new to logistics or a veteran, safety stock is an important concept that many people can be confused about. As a simple explanation, safety stock is an extra amount of stock that is maintained to mitigrate a risk of stockout. That is all well and good,...
Wholesale Dynamics Data Sheet
View and Download the Wholesale Dynamics Data Sheet here.
Søstrene Grene chooses AGR Dynamics to Deliver their New Allocation Tool for NAV
Søstrene Grene chooses AGR Dynamics to Deliver their New Allocation Tool for NAV.
Retail Dynamics Data Sheet
View and Download the Retail Dynamics Data Sheet here.
Inventory levels down by 30% through customized reporting – JYSK Case Study
View and download the full case study here.
AGR Adds User Friendly Interface for Allocation in AGR Software
AGR Dynamics is excited to launch a new allocation user interface which is a part of our Inventory module. Allocation, the process of determining how to distribute stock upon delivery from suppliers to location, has been an...
Planning for Retail Data Sheet
View and Download the Planning for Retail Data Sheet here.