Scope and size of the task
50 FTE, revenue approximately 150 M DKK
Challenge:
Starting on the right foot...
Previous management started the process of relocating production from Denmark to Sweden and established a supply milk-round for Danish customers. However, the project hit a roadblock when management realized they hadn't done their due diligence and that the project was not feasible without substantial investments.
The product portfolio, service level, and company culture were vastly different in the two countries, and management had misjudged the profitability of each location. We took action by implementing a significant downsizing, promoting understanding and appreciation of differences in leadership and culture. By creating a smaller organization with improved mutual understanding, losses were dramatically reduced.
The project was discontinued when European management stepped away and the entire operation was closed.
Lesson:
Due diligence. Ensure you carry out even more thorough due diligence before taking on a project. In this case, details that could have indicated the project description was not accurate could have been seen, with the benefit of hindsight.
And it's never too late to give up. It can be challenging to walk away from a project when you've invested time, effort, and emotions. It's important to trust your instincts. If you lose faith in the project, be honest and clear with the client about the project's viablility. Or, be explicit about what is needed - funding, time, or other resources - for it to be viable.
Moving Business from Denmark to Sweden
Scope and size of the task
50 FTE, revenue approximately 150 M DKK