Data analytics · Forecasting & inventory
Why are we out of stock and overstocked at the same time?
Stock levels are usually set by rules of thumb that made sense years ago. We replace them with forecasts and stock targets calculated item by item, so you hold less in total and run out less often.
What it's worth: Releasing 10% of a £6m inventory frees £600k of cash and the cost of holding it.
Maurer rose, k = 0 … 360
Signs this is costing you
Does any of this sound familiar?
- Fast movers run out while slow movers fill the warehouse.
- Reorder points and min/max levels haven't been reviewed in years.
- Buyers expedite, and order extra just in case.
- Inventory is growing faster than sales.
- Nobody can say what service level you actually achieve.
What we do
How we approach forecasting & inventory
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1
Segment the range
We group items by value, volume and how predictable their demand is, because each group needs a different stock policy.
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2
Forecast demand
Statistical forecasts at item and site level, tested against your own history so you can see how accurate they are.
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3
Set stock from service targets
Safety stock and reorder points calculated from demand variability, supplier lead times and the service level you choose for each group.
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4
Release the cash
A plan for excess and slow-moving stock, and new parameters loaded into your ERP or purchasing process.
What you get and what we need
What you get
Deliverables
- Item-level forecasts with measured accuracy
- Safety stock, reorder points and order quantities for every item
- Service level against stock investment, in pounds
- Excess and slow-moving stock review
- Working capital release plan
What we need from you
Data and time
- Two to three years of sales or usage by item and site
- Stock snapshots or stock movements
- Purchase orders with order and receipt dates
- Item master with costs, pack sizes and suppliers
Exports or spreadsheets are fine. Cleaning the data is part of our job.
How we'd start
Fixed prices, agreed before we start
Decision Diagnostic
£5,000We size the forecasting & inventory opportunity in pounds and give you a 90-day plan.
Build
from £18,000We build the model or tool into your workflow. You own everything.
Analytics Partner
from £3,500We keep it monitored, refreshed and improving.
Other services
Other questions we answer
Data analytics · Pricing & quoting
“Are we leaving margin on the table?”
Optimisation · Capacity & scheduling
“How do we get more out of the plant and crews we have?”
AI integration · Workflow automation
“Can we stop retyping the same information?”
Decision modelling · Risk & decision modelling
“What happens to our margin if steel, energy or the dollar moves?”
Find out how much cash your stock is holding
Book a 30-minute call. Bring one decision you'd like to make better, and we'll tell you how we'd size it.